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Jul 21

Legal English in Focus: Liquidated Damages Clauses

English Language Training, Language Training Courses, Legal English Training Courses No Comments »

Legal English is often full of impenetrable terms that make contracts unnecessarily difficult to understand. The role of a legal contract should be to make the terms and conditions of any agreement clear and transparent rather than confusing. This article forms part of our series on Legal English and will shed light on some of the major terms and clauses found in legal contracts.

One clause you may often come across is the Liquidated Damages Clause, but what exactly is it?

Legal Englis Training Course, Business English

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In a contract involving two parties, a Liquidated Damages Clause is put into place to serve the best interests of each party and to discourage both parties from breaking the rules of the contract. For example, if Party A fails to uphold their side of the agreement, they must pay a fixed and previously agreed upon sum of money to Party B, who has fully adhered to the agreement.

In this case, Party A is known as the ‘defaulting party’ while Party B is called the ‘non-defaulting party’. Both of these terms will occur frequently in a Liquidated Damages Clause. Importantly, this clause does not aim to punish the defaulting party (Party A) but indeed to compensate the non-defaulting party (Party B).

The courts have developed laws whereby they can control the contents of Liquidated Damages Clauses. The basic rule is: the Liquidated Damages Clause can be enforced if the amount of money to be paid has been estimated prior to the start of the contract, and that this estimate reflects as accurately as possible the loss that would be suffered by the non-defaulting party (the individual or group who sticks to the agreement).

It is important that this estimate is indeed genuine as it will remain fixed in the event that the contract is broken, even if the actual loss suffered is worth more. If the non-defaulting party does actually lose more than originally estimated, they will not be able to sue for their full loss because they are bound to the initial. However, if it is proved that the estimated sum of money was not a genuine reflection of the potential loss suffered, then the non-defaulting party will be able to fully sue for their loss. In this case, the clause would then become known as a ‘penalty clause’. To find out more about penalty clauses read an interesting article in The Student Law Journal entitled ‘Commercial Law’.

One of the principal advantages of this clause is that it helps to avoid uncertainty so it’s really important to master it. It makes each party aware of the consequences that might occur if they do not hold their end of the bargain. Mastering the Liquidated Damages Clause however requires an extended knowledge of Legal English. Undertaking a Legal English course will help you to gain a better understanding of the terminology and specific vocabulary used in contracts or legal documents. The skills and knowledge gained in Legal English will improve your confidence and ability to write contracts or legal documents effectively.

According to case law, there is a presumption that it is a penalty when the clause requires a single lump sum to be paid, on the occurrence of several events, some of which may lead to serious damage and other may result in minor damage. Therefore, when drafting a contract in Legal English, it’s essential to distinguish between serious and minor breaches of contract.

Moreover, a clause will held to be a penalty clause if the amount to be paid is “unconscionable and extravagant” compared with the loss that could be suffered as a result of the breach. Courts however will be reluctant to conclude that a clause is a penalty when it has been agreed by commercial parties who are able to protect their interests.

It’s important to emphasise nevertheless that the function of this clause is to fix the amount that must be paid by the defaulting party regardless of the actual loss suffered by the non-defaulting party. This way, if the loss suffered is greater than the amount set out in the clause, the non-defaulting party is not allowed to ignore the clause and sue for the entirety of the loss.

However, if the amount of damages payable under the clause does not constitute a genuine pre-estimate of loss, it will be considered to be a “penalty clause” and will not be enforceable. The aim of a penalty clause is to punish the defaulting party, which is not permitted under English law. Where a clause is found to be a penalty clause, and thus unenforceable, the non-defaulting party can seek to recover his entire loss even if it is more than that provided for in the contract.

