Part II Timing and Methods – What every corporation should know about Language Training

JUN26th2010

Now that you’ve figured out why and what you are going to be studying the next step is figuring out a time for corporate language training. You need to ask yourself, “Is it realistic to ask my employees to use their lunch break to study English?” In most cases the answer will be no. You need to find a time when your employees are not too tired from day to day tasks (end of the day is not a good time) – and aren’t too sleepy (first thing in the morning – also not a good idea). The best time is about 1 or 2 hours into the working day, or just before lunch. Lessons should be no longer than 2hs long, and be held regularly over a period of at least 12 weeks.

Employees should understand that corporate language training is essential for their advancement in any company, and as such should be taken seriously with 100% participation. You need to figure out how your employees will respond the best – either by face to face training or the increasingly common e-learning that is offered by TalktoCanada.com.

There are benefits to both – face to face training creates an atmosphere where students may take it more seriously – and put a little more effort in – it’s harder to not show up to a real class than to a virtual class. E-learning however offers convenience, native speakers, and interactivity that a face to face setting wouldn’t be as easy to incorporate into the learning material.

E-learning also focuses a lot on pronunciation and fluency – which is extremely beneficial in all aspects of business. Meeting simulation, role plays, debates, opinions, conversations…are all things that are present in an e-learning course EVERY SINGLE LESSON. It’s impossible NOT to talk in a lesson – and actually having it virtually breaks down some of those barriers, and students feel more confident when participating.

Regardless of what training you decide on, it needs to satisfy all of your needs and accomplish your goals within a reasonable amount of time. Corporate training that offers magical solutions in a short amount of time are probably too good to be true. It takes time and energy – and as the saying goes “the more you give the more you get back in return.”

Read some blogs about the benefits of E-Learning with TalktoCanada.com: