Living and working on a New Zealand dairy farm - Settlement Support

What about my english language
skills?
Listening:
New Zeal<strong>and</strong>ers have an unusual English accent <strong>and</strong> can speak very fast.
They often use informal language <strong>and</strong> a lot of slang. You may also hear
swearing <strong>and</strong> shouting on the farm. Don’t be upset by this. It is very
common <strong>and</strong> not usually said as a personal insult. Many New Zeal<strong>and</strong>ers
have a direct <strong>and</strong> frank way of speaking.
Ask your workmates to slow down <strong>and</strong> repeat or explain any words you don’t
underst<strong>and</strong>. You will soon find it much easier to follow what they are saying.
To check that you have understood, repeat instructions back to the
speaker. For example:
“So I move those cows into that next-door paddock, correct?”
Speaking:
Sometimes, when you first start <strong>working</strong> with your new work colleagues, they
may find the way you speak (your accent) a little hard to underst<strong>and</strong>. You can
help them by speaking slowly, <strong>and</strong> making longer pauses between sentences.
Tips
◊ Always ask
questions
if you don’t
underst<strong>and</strong>.
◊ Look for
opportunities
to speak English
– at work <strong>and</strong>
outside work.
The more you
speak English
the easier it will
be for others to
underst<strong>and</strong> you.
18 | A guide for migrant dairy farm workers
We got active in our local
community. We improved our
English <strong>and</strong> made lots of new
Kiwi friends!