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Jan 04

Tips for Learning a Foreign Language – Outside the Training Room

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

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.

Tips for Learning a Foreign Language - Outside the Training Room

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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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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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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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Nov 11

How to Learn a Language – Part One

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

When learning a language, firstly make sure that you focus on what you really need to know. Do not try to learn everything. This leaning focus is achieved by knowing your own objectives. If you are learning with a language training organisation, then it is imperative that they carry out a needs analysis or a diagnostic consultancy and draw up a programme of content before the language training course starts. The trainer should attempt to remain faithful to the outline of this content, unless of course the delegate requests a special review, further explanations or an additional area of study.

How to Learn a Language – Part One, language training course, world language

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Vocabulary fields need to be defined in accordance with your objectives. If you require financial English, legal English or general business English, then these areas of vocabulary should be practised and recycled continually during the training room activities. By doing this, the core lexical areas are presented and practised thoroughly during the language training course. The trainer ought to select the vocabulary items that are the most used and hence the most useful in your professional or even general English interest area. Learners’ dictionaries indicate which items of vocabulary are most commonly used (based on an ELT corpus) and reference to these will help you define a glossary that is concise and practical.

There are a lot of different ways of recording and learning vocabulary. Experiment with these different ways before deciding on which way suits you best. Trainers will generally encourage you to note down the vocabulary during the training sessions as memory is not always reliable. However, it is important that you do not try to note down everything, otherwise too much time will be taken away from other linguistic activities.

It is also essential that the vocabulary is noted in a ‘useful’ way. Single words are of limited help as they do not show how the word can be used grammatically, contextually or how it is pronounced. It is therefore essential that these lexical items are noted in context, showing their grammar and the different meanings that they carry depending on the context. For example, if the lexical item ‘in front’ is noted in this way, not all the necessary information concerning this preposition is available. Noting down ‘in front of’, however, enables you to use the preposition in full sentences. Better still, by writing ‘He stood in front of the cinema opposite the pizza restaurant’ you are in a position to remember the difference in meaning between the two prepositions of position ‘in front of ‘ and ‘opposite’. It also gives the vital information that ‘in front’ is followed by ‘of’ whereas ‘opposite’ stands alone.

It is useful to experiment with different techniques for learning vocabulary in order to find the one that suits you best. Some examples of simple techniques are: sticking post-it notes of important vocabulary around the house and especially in areas where you might stay a while. Cut up cards and make a game. On one side of the card write the target word or expression and on the other side the translation. Make an audio recording of important words in context and listen to them in your car.

Different varieties of some languages exist and it is necessary that you choose the one you wish to learn. This decision most probably depends on your objectives (a new job with travel to Brazil), your interests (a love of American police series) or even training opportunities (an immersion course is cheaper in Spain than in Latin America). If this choice is not made at the beginning, you might be confused by different ways of pronouncing the same word, by slightly different grammar rules, by certain vocabulary that might be understood either with difficulty or not at all in a different target language area. Some examples of these varieties are: Portuguese from Portugal, Brazil and Mozambique, English from England, South Africa and the United States, Spanish from Spain, Argentina or Mexico.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Oct 15

Is Your Company Suffering from a Lack of Language Skills?

Business English Training Courses, Language Training Courses No Comments »

According to a report published by the European Commission, there is a direct link between language skills and successful and profitable businesses. The survey, conducted across nearly 2000 European SMEs, also indicated a genuine demand for language skills among their workforces. Companies who set clear language strategies (such as providing language courses or hiring native speakers) are getting better results than those that don’t.

Chinese businesspeople 5 Izusek i Is Your Company Suffering from a Lack of Language Skills?

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The report goes on to highlight that 11% of EU SMEs surveyed are losing considerable amounts of money because of their lack of language skills while 37 firms admitted they had lost contracts valued between 8 and 13.5 million Euros because of language problems. From writing emails to drafting contracts and making phone calls, every aspect of the business and negotiation process has to be dealt with carefully and misunderstandings must be avoided at all costs as they can jeopardize the whole business winning process.

