English as the lingua franca we know today is facing challenges that affect its long term stability in the business world. Although many rely on it heavily to communicate across cultures, it may not be long before we say ‘adiós’ or ‘zai jian’ to the dominance of English in business. The need to take Spanish and Mandarin language training courses is increasingly important because of the emerging economies of their native speakers. As businesses look for that competitive edge, they are turning to Spanish speaking markets in North and South America and Mandarin speaking economies in Asia.

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¿Hablas español?

English is the modern day lingua franca of business, largely because of its use in the world’s largest economy. Albeit relatively slowly, this linguistic supremacy is in the process of changing. The influence of the Spanish language in the US is one contributing factor to this change. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing market segment in the US and has grown by 60% in just one decade making Hispanic buying power an impressive $1,000 million.

This combined with the level of influence Hispanic culture has on US history and the economy makes the Spanish language a candidate for becoming an international language of business. Some people even assert that the main language spoken in the US in 2060 will in fact be Spanish making it even more critical for many businesses to offer Spanish language training to their employees as they plan their long-term strategies. The predominantly Spanish-speaking and increasingly influential continent sitting just below the US makes the Spanish language even more attractive to global businesses.

One billion Mandarin speakers and counting…

Another main challenge to English as the international language of business is the increasing importance and influence of the Chinese economy. There are approximately one billion Mandarin speakers across the globe making it the largest linguistic group in the world. Recently, China has spread its economic and business interests beyond their geographical borders and, in a world riddled with economic crises, China seems to be coming out on top.

The Chinese are also expanding rapidly into the African continent through government funding for construction and other schemes. Although Chinese workers in Africa are generally housed in compounds away from local populations, their increasing involvement in Africa is likely to influence the cultures and economies there and Mandarin will become even more widespread across the globe. Investing in Mandarin language training courses for your employees can open doors to one of the most powerful countries of the future.

Are we witnessing a critical moment in linguistic history?

Although there are other languages such as Spanish and Mandarin who at times appear to be major contenders for the business lingua franca, there are many who believe that English is here for the long run and that we might even be witnessing a critical moment in linguistic history. Quoted in an article on Resilience Science, linguist David Crystal states ‘This is the first time we actually have a language spoken genuinely globally by every country in the world’.

Despite this viewpoint, perceptive business leaders around the world know that, without a doubt, investing in Spanish language training or Mandarin language training courses will open international doors and help organisations to gain a significant edge in business, especially in these difficult financial times. This edge will undoubtedly benefit your global organisation both today and in the future.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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Post tags: business english, international English, lingua franca, Mandarin language training courses, Spanish language training course

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Legal correspondence forms an important part of the day-to-day work of a lawyer, particularly since the advent of the email. It is often assumed that emails are less formal than letters. However, in reality, the required degree of formality will invariably depend on factors such as the relationship of the writer with the recipient, the level of seniority of the recipient and the subject matter of the email.

Anyone working in a legal context in English should be familiar with the key expressions and terminology of Legal English. Here are a few important expressions used in semi-formal legal correspondence.

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Salutation
Where there is no named recipient, the phrase “Dear Sirs” is used. However the phrase “Dear Sir/Madam” is often preferable because it is gender neutral.

Where, on the other hand, the letter is written to a named individual with whom the writer does not have a close relationship and is thus not on first name terms, the appropriate gender specific title must be used. With regard to women, unless the writer knows that the recipient is married (where “Dear Mrs” is used), the appropriate title is “Ms”. Even if you know that the recipient is not married, it is best to avoid the title “Miss” as this tends to be considered too pejorative. The exception would be if the recipient has identified herself as “Miss”, possibly using her maiden name in her professional work, in previous correspondence.

A thorny problem arises where the name of the recipient does not make it clear whether the recipient is a man or a woman. For example if you had to write to a lawyer in Finland called Teppi Jaskalainen and were unsure whether Teppi was the name of a man or a woman, the appropriate solution would be to write the entire name in the salutation e.g. “Dear Teppi Jaskalianen”.