The difference between a liquidated damages clause and a penalty clause is based on the intention of the parties when entering into the contract as well as the date on which the parties entered into the agreement rather than the date of the breach. However, what actually happened after the formation of the contract may be important evidence of what could reasonably be expected to be the amount of the loss.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Jul 18

Bilingualism and Pluralingualism in Global Corporations: How Business English Training can Improve your Competitive Edge

Business English Training Courses, English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

As the presence of global corporations grows around the world, so too does the importance of language training. Companies are increasingly recognising the link between language proficiency and business performance and many are actively seeking to assess and improve the Business English language skills of their employees.

Bilingualism and Pluralingualism in Global Corporations: How Language and Business English Training can Improve your Competitive Edge, Business English, learning Business English

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Although it can be a long-term investment, acknowledging and embracing bilingualism and pluralingualism in global corporations is an opportunity cost and a means of gaining competitive advantage. The baseline is simple: without language proficiency, communication is hindered; without effective communication, business performance suffers. Business English Courses can equip multinational organisations with the communication tools they need for global success.

The ROI of Language Training

The International Research Foundation’s study on the impact of pluralingualism and bilingualism in global corporations suggests that there is a real and measurable economic return when investing in language and Business English training for employees. Given the cost of training, this should be an encouraging finding for multinational companies. The study also found that ineffective communication in the corporate environment puts organisations at a significant disadvantage. All in all, good language skills are a must in global corporations and investing in the development of these skills is profitable.

Languages, often classified under the social sciences, may appear to have a ‘soft’ exterior but their impact can be extremely hard-edged. This hits the right chord with global corporations who desire impact and value. In this respect, the challenge of language learning becomes multifaceted. While companies understand the importance of language training, they also seek evidence that it adds real value.

The International Research Foundation indicates two main areas of loss and four main areas of gain around language competencies in global corporations. Studies have shown that a loss of revenue and decreased productivity are the main adverse effects of poor language proficiency. For example, this could be in the form of language barriers causing frustration for customers, thereby potentially losing their long-term loyalty. Likewise, a discrepancy in the understood goals of a company expansion might make the process much more drawn out than necessary.

Benefits of Language Training Outweigh the Cost

Although language and Business English training can be costly initially, this is outweighed by the potential for an increased revenue stream and better productivity. In other respects, employees are likely to feel less pressure when communicating with colleagues and stakeholders if they are equipped with the right language tools. As a result, language competency will provide a greater sense of work satisfaction and increase talent retention. Employees will also be able to manage day-to-day communication better by responding more quickly and accurately to emails and conversations.

Financially, language and Business English courses make sense. How else then can companies make this investment really worthwhile? Businesses are beginning to realise that a ‘one-English for all’ strategy is no longer the answer to effective communication in the corporate world. Rather, language training should be more focused and function-specific. HR professionals need to learn language relevant to HR while financial professionals should learn language relevant to their field, and so on.

Learning the right language, therefore, is a must. Mehrabian says that communication comprises 55% body language, 38% voice and 7% words. Although we can use body language and tone of voice to convey more meaning in communication, words form the very basis of communication in business. Language, the carrier of words, is vital to the communication process.

Ineffective communication can result from using the wrong words in the wrong contexts. This can lead to delayed or misinterpreted messages and action in the business environment. Consider investing in a series of Business English or Legal English training courses depending on your context to help maximise your employees’ potential and improve your organisation’s performance and long-term bottom line.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011
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Jul 06

Bilingualism – Bilingual Students Achieve Better Exam Results than Monolinguals

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

A recent report published by CILT (The National Centre for Languages) has confirmed that bilingual pupils achieve better exam results than monolinguals. The report, “Positively Plurilingual” showed that Portuguese children at secondary schools in London, who continued to study their native language, were five times more likely to achieve five top A* to C grade passes at GCSE than those that did not. The study also found that 11-year-olds in Hackney (a borough of London), who spoke more than one language at home, outperformed those pupils who only spoke English.

