Denmark
Clarification of the
high degree of absence from language training |
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The
municipalities in Denmark have been assigned the responsibility
of implementing the Integration Act according to which,
must make possible all the immigrants a three- year introduction
programme which the Act prescribes and which consists
of three basic elements: Danish language training, a Course
in civic and social studies and employability enhancement
programme.
The
project is addressed primarily to women (Turkish, Palestinian,
Iraqi, Kurdish) that suffer from physical pain, psychosomatic
symptoms, traumatized husbands with lack of motivation
to follow the language training.
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Description
of the problem: |
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The
project has been initiated due to an unacceptably high
degree of absence from the compulsory language training
at Greve Language School (an average of 27% in August
2000). The high degree of absence constitutes a considerable
barrier for the individual's ability to learn the Danish
language and thus get a job and become integrated in the
Danish society.
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Description
of the solution: |
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In
order to clarify the reasons for the high degree of absence
the municipality has hired a health visitor who has many
years experience in working with ethnic minorities. The
health visitor has visited about 140 people (all more than
15% absence from their language training and primarily women)
to find out why they were so sick and to inform them about
prevention of desease. The visits showed that the perception
of desease among the ethnic minorities is very different
from the Danish perception of desease (e.g. pregnancy is
often considered to be a desease). To avoid misunderstandings
an interpreter has been involved.
The
project has also focused on taking preventive initiatives.
The following initiatives have been taken:
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information meetings for the teachers at the Language School
· information meetings for the general practitioners
and psychiatrists
· information meetings for all students at the Language
School (the consequences of being absent from language training)
· information in every class about perception of
health and desease in Denmark
· open counselling for the students
· teaching at introduction courses for newly arrived
foreigners (rights and duties according to the law, perception
of health and desease in Denmark)
· study visits to other municipalities
· at the language School a person has been hired
to closely follow up on the students who have a high degree
of absence.
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The project has run for two years and it has been a great
success, and because of it we consider it a good practice.
The degree of absence at the Language School has fallen
from an average of 27% in 2000 to an average of 16.7% in
2002.
The
most innovative element has been to hire a health advisor
who is able to professionally reveal the reasons for the
high degree of absence and create the solution.
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IF
YOU WISH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT TO:
The
Municipality of Greve.
Ms Charlotte Steenberg.
chs@greve.dk
Radhusholmen 10.
2670 Greve (Denmark)
Tel. (+45) 4397 9797
Fax. (+45) 4397 9090
www.greve.dk
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