References to Previous Correspondence
There is a great variety of possible phrases that seek to refer to previous correspondence between the writer and the recipient such as:

• “Further to your email dated 18 November, I am pleased to inform you that our client is willing to accept the proposed amendments to the confidentiality clause.”
• “Thank you for your email dated 18 November”.
• “I refer to your email dated 18 December”

Be aware that the second and third sentences are more succinct than the first, which in addition to referring to previous correspondence also seeks to set out the purpose of writing the letter.

Introducing Comments
Where the email sets out numerous comments on a particular clause in an agreement for example, including one of the following sentences that introduces the comments is common:

• My comments on Clause 7 are as follows:
• We have the following comments on Clause 7:
• Our comments on Clause 7 are set out below:

Sending Documentation
When sending documentation by email we use the word “attach” but when we include documents with a letter we write “enclose” instead:

• Email: “I have attached the draft shareholder agreement.”
• Letter: “I have enclosed the marked up Schedule 2.”

If the writer expects the recipient to read the document or react in some way (e.g. give his comments), they would write “I attach for your attention”. However, where no action is expected on the part of the recipient, we would merely write “I attach for your information.” This would be appropriate, for example, when sending to a client a new brochure or an update on the law.

Giving Good and Bad News
You can introduce good news by using the common phrases “I am pleased to inform you” or “you will be pleased to hear that” in the following ways:

• “I am pleased to inform you that Regional Court has rejected the Defendant’s counter-claim.”

The common phrases “I regret to inform you” or simply “unfortunately” introduce bad news:

• “I regret to inform you that the court fees for lodging a claim at the Regional Court will be 575 Euro from 1 February 2011.”

Closing Remarks
There are several expressions that typically come at the end of a legal letter or email:

• “Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter”: This expression is extremely helpful when the writer has made several requests earlier in the letter.
• “If you have any questions regarding this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me”: This phrase should be inserted when the letter contains advice. The phrase can be made slightly less formal by using the words “please feel free to contact me…”
• “I hope that this matter will receive your prompt attention”: This phrase is useful when the writer has expressed his concern earlier in the letter that the recipient has failed to do certain things. e.g. pay an invoice. This phrase therefore acts as a reminder for the recipient to remedy the situation

Requesting Future Contact
It is common to end letters with the phrase “I look forward to hearing from you” irrespective of whether the writer expects the recipient to respond in writing or merely telephone him.

Signing Off

There are different ways of signing off depending on the context and relationship to the individual you are writing to.

• If the letter begins with the salutation “Dear Sir/Madam” the appropriate ending is “Yours faithfully”.
• If the letter is to a named individual e.g. Dear Mr Peters, then the appropriate ending is “Yours sincerely”.
• Where the relationship with the recipient is closer, one can end the correspondence with “Kind regards”, “Best regards” or simply “Regards”.

Anyone taking a Legal English training course or looking to improve their Legal English skills can benefit immensely from reading through the key expressions and their use that we highlight in this series about the language of contracts.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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Post tags: Language Training, legal english, legal english training, writing English, writing skills

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Anyone learning a foreign language should set aside some time for self-study, engagement with the language, immersion, discovery or whatever else you like to call it. What takes place in the formal language learning setting during the allocated times is not enough if you want to make real progress on your language skills. Anyone learning a language and taking a language course needs to allocate time outside the training room to practise and develop the skills learned in the formal setting.

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Practice makes perfect

Although you may not be assigned ‘homework’ between every training session, it’s important that you find the time to review previous lessons and any learning from them. It is only by reviewing your previous sessions in a critical way that you will be able to increase your comprehension and memorisation of new vocabulary and expressions you are learning. In order to memorise vocabulary items so that they can be used spontaneously, research suggests that you have to repeat each item at least 10 times. During training, your trainer will probably use activities that disguise repetition so that the process is not dull, so reviewing the activities you did in the session will help you to further engrain the new vocabulary and expressions into your language repertoire.

A web of language tools at the ready

Exposing yourself to the language you are learning as often as possible is one good way of getting used to its sounds. The internet has a wealth of reading material for all languages, so spend some time searching for the level and content of materials that best suit you. Reading articles and reports can also help you to expand your vocabulary and get used to the way the different structures of the language work.