Bilingualism – Bilingual Students Achieve Better Exam Results than Monolinguals

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The report, with an introduction by CILT’s patron, Sir Trevor McDonald, highlights that too many schools are missing out on the opportunity to ensure that bilingual students continue to develop their language skills (other than English). McDonald continues “Rather than thinking in terms of an “English-only” culture, we should be promoting “English-plus”. The advantages of bilingualism are clear from the findings of the CILT research. In addition, the report cites research carried out in Canada, by York University, which showed that bilingual people were better at multitasking than those who only spoke one language. The research indicated that bilinguals regularly exercise the part of their brain known as the pre-frontal cortex which reinforces attention span.

But how many children are bilingual in the UK? The CILT report estimated that more than 850,000 children – more than one in eight – spoke a language other than English at home. The report concludes that the linguistic map of the UK is changing with the number of languages in use growing and spreading across the UK.

To read the report in full, please click here to download.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Apr 05

Do the French Have a Love/Hate Relationship with the English Language?

Business English Training Courses, English Language Training, Language Training Courses 2 Comments »

In a recent article published in the Daily Telegraph, well known journalist and novel writer Stephen Clark analyses the complex relationship between the French (and more precisely the Parisians) and the English language. According to Clarke, the common belief that the French are not able to speak English correctly or even understand it is false. On the contrary, the growing use of English words in the French language like ‘management’, ‘team building’ and ‘email’ proves that the French are in fact indirectly increasing their proficiency in “l’anglais”.

Do the French Have a Love/Hate Relationship with the English Language? English training,

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This opinion is going against the very perception many French have of themselves. While the French are often branded as arrogant or overconfident, they are much more modest when it comes to assessing their language skills. According to a survey conducted by the European poll institute Eurostat, only 10% of the French feel that they can speak a foreign language effectively. In 2009, France ranked 69 out of 109 countries on the TOEFL English test, another sign of the lack of English language skills among the French population.

How can we explain this absence of knowledge and proficiency? With their shared history, geographic proximity and the warm relationships maintained by France and the UK for centuries, it would make sense to think that cultural exchanges would have allowed the English language to enter France. This combined with the ever growing influence and use of English in international business can make us question how English has not pervaded French culture as much in other places.

Reasons for this absence of knowledge and proficiency in English could date back to when French was a dominant language of diplomacy from the 17th century through to the Second World War. French administrations also passed laws during the 1990’s to ensure that French was used in commercial and workplace communications as well as many social interactions. Any English words were translated into French, for example, and foreign TV shows and movies had to be dubbed in French rather than shown in English with subtitles like many other European cultures do. As a result, the French have historically had little contact with the English language in France and therefore few opportunities to learn the language outside of formal language classes.

Many people in France are starting to realise the many benefits that English language skills can offer. Earlier this year the French Education minister announced that they will start teaching English to young children in schools and further develop access to Business English courses for professionals. These are strategic and vital initiatives for French international companies who are competing on the international stage. Without a skilled workforce that can speak and write English properly, international companies are increasingly recognisnig that they risk losing many profitable business opportunities overseas.

All is not lost for the French. In his article Clarke reveals that France was ranked 17th out of 44 countries, ahead of its neighbours Italy and Spain. He also applauses the creativity of the French, especially their ability to play with English words which shows an increasing ability to use the language.

Through increasing the use of English in everyday French society and education, the French have a much better chance of increasing their English proficiency score as a nation. It may take some time however for these efforts to truly materialise and produce any tangible results so in the meantime French organisations can provide formal Business English courses to their employees to ensure that they are able to communicate and do business in English whenever the need arises. Whether or not the French love or hate the English language, they will need to learn to embrace English in some form to truly succeed in the global arena.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Mar 29

Managing the English Football Team with 100 words – is it Possible for Fabio Capello to Get His Message Across?

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

In a recent article published in the Daily Telegraph, Fabio Capello the much maligned Italian coach of the English football team, claimed that he only needed to use 100 words (in English) to get his message across to the England players. Capello, who was criticised during the World Cup in South Africa for his inability to communicate effectively in English, will certainly raise eyebrows with his latest assertion.

