Follow Friday: Ethnic Studies and Other Social Groups

[ysabetwordsmith]

This week's theme is ethnic studies and other social groups.  There aren't many communities with an ethnic or affinity focus, so if you're interested in this, please consider launching one.  Something with a multicultural or intersectional focus would have a wide audience range.


50books_poc -- Writers of Color 50 Books Challenge
The point of this comm is to read works by people of color. (Preferably fifty of them! Or more!)
[Active with one post in April.]

allbingo has a list of prompts for Ethnic Studies on the Bingo Card Generator.  You can play any card at any time, so if you're into this topic, go for it!  Members can also volunteer to host a fest on any topic they wish.
[Active with multiple posts in April; this community is most active at the beginning and end of each month.]

arashi_transcripts -- A community for Japanese transcripts of Arashi TV
[Highly active with multiple posts per day in April.]

belly_dance -- belly-dance
Journal Title: Dance, like the goddess you are
[Dormant since 2014, but membership and posting are open, so it should be revivable.]

bnha_fans -- Fans of Boku no Hero Academia
This is a community for fans of the Boku No Hero Academia series to come together and share their joy, whether that's getting excited about a piece of canon or sharing your latest recs and other cool BNHA fandom finds.
[Active with multiple posts in April.]

chromaticicons -- Chromatic Icons
Community Description: Icons of Chromatic People & Characters
[Dormant with the last post in 2019, but still a good source of icons.]

dark_agenda -- Promoting Chromatic Sources, Characters and People in Fandom
[Somewhat active, one post in January.]

daysofawesome -- Days of Awesome is a annual Jewish character ficathon in honor of the Jewish high holiday season.
The Days of Awe are the period around the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. There are so many fabulous Jewish characters who are so often written on both fanfic and canon as Jewish in name only. This 30-day challenge focused on the days of awe between those two holy days will highlight those Jewish characters and their Judaism.
[Active during September 2021]

eid_ka_chand -- The Crescent Moon
Discussing Fictional Muslim Characters
[Somewhat active, one post in January.]

first_nations_freaks -- Home to all the indigenous weirdos!
This community is for peoples of all First Nations, all who consider themselves Indigenous, Aboriginal, Native, Amerindian, or Métis and those who sympathize.
[Dormant, last post in 2019, but membership is open and all members can post so it should be revivable.]

judaism -- Judaism
Community Description: A Community for Jews and Noahides
[Low traffic, last post in 2021]

otherkin -- This is an open community for Otherkin and 'kin friendly.
[Active with one post in April and multiple posts in March.]


Can you think of any great bloggers or other communities on these topics that I missed?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Sankofa group?
;)

I wonder if one could set up an online community for refugees moving to specific areas of the world? Or just as general support? (I get so may questions about basic life skills, etc.)

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Those are both brilliant and highly useful ideas for communities. I heartily encourage you to launch them. They would make excellent use of your skills.

Also, they would save you a ton of time. About the third time someone asks me for the same information, I write a post about it, and then I can just give them the link or print out that page, instead of having to reconstruct it. You can see how huge my How To section is, and that's why.

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

Sankofa's kind of your thing, or, like a group project. Wouldn't it be weird if I just took over?

The other idea - part of me says I oughtn't speak on thus issue because /I am not a refugee/.

Also, I'd have to consider if I were going to hang out with RL friends there, too. That would affect if I'd need a new account or could use an existing one.

And some of the resources I've made have my RL name on them...

Either way, I've not really done much beyond conversation on these platforms. Hosting a whole group would be a big step.

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Sankofa's kind of your thing, or, like a group project.<<

Group project. All I've done is describe some great ideas had by people in another world. The whole point is to include as many perspectives as possible, and your multicultural experiences have been different from mine.

>> Wouldn't it be weird if I just took over? <<

Maybe if someone did it without asking, or did it badly. Since I suggested it, it's not weird.

I can't do everything by myself, even the things I know how to do. The more people who get involved, the more things can be accomplished. So if you find something inspiring, go for it.

>> The other idea - part of me says I oughtn't speak on thus issue because /I am not a refugee/. <<

Let's break it down a bit ...

* Free speech matters. People can talk about whatever they want. The thing to consider is whether you have something useful to say.

* There are several groups of people useful in a community for refugees, including:
- Past, present, or future refugees. They can support each ohter ... if they have the energy, which they don't always. Their voices are vital, but ask them to bootstrap everything themselves is hard on them.
- Officials who work with refugees and can help with things like paperwork challenges.
- Volunteers, nonprofit workers, neighborhood outreach folks, etc. who work with refugees and can help with practical issues, finding services, learning the local language, etc.
- Citizens of countries taking in refugees. They can explain local customs, history, resources, etc. so that the more skilled folks don't have to do stuff that any average person could do. If the group is big enough, it becomes possible to pair refugees with a local "buddy."