Language learning can be fun

In addition to podcasts and articles, the internet also offers a wide range of fun activities and games which can help you to develop your language skills while playing something enjoyable. For those learners who have a higher level, there are foreign language radio stations, podcasts and videos. Try not to aim too high as you listen to these programmes as this can quickly demotivate you. Be sure you can understand a large percentage of what you hear so that you can develop your listening skills.

There’s nothing like the real thing

One of the best ways you can improve your language skills is by spending some time in a country where that language is spoken. Experiencing the real use of the language can be a very motivating experience and allows you to experience the language in ‘real’ situations outside the artificial environment of the training room. Having the opportunity to experience the culture of the country where the target language is spoken can give you added reasons for pursuing your training. A love of a language is usually closely associated with the love of a country where that language is spoken. The best way to experience a country and to practise its language at the same time is to stay in a family. This experience is open to all ages and can offer a combination of lessons and social experiences.

Among other benefits, immersion in a target language country can greatly improve your comprehension skills. Understanding the spoken language is vital as it holds the key to being able to participate in meetings, discussions or conversations. If you don’t have the opportunity to go to a target language country, then there are usually foreign language clubs you can join or online language chat forums.

No matter where and how you spend time developing your language skills outside the training room, the key to your success is not to be shy and stay determined. Get involved in as much as you can and don’t be afraid to ‘have a go’. The more you practise what you have learned in your language courses, the more you will develop your skills – leading you to greater confidence and competence in the language you have selected. Don’t let your language learning stop when you leave the training room!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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According to the Financial Times, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is considering easing the conditions of recruitment for European civil servants from the UK. The low number of British civil servants working for European bodies and organisations is one reason for this recent consideration. The population of the UK represents 12% of the European population, but only 1.5% of applicants who passed the entry exams were British. Many officials see this situation threatening the UK’s political weight in European decisions and therefore urge both their country and the commission to solve the problem.

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According to Barroso, the main problem for British applicants is their lack of language skills. To successfully pass the European exam, future civil servants need to answer questions in their native language and another European tongue. They also have to show a good working knowledge of a third European language. These requirements often prove to be too much for regular British civil servants who are coming through an educational system that no longer requires students to learn a language.

Barroso, an Anglophile despite his use of French when working with the commission, has suggested creating a specific test for British nationals. This, however, was not welcomed by everyone. France fears that creating a different and specific test for English native speakers will undermine the influence of the French language within the different European institutions. Other countries question the fairness of creating a separate test and many feel that limited language skills of British employees could create difficulties from an administrative perspective. More importantly, many feel that encouraging applicants with limited language skills could undermine the emphasis the European institutions have always placed on the importance of language skills across Europe – both inside and outside of the organisations.

In an effort to improve the language skills and opportunities British citizens have, members of the government are starting to create a number of initiatives. British Foreign Secretary William Hague has decided to launch the “EU careers month” for example by creating websites and events promoting the different career paths for European civil servants and the skills required.

These initiatives combined with focused language training could help future applicants have a better chance of working in such a linguistically and culturally diverse organisation. In turn, the UK would have a higher number of people in place who could help to influence decision-making processes around any issues that affect it.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Post tags: Britons lack language skills, lack of language skills, Language Training Courses, languages courses, learning a foreign language

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We often hear about words being added to dictionaries as they become part of everyday vernacular, but have you ever heard about any words that get removed? Some people argue that if a word has existed at some point in time then it merits a place in the dictionary. After all, who knows when someone may come across it in an old text and need to look up the definition? Others say that dictionaries should reflect the language that we use in the here and now, and so those words which have become obsolete in everyday language should no longer have a place in the dictionary.

Language and culture are constantly changing, so how do we keep up with these changes without losing our past?

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Collins Dictionaries has recently announced that they will be dropping various words from its smaller English dictionary versions as they have become obsolete and outdated. According to The Guardian, some of the words which have made it on to this list of extinction include:

• Wittol - a word used in the 1940s and earlier to describe a man who tolerates his wife’s unfaithfulness.

• Aerodrome – a word which refers to the place where aircrafts take off and land. It is almost the equivalent to today’s ‘airports’. The word is still used in official documents by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) but rarely in everyday language.