Managing the English Football Team with 100 words – is it Possible for Fabio Capello to Get His Message Across?, 100 words, Fabio Capello, English language skills

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What, one wonders, are these 100 words? These linguistic nuggets which will allow Signor Capello to build a cohesive, motivated and winning English football team? Something that escaped previous native-English speaking England managers.

Well we have racked our brains to come up with some useful words to add to this important lexicon. Here’s a starter for ten:

“If God had wanted us to play football in the sky, He’d have put grass up there” (courtesy of the great Brian Clough)
“Easy on the Krystal tonight, boys – big game tomorrow”,
“You get £100,000 a week – try at least get it on target”
“Keep it on the deck!”
“Game of two halves lads – all to play for”
“Who’s parked their Hummer in my parking space?”
“The Captain today is…”

Joking aside, some pundits have argued that hiring a non-native English speaking manager is bound to create communication problems – both with the players and the media. But there are plenty of success stories of foreign players and managers plying their trade in England and reaching an excellent level of proficiency in the language – who doesn’t remember the great Dane – Jan Moby who played for Liverpool in the 80s and his Scouse (Liverpool) accent?

The English Premier League is dominated by foreign nationals with 60% of players coming from overseas and 50% of the top 6 teams managed by French or Italians. They would not survive if they did not do a good job and the same is true for Signor Capello.

By stating that he only needed 100 words to get his message across, Capello was stating the obvious: we actually use very few words in everyday conversation – approximately 2,000. In a focused environment such as football where there is a set vocabulary Capello can undoubtedly get his message across – sure he won’t deliver an awe inspiring speech as Henry V (via Shakespeare) did prior to the battle of Agincourt:

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”

But a simple – “come on lads”, “I believe in you”, “do this, don’t do that”, etc. should be more than sufficient for seasoned professionals who, after all, are paid to do this day in day out for the best teams in the country?

There is another game tonight – albeit a friendly against Ghana. “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”

Buona fortuna Signor Capello!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Dec 20

How to Make the Most Out of Your Language Training

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines language as a “system of conventional spoken or written symbols used by people in a shared culture to communicate with each other. A language both reflects and affects a culture’s way of thinking.”

How to Make the Most Out of Your Language Training, language training, how to learn a language,

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We often interpret the world around us through the prism of our cultural roots and language categorises our experiences. For example, in Dyirbal, an Australian aboriginal language, balan is a lexical category coined to refer to women, fire and other dangerous things, as well as exceptional animals. This illustrates the fact that languages reflect communicational needs specific to their people and learning a language implies embarking on a long and exciting journey that will enhance your communicational skills and raise your cultural awareness and sensibility.

We know by now that language, defined by the people it serves, shapes their interactions with each other and the world around them. It is clear then that language training is not only a matter of memorizing a series grammar rules and repeating topical vocabulary. Although these are key activities that should not be overlooked, acquiring a new language equals learning a new skill for life. You need to understand surface concepts and structures but also have to discover aspects you can connect with. Familiarise yourself with its culture, food, people, places… Connect with your new language and discover a new passion. Give yourself the chance to use your new skills as often as possible to make the language learning process as effective as it can be.

Here is a list of tips to help you during your language training course:

Study out loud: by doing this, you engage your auditory memory. You may be used to relying on your visual memory when reviewing notes and reading textbooks. As strange as it sounds, this new form will keep you motivated and help you with pronunciation at the same time.

Do little and often: do not be tempted to go through your notes at the last minute. Learning a foreign language requires perseverance. It is more effective if you practise a few minutes each day as it is easy to lose a new skill due to lack of use.

Take intensive courses regularly: by treating yourself to a few intensive language training sessions every now and then, you will see results faster and have the chance to recycle and consolidate the areas you have learnt in your extensive training.

Enjoy the cultural experience: whether it is eating typical food, watching local movies, following a sports team or visiting the country whenever you can, make an effort to include aspects of your new language in your everyday life.

