I use German at work now, but that hasn’t always been the case for me. In my previous role as Communications Manager, I only used English. That was one of the reasons why I left, but that’s another story!
Anyway, I didn’t go straight into using German at work. While I was still working in my old role, I had a voluntary position where I could use my German. It helped me to bridge that gap between the language you use when you’re learning a language and the language that people really use when they’re working together and trying to get stuff done!
How do you work in a team when the only language is your additional one and you are the only one not working in their first language? How do you cope with the person who sends a 3-page email instead of a couple of sentences? Is it only you or are the native speakers just as confused? How do you get your ideas across convincingly in a meeting where there are lots of people who like to talk a lot? How do you deal with conflict? How do you build good working relationships when you don’t understand some cultural references? How do you challenge things that aren’t right in a way that comes across well? I thought about all these questions and more … because I had to!
It’s true that I work with people in German now. Although I’m no longer in a team, those experiences that I gained as a volunteer really helped me to develop my German in real situations with real people and their very real emotions or different communication styles. I wasn’t paid for my time, but those experiences are invaluable.
You don’t have to go abroad to volunteer – although I’m sure it’s a great experience if you do. I had a full-time job and other responsibilities, but it was still possible to find an online volunteering role in my first additional language. It was a kind of online community project and I joined various teams, running some of my own projects and contributing to others. This was around 15 years ago and I’m still in touch with a couple of people whom I met there.
So, even if you’re not living in the country where your additional language is spoken, there are ways to find volunteering opportunities. If you are living in the country where your additional language is spoken, it will be even easier!
You have a commitment and this means you have to show up or do the things that you promised to do. It could just be an hour a week, or it could be something more involved, like the project in which I was involved.
It takes time, it can be stressful, and you will go out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re working in a language that you’re learning. But at the same time it’s a way to learn in real situations, meet new people, maybe make friends, and you’ll definitely put those language skills to use!
Have you done any volunteering in another language? Would you like to?
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