* You are by far the most experienced and competent person I know who is working with refugees. Your ideas are much more useful and empathetic than most of what I read in articles or tip lists. This inclines me to believe that a community you ran would have more helpful content than average.

>> Also, I'd have to consider if I were going to hang out with RL friends there, too. That would affect if I'd need a new account or could use an existing one.

And some of the resources I've made have my RL name on them... <<

Whether to connect an online resource with your RL work is something only you can decide. But if you want to keep them separate, you can still use your materials, just put "used with permission" on them.

>> Either way, I've not really done much beyond conversation on these platforms. Hosting a whole group would be a big step.<<

That is true. Normally, I'd suggest getting your own blog first. But you've been highly active on mine for quite a while, so other than running your own, you have a lot of experience on Dreamwidth. Setting up a community is easy. Keeping one running is more of a challenge, but if you have even a handful of friends, it is easier.

While I don't have the time to run a whole new community myself, I am chipping in content on several others. I could lend a hand with yours too, if you decide this is something you'd like.

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

Been thinking. Also, busy couple of days.

>>The whole point is to include as many perspectives as possible, and your multicultural experiences have been different from mine.<<

Hmmm...Sankofa could be done as an online community...or a RL social club or something like a Scouting group. (Actually, if done in schools, it could be really helpful to some of the kids.)

If there's a template somewhere, it might be easy to set something up. If not...I'm sure someone has a how-to-start-a-club thing somewhere.

>>There are several groups of people useful in a community for refugees, including:<<

I'd count as a volunteer / local citizen then. And I think I've sort of done the buddy role...no, wait, I have done the buddy role.

>>You are by far the most experienced and competent person I know who is working with refugees.<<

^.^
High praise!

I do know a couple other folks in RL.

And if one wanted to find more RL folk...look for the allies that get invited to community holidays.

(And then everyone who doesn't know you wanders by not so-subtly trying to figure out why some random American is there!)

>>Your ideas are much more useful and empathetic than most of what I read in articles or tip lists. This inclines me to believe that a community you ran would have more helpful content than average.<<

Thanks!

>>Whether to connect an online resource with your RL work is something only you can decide. But if you want to keep them separate, you can still use your materials, just put "used with permission" on them.<<

Well...

I could run it as a sort of advice column / special niche thing. If I used a pseudonym, I could still disclose it to select people if I had to, while maintaining my privacy online.

If I did use my actual name, well, it isn't a rare name and I live near a big city.

No, my name is not Jane Smith. ;)

I do think I might want an "advice column/consult" blog to be separate from "art and assorted thoughts" blog though. Not sure all my ideas would mix well, and the target audiences are rather different.

>>Normally, I'd suggest getting your own blog first.<<

I do have an account on here...somewhere...but I haven't done anything with it yet.

>>While I don't have the time to run a whole new community myself, I am chipping in content on several others. I could lend a hand with yours too, if you decide this is something you'd like.<<

I know I have asked to consult with you/your salon of intellectuals for problems on occasion. I'll probably keep doing that, new blog or not.

Also, I have toyed with the idea of doing some art/illustrations to go along with some of your stories.

And I think a couple of your posts could make nice illustrations/worksheets - its information I haven't seen elsewhere.

If I end up putting up content online, is that something you might be interested in?

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

>>Your ideas are...<<

Oh, forgot to mention above, but if you need to think-tank/consult on stuff in this area, I am willing to be a resource.

I don't know everything, but I may know something.

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Hmmm...Sankofa could be done as an online community...or a RL social club or something like a Scouting group. (Actually, if done in schools, it could be really helpful to some of the kids.) <<

In Terramagne, a Sankofa Club is often though not always attached to a school. Think of it as a cultural show-and-tell club. Members take turns presenting bits of their culture, their ancestors' culture, occasionally trips they took to visit other cultures, etc. Language lessons and practice are popular, and clubs often collect games in different langages (e.g. Uno in the original Spanish, Russian Scrabble). Occasionally they do cultural performances for an audience. Adults often organize field trips to museums, ethnic neighborhoods, cultural events, and so on. There are typically lessons, presentations, and other activities for multicultural skills and awareness. The high school clubs sometimes have a study abroad or foreign field trip program. Sankofa Clubs often have a website with a blog and/or forum where members can discuss topics, archive photos, etc. and other folks can see what events are on the schedule.

