The demand for multilingual talent<\/a> in the United States keeps growing across all industries, and the nonprofit sector is not an exception. If you are in a leadership position within a nonprofit organization, it is imperative to be aware that there is a high probability that your organization is engaging with people with low English proficiency, as volunteers or as clients. Have you asked yourself if your team is equipped with the necessary language skills to prevent a possible serious misunderstanding that can harm the organization\u2019s reputation? Is your organization prepared to avoid a public relations crisis by eliminating language barriers? Through the recruitment and integration of language-proficient staff and volunteers<\/a>, you can forge a strong and lasting relationship of trust with the diverse community you serve.<\/p>\n According to a survey<\/a> conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for ACTFL, 65 million residents of the United States speak a language other than English, and about 10 percent of the United States\u2019 employable population is of limited English proficiency. \u201cAs a nonprofit organization, it is important to be engaged and relevant to the community that you are located in. By becoming an active member in the local area, not only can you increase the recognition of your organization, but you can also meet the people that make up the very community you operate in\u201d (Forbes Nonprofit Council).<\/p>\n The benefits of hiring individuals who can speak more than one language are mutual. The people being served will feel that their needs matter and your effective multilingual communication in the delivery of your organization\u2019s services will make a positive impact that transforms lives<\/a>, making your funders happy. Similarly, knowing and understanding the cultural background of the communities served and the challenges or concerns that frequently affect them can develop a bond of trust between both parties. Furthermore, effective communication will generate the engagement of more individuals in the community, either as partners, volunteers, or new donors.<\/p>\n A key factor in supporting and advocating for underserved populations is to make sure that the issues of the people you are working with are addressed in a compassionate manner. Opportunities to get members of the community involved in your mission are plentiful, so stay true to your purpose of helping people in need by identifying the most-used languages in your area and reaching out to your diverse clientele using their preferred language. Initiatives such as gathering important information through community assessment surveys can create awareness of the issues relevant to non-English speaking segments of the population and a closer bond with your organization. \u201cIf members of the community in which a nonprofit serves do not feel comfortable working with the staff, they will not get the most out of what an organization has to offer. Additionally, if there is distrust between community and staff, the organization will not fully understand the needs of the community\u201d (Oberlin).<\/p>\n Remember that providing clear in-language communication can save you time and money, and more importantly broaden the impact of the work you do for the betterment of society. Make sure your current or prospective bilingual and multilingual employees are truly prepared to handle challenging linguistic situations that may arise in your organization. The members of the community you serve will be loyal collaborators if your outreach efforts are developed and implemented with them in mind.<\/p>\n To ensure current and prospective staff and volunteers have the required level of language proficiency, make language assessments part of the recruitment process. For 30 years, LTI has been a trusted language testing provider for academic institutions, commercial clients, and federal, state, and local government agencies. As the exclusive licensee of ACTFL language proficiency assessments, they deliver valid and legally defensible language tests in over 120 languages. Scheduling tests is easy with LTI because their secure remote proctoring services allow test-takers to complete the assessments anywhere and at any time that is convenient to them.<\/p>\n Sources<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. <\/em>(2019). \u201c<\/em>Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers.\u201d https:\/\/www.leadwithlanguages.org\/report<\/a><\/p>\n Forbes Nonprofit Council. \u201cNine Ways Nonprofits Can Increase Community Engagement\u201d. Oct 17, 2017.<\/p>\n