This report also underlines the existence of several business lingua francas. While English is now widely recognised as the universal language for business, the importance of Russian when doing business in Eastern Europe or French in African countries is not to be underestimated. The same goes for other parts of the world: Spanish speaking employees will help to create business opportunities in Latin America, while being able to speak Mandarin Chinese is an invaluable asset for companies seeking to develop the Chinese market.

There are several options for SMEs wishing to improve the language skills of their workforces. Recruiting native speakers or hiring translators or interpreters are possible solutions; however, they can prove difficult to find or come with a high financial cost. Another possibility for these firms is to provide specific language courses to their employees and help develop their skills. Business French courses or Survival Chinese language courses can help firms to improve the language skills of their employees and prove an invaluable retention strategy.

The report concludes that the overall economical performances of the EU could be dramatically improved if exporting firms were able to enhance their language skills. As an increasing number of businesses are considering working with foreign countries, particularly if their home market is in recession, the importance of mastering foreign languages will become more and more crucial for firms wishing to be successful in the international arena.

© Communicaid Group Ltd.2010

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Oct 11

Benefits of Intensive Language Training

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

The best way to learn a foreign language is to build on what is already known, i.e. ‘going from the known to the unknown’. This ‘known language’ is more readily built upon in back-to-back intensive language training courses. The short amount of time between a morning session and an afternoon one or between an afternoon session and one on the following morning does not give the delegate time to forget what he/she has seen. Consequently, the trainer has the opportunity to build on the ‘known’ with more immediacy.

Benefits of Intensive Language Training

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On a classic one-session-a-week course, the delegate rarely finds that he/she is starting to ‘think’ in the target language. This is because outside the weekly one and a half-hour or two-hour training slot, the delegate is using his/her first language. It is only during an intensive period in which target language use outweighs first language use that the delegate starts to process the second language in a natural way (i.e. without translating).

In her research paper, Shona Whyte makes the following statement about second language acquisition ‘there is a general agreement that acquisition… implies a change in individual learners’ internal linguistic systems, which in turn occur through understanding and interacting in the target language, with some form of focus on linguistic features’.

This understanding and interaction is only going to occur after the delegate has started to feel comfortable in the target language and is willing to use this language in discussions, tasks and problem-solving. This moment arrives sooner on an intensive course than a course composed of weekly sessions. This comfort in the target language and willingness to interact is partly a result of the rapport that is built between the delegate and his/her trainer; a rapport that is quickly established on an intensive course. Some organisations, however, prefer to vary trainers during the week; this also has the advantage of exposing the delegate to different personalities, ways of training, experiences and accents.

The organisation of intensive language training courses enables the delegates to focus better on the task in hand. The fact that an intensive course is easier to reserve in the delegate’s professional agenda means that the number of distractions should be reduced significantly during the training period. Interruptions prevent the brain from focusing on the linguistic tasks and intersperse the target language with the delegate’s first language. This increase in L1 interference reduces the efficiency of the learning process.

The number of hours on an intensive training programme provides the trainer with the opportunity to vary the content, the tasks and the methodology of the course. Variety is the key to keeping the delegate’s interest and levels of motivation high. The volume of the content should be such that the delegate feels as though he/she is really making progress. This feeling of achievement further increases motivation and interest for future training.

Delegates usually follow language training courses because they require some professional knowledge and skills, the acquisition of which cannot always wait. Intensive training courses provide the delegate with the opportunity to learn a significant amount in a short period of time and consequently to be in a position of competence straight away.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Aug 10

Key Tips for Improving your English Language Skills

Business English Training Courses, English Language Training, Financial English Training Courses, Insurance English Training Courses, Language Training Courses, Legal English Training Courses 1 Comment »

Learning a new language can be extremely difficult, especially at first. However if you look around you will find many tools you can use in your daily life to help you improve your skills. Many people find that once they have learnt the basics of a language, the hardest thing is remembering what they have learnt and taking it a step further. Here are a few tips for taking your English language to the next level.

