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What do you want to get out of the training? What are your objectives? What are your long term plans and goals? These are questions that you need to answer before determining what kind of language training would be beneficial for you. Figuring out what your employees need is crucial in determining the content and best method of training.
Of course everyone has the same overall goal – to learn English – but many have specific goals that can be the focus of the lessons. Business is such a broad topic that narrowing it down can be quite a difficult task. Learning vocabulary related to telecommunications won’t be helpful for a company that sells medical supplies. Specialization and complete understanding of what a company is all about is important to achieve success.
Course content should cover a variety of things. Basics in grammar, vocabulary, idioms and expressions, practical application, and review of learning should be fundamental aspects in a lesson. Activities and exercises that stimulate the students instead of putting them to sleep is always a challenge – making everyone happy all the time is sometimes a difficult task – but appropriate content that connects and flows together, paired with an excellent teacher is a recipe for success.
Read these blogs about how TalktoCanada.com takes advantage of the online classroom and uses it to its full potential:
http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/03/how-to-be-creative-in-the-virtual-classroom/
Posts Tagged ‘innovative teaching methods’
Part I Goals – What every corporation should know about Language Training
Thursday, June 24th, 20104 Part Series – What every corporation should know about Language Training
Sunday, June 20th, 2010Corporate language training is becoming increasingly popular nowadays. As companies 
begin to expand into different countries and markets, they realize the importance of having functional English skills to conduct meetings, communicate both orally and through writing, and for social events as well.
It is unrealistic to assume that employees will take it upon themselves and enroll in an English course – outside of working hours, and out of their own pocket no less. As it is also a misconception to believe that everyone in business has a functional level of English.
There are many language training providers out there – face to face – telephone training – and e-learning. All offer a different approach and cater to different groups in different ways. As a company, you need to decide what your goals are and how you are best able to achieve them.
In this 4 part series I will go over the different aspects of corporate language training to help you understand the different aspects and importance of selecting the appropriate corporate language training providers for your employees.
Have a look at these previous blogs to get an idea about how TalktoCanada.com can meet your corporate training needs:
http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/05/getting-to-know-talktocanada-com-how-do-we-teach-english-online/
http://www.talktocanada.com/2009/11/how-talktocanada-com-makes-online-english-learning-personal/
A Day in the Life of a TalktoCanada.com Manager — Marc Anderson – General Manager
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Marc Anderson
- General Manager
- Working at TTC since early 2006
What is a typical day for you at TalktoCanada.com?
Good question, not getting very much sleep..just kidding. I would say that a typical day starts with answering a lot of emails, keeping up on prospects and than talking with my other managers either on telephone or on Skype. After the usual stuff is done, I probably spend the rest of my time on the phone or in meetings with current and potential clients. Some of my time is spent supervising projects and making sure they are delivered in the way that the client requested which can sometimes get difficult depending on the highly specialized nature of the course materials. The rest of my time, is probably spent reading, which can include the latest business book or visiting several of my favourite websites including entrepreneur.com, searchenginewatch.com, msnbc.com and checking up on our industry competitors. My day doesn’t end at a specific time or start at the same time everyday, having to deal in so many countries around the world, some days I have to wake up while I am sleeping for a meeting or at supper time. You have to give up the 9-5 hours if you expect to be successful in this type of job.
What is the toughest challenge you have faced since starting with TalktoCanada.com in 2006?
I would have to say beyond a doubt, getting our first client was the toughest challenge. With such a new service by a very unknown company it’s hard to convince individuals and companies of your worth. Naturally the vast majority of those people interested in our services were skeptical and without my selling skills being full developed it took a while to get off the ground.
What would you say is your biggest triumph?
This would probably tie into the previous question. Getting our first client was the most exhilarating experience you could possibly have in a new business. A client was willing to give us the chance and I will never forget the name of this company for the rest of my life.
What is the best part of your job?
Meeting with clients around the world. I majored in accounting in university and seriously contemplated being an accountant but than thought if I am going to be in an office, I would rather do something more exciting. I haven’t looked back since and I love my job and would trade it for any other business job.