• Charabanc - referred to a motor coach usually used for sightseeing. This word comes from the French expression ‘char-à-bancs’, which means wagon with seats.

• Succedaneum - signifying something used as a substitute. This word is mostly used in the medical sphere to describe any drug that can be taken in place of another.

• Supererogate - not performing more than is actually required.

While some words become obsolete from everyday language, others still exist but their meaning has changed over time. Words like fun fur have remained in use as their meanings have been adapted to current circumstances. Fun fur used to refer to cheap animal fur that had been dyed in several colors until the 1960s. Today it refers to synthetic fur.

Though many of these words on the list are rarely used in modern society, they will still have a place in the bigger dictionaries as they might be relevant to specific fields, and logistically there is enough space to keep them there unlike in the smaller versions.

Words and their meanings are always bound to specific contexts and times in which their meaning makes sense. Anyone learning a language needs to be aware of how words are used today and historically in order to correctly interpret and understand their meaning. Language courses can help people keep up with the constant changes in language to make sure that their skills are the most appropriate for today’s modern world.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Learning a language, as with learning anything, should remain interesting or else it can quickly become a chore. Once this happens, the motivation seeps away from the learner and the end of the learning process is in sight. This reasoning is particularly important for foreign languages as learning a language well can take years. It’s really important therefore that anyone taking a language course has the content and materials tailored to their unique needs and requirements.

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Cinema fans would obviously be drawn to using film extracts, trailers and film reviews. Sports fans on the other hand would be more attracted by sports websites, sports TV channels, sports articles and columns in magazines and newspapers and sporting profiles. Obviously, if learners are in a group then they have limited control over the material provided. Whatever their preference and learning style, however, the methodology and content of the language course needs to be adapted appropriately to create maximum impact.

Learners are essential to the success of the learning process and are consulted more now than they ever used to be about their interests in an effort to ensure the most appropriate material is being used. For younger learners in schools, this is rarely the case as there is a curriculum and a lot of pupils to cater for. For professional adult learners, however, there is much more flexibility in the way that language courses are adapted.

Adult learners need to take responsibility for their own learning as this will create the most effective results. Learners who lack the right level of motivation, curiosity and open-mindedness about language training will struggle to see any concrete results. Here are a few things that learners can do or be to make their language course as effective as possible:

• Learners need to be open-minded about how learning a language through different training approaches can benefit them. They need to be open about their personal interests and learning style so that the trainer can adapt the course in such a way that will remain interesting for the learners.

• Learners also need to show a curiosity and willingness to understand the different structures of the target language and the way its grammar works. Asking questions and being inquisitive about the language rather than just memorising things will create the most learning opportunities that will be beneficial in the long term.

• For learners in group language courses, sharing knowledge and ideas with other learners can help solve problems and facilitate progress. There is also the important social element present in a cooperative environment which can increase learners’ motivation and maintain their good levels of attendance in difficult times. The idea of working together with others to do activities, often referred to as task-based learning, has become an important approach in language learning.

• As in any language, vocabulary is essential. For communicative purposes, it is arguably more important than grammar. It’s therefore imperative that learners are motivated to learn a certain number of new vocabulary items per week. These items need to be learned in context, so their precise meaning and how they are used can be fully understood. The pronunciation and spelling of the word are obviously important as well but may also depend on the level of the learner’s language ability and needs.  Being selective is essential as there are simply too many words in any language to try to learn them all.  This is the job of the learner outside the classroom and the job of both the trainer and the learner inside the classroom.

Language learners play a huge role in ensuring the success of any language course. By understanding their own learning style and sharing this with their trainer they can not only enjoy training more but they will also learn more effectively. Motivation, open-mindedness and curiosity are all essential for any language learner, not only in the training room but in practising the language in the real world.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Post tags: How to Learn a Foreign Language, how to learn a language, language course, Language Training, Language Training Courses, Tips for Learning a Foreign Language, training methodology

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There are a large number of words which commonly appear in legal contracts that must be understood in order to effectively interpret and use Legal English. “Subject to” and “notwithstanding” are two expressions that can cause some confusion. A Legal English training course will help you further understand these words to ensure you can write and interpret Legal English as effectively and correctly as possible. Here you will find a brief summary of how to effectively interpret and use these terms.

