Eyasu
Job title
Administrator
Company and location
Islington Volunteer Centre, London
Industry Sector
Voluntary services
Background
Mother tongue is Oromo
Learned Amharic at school
Worked as ESOL teacher
BSc Plant Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Soil Science
What are your main responsibilities at work?
My main responsibility is administration. I am also the first point of contact with members of the public. I book potential volunteers’ appointments and then interview them when they come to the office looking for volunteering vacancies.
How are languages used in everyday tasks?
I deal with customers of diverse national and ethnic backgrounds. During interviews I often ask where they are from and if we share a common language. Then we start speaking the common language. I find this improves communication and really helps with the delivery of our service.
So which languages can you use?
Oromo and Amharic. These languages are spoken in East African countries, mainly Ethiopia and Kenya. But I can get by quite well with Somali-speaking people, as Oromo and Somali have a lot of vocabulary in common.
How did your past experience help you in your job now?
As a former teacher, I used to teach students from different cultural backgrounds.
This experience have helped me a lot in understanding body language, expressions and feelings of people I deal with and how best to respond to their needs.
Any tips?
Customers always feel happier and more confident in the service they are provided if you speak their language. Remember to make use of languages that you have learned at home as well as in education.