An introduction to Negar, who speaks fluent Farsi (Persian)
Did you know that Oxford Guardians employs education guardians who speak foreign languages, including a number of native speakers? These lovely people provide valuable support to international students studying in the UK, and to their families.
We asked Negar Nemati, who lived in Iran before coming to England, how her fluency in Farsi helps make life easier for families employing Oxford Guardians. Negar has just finished her PhD in Forensic Psychology, and is now in her fourth year of working with Oxford Guardians as an education guardian.
Education guardians help families from Iran
Negar knows at first hand the cultural and language issues that can affect international students from Iran and their parents. Brought up in Iran, she and her family speak Farsi, the official language of Iran. Farsi (or Persian) is also spoken by large sections of the population in neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, and the UAE.
“I remember very clearly the challenges my family faced when they sent my sister to study in England at the age of 16,” says Negar. “It’s very normal for parents to feel worried, and Oxford Guardians were great at taking the time to explain everything, all the way through.”
Negar followed her younger sister to study in the UK, again under the education guardianship of Oxford Guardians. So, she also has a personal understanding of the issues that may face international students from Iran.
Native Farsi speaker smooths cultural understanding
Negar’s personal experience with her own parents means that she understands very well the cultural differences that could make life difficult for Iranian students or their families. As an Iranian, she knows where some clear explanations of the British system, or way of life, will help.
“The cultural issues around students, particularly girls, staying with host families can be challenging. This is an area where my familiarity with both cultures can help students and their families understand how it works, and reassure them about the safeguarding that is in place,” says Negar.
“English education is also very different to that in Iran. Parents and students are really grateful to have someone like me who is happy to explain how the grades work, for example, or why there are no exams at certain points.”
Native Farsi speaker helps parents with language translation
If the overseas parents of international students studying in the UK are not fluent in English, it may be hard for them to understand some aspects of their child’s education. It is important for parents to know how their child is progressing, and whether there are any problems – but guardians do not always have the specialist language skills to communicate well in a foreign language.
Education guardians at Oxford Guardians who speak a native language can be invaluable to the parents of international students. Negar takes care to ensure that the families of the students for whom she is education guardian are always able to ask questions if there is anything they have not understood.
“I always keep an eye on communications with the parents, and will translate English into Farsi and vice versa whenever it is needed. Parents have told me how delighted they are with this support, and even contact me directly to check whether they are making any cultural slips – we have built really trusting relationships. Of course, it means that we at Oxford Guardians understand exactly what the parents are saying, too.”
These helpful translations are particularly useful for events such as parents’ evenings. Negar can discuss the student’s progress with the school, then prepare an English report for Oxford Guardians, and a matching report in Farsi for the family.
“This is a huge help to the parents,” says Negar. “On one occasion it turned out that the child was having difficulty in understanding some lessons. Thanks to our clear explanation of the problem, his parents were able to arrange extra lessons over the holidays at home, so that he had caught up by the time he returned to school.”
Native Farsi speaker helps students with language translation
International students studying in the UK whose first language is not English may also need a little help, from time to time, in understanding the English language.
Most Iranian students have had only a few English lessons at home, mainly directed at understanding science. Their UK school or university may not have a native Farsi speaker on hand to translate. So, access to a native Farsi speaker through Oxford Guardians can be an enormous help.
In-person meetings with your Farsi-speaking education guardian
Iranian students arriving in the UK for the first time may need to shop in person for some items when they arrive, and Negar is on hand to offer her assistance.
“It can be hard for younger students, trying to adjust to their exciting new life, to provide details for opening a bank account, or to make major technology purchases,” sympathises Negar. “I know how reassuring it is to have someone who can speak your language on hand to help in these situations, and I’m delighted to help students settle in this way.”
Depending on the level of their service package, Negar’s Iranian students will see her in person at least once a month, providing a great opportunity to catch up face-to-face and deal with any issues that may have arisen. Knowing that she speaks fluent Farsi can be comforting for her students if they want to explain something difficult.
Peace of mind for Iranian students and their families
“I really enjoy my job as an education guardian,” says Negar, “especially knowing from my own experience how much reassurance I give to the parents of Iranian students by understanding their situation, and speaking their language. It is great to give our students and their parents peace of mind!”
Negar is also grateful to Oxford Guardians for the all-round support they provide, which allows her to be an excellent education guardian. “Sarah and her team are available 24/7, always ready to handle anything that comes up – we have dealt with urgent expulsions of my students, medical emergencies and student problems together. Along with my international students and their families, I am really thankful for the embracing support of Oxford Guardians”
A range of native speakers at Oxford Guardians
Oxford Guardians has education guardians who are native speakers of Mandarin and Russian too, all helping to provide cultural and language support to our international students studying in the UK.
If you’d like to hear more about our education guardian services for international students studying in the UK, please contact the friendly team here at Oxford Guardians on 01604 859 331 or email [email protected].
