Language Skills and Communication Strategies of Hungarian Health Visitors Working with Multicultural Families – Implications for ESP Material Design
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Abstract
In response to Hungary’s growing multicultural population, health visitors increasingly face language and cultural challenges in their daily work. This practitioner research examines the language skills and communication strategies of Hungarian health visitors working with multicultural families. Conducted by language educators, translators, and a health visitor, the study aims to inform the development of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) materials for health visitors. Data was collected via two online surveys: one for health visitors and one for families with at least one non-Hungarian parent. Findings reveal strengths and gaps in language skills and communication strategies. Based on these insights and consultation with a health visitor educator, a framework for ESP materials is proposed, including key topics and sample tasks to prepare learners for real-life multilingual communication.
Keywords: health visitors; healthcare communication; English for Specific Purposes; material design; communication strategies; multicultural healthcare; language skills
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