Foreign workers from Asia learn Croatian in Podravina: free courses improve communication and integration of workers from Nepal and other countries

Workers from Asian countries, mostly employed in agriculture near Virovitica, attend free Croatian language courses organized by TH Consulting. The aim of these courses is to improve the daily communication of workers with the local population and their employers.

In the Social Home in Lozan, about thirty workers, mostly from Nepal and other Asian countries, participate in the Croatian language learning program in the evening, two to three times a week. The course lasts several months and covers basic language skills needed for daily life and work.

Progress and Challenges in Learning
Kapil Khadka (19) from Nepal, who works in vegetable farming on a nearby family farm, highlights that learning new words is the easiest for him, while pronunciation is more challenging, especially with words containing č, ć, đ, dž. He looks forward to applying the learned language in everyday situations such as football, shopping, and work.

Role of Teacher Josipa Reit
Josipa Reit, a primary school and English teacher, leads the course and is pleased with the prior knowledge of her students. She emphasizes their motivation to learn, as they understand how knowing the language will benefit their professional advancement and integration into society. They often ask additional questions about unfamiliar words and culture.

Although there is no formally prescribed curriculum, the course is based on the Croatian Language, History, and Culture Learning Program for asylum seekers and foreigners issued by the Ministry of Science and Education. The municipality of Špišić Bukovica has provided the premises of the former branch school for holding the courses. Mayor Hrvoje Miler supports this initiative, highlighting the importance of language learning for better communication and integration of workers into the local community.

Employer Support
Mario Mareković, owner of DAM company, which employs workers from Nepal, adjusts shifts so that workers can attend classes. The first workers who arrived already understand basic job-related terms, although they speak with more difficulty. Mareković emphasizes that knowing the language is crucial for workers to navigate daily tasks more easily.

TH Consulting's Social Responsibility
Ivan Suhanek, founder and director of TH Consulting, stresses the importance of their agency's social responsibility. Besides providing administrative, health, and private support to workers, they also organize free language courses. Suhanek points out that knowing the language makes it easier for workers to work, participate in local activities, and integrate into society.

According to MUP data, from January 1 to June 30, 2024, 112,389 residence and work permits were issued to foreign nationals, of which 74,184 were for new employment. Analysts predict that by 2050, every fourth person in Croatia will be a foreigner.

About TH Consulting
TH Consulting, founded in 2022 by Ivan Suhanek, mediates the employment of workers from various countries, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Serbia, Egypt, and Kosovo. The agency annually employs around 180 workers, of which 50 are Croatian citizens, and the rest are foreign workers. Most workers are employed in agriculture, the food industry, and trade. The Croatian language school initiative is part of the agency's broader plan to facilitate the integration of foreign workers into Croatian society.