Recycle: try to review old material and combine familiar information with new topics. Language learning is a cumulative process.

Keep your perfectionist side at bay: too much attention to detail can hinder your progress. Aim for communicative competence rather than lexico-grammatical perfection. Mistakes are part of learning. Accept them and focus on getting your message across, understanding what happens around you and – above all – enjoying a journey of discovery.

Bearing in mind and applying these advices during your language training course will greatly help you to learn quickly and efficiently.

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Dec 10

Is Mimicking a Foreign Accent More Effective than Learning the Language?

English Language Training, Language Training Courses 1 Comment »

According to a recent article published by The Telegraph, language experiments conducted by psychologists show that mimicking a foreign accent is the easiest way to be understood when communicating with foreigners. The article takes the example of Steve McLaren, having been sacked from his job as England manager, McClaren now plies his trade in Europe where, having won the Dutch league with FC Twente, is now trying to repeat this success with FC Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga. During his time in Holland, McLaren seemed to pick up a Dutch accent while speaking English. Many British nationals who hear this new accent respond by raising their eyebrows and mocking smiles however some language specialists argue that consciously or not, he was making it easier for the Dutch to understand him.

Is Mimicking a Foreign Accent More Effective than Learning the Language?, language training courses, how to learn a language

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The experiments conducted by Manchester University and Holland’s Radboud University have proven that we tend to naturally mimic foreign counterpart’s accent when communicating with them. Researchers put Dutch students in conversational situations with foreigners who all spoke the same language but with different or unusual accents. Some of the foreign participants would use very strong regional accents while others created new accents with strange vowel pronunciation. Half of the Dutch students were asked to mimic these accents while the remaining students were asked not to.

The results show clearly that the students imitating the accents were more easily understood by the foreigners than those who were not imitating them. Researchers also observed that mimicking the accent subconsciously helped participants to also imitate the non-verbal communication they used such as body posture, silence phases or gestures. By using the same non-verbal cues and signals, communication can become much more effective even when the verbal language used is not always understood.

Dr Patti Adank, one of the researchers involved in the programme, calimed that when two people are talking they tend to subconsciously adapt their communication style towards the other person. She suggested the human brain uses this strategy to improve communication. While the use of a common language (usually English) remains necessary, this research shows that effective communication between different cultures is possible with a little adaptation of accent or non-verbal cues.

It’s definitely possible that being able to recognise and imitate a foreign accent will help to improve understanding between people who do not speak the same language however learning the language will have the most effective impact. Participating in a language training course is essential to learning the vocabulary and grammar required to create a common ground between you and your foreign counterparts. Being able to communicate with your foreign counterparts in a foreign language will give you much better results than just imitating their accent where misunderstandings and offence in some cases can occur. Language training courses are the most effective way to ensure communication with your foreign counterparts is clear.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Nov 30

What Are the Alternatives to Business English?

Business English Training Courses, English Language Training, Financial English Training Courses, Language Training Courses 2 Comments »

It is generally presumed that if you are a professional person and you are on an English language training course, you are going to be following a Business English course. Does this mean that the term Business English includes all aspects of English that are not ‘general’? Is there really only one alternative to Business English?

What Are the Alternatives to Business English?, English for professionals, business English

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The obvious main alternative to Business English is ‘General English’. On a General English course, the delegate would be offered the choice of themes, which might be of interest to anybody outside the world of work (the environment, transportation, sports and leisure, the media, travel, etc). The functions of the language are presented and practiced in a ‘general’ way. So, for example, making suggestions might be presented in the context of a group of friends discussing what they might do that evening: ‘Shall we go to the cinema?’, ‘How about seeing the new Harry Potter film?’ Why don’t we go ice skating instead?

