What is the best strategy to overcome the language barrier in the workplace?
There is not one best strategy for every company or organization. Factors to consider when addressing language barriers include: nation of origin of employees, length of time in the U.S., type of language necessary to complete job tasks, religious or cultural barriers, literacy in the employee’s native language, management commitment to overcoming the barriers. It is best to approach this complex issue strategically, starting with the goals of the organization and an analysis of the costs of the language barrier. The results of any training, document translation, or other tactical approaches must be measured in dollars.
