Thanks for all your responses so far.
Gerry and Sue, you're doing the right thing by pressing on, and don't worry about missing the induction period. If you've got the hang of communicating with others -- and it seems you have -- that's the main thing. Spend 5 minutes reading the guidance http://octel.alt.ac.uk/course-materials/induction-guidance/ and you're done. [...]
Consultant and occasional writer, based in London. Chartered Pscyhologist and CMALT. Overall co-ordinator of ocTEL.