Lusi Brace – Teacher of the Week
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Tell me a little bit about yourself
My name is Lusi Brace. I graduated from York University with a Hon. Double Major in English and Italian. I recently applied to law school and teacher’s college. I am currently studying for my law entrance exam. I also want to finish my B.Ed, since I enjoy teaching very much.
I have a lot of hobbies among which are reading, traveling, languages, dancing and watching movies. My latest hobby though and definitely my favourite is sleeping since I barely get any. But I love a busy schedule, and enjoy accomplishing new things.
What was the last book that you read?
The Twilight Saga- Stephanie Mayer
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Ambitious, Determined and Loyal.
Why do you like teaching Online?
It is new, exciting and a completely different experience than the conventional way of teaching. I enjoy meeting new people, and immersing in different cultures. More importantly sharing knowledge and teaching a language online may seem challenging, but is nonetheless possible. I love creating different opportunities to help student achieve their aims. I am glad that I am part of such a great team of teachers.
Motto that you live by:
Learn from mistakes, forgive but never forget, however NEVER regret!
Kiki Christie — Teacher of the week
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Tell me a little bit about yourself:
My name is Kim but I usually go by Kiki and I live in Victoria, BC. I have an English degree and also a Library degree, but I haven’t worked in libraries for quite a few years. I really prefer teaching. I enjoy knitting, music and reading, but I don’t get a lot of time for the last one!
What was the last book that you read?
The last book I read, hmm… actually it was a book on Buddhism called A Path with Heart, by Jack Kornfield. I’m really interested in Buddhism and Tibetan culture in general.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
talkative, curious, multitasker…
Why do you like teaching English online?
I love meeting people from other cultures and learning about them, and I also love English, so the two fit together well. I really enjoy teaching online in particular because it’s flexible, I can work from home and I’m an Internet addict (so this way I can Google stuff while I teach)!
Motto that you live by:
Act with intention.
The Virtual World meets the Real World…
Monday, January 11th, 2010Working online does have its obvious advantages — setting my own schedule, not having to commute, meeting people from all over the world etc… but it does have some disadvantages in that sometimes you feel stuck in a virtual world and wonder if you are just a video and a voice behind a screen helping students learn English online.
I’ve always tried to add a “human” element to my teaching – by making things real, personalized and cater to each of my student’s individual needs, and I think it has proven useful. My long time students feel more like friends than like clients – we are able to share ideas and feelings freely learn about each other and all the while learning English. Recently, I received a mysterious package in the mail, upon opening it I was overwhelmed with surprise – it was a package from one of my students with a few food items which we had discussed in class one day. Of course presents from “real life” students are common – you almost expect them at all of the major holidays or at the end of a course – but in the “virtual world” the etiquette is obviously different and more confused.
I like how both worlds tend to mesh together, whether on purpose or not. The “human element” is always there no matter how virtual things are. We need that “human element” to feel connected, and TalktoCanada.com is able to offer that to its students, by making the lessons about them rather than about a set curriculum. This does not only apply to individual students – but also corporate clients, and it shows through their improvements as well as in their continuing study with TalktoCanada.com.
I like my “virtual world” and I like how I have made it into a comfortable environment where anybody can join, no matter where they are or what they are studying, the “door” is always open.
Samantha Odber – Teacher of the week
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009Tell me a little bit about yourself:
My name is Samantha, and I currently live in North Bay, Ontario where I moved five years ago to go to school at Nipissing University. I graduated in May of last year with a BA in English Studies and a minor in Fine Arts, and I graduated in May of this year with a BA in Education. I really enjoy working with language, and have been slowly teaching myself to speak French the last few months for fun. Some of my favourite things to do include painting, hiking, listening to music, and having potlucks with friends =)
What was the last book that you read?
Ender in Exile.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
compassionate, curious, opinionated
Why do you like Teaching with TalktoCanada Online?
Because I enjoy working with people from another culture, I love teaching, and I really like the fact that the job is portable. I can visit with family and friends in other cities without having to take time off work =)
Motto that you live by:
Take the leap. Don’t let fear shackle your potential.
Part V – Using the Dogme Approach in group lessons – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009Teaching English whether it is to individuals or to groups requires different strategies to get students involved and interested in the topic material. Many students, because they are used to following robotic like exercises feel comfortable in this situation and it is difficult to break them out of it.
