The language:

A driving test candidate must have enough English for safe driving. In effect this makes the driving test an English test as well. Remember:

  • Interpreters are no longer allowed
  • The Theory Test must also be done in English

What you may ask is enough English for safe driving. This could be the difference between:

  • Pull up on the left
  • Take the next left
  • Take the next available left
  • Take the second left
  • Bear left
  • Take the left hand lane

You might argue that directions are not a requirement of safe driving but understanding is. Remember there is a section on the DL 25, ETA (V) which is Examiner Takes Action (Verbal). The candidate must be able to understand the examiner.

Quite often a pupils level of understanding is much better than their spoken English. A lot of educational textbooks are in English and a pupil will have good reading and writing English but not spoken. While they can have a limited command of spoken English they will often have first and higher degree level qualifications in their own country.

As you spend time with them they will get used to your voice and the way you use words and you will get used to them. Pulling over more frequently may be an option as you will be both putting effort into communication. Sometimes learning a few words of their language will show willingness on your part. It might only be hello and well done, but you are building bridges and creating empathy.

Greater use of visual aids may help and a picture can paint a thousand words. As always it is good practice to use the examiner phraseology, more so where the pupils’ understanding is limited.

General:

Remember cultural differences may also come into play:

  • A general respect for a teacher and expecting you to lead
  • A more hierarchical social structure where you are in a more dominant position

Not quite the client centred learning ethos but you can start working towards it and get them talking. Pulled up at the side of the road here is a good call. It will allow them to concentrate on your words of wisdom.

Remember also that the same as some written language to us looks like scribble it will work the other way also. And while these written words look like the most natural thing in the world, it may be hard for someone from overseas to get used to it.

The driving test and learning to drive is part of the process of making themselves better able to fit in.

  • For some of them it has been a case of fleeing a regime that may want to imprison or kill them
  • Others might have been expected to serve in the army and kill on behalf of the regime
  • Another group may be just trying to make their life better either for themselves and or their children
  • Everyone’s journey will be different

In many countries it will be possible to buy a driving licence so the skill level is not what you might have here. I had one pupil who was an overseas surgeon complaining half jokingly that he could have bought driving licences for everyone in the block that he used to live in back home with the money he had spent with me.

Another pupil told me that when he was 10 years old his father gave him a cushion and the keys to a pickup and said there is the desert, go and learn to drive.

Driving:

Two main groups here, ordinary learners and those on an international licence. You may occasionally come across a diplomatic international licence and these are valid for five years.

The ordinary international is valid for 1 year from the date of entry:

  • Once they have an address here it’s a good idea to get the UK licence
  • Going on holiday and claiming 1 year from your last date of holiday entry into the UK will not work
  • Anything complicated, get advice!
  • To convert they must start with a Provisional Licence

Provisional Licence all the normal rules apply but they may not be familiar with the system here so check:

  • DVLA licence check if not sure of anything
  • Eyesight and general health for driving

If from a country where they drive on the right:

  • Interior mirror check can be over right shoulder with blind spot to the left
  • Gear stick and handbrake will take getting used to
  • Beware of them defaulting to driving on the right side of the road
  • The above can be more so at junctions
  • Be aware of going the wrong way at roundabout

As we said before if the written language of where they are from looks like scribble to you. Imagine what ours looks like to them:

  • Get them used to following road signs
  • Make sure they are okay with the satnav being in English

You can look at your high street and know things about the people and shops that you would not know if you had not lived here:

  • Looked at a similar scene in downtown Bombay and it will be colours and shapes without the same meaning as your own street
  • There is a discipline and predictability to UK traffic
  • Sometimes being safe just will mean going very slowly

Their model of what good driving should be like will be very different to ours:

  • For instance often the safe place is the middle of the road
  • Driving along tooting your horn is expected
  • Giving way is an act of cowardness
  • Waiting till nothing is coming is not a sign of weakness but wisdom

Something to watch out for is crossroads. When there is nothing coming from the junction either side they will be okay. However if they see a vehicle approaching the last item above will often come into play. If the paragraph above sounds like your UK pupils as well, it was meant to. Treat them all as individuals and do your best.

© Liam Greaney

driving-pro.com

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