Artículo 170 del TRLRHL

From the interview sessions, the 21 interview participants gave their opinions on their problems and opinions on improving the understanding of Spoken English.

4.3.1.1 Need to listen to patient’s Spoken English

The clinical instructor commented that the nurses do not understand the different slangs, accents and pronunciation of the foreign patients and the speed of speech of the patients were too fast. She opined that the nurses need to watch videos of foreigners speaking English on You Tube, on television and in movies. Her reasoning was that

“people from all the world upload videos on YouTube” and it is best for the nurses to

watch videos of people from different parts of the world. YouTube is the best exposure the nurses can get and through watching videos on YouTube, “the nurses can slowly

understand the different English accent, slangs and pronunciation of people from all walks of life in different parts of the world”. The nurses can also pick up the slangs

and accents of foreigners. According to her, watching YouTube videos will also help nurses to talk about interesting topics when they interact with the patients. Topics can be on current affairs, gadgets, life styles, sports and travel. Making small talks with the patients can build the nurses’ rapport with patients.

112

When the patients speak fast and with a different accent or slang, the nurses need to ask for clarification. She goes on to say that the nurses need to familiarise themselves with expressions such as: “Excuse me Sir, can you speak slower, you are speaking too

fast” or “Excuse me Sir, do you mean….” Sir can speak slowly; I cannot understand what you said”, when they are not sure of the patients’ message.

4.3.1.2 Need to listen to Doctors’, Matrons’, Sisters’ and Colleagues’ Spoken English

According to one of the human resource managers, the hospital administration acknowledge the problems the nurses face in understanding the doctors’ spoken English. The human resource manager mentioned that it is compulsory for the doctors, sisters and senior nurses to explain their English instructions to the nurses clearly, slowly and patiently. The matron of the same hospital said that, “the nurses

have to make an attempt to speak to the doctors in English even if they do not understand what was being said”. A senior sister suggested, “The nurse should ask the senior nurses what they do not understand instead of keeping quiet and nodding their head. If the nurse do not know, then they should ask”.

113 4.3.2 Nurses have problems in Speaking in English

From the interview sessions, the 21 interview participants gave their opinions on the problems and their opinions on improving the Speaking in English problem.

4.3.2.1 Nurses need to avoid Code-switching English and Malay terms when speaking

One of the human resource managers said in his interview that the best way to reduce code-switching is for the “nurses to start talking to each other in English”. He said this habit will help them to pick up new English words and help them to be more confident in English.

The matron in the same hospital agreed by saying “when the nurses are confident in

speaking English, they won’t hesitate while speaking to the patients. When nurses are speaking to each other in English, they will be practicing their speaking skills like pronunciation and choice of words in a hospital setting.”

The human resource manager and the matron are of the same opinion that the more the nurses speak to each other in English, the more confident they will become in the language. When the nurses are confident in speaking English, they will not hesitate when they converse with the foreign patients in English.

When asked about ways to minimise code switch and mixing of English, Malay and their Mother Tongue among nurses, an Indian nurse replied that the nurses should want to speak to each other in English. “When I speak to my friends, I will speak in English,

and they will try to reply in English. When they get used to speaking in English with me, they will be comfortable to speak in English with the patients and they themselves will be more interested to use English”.

114

As stated by the clinical instructor, one way to curb this problem of code-switching is for the nurses to be more “conscious about using English and Manglish words. They

must make a conscious effort to learn correct English”. When the nurses are conscious

about using English, they will minimise the use of Manglish words.

One of the senior nurses said that the explanations on medications and procedures that the young nurses give to the patients must be monitored by the senior nurses to make sure all the vital information are delivered to the patients. This is also done to “correct the mistakes” done by the young nurses. “Immediate corrections is important to give

the young nurses feedback” on their communication and their mistakes.

4.3.2.2 The need to use of Gestures to Aid and Emphasise Communication

A nurse interviewed explained why nurses have to use gestures. “We must speak to

them in a manner they will understand as they may have different understanding”. She

115

4.3.2.3 Nurses need to engaged in Small Talks and maintain Long Conversation

The clinical instructor said the only way to have long conversations with patients is to

“practice speaking various topics in English with their friends or family members. The nurses should be able to express their opinions and views on latest issues”. These

issues may include: movies, music, and latest lifestyle trends in English. The nurses should talk about issues that are close at heart in English.

As she mentioned before, watching YouTube videos can help nurses to pick up interesting topics they can interact with the patients such as cartoons, gadgets, life styles, sports and travel. Having small talks with the patients can build up the nurses’ rapport with patients.