TalktoCanada.com tries to discourage robotic like learning – by offering different and creative methods that aim to encourage conversation and really take advantage of learning online with a native English speaker.
However, having said this – using the Dogme approach with a group does have its challenges. Each student has different goals and areas that need improvement – so essentially each student is going in a different direction. Sometimes it is difficult to follow each of the paths that the students lay out for you, and as a teacher you need to somehow get them all on the same, or somewhat same path in order to maintain some type of classroom control.
But – regardless of this major challenge – the benefits of using this approach with a group far outweigh it. Students are able to interact with each other, ask each other questions, debate topics, discuss their opinions and feelings, disagree with each other, share opinions, jokes and ideas – all of the things that are very important in Language learning.
So while the Dogme approach does pose a few obstacles with groups – it has been tested and has succeeded. The less amount of materials the better – put the students in the hot seat – and see where it goes – some days I’m sure you would be as surprised as I am as to where the lesson ends up.
Part VI – Modifying the Dogme approach to accommodate your students’ needs – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009The previous posts have described the Dogme approach and how TalktoCanada.com uses it with both their individual students and group lessons. This method is not used exclusively – as true Dogme approach is essentially material free.
What we do take from this approach is the focus that it has on the students leading the lesson. Not only does the Dogme approach require for both the student and the teacher to be on the same page – some students are unable to learn without material in front of them. They aren’t creative enough – they have “brain blocks” and just want to have a jump start with something that helps get the juices flowing.
TalktoCanada.com encourages their students to take advantage of the fact that they are learning with a native English speaker – and really put an emphasis on learning English through conversation, and this conversation being whatever the student brings to the table either with a jump start or on their own.
In my personal teaching experiences – I try to focus on the Dogme approach as much as possible – I ask my students to prepare things for the lessons – I go wherever they take the lesson – and help guide them through. But – sometimes a jump start can take you to places that you would otherwise not explore.
My jump start of preference are articles that deal with both random news, as well as serious topics that usually relate somehow to the student either geographically, or to their interests. Ideally, students read these articles ahead of time – and we can then go over the themes in class and discuss the ideas and opinions in the article and our own. This helps students learn about different topics that granted may be weird (“Oscar Meyer Wiener dog car crashes into house”) but it builds up useful everyday English vocabulary that can be used in a variety of situations.
Whatever your learning style – TalktoCanada.com will be sure to accommodate a style suitable to your needs. Working on the same page – and with the same goals in mind is always important in learning anything in life – not only for a language.
Confidence is Huge in Learning English
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009Spending your professional life working in the ESL industry, you start to pick up on little things that you wouldn’t normally notice at first glance. One of these things that I never even imagined was the idea of confidence. Confidence can have many different meanings but for speaking English, confidence really comes down to not being afraid to speak English no matter what your current level of English speaking is.
Having confidence in speaking doesn’t only apply to those who speak it as a second language, but also native speakers. I am a native English speaker and still struggle with issues of confidence; this may be from meeting a client for the first time or having to do an important presentation.
A lot of our students come to us saying they think they are not as good as they should be and need to improve such things as speaking, pronunciation, expressions and idioms. Then, after working with them for a few weeks, the students notice a huge improvement. This huge improvement definitely comes with the help of a TalktoCanada teacher – but it has more to do with the student increasing their confidence. Students start building their confidence levels when they can relax while speaking English. Relaxation and comfort in speaking a language doesn’t always come from learning it naturally in ‘real life’ situations, but rather in an academic setting without the pressure normally associated with speaking English. Being in a relaxed environment where you are free to make mistakes will help you to improve much faster than any other method.
Students come to us even though they have every opportunity to speak English with other co-workers or even work in an English speaking country such as America or Canada yet, still take lessons with a TalktoCanada teacher in a non-threatening environment where the student has a chance to relax and focus on improving.
Confidence is really hard to build when you are forced to speak it at work while nobody takes the time to correct your mistakes or doesn’t take the English as a second language speaker seriously because they are not that fluent.
Start your English learning on the right path and take the time to speak in situations that are non-threatening and where you get the chance to fix your mistakes. Confidence doesn’t take long to achieve but losing it takes even less time so don’t be afraid to brush up your confidence with lessons from TalktoCanada.com.
