Telugu Therapist Sacked in UK After ‘English Lie’ Exposed

A Telugu woman, Sai Keerthana Sriperambuduru,  was sacked just eight months after she joined the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK, in October 2023.

The reason: She was found struggling to understand both patients and colleagues speaking in English even when she was inducted as a Band 5 paediatric speech and language therapist in the UK. The incident shows why mastering the language is a primary requirement for immigrants to other countries.

In the job application, she clearly mentioned that English was her first language and so did not have the need to provide proof of language proficiency. Being a speech and language therapist, clear communication was the primary requisite of the job, as she needed to interact with children and their families.

However, her colleagues sensed she was struggling to communicate in English and concerns were raised about her capacity to do her duties safely. She could not pronounce words properly, frame meaningful sentences, write down conversations nor was she good at grammar.

Reportedly, during a hospital review meeting on November 7, 2023, Keerthana admitted that Telugu was her first language but not English. To cope up with the work, she stated that she was taking English lessons after working hours. Further, she also stated that she was finding it hard to understand fast speech, from children and parents.

Later, her line manager told the panel that Keerthana during  her hiring process, asked for a chat-box option for interview, which meant she need not take questions face-to-face. This is an unusual request, the line manager informed the panel. Based on their findings, the panel members dismissed her in June 2024. However, Keerthana’s sacking came to light only recently.

Keerthana did not keep quiet on being dismissed but took the case to the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service. She argued that she pursued her academics in English and believed it could be considered her first language. In a letter submitted to the authorities, she also revealed that she did not take the IELTS exam so far. Her arguments failed to save her job and the panel ruled that she had tried to mislead the Trust.

The panel faulted Keerthana for failing to read the application thoroughly which mentioned about the language requirements and felt that education in English does not automatically make it the individual’s first language.

It shows English language holds primary importance while securing a job, though many political leaders say learning in mother tongue during the formative years would pay huge dividends.