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The phrases “subject to” has two meanings:

(a) a cross-referencing phrase
(b) a phrase introducing a conditional sentence such as “provided that”

Cross Referencing

The phrases “subject to” and “notwithstanding” are used as a cross-referencing phrases linking a main rule to an exception:

1.  Price

1.1   Subject to Clause 3.2, the price of the products is set out in Schedule 2.

1.2   Notwithstanding Clause 3.1, The Seller is entitled to change the price, by giving the Buyer seven days’ prior written notice.

“Subject to” looks ahead to the exception whereas “notwithstanding” looks back to the main rule. A more plain English synonym for “notwithstanding” is “despite”. The drafter can select either of these phrases depending on where he wishes to place the emphasis.

If the phrase “subject to” were omitted, the meaning of the clause would still be clear. Its purpose, however, is to emphasise the relationship between the main rule (the price set out in the schedule) and the exception whereby the Seller may unilaterally change the price. It’s more important to use these phrases when there is a big gap between the main rule and the exception.

Conditional Sentences

The phrase “subject to” may be used in order to introduce a conditional sentence. For example, by replacing the word “by” in the example given in clause 3.2 above, it would then read as follows:

3.2 The Seller is entitled to change the price subject to giving the Buyer seven days’ prior written notice.

Where “subject to” is used in a contract for cross-referencing purposes, it’s advisable not to use it in conditional sentences as well to ensure clarity.

Anyone taking a Legal English training course or looking to improve their Legal English skills can benefit immensely from reading through the key words and their meanings that we highlight in this series about the language of contracts.

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Post tags: legal english, Legal English Course Training, Legal Terms for Contracts, Notwithstanding, the Language of Contracts, Tips for Writing a Contract

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The English used by American lawyers is practically identical to that used by lawyers in Great Britain. However, there are some distinct variations with regard to legal correspondence, legal vocabulary and grammar. Here we have summarised some of the key differences between the two to help you navigate British and American contracts more effectively. A Drafting Contracts in English legal English training course can also help you make the differentiation between the two versions, especially if you are a non-native English speaker.

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Non-native English speaking lawyers often wonder whether the style of English they should adopt is dictated by whether they are writing to British or American lawyers. A native speaker from the United Kingdom would always use British English even when writing to a colleague from the United States and may not be aware of the differences in style in American legal correspondence. It’s therefore unrealistic to expect non-native speakers to be more exacting with their use of English. The most important thing is to choose the style that one is most familiar with and be consistent.

Here are a few examples of variations in British and American English.

Esquire

In the address section of a letter, instead of writing the name of the recipient prefaced by his or her title e.g. Mr John Smith, you will often see the phrase “esquire” after the recipient’s surname. So you may see John Smith Esquire written, or Esq in its abbreviated form.

In British English, the word “esquire” is merely an old fashioned term of respect that can be used whenever the recipient is a man, irrespective of his profession or social status. However, in American English, this word is only used when writing to a lawyer of either gender.

Date

The date of a letter can vary depending on whether it is written in British or American English. In British English, the date in letters is made up of first of the day, followed by the month and then the year like this: 2 January 2011. In contrast, in American English the month appears first followed by the day, a comma and then the year, like this: January 2, 2011.

Salutation

When the name of the recipient is not known, in American English, it’s possible to start a letter with “Gentlemen” or “Ladies and Gentlemen” instead of the typical British English phrase “Dear Sirs or Dear Sir/Madam”.

The punctuation that follows the salutation is different as well. In British English, either a comma or nothing follows the salutation (e.g. Dear Mr Smith,) while in American English, the comma may be replaced by a colon (e.g. Dear Mr Smith:)

Americans usually write Mr., Dr. etc with a full stop at the end.

Signing Off

In British English the signing off phrase is usually “Yours sincerely” (where the letter is written to a named person) whereas in American English it is “Sincerely yours”.

Where the letter or email has not been addressed to a named individual e.g. “Dear Sir or Madam”, the signing off phrase in British and American English is “Yours faithfully” and “Yours truly” respectively.