Immerse Yourself
One of the most important things to do is to practise not only your listening, reading and writing skills but also your speaking skills. The best thing to do is to immerse yourself in an English-speaking country and sign up for a Business English course. Being immersed in the country where the language is spoken will improve your comprehension and pronunciation and thus help you to have real exchanges with your neighbours, friends and colleagues. Seeing the language in the newspapers or on English TV everyday will also significantly help you improve your skills. Having to speak English in shops or if you are lost in the street or the tube can also be really helpful, while also challenging, as it forces you to speak and try the new words, grammar or expressions you have learnt.

Watch English Films
If you do not have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the country where the language is spoken, you can find a plethora of American and English series or films that you can watch in the original English version. If you do not have any English films, you can rent them easily either in stores or online through many easy-to-use services. When you do find English films, it is best to watch them in their original version with English subtitles. This will help you associate the spelling of words to the pronunciation as you hear it. If you own a modern television, you can also change the settings so English subtitles appear on your screen as you watch programmes in English or even your own language..

Key Tips for Improving your English Language Skills

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Read English Magazines or Books
Reading English magazines and books is a great way to further develop your English skills. In large cities you can often find bookshops which carry English books, while in airports and train stations there are usually a few magazines in English that you might find of interest. If you are just starting out, don’t be afraid to buy books which you might consider quite basic in your own language as they will be easier to follow and cause you less frustration. As you read, it can be really helpful to look up any words you don’t understand in a dictionary. As you go, you can record any words you didn’t know in a small notebook where you can read them every day until you know them by heart.

Listen to English Music
Listening to music is also a very good way to improve your comprehension in a new language. As you listen you can try to write down the lyrics and correct your work by comparing your lyrics against those you can find on the internet. This will help you improve your listening skills, vocabulary and spelling.

These are just some of the things you can do to improve your language skills on your own. However if you want to rapidly improve your language level, the most effective way is to enrol on a language training course where the trainer can help to correct your mistakes and pronunciation as you go. Communicaid’s language training courses are ideal for anyone looking to take their language skills to the next level

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Jul 08

Learning the Local Language is Rated Biggest Challenge for International Assignees

English Language Training, Language Training Courses No Comments »

According to the Expat Explorer report commissioned by HSBC Bank International, 58% of the 3,100 expats questioned said that learning the local language is one of the biggest challenges faced by international assignees.

Being relocated to another country gives international assignees a number of wonderful cultural and linguistic opportunities to learn the local customs, traditions and language.  While this can be exciting and stimulating it can also be very challenging. One of the biggest challenges of adapting to a new culture and communicating effectively with local counterparts is the language barrier between expats and local employees and residents.

Learning the local language can be extremely difficult depending on how unfamiliar it is. According to the Expat Explorer survey, expats living in English-speaking countries tend to have less trouble with language barriers than in other countries where languages other than English are spoken. The United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada are the first four countries where expats feel learning the local language is easier. This is not too surprising as the English language is the predominant language for international business and communication and a higher number of people can speak and understand it making their adjustment to an English speaking country easier.

Learning the Local Language is Rated Biggest Challenge for International Assignees

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For those expatriates who relocate to another country where English is not spoken, the best way to make learning the local language less difficult is to be fully immersed in the culture. Being immersed in everyday social situations where the local language is spoken such as doing the shopping, going to the cinema, taking public transport or watching TV at home can help international assignees learn the language more than they may realise.

To be prepared for the first few months of the international assignment, however, it’s important to first have a basic understanding of the local language such as key expressions and greetings or the ability to read the alphabet if it’s in a different script. By taking language training courses to learn some of the key elements of the language before the international assignment, expatriates will find learning the local language much easier and will experience a much smoother adjustment period.

Mastering the local language when on an international assignment can improve your success immensely. Knowing how to communicate with local employees will not only increase your ability to build relationships but it will save you time that may otherwise be wasted as a result of linguistic barriers and misunderstandings. Intensive and extensive language training courses, no matter the language, will give you the edge to succeed and make learning the local language a pleasure rather than a barrier.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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