If you want to know more, I can add further detail. In Terramagne, the Sankofa Club grew out of the Civil Rights Movement when some folks observed that just shoving people together didn't actually work. You have to teach them how to get along. I described some of it here:
https://ysabetwordsmith.dreamwidth.org/12860003.html

>> If there's a template somewhere, it might be easy to set something up. If not...I'm sure someone has a how-to-start-a-club thing somewhere. <<

Any school, community center, or other organization that hosts clubs should have a set of basic parameters for how their clubs work and steps to start a new one. These commonly list minimum/maximum number of members, whether or not a club supervisor is required and if so what kind, how to reserve space for activities, etc.

Here are some examples:

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Club

https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-start-a-club-in-high-school

https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/how-to-start-college-club/

https://therebelchick.com/20-tips-and-ideas-to-start-a-college-club/

https://www.groupworks.com/general/6-secrets-to-running-a-successful-club/

https://www.ukcdogs.com/docs/huntingforms/successful-club-tips.pdf

>>I'd count as a volunteer / local citizen then. And I think I've sort of done the buddy role...no, wait, I have done the buddy role.<<

If you're uncertain of your credentials, make a list:
* About how many refugees have you worked with?
* Across how many different cultures?
* What are some ways you have helped them?
* What kind of language resources have you offered?
* Have you created helpful handouts for refugees, and if so, what topics?
That will give you something like a resume of your relevant skills and experiences.

>> I do know a couple other folks in RL.

And if one wanted to find more RL folk...look for the allies that get invited to community holidays.<<

Excellent place to start.

Another is to think of the refugees or immigrants you know. Who are the natural leaders? Someone floats to the top in most groups. Who has been there a while? Right after a move, things are always crazy. Look for folks who've been in America for 1-3 years. Who wants to give back? Nobody wants to feel like a charity case. People want to be useful and feel needed. Encourage them by pointing out how far they have come and suggest that sharing those experiences could help other people. Similarly, look at their job history -- teachers can watch kids, medics can run a first aid booth, even if they don't have local credentials for a career they still have their skills. Anyone who knows two or more languages can help with language learning.

>> (And then everyone who doesn't know you wanders by not so-subtly trying to figure out why some random American is there!) <<

LOL yes.

>> I could run it as a sort of advice column / special niche thing. If I used a pseudonym, I could still disclose it to select people if I had to, while maintaining my privacy online.<<

That is one good possibility. With a resource-based approach like that, you could start it by yourself or with a few friends, and put up content, whether or not other folks decided to join in and converse. If you want to get refugees using it, you'll probably have to pitch it to people personally as well as advertise the community. But there's lots of flexibility -- you can make posts inviting people to talk about different topics. If you get other volunteers, you can invite them to pick a theme to run. Frex, one person could discuss health and safety, while another posts about American holidays and how to celebrate them. An immigrant might talk about assimilation vs. cultural pride, or how to maintain your cuisine with available materials in America.

>> If I did use my actual name, well, it isn't a rare name and I live near a big city.<<

Well, that's helpful.

>> I do think I might want an "advice column/consult" blog to be separate from "art and assorted thoughts" blog though. Not sure all my ideas would mix well, and the target audiences are rather different.<<

Many authors use pseudonyms, and many bloggers separate their main topics across different blogs. Aside from focus and division, it also lets you name your blog something descriptive like "Refugee Resources" or "Immigrants and Refugees." A descriptive name helps people find and remember your community, as does listing Interests that people are likely to search for (e.g. refugees, immigrants, linguistics, Americana, holidays).

>> I do have an account on here...somewhere...but I haven't done anything with it yet.<<

It's totally okay to have just a comment blog, no posts in it but the userID lets you post comments in other blogs as a known entity.

If you can find that account, though, it would be helpful to activate it as a personal blog to explore the features. That's useful experience for starting a community.

>> I know I have asked to consult with you/your salon of intellectuals for problems on occasion. I'll probably keep doing that, new blog or not. <<

Yay! :D I have often used my audience as a resource. Sometimes they chime in when I didn't even know they had relevant knowledge, like the time someone corrected the modern Greek to Classic Attic Greek (more appropriate for the historic poem). Cultivating a great audience makes for a fun blog/community experience.

>> Also, I have toyed with the idea of doing some art/illustrations to go along with some of your stories.<<

Go for it! Fanart is welcome. If you post it online, send me a link so I can connect it.

>> And I think a couple of your posts could make nice illustrations/worksheets - its information I haven't seen elsewhere.<<

By all means, feel free to do that. I've only set up a few in worksheet style, but many of the how-to posts could be done at least as a tipsheet.

For example ...

