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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 ‘language training’
Part I Goals – What every corporation should know about Language Training
Thursday, June 24th, 2010Getting to Know TalktoCanada.com – How do we Teach English Online?
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010What can you expect when working with TalktoCanada.com?
Before we start training companies and students in English, they have a very common and similar question. The question goes something like this, “How do you teach English?” The answer typically goes the same way. TalktoCanada.com will help you improve your English by teaching you exactly what you want to learn. Since starting TalktoCanada.com, we have trained all of our teaching staff to center around the idea of asking the student exactly what they want. Most students know what they want. The most common things are; business English, test preparation (TOEFL/IELTS), conversational English skills or vocabulary building. Sometimes a student doesn’t have anything particular that they want to focus on — this is also a great opportunity to touch on everything and determine which areas need the most work. Usually when students don’t know what they want they usually need help with their confidence. Confidence is a big concern for a lot of 2nd language speakers and by working with a tutor you have the opportunity to talk, practice and make mistakes in a non-threatening environment.
Depending on the type of student you are, beginner, novice, intermediate or advanced, we will work with you to improve all the areas that you feel you need help with.
If your looking for more detailed information about our teaching methods I suggest you read the following blog posts below:
Part I: The Basics of Dogme – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part II – Key Principles of the Dogme Language Learning Approach – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part III – “To Structure or not to Structure… that is the question….” – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part IV: Cookie Cutter Language Learning – Putting a Name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com Uses
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
Part V – Using the Dogme Approach in group lessons – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
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.
The Five Best Books On English, for Business Students.
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010For everybody out there learning business English as a second language, here are my top 5 books that I recommend. The books are not listed in any particular order.
- The Business Writer’s Handbook, Eighth Ed, by Walter E Oliu, Charles T Brusaw and Gerald J Alred.
- The Art of War, by Sun Tzu.
- Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive: Outsell, Outmanage, Outmotivate, and Outnegotiate Your Competition, by Harvey B. Mackay.
- Jack: Straight from the Gut, by Jack Welsh and John A. Byrne.
- The Market Leader Business Book Series for English Learners, by various.
This list is by no means the best of the best, just the top 5 books that I think would be most valuable to an English learner studying business. The ‘Market Leader’ series is a great place to start if your looking to study English usage for business. The series comes in all levels meaning you can find something just right for your level of English. If you know of any other great business books for learners, please post them in the comments section as our readers would definitely like to know of the quality resources that are out there.
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.
Why Canadian accents are the best and the easiest to learn and understand for ESL learners
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009Learning English is not a simple task, and learning it from someone who YES may be a native English speaker — but has a difficult accent to understand — is sometimes really hard to get used to.
In my 8 years of ESL teaching — my students have always commented on how easy and clear it is to understand my “accent”. Yes, it is quite different from British, Australian, South African and even American accents. Some describe it as neutral and easy to understand and learn. Not only that but mainstream English culture uses this neutral accent.
This makes it easier for the student to learn and understand English. For beginners especially, it is important for them to learn with a neutral accent – have you ever met a non native English speaker who’s English accent was British, or Australian? It’s quite amusing as an ESL teacher to hear — a Mexican who had never been to England — speaking English with a British accent.
Now I do realize that there are some misconceptions about the way Canadians speak — no we do not say “eh” after every sentence, nor do we say “aboot” or any other weird or unusual word. Granted we do have some differences in spelling and in some words (pop not soda, washroom not bathroom) but nothing that would put you at a disadvantage, if anything – an advantage.
So take advantage of learning English with a Native Canadian English Speaker — you’ll notice the difference — not only in the ease of learning and picking up on the new accent — but also in the mannerism in which we speak.
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.
Camille Greer – Teacher of the Week
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Tell me a little bit about yourself:
Camille Greer, Toronto, bachelor of journalism, running, movies and books
What was the last book that you read?
The last book I read was called Shooting Water by Devyani Saltzman, who is the daughter of acclaimed documentary filmmaker Deepa Mehta.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
outgoing, creative, patient
Why do you like Teaching with TalktoCanada Online?
I love learning about my students’ cultures and finding the similarities in our very different lives is always very interesting!
Motto that you live by:
Be the change.
Part IV: Cookie Cutter Language Learning – Putting a Name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com Uses
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Cookie Cutter and Language Learning should never be in the same sentence – actually scrap that – Cookie Cutter and ANY type of learning should not be in the same sentence – unless it is to describe what NOT to do.