The term ‘Business English’ has come to mean the kind of English that professional people require in order to able to work effectively in their companies. Business English is therefore the umbrella term under which the language that is used in all the departments in a company is included. However, the language specific to different departments is generally only touched upon lightly as the main focus of a business English course is the skills required at work: telephoning, writing emails, making presentations, participating in meetings, etc. If the delegate wishes to specialize in the English required for a specific profession he/she needs to choose a specific strand of Business English as an alternative. It is therefore possible to say that alternatives to ‘Business English’ are: Human Resources English, Financial English, IT English, Marketing English, Pharmaceutical English and Technical English, etc.

In addition, there also exist exam preparation courses which are not necessarily solely concerned with Business English. All of these exam preparation courses focus on the skills that are needed to perform well in the exam. Therefore, tactics, tips and exam question practice make up an essential part of the course. Some of these exams might be more general (The Cambridge general English PET, FCE, CAE, CPE tests, for example) or professional, but not specifically business (the TOEIC). Others are more specialized, such as the International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE) and the International Legal English Certificate (ILEC); both from Cambridge.

Academic English is another alternative type of course in which the content focuses more on preparing students for studies in a university, college or school where English is the medium of study. Such a course is therefore more skills-focused as the content of the academic studies varies from student to student. Listening and note-taking skills are highly important for reaping the benefits from lectures, essay writing and presenting information are both important production skills.

Most business English courses mix in ‘social’ English so that the business person feels able to cope in travel and social situations. Therefore, the following themes might be included on the course: how to deal with different situations at the airport, how to get by in a hotel, how to feel at ease in a restaurant with Anglophone business partners, how to small talk, etc. Even though this mix of social and professional language may exist on a business English course, a true combination of business and general English does exist as a veritable alternative to a Business English course. Delegates could choose to divide the course in half, alternating business lessons with general ones. One week, the delegate might be practising the language needed to lead a meeting, the next week he/she could be discussing global warming and climatic changes. This type of course is popular as variety generally increases motivation and people also feel the need to address their personal culture. Increasingly, business is about socializing: being able to participate in general discussions and express one’s opinion confidently.

The final alternative I would like to mention is cultural awareness training for English speakers. Courses are available which enable you as an individual to understand better people from different cultural backgrounds. This type of course looks beyond language and focuses on such aspects as paralanguage and social behavior.

In conclusion, the answer to the question I asked in the introduction: ‘Is there really only one alternative to Business English?’ is ‘no’. There is a wide choice of English courses and as more and more courses are created to respond to the specific needs people have, the number of alternatives to ‘Business English’ will continue to grow.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Nov 15

How to Learn a Language – Part Three

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

When following a language training course, regular practice or study is much better than irregular bursts of activity. It is also important for you to vary the kind of activities you do as well, otherwise you will soon become bored. Vary between listening tasks, on line grammar activities, graded readers and on-line chat, etc. Some learners might be frustrated at how difficult the level of language available to them appears. This is why graded readers and learner magazines exist. It is advisable to buy these with an accompanying CD so that you can continue doing listening practice.

How to Learn a Language – Part Three, language training, how to learn a language

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Try to remain realistic about how long it takes to learn a language. If you attempt to find quick fixes then you risk being disappointed. It is also a fact that learning a language is not like learning how to ride a bicycle: language is easily forgotten when it is not practised. Therefore, an important aspect of learning is also maintaining what has been learned during your language course through recycling.

A person, who is interested in the culture of a country where the target language is spoken, is probably more likely to feel motivated to learn the language. If you do not know about the culture, then try to find out some things that might interest you. If the culture does attract you, then you are more likely to want to do some research and visit the country.