Safety Tracker

Grief Questionnaire

Coping with Grief

If you think any of this stuff would be helpful to refugees, we can reprint it on your blog or print it as handouts. Feel free to mine my How To tag for ideas. Content that is already written is much less work to fill a blog with compared to content that must be written fresh.

>> If I end up putting up content online, is that something you might be interested in? <<

Yes. I would love to know where it is, happy to announce it to other folks, and I'll probably use it as a reference in my writing.

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

>>In Terramagne, a Sankofa Club is often though not always attached to a school. Think of it as a cultural show-and-tell club.<<

So our classes were basically a proto-Sankofa, with emphasis on "How to live in America."

Speaking of diversity, I have noticed that accommodating certain needs/preferences can be easier in that sort of environment. You get used to accommodating differences, and then...well, there's not that much difference between "can't eat wheat" and "kosher/halal diet" or "can't read English" and "dyslexic" or "Deaf, communicates by text" and "ESL speaker communicates by translator app."

And discussing odd/awkward stuff about culture may make it easier to discuss odd/awkward stuff about other things (i.e. "If you feed me that, I will throw up on you.")

>>* About how many refugees have you worked with?<<

It fluctuates. People come and go and prefer working with different people. And then the pandemic threw everything off balance...

>>* Across how many different cultures?<<

Define culture. Do different countries count, or do ethnic minorities count as separate or in addition to their country-of-origin?

Now, If I lump together the two large clusters from very similar backgrounds then I get...two, four...well at least five with more than one person. There were a few individuals from other countries, too.

>>* What are some ways you have helped them?<<

Teaching survival English, American culture and social skills, help with red tape, help communicating with other people.

>>* What kind of language resources have you offered?<<

Well I have a list of language books I like... And I scrounge relevant picture-books (i.e. diagrams of the insides of machinery, or labeled pictures of tools.)

>>* Have you created helpful handouts for refugees, and if so, what topics?<<

Yes. I made a book out of my notes, then an illustrated book. (Its cheaper and easier than forking out $10 for each new person, plus we are less likely to forget important stuff.) And I have drawn up labeled pictogram-notes from conversations.

>>Similarly, look at their job history -- teachers can watch kids, medics can run a first aid booth, even if they don't have local credentials for a career they still have their skills.<<

Facilitating job skills is something I've done - level-grinding on jargon especially.

I'm not an expert, but I'm smart enough to figure out at least to the intermediate-level words; and when paired with a suitably-labeled picture and an expert learning my language we can at least get somewhere.

>>Anyone who knows two or more languages can help with language learning.<<

You don't need two languages (except maybe to explain a tricky bit of grammar or Things You Do Not Do/Say Never-Ever, I Mean It).

Even then, stick figures with speech bubbles can be a helpful way to clarify, like, possessives or genderlects.

>>That is one good possibility.<<

There are several interesting ideas to consider.

>>If you can find that account, though, it would be helpful to activate it as a personal blog to explore the features.<<

I should have the information somewhere, but I will be busy this week. (I should be busy sleeping right now, LOL.)

>>I've only set up a few in worksheet style, but many of the how-to posts could be done at least as a tipsheet.<<

Some of the scales could be done with pictograms, like those pain sheets in doctor's offices. I don't think that would be terribly complex. (Well, possible tech trouble aside.)

>>If you think any of this stuff would be helpful to refugees, we can reprint it on your blog or print it as handouts.<<

Pictures can be useful for folks not literate in English - my second workbook was pictogramming my notes. Which makes things like explaining how to read a clock much easier. ("This is Three-forty-five, /and/ quarter-to-four.")

Also, if making a worksheet for ESL folks, leaving some empty space for notes/doodles/translations is helpful.

I think most of the folks I know are more concerned with practical stuff: when and how to call kids out of school, obtaining necessities, accessing medical care. I haven't really gotten into 'analyze mental health' with people.

In fact, stuff like grief/trauma usually only comes up as it becomes relevant - the stressful election (and you know which one), a disability affecting behavior/ability, talking about why a specific issue is important or why your vital paperwork no longer exists.

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> So our classes were basically a proto-Sankofa, with emphasis on "How to live in America." <<

Yay!

>> Speaking of diversity, I have noticed that accommodating certain needs/preferences can be easier in that sort of environment. You get used to accommodating differences, and then...well, there's not that much difference between "can't eat wheat" and "kosher/halal diet" or "can't read English" and "dyslexic" or "Deaf, communicates by text" and "ESL speaker communicates by translator app." <<

I agree.

>> And discussing odd/awkward stuff about culture may make it easier to discuss odd/awkward stuff about other things (i.e. "If you feed me that, I will throw up on you.") <<

Honestly, I've found it easier to get along with people who are misfits or disabled, precisely because they're used to accommodating things. Normal people are a pain in the ass, and asking for accommodations makes them whine like a toddler told to clean his room.

