Research note. Language training for prospective and practising social workers: a neglected topic in social work literature

Abstract

This research note contends that language training is an asset for both prospective social workers (social work students) and those already practising the profession (social workers). The realization hereof would imply the inclusion of language classes (native or foreign) within initial and/or further training at various stages of a social worker's career. To this author's knowledge, only few departments/schools in a minority of European countries do this. The note presents bibliographical evidence which demonstrates that the question of teaching social workers languages has not yet received the treatment in social work literature which it deserves. The author believes it should and mentions a postal survey he is currently co-conducting, the aim of which is to show—albeit in outline only—how many European countries' social workers receive language train ing, and what kind of courses they are offered. The note intends to stimulate further research and refers to a recent BJSW paper (Pugh and Jones, 1999) which contains both some evidence and some opinions pointing in the same direction.