The Cookie Cutter method – is basically that… putting people into a “program” that focuses on the cookie cutter rather than the student’s needs or personal goals. This method can be applied to all types of learning – from sports to life skills – it may give the impression that it “works” but really? – does it?
As a mother of two small children – it would be tempting to use the cookie cutter method to teach them different life skills as they are growing up… but out of all honesty – even if I wanted to do that – it would be impossible. Why? Because my children both have different ways to understand the same thing. Food introduction, discipline – all of those fun parenting skills that a first time round parent usually does “by the book” because that is what is normal to do, fall into the cookie cutter method. “Do this with your baby (and every baby for that matter) because all babies are the same.” Well hold on a second… Are all babies the same? Are all language learners the same?
Not likely… – I admit – in the past I have used the cookie cutter method – or perhaps I could call it the traditional textbook method of teaching languages. The results were not so great. It was boring for me, teaching vocabulary that was outdated, and that really in all honesty these students would never use in their entire life… EVER.
Trying to spice things up a bit or making the lessons more fun was difficult – because if someone is used to this cookie cutter – throwing in a free form without edges just makes them nervous, and feel like they aren’t accomplishing the “set goals” that someone else has outlined for them (ie: the textbook).
An example: Having students join facebook – and a special group created for them to practice their English with native speakers from around the world. Out of 25 students — maybe 5 joined — and out of those 5 that joined 2 engaged in some type of English discussion. Not very successful… Some would say it is “easier” to follow a book – to follow someone else’s action plan and set goals — like spoon feeding a baby – it is “easier” to get babies to eat like that. Or is it? I spoon fed my first child and it definitely was the farthest thing from easy. You can’t force someone to eat something – just as you cannot force someone to learn specifics of a language. You can try all day long, but if the person doesn’t want to do it the cookie cutter way it will never work.
With my second child it was a whole different story – I tried something else – where she was in control of what she ate – and how much she ate, my goals had nothing to do with it (obviously I did have an overall goal of her eating some solids – but not a set amount at a set time). The outcome was much more successful than when I spoon fed my first — albeit way messier — but 100% more successful. And this can be applied to Language learning as well – you give your students options – and they go with it as far as they want… at their own pace, to their own liking, with the overall goal of learning the language — messier because you don’t have the structure — but 100% more successful.
I am not saying any of this out of second hand knowledge or as information from a book I read, but from being on the front lines and teaching for more years than I can count. Say for example – a student has trouble expressing themselves in different past tenses – ok – what would be a more beneficial for them to learn the the past tense? Doing sentences in the past with random themes that may or may not relate to their real life or having them produce a picture (their own) and talking about that? I think we both know the answer, and we both can see which method produces the most accurate – and real life results.
I for one have gotten rid of all of the cookie-cutters in my life – from child rearing to teaching languages. Who’s to say that a star has to have 5 points? Who says language learning has to be from a book and who says you can’t teach outside the box? Just because the majority of English training companies will use cookie cutter programs, doesn’t make it right or even successful for that matter. Students generally want to spend as short a time as possible learning a language and TalktoCanada.com can definitely help students achieve that goal.
Part I: The Basics of Dogme – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009I was recently formally introduced to the Dogme language learning approach – although have unofficially been using it throughout my entire ESL teaching career. As mentioned in the previous article, the main principle behind the Dogme language learning approach is learning through conversation, rather than learning with a textbook.
Most online learners (actually truthfully ALL of my students) improve their English using this method. You may think – “Ok – Conversation – that doesn’t sound like learning” but really – it is and it has the most impressive results.
Through conversation teachers act as “facilitators” and shape the lesson – prompt questions – encourage discussion. But it’s really the student who is in the driver’s seat. They are able to select content (usually something that they are passionate about, or want to learn more about) and essentially create the lesson. The student comes up with the grammar questions, and vocabulary questions and comprehension questions. The students guide the lesson – and create their own learning. Teachers are there to facilitate that learning.
A complete 180* turn around from what traditionally ESL learning is/was. Textbooks and formal lesson plans lay everything out for you – and it is easier to just follow and do the exercises instead of thinking for yourself. You are still learning – but you are learning what someone else thinks is important.
Sometimes this is important for ESL learners. And sometimes it depends on the level. Would the Dogme language learning approach be as successful for a beginner/novice student? Or would the student get frustrated because they just don’t have the fundamentals in the language to hold a conversation?
There are many questions to consider – that’s for sure – but essentially ESL learning is shifting towards this direction – whether it be online or offline.