>> Define culture. Do different countries count, or do ethnic minorities count as separate or in addition to their country-of-origin? <<

A difference that makes a difference is a difference. In this case, if 2+ groups need mostly the same handling, lump them together (e.g. "Middle Eastern" or "war trauma survivors"). If they need significantly different things, count them separately. Think about how people define themselves and what avenues they search for help, too.

>> Now, If I lump together the two large clusters from very similar backgrounds then I get...two, four...well at least five with more than one person. There were a few individuals from other countries, too.<<

That is quite an excellent amount of experience. I mean, really anyone who works with refugees could launch a resource community, but the more groups you've worked with, the better. Since a lot of services specialize in one group (e.g. Falun Gong escapees from China, or Muslim women), you have an advantage.

>> Teaching survival English, American culture and social skills, help with red tape, help communicating with other people. <<

Those are all useful.

>> Well I have a list of language books I like... And I scrounge relevant picture-books (i.e. diagrams of the insides of machinery, or labeled pictures of tools.) <<

Definitely post that list of books; it's a resource that many people could use.

You might check to see if you have software, or can find an online program, to make labels on things. That way you could take any picture and name its parts.

Speaking of which, I recommend that you gather sources for 3-part cards. Lots of people make those as free printables, and they're great for learning vocabulary. Also, one subcategory of them names the whole object and then its parts on different cards. So a Flower card, then cards for Petal, Stamen, Pistil, etc.

https://thesilvanreverie.com/2017/11/13/how-we-use-3-part-cards/

https://homeschoolden.com/tag/free-montessori-3-part-cards/

https://montessoriforeveryone.com/Parts-of-a-Flower-Nomenclature-Cards_p_33.html

>>Yes. I made a book out of my notes, then an illustrated book. (Its cheaper and easier than forking out $10 for each new person, plus we are less likely to forget important stuff.) And I have drawn up labeled pictogram-notes from conversations.<<

You can probably use at least some of that in an online community.

Regarding pictograms: there are multiple sets used for alternative communication, which are also super useful in learning foreign languages. Listing some good examples will help people print or buy tools for themselves.

https://assistedtechnology.weebly.com/uploads/3/4/1/9/3419723/5888469-orig-1_orig.png

https://superpowerspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/3425267494_9e8c8e48c6.jpg

https://ecdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Basic-Communication-Board-for-Teaching-Core-Words-2838288-1494596725/original-2838288-1.jpg

>>Facilitating job skills is something I've done - level-grinding on jargon especially.

I'm not an expert, but I'm smart enough to figure out at least to the intermediate-level words; and when paired with a suitably-labeled picture and an expert learning my language we can at least get somewhere.<<

Vocabulary lists for individual common professions (doctor, secretary, farmer, etc.) would be useful. But you might start with an all-purpose list: want ad, application, interview, business, suit, telephone, hire, etc.

>>Even then, stick figures with speech bubbles can be a helpful way to clarify, like, possessives or genderlects.<<

Instructions or discussions about how to make such tools is handy, and not always easy to find. Also the instructions I've seen were in the disability sector and thus mostly abusive. Social stories, which show the steps of a process, are often horrendous. But constructed well and used politely, they could be a great help in teaching sequence and vocabulary -- especially if the parameters for how you get someone's attention are different. In Egypt, you offer baksheesh (a bribe), in Mexico you just walk in, but America expects you to make an appointment.

There are instructions on how to draw different speech or thought bubbles. Also there are magnets, stickers, stamps, and computer programs for putting speech bubbles on things. Very handy if you want to do more than a few. You can, for instance, take photographs and add captions, creating a kind of comic that tells a story. A list of resources for such things would help people who like to use those.

>>Some of the scales could be done with pictograms, like those pain sheets in doctor's offices.<<

That is true. For some of mine, I have linked to images that convey a scale of various types.

>> I don't think that would be terribly complex. (Well, possible tech trouble aside.) <<

You might find someone to help with the tech side, or use it as inspiration to learn a new skill.

>> Pictures can be useful for folks not literate in English - my second workbook was pictogramming my notes. Which makes things like explaining how to read a clock much easier. ("This is Three-forty-five, /and/ quarter-to-four.") <<

Yeah, those make a lot more sense with pictures. It's like going from percent to fractions. Manipulatives are enormously helpful. When I was little, we just used Legos or buttons or whatever we had on hand. Now you can buy buckets of special-made manipulatives for a wide range of activities. Montessori tools are the best, but ruinously expensive. Some of this stuff you can find at a dollar store.

https://montessorifromtheheart.com/2017/06/07/learning-about-fractions-with-lego-toys-montessori-math-geometry-lesson/

>> Also, if making a worksheet for ESL folks, leaving some empty space for notes/doodles/translations is helpful. <<

That is true on most worksheets, unless they're very simple.

