How to Speak Simply to Learners of English

‘Of the electronic referral letters sent to patients by NHS England last year, more than 9%  had to be translated into a foreign language, according to figures disclosed by the Government under transparency rules.’ The Telegraph, Feb 15th 2025 

Language barriers shouldn’t block people from participating in research. 

Learn to overcome language barriers with confidence and skill, so that more speakers of English as a Foreign Language can participate in research. 

‘Of the electronic referral letters sent to patients by NHS England last year, more than 9%  had to be translated into a foreign language, according to figures disclosed by the Government under transparency rules.’ The Telegraph, Feb 15th 2025 

Even when someone speaks “good English”, research language can be hard to follow. Terms like Informed Consent, Clinical Trial, random allocation, and control group can sound confusing or intimidating if they are not explained carefully. 

In this workshop you’ll learn how to explain complex information simply, so that participants who speak English as a foreign language find you easier to understand. You’ll learn to speak more slowly but without sounding patronising. 

We’ll focus on how to recruit research participants who don’t require an interpreter but do speak English as a foreign language. 

You’ll be able to – 

• Explain complex information more clearly without talking down 
• Reduce confusion and increase meaningful questions 

• Feel more confident that participants have understood what is being asked 
• Explain informed consent more clearly 

This workshop will be led by Shelley Purchon, English Unlocked.