Suomen kielen oppimisen mahdollisuudet ja työyhteisön tuki puhdistuspalvelualalla: afrikkalaisten maahanmuuttajien käsityksiä ja kokemuksia

Abstract

This article presents a triple case study of African immigrants’ beliefs about Finnish language learning and support of the work community in the cleaning industry. Cleaning does not require a high language proficiency and it is therefore a typical first job for immigrants, a so-called entrance job. The theoretical framework of the study combines dialogical and sociocultural perspectives on language learning. Learners’ beliefs about work-related affordances and scaffolding are analysed using a dialogical analysis of beliefs. The interviewees’ shared belief is that in spite of their simple duties, cleaning work does provide affordances for learning, e.g. in the form of work-related announcements and instructions. Learning opportunities depend much on the support received from the surrounding work community. The use of Finnish at work promotes language learning when comprehension is supported by body language, visual elucidation, or repetition.