>> I think most of the folks I know are more concerned with practical stuff: when and how to call kids out of school, obtaining necessities, accessing medical care. <<

So make a list of some things you get asked frequently. Start by making posts about those.

>> I haven't really gotten into 'analyze mental health' with people.

In fact, stuff like grief/trauma usually only comes up as it becomes relevant - the stressful election (and you know which one), a disability affecting behavior/ability, talking about why a specific issue is important or why your vital paperwork no longer exists.<<

An advantage to any web presence, like a community, is that you can make stuff in case it's needed, and put it where people can find it without having to ask about it. If these aren't topics you want to cover, that's fine, but it's worth thinking about what you do or don't plan to include. In my observation, most if not all refugees have survived some sort of trauma. You mentioned that explaining lost paperwork has come up repeatedly, things like "My birth certificate was destroyed in a bombing."

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

>>Honestly, I've found it easier to get along with people who are misfits or disabled, precisely because they're used to accommodating things.<<

Recent immigrants kick up less of a fuss when told 'don't /say/ that to people!' Maybe I'll get a confused question or two (understandable, this stuff is confusing), but no-one has ever argued that the offended party should hide their feelings.

>>In this case, if 2+ groups need mostly the same handling, lump them together (e.g. "Middle Eastern" or "war trauma survivors").<<

Ah, but people have sets of different needs...and the way they overlap changes /by context/. Today do we group by language, gender, what lessons folks are interested in, age (it helps to have someone entertaining a large group of kids).

I'd mostly cluster either by similar language, I guess, with or similar culture somewhere in the mix.

>>That is quite an excellent amount of experience.<<

Well, with teaching I also have some familiarity with working with kids and a couple different sorts of disabilities. A bunch of what I know about communication, and some of what I learned about teaching (reading, math, etc), I learned from basically informal mentorship.

>>Yeah, those make a lot more sense with pictures. It's like going from percent to fractions. Manipulatives are enormously helpful.<<

My numbers section has manipulative pictograms to teach numbers, and after that sections for common percents and fractions. (And there's a section for money, too.)

Also, retiring teachers often have a wonderful cache of supplies.

>>Some of this stuff you can find at a dollar store.<<

Dollar store fake money. I also once drilled someone with actual pocket change - I used to be a cashier, so I can count change really fast, and wasn't too limited by the odd quantity of coins available.

>>If these aren't topics you want to cover, that's fine, but it's worth thinking about what you do or don't plan to include. In my observation, most if not all refugees have survived some sort of trauma.<<

Trauma-informed care can be useful for allies. I remember at one point I was trying to teach myself calming techniques that would work without being physically present or having a common language.
:/
...I am very glad that I never had to put any of that to the test, as I feel I have less than half a clue.

I mean, this stuff (mental health EFA) is complicated to talk about in our culture, jumping a language/culture barrier is even harder. Usually I just try to make things easier, and make sure I feel like a safe person.

Its complicated, and probably worth more thought/discussion than I can do right now.

>>You mentioned that explaining lost paperwork has come up repeatedly, things like "My birth certificate was destroyed in a bombing."<<

That class of problem is interesting and memorable because it throws the expert off-script, so it is overrepresented in my examples/memory. But, yeah, anything that confuses the expert...

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

Since I do not (yet) have a blog, and it sounds like the stuff is needed you can use this as a reference for your writing. I'm not sure about crediting if it gets posted elsewhere - maybe say it's from "a friend who wishes to remain anonymous for now" or something like that?
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>>Definitely post that list of books; it's a resource that many people could use.<<

_Basic_ (these are also food for foreign travel)

*Lonely Planet pocket phrasebooks - There many languages available, easily portable and they come with a dictionary in the back. Keep in mind they are designed for English-speakers (not ESL speakers.) Also, they may use a non-local dialect ('chemist' instead of 'pharmacist.')

Lonely planet has most languages I've looked for, excepting the really uncommon, usually heritage ones, (Luganda, Rohingya). Other small pocket phrasebooks may be just as good, but this is the brand I typically use.

*DK Bilingual Picture Dictionaries - They have clear pictures and a well-organized layout, which is the same for all their books, so it is easy to find, say, the 'Vegetables' page, or the 'School Supplies' one whether using your Spanish, Arabic or Japanese book.