By considering some of the above variations in British and American Legal English, you can identify potential misunderstandings and differences more effectively. A tailored Drafting Contracts in English legal English training course will help you to understand these and many other differences to help you have the right impact in your legal role.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Post tags: British and American English, Legal English Training Course, Legal English Vocabulary, Legal Language, the Language of Contracts, Writing a Contract, Writing a Legal Document

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There are many different ways to learn a foreign language. Whether you select an individual language course, group session, telephone training, eTraining, intensive course, immersion programme, home-stay or self-study, you need to first understand your personal preferences and learning style.

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One way of figuring out which training format is best for you is by looking at your own personality and character. For example, eTraining requires a level of self-discipline to connect regularly to the site to practise. Individual training sessions work best with people who are able to plan their time effectively as missing training sessions can have a negative effect on learning. Group training sessions are effective for people who are willing to work through the language learning with other group members.

Another aspect which will help you to determine the most effective language training format is to look at your individual learning style. There are many different models of learning styles, but one model of learning styles suggests there are three different types:

• Auditory – understand and acquire information well by listening to explanations or language dialogues
• Visual – need to see the things written down and prefer different forms of visual learning like graphics and videos
• Kinaesthetic – prefer active lessons with dynamic games and role plays that apply the learning to a practical context

Visual learners may not benefit from telephone training which lacks visual components, whereas kinaesthetic learners may benefit greatly from group training which includes role plays and movement. Training which involves lots of verbal discussion in the session and saves written assignments for self-study may not appeal to visual learners who need to see things written down. Meanwhile, training that uses a very communicative approach and lots of interactive activities may appeal to auditory and kinaesthetic learners. Knowing your learning style can help you to select the best training format and approach.

In addition to some of the methods we’ve explored here, there are a number of other training formats which could appeal to your personal style and preferences. The Community Language Learning (CLL) format, for example, uses humanistic techniques to engage the whole person in the learning process.

Other language training sessions use music and rhythm to tap into the non-rational and non-conscious influences on language learning. Increasingly language training also incorporates technology to increase the impact of training, whether through language eTraining solutions or language media centres which provide the tools to practise learning from the session.

Before signing up for a language course, it’s therefore really important to think about your learning style and preferred approach as well as your training objectives. This will ensure that the training format you select will give you the most opportunity to improve your language skills.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Post tags: How to Learn a Foreign Language, language course, Language Learning Styles, Language Training, language training course, Tips for Learning a Foreign Language, training approach, training methodology

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There are a large number of words which commonly appear in legal contracts that must be understood in order to effectively interpret and use Legal English. A Legal English training course will help you further understand these words and clauses to ensure you can write and interpret Legal English as effectively and correctly as possible. Here we will focus on the word “shall” and how it can be used in Legal English.

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The word “shall” is commonly found in contracts to convey the meaning of an obligation. For example “the Purchaser shall pay the Seller the Purchase Price within seven Working Days from the date of receipt of Goods.”

However, if the word “shall” is used in a particular contract as a verb of obligation certain steps should be taken to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

First of all, “shall” must be avoided in all cases which do not relate to an obligation. “Shall” is commonly misused in the following cases:

(a)   “Seven days’ prior notice.”

The words “shall be entitled” should be replaced by the words “is entitled”. It is confusing to use “shall” in order to introduce a right if “shall” also introduces obligations in the same contract.

(b)   “For the purpose of this clause “Secondary Activities” shall mean any paid activities that the Managing Director undertakes other than his duties under this agreement.”

The words “shall mean” should be replaced by the word “means”.

Where contracts use several words to introduce obligations such as “shall” must” and “is obliged to”, there is a real risk of ambiguity in that there is an implied hierarchy in the obligations according to the word used, whereas the drafter merely wished to vary his language. In order to avoid this risk, it is better to use one verb only.

Anyone taking a Legal English training course or looking to improve their Legal English skills can benefit immensely from reading through the key words and their meanings that we highlight in this series about the language of contracts.

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Post tags: Language of Contracts, Legal English Training Course, Tips for Legal English, Using the Word Shall in Contracts, Writing a Contract

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