Don’t spend time unnecessarily studying language points that are similar if not identical to those in your own language. Information is available that gives advice on which points need more attention than others. For French speakers who are learning English, for example, Catherine Walker in the book ‘Learner English’, Cambridge, 2008, states that ‘French shares many phonological characteristics with English. French speakers do not have great difficulty in perceiving or pronouncing most English consonants, but some vowel sounds present problems’. The French speaker therefore knows what pronunciation areas to concentrate on. Therefore minimal pairs such as ‘leave and live’, pull and pool’, ‘paper and pepper’ should be focused on. As far as grammar is concerned ‘The French and English grammatical systems are very similar in most ways’…(Catherine Walker) There are some important differences, however, such as the fact that French has no equivalent of the English progressive or continuous form. Therefore the difference between such sentences as ‘He lives in York’ and ‘he is living in York’ is not very clear to French speakers. In terms of vocabulary, certain false friends should be a priority. Some examples of these false friends are: actual or actually (the French ‘actuel’ means ‘current’ or ‘present’). Ignore (The French ‘ignore’ means ‘not to know’). ‘Pass an exam’ (The French ‘passer un examen’ means ‘to sit’ or ‘take an exam’)

Finally and most importantly, learning a language should be fun and it will only be fun if you focus on subjects that interest you. If you are interested in politics, the environment, sport or cinema, for example, it is a good idea to use the Internet as a source of vocabulary and articles that relate to these areas. For higher level learners, buying a magazine in the target language is a sure way to increase language learning motivation. Doing something in the target language is a great way to practise. Playing on-line games alongside or against opponents from other countries can help. Recent research in adult learning shows that ‘you’re likely to remember 20% of what you read and 30% of what you hear … and a staggering 90% of what you see, hear, say and do’.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Nov 12

How to Learn a Language – Part Two

English Language Training, Language Training Courses 3 Comments »

Putting certain fundamentals in place at the beginning of the learning process will help you to progress independently. The role of a language training course is to help you study and learn by yourself as your trainer cannot always be present to provide new information, help with the practice of the language or to answer questions. As far as speaking is concerned, it is therefore advisable that you are able to recognize and pronounce the different sounds of the language you are learning. It is important to know how these sounds are produced and what the phonetic symbols are. In this way, when you come across an important new word or expression, you will be able to look it up in a dictionary and work out its pronunciation without having to ask a trainer.

How to lean a Language 2 – Part Two, learning a new language, language training course

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In English, for example, the different ways of pronouncing ‘ough’ only become clear with the help of a trainer or the phonetic script in a dictionary (compare: though , through, bough, trough, thought, etc).
Arming yourself with a good dictionary, a practical grammar book and a list of a few good websites can help this independent progression. Websites can provide practice in all of the four skills. Some examples of these are:

Watching the news, documentaries and films in the language you are studying is also a great help. Even if you cannot understand everything that is said, getting used to the sounds and rhythm of a language is very helpful. Podcasts are a wonderful tool as the same extracts can be listened to as many times as one wishes.

The best way to become a competent and accurate user of the target language is to learn its grammar. Methods which teach set phrases without explaining the mechanics or grammar of the language are not doing you any long-term favours. It is only when you understand what lies beneath the structure of a sentence that you will be able to start making your own sentences in a fully independent way. It is important, however, that you find the approach to grammar that works best for you as there is an enormous amount of material on the market and on the Internet to choose from. Slogging away at grammar exercises when these bring back bad memories of English lessons at school is obviously not the right way.

By focusing on the functions of the language or on the lexical chunks could help you move away from the word ‘grammar’. In the same way, it is important that you know yourself and the way that you learn best. You might be more of an aural or a visual learner, for example. If you are a more visual leaner, it is important that you supplement what you have heard with written documentation (look at the audio scripts, read the subtitles, etc). If you need to see the written word before you can register it correctly, then it is important that you note down new vocabulary. Most trainers will adapt the language training courses according how best each delegate learns but it is always beneficial for you to think about your own learning style and apply what you discover.

Immerse yourself in the target language as much as possible. Take opportunities to listen to the radio on the Internet, watch TV or films in the target language, read articles on the internet and in publications. Travel to a place where the target language is spoken. It might be possible to join an association or club in your home town, which groups together people who share the desire to practise the language. Make the most of those journeys to work by car, train and underground by listening to a podcast, CD or MP3 files. If you are interested in anglophone music, then go one step further and discover what is being sung. Singing along can help pronunciation as well.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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