They are bulkier than 'pocket-size,' but can still easily fit into a purse or shoulder-bag for a shopping trip ("I'm looking for [these vegetables]," and point to the pictures.)

*A notebook and pen/pencil. (I like the pocket-size Moleskine ones, but YMMV.) Have one for every language you are working on, and keep it with you. That way, you can write down any impromptu language-lesson that comes up and you always have writing implements if you need to draw something ("a clock face and question mark for 'What time?'" or a stick figure throwing trash in a trash can.)

If doing a class, add a full-size notebook; use that for lessons, writing prompts, etc and save the little notebook for personal conversations and everyday notes.

If you want to be fancy, write out some basic info - anything for your emergency phrase list - in the front of your little notebook. This is what you need to learn first. (For example: Hello, bathroom, 1-2-3-4-5, the alphabet, pronouns, I have [medical condition]...)

_Nice to have / Specialty stuff_

*Where Women Have No Doctor - designed for use in third-world countries, but has good diagrams and simple language (and is available in a few common languages). Also, the best pictogram explanation of different kinds of birth control I've ever seen.

*Emergency Multilingual Phrasebook - if working with one language get that, if working with multiple languages, there are a few with sections for 15-20 languagues. There are also some pdf's as in here:
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20130105192116/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4073230

Keep in mind that students may not be able to read your language or theirs, that you may not be able to pronounce the foreign language, and that hurt/sick people may be unable to compensate for a language barrier.

I have occasionally photocopied relevant medical sections of WWHND, the DK books, and medical phrasebooks to hand to people before doctor's visits.

A TRAINED INTERPRETER IS ALWAYS PREFERABLE IN AN ACTUAL MEDICAL VISIT! (Also, if you provide interpreters, have the phrase "If you need an interpreter, please point to your language" translated into every language you offer -accompanied by the local-to-you names of the languagues-, print the list, and stick it up by the reception desk. Idea from a specialty medical office/hospital I went to once.)

*Special skillstuff - look for books about First Aid, mechanics, metalworking, cooking, etc that have clear pictures/diagrams and clearly labeled parts. Stuff designed for teaching laypeople hobbyists from scratch is usually good. If you can't find / afford a book, look for diagrams online.

Basically, you are looking for something that is at the edge of understanding for whoever is teaching target language, and then if you explain "axle," "mince," or "carpenter's plane" the trained expert will be able to match the ESL-word to their native-language concept. (Of course, a trained expert mechanic, chef, or carpenter would be better, but books are easier to find.)

_Collect_ (These can usually be gotten decently at thrift stores, secondhand - maybe borrowed from the library.)

*Catalogues of housewares - keep a few of these around. (Personally, I like the Vermont Country Store, they've got a good collection of different products.) This way you can discuss 'stuff found in a house,' prices colors, shopping...plus catalogues are usually free.

You could also get, like, toy catalogues or tool catalogues, or...

*Picture books (not kid's picture books!) - Something like How Stuff Works or an English-language picture dictionary. Craft books are usually fairly good and easy to find.

*Kid's books - Look for stuff with common, colloquial language. Also, if you are lucky enough to find a bilingual storybook, grab it! (Again, thrift stores, but retiring teachers may have some good stuff, too.)
Dr. Seuss - I like using Dr. Seuss to get people used to producing spoken English.

*Religious books - if working with a religious population, try to get a kid's Bible/Koran/Torah or whatever 'book of religious tales' they use. This is excellent because religious texts are widely translated, learning familiar material in a new language is easier than learning new material in a new language, and many happily religious people love talking about their faith (so it is a good way to practice conversation).

Familiar children's tales would work as well.

*Language references (misc) - if working with a large population, keep an eye out for any affordable resources in target languages. A fifty-cent dictionary at a secondhand shop is a great deal, either for you to use or to pass along to someone who needs it. (And yes, people will like to have their own copies of dictionaries.)

Also, look for references in new languages that you may need in the future. Even if you have no current speakers of Chinese, Urdu, etc, a dollar for a secondhand relevant-language textbook just in case isn't a bad deal (and saves you from scrambling if you ever do need it).

_Tech & Misc_

*Google Translate - has a lot of languages, but the speech / listening options may not be enabled for the less common ones
> Always double check what it says - sometimes it will mishear you.
> If speech is not supported on whatever language you use, either you or your conversation partner must be able to read the translation. Not everyone can read, even in their native language.
> If you do this, the phone essentially becomes adaptive equipment.
> Occasionally, kids (especially very young ones) and adults may squabble over "Games!" "Translation app!"
> You can copypaste script into a text or email. (I like keeping original-and-translation paired together on those texts though - it makes it easier for me to follow, and provides a paper trail on the off chance something gets mistranslated.)

