Showing posts with label cross-cultural communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cross-cultural communication. Show all posts
3.28.2011
Attitude check
If you've ever thought that you're not smart enough to learn English well, read this.
3.07.2011
The Communication Skills Course is back!!
Back by popular demand...
....the STOP SPANGLISH Communication Skills Course!!
º Does the thought of making small talk in English give you a headache?
º Are you tired of being afraid to speak in English?
º Not sure what grammar and vocabulary you should use in a particular situation?
º Do you want a safe place to practice your social English before your next conference, seminar or meeting?
Communication Skills is an intensive, two-day course that analyzes how we talk in social situations, the kinds of problems can can come up and how to avoid the discomfort and bad feelings that come from being afraid to talk.
Saturday:
Examine the differences between written and spoken English - and how they can help you
Practice the grammar that you need in social situations
Learn techniques that will help you in parties, conferences and receptions
Sunday:
Using the knowledge you gained on Saturday, we will practice ways of using your English to get what you want in social situations, like negotiations, disagreeing with people and trying to find solutions to difficult situations
PRICE: 199€
LOCATION: Metro Tirso de Molina
REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY, 10 MARCH 2011!!
Want more information? Don't hesitate to send us a message at stop (dot) spanglish (at) yahoo (dot) com.
....the STOP SPANGLISH Communication Skills Course!!
º Does the thought of making small talk in English give you a headache?
º Are you tired of being afraid to speak in English?
º Not sure what grammar and vocabulary you should use in a particular situation?
º Do you want a safe place to practice your social English before your next conference, seminar or meeting?
Communication Skills is an intensive, two-day course that analyzes how we talk in social situations, the kinds of problems can can come up and how to avoid the discomfort and bad feelings that come from being afraid to talk.
Saturday:
Examine the differences between written and spoken English - and how they can help you
Practice the grammar that you need in social situations
Learn techniques that will help you in parties, conferences and receptions
Sunday:
Using the knowledge you gained on Saturday, we will practice ways of using your English to get what you want in social situations, like negotiations, disagreeing with people and trying