*Google images - This one I learned from the FluentForever language-learning program, but you can Google pictures of things you need to explain: screwdriver, hay, hammerhead shark.

*Fluent forever has some useful wordlists to get started on a new language (I have the book and have just run down the list of words in the appendix.)
https://home.fluent-forever.com/
You could also use a Swaedish (SP?) list for the same purpose, but try to stick to concrete things that can be pictured (cat, soda, cuddle) over complex or ethereal or highly specific ones (Senate, taboo).

You can also look for interesting pictures and talk about them, i.e. "this cat has baby cats and baby ducks."

*YouTube - Find interesting videos and talk about them. Or find videos of a process like freezing water and cooking an egg. Cooking videos can be very helpful and interesting to cooks - everybody eats!

There are also language-learning videos available that may be good for self-study.

*Rescue 911 - I like Rescue 911 for teaching how to call for help in a crisis, but screen the videos first, both for problematic language and triggering subjects. (Several of them can be found on YouTube.)

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>>Vocabulary lists for individual common professions (doctor, secretary, farmer, etc.) would be useful. But you might start with an all-purpose list: want ad, application, interview, business, suit, telephone, hire, etc.<<

How to use a phone, job application/interview stuff and specialty training (i.e. a school janitor needing to know "Eeew! Bobby puked in the sink!") are three separate categories in my mind.

_Phone_

Emergency telephone skills are bumped to the head of the line but other than that:

1) Start with basic in-person greetings and pleasantries.
2) Numbers can be taught concurrently or right after this.
3) Once numbers are mastered, you have unlocked money and telling time.
4) Once you can tell time and exchange pleasantries, you can make appointments.
5) Once you can make appointments, you can begin practicing scripted non-emergency phone calls.
6) Once you have a phone script down, practice a) unscripted conversations and b) without being able to see your conversation partner.

In many cases, asking people to text or letting calls go to voicemail will be more helpful than trying to answer the calls yourself, because you can save and repeat the message.

Also, if you have been practicing with one person, it is a good idea to try practicing with multiple people, to get you used to different accents and speech patterns. If you don't have multiple people, try listening to recordings or videos.

_Jobs_ AskAManager has some good resources.

I've helped people make resumes.

I recommend making a history-of-employment-and everything list with /all/ the information on skills, employment history, past wages and supervisors, etc and saving that. Double-check all this information, and format it coherently. Then you have a resource to:
> distill into a targeted resume fill out applications
> help practice for the interview
> take to an interview, to make the "Tell me about your past employment" that much easier
> if you have to make a different targeted resume later, you don't have to start from scratch

I do the history-of-employment-and everything list for my own resumes/job search materials, too. :)

_Specialty_

Find a wordlist, diagram or a teacher with similar knowledge and go from there. Teachers are very useful, because they can explain things like "My car's a real lemon," or "I hafta go potty!" that aren't going to be written down anywhere.

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>>Instructions or discussions about how to make such tools is handy, and not always easy to find. Also the instructions I've seen were in the disability sector and thus mostly abusive. <<

First, is it a one use thing, or something that will be used over and over again?
> A one use tool can be very basic and include very bare-bones information.
> For a multiple use tool, you may need to have several variables - and expect to refine it.

Often, if you save single-use tools/procedures you can combine and refine them into multi-use ones /if/ you save the attempts to see what works. Then add anything else that seems logical. (I got my books that way.)

If a single-use tool keeps coming up, it may be a good candidate for upgrading.

For example, pronouns:
1) What information do you need?
(Gender and number of speakers. Gender and number of subjects. Degree of formality.)

2) How do you organize it efficiently? (Usually grouping or listing similar topics together is good. If making something more, um, visual than a list, try ro have a way to play with different sizes and layouts.)
1st person | (1 person) / (2+ people)
2nd person | (1 person) | (2+ people)
3rd person | (1 person) | (2+ people)

3) Setup:
Three stick figures - Male, Female, Gender-neutral.
Pictograms in the speech bubbles - the stick figures and a Thing [car].
There are separate markers so the subjects [in the speech bubble] can be indicated as the Speaker, the Conversation Partner(s), or an Unrelated Subject.

Pictograms are repeated in variation, so for the pronoun "I" we have pictograms for "I[male]," "I[female]," "I[neuter]."
In English, I can point to all three in sequence and say "I, I, I" regardless of my own gender.
In other languages, I can point to them and try the foreign pronouns - and if I am a woman talking to a man in a language, than it is easier for us to communicate that he will use I[male], but I have to use I[female].

I actually have a similar system to convey ("I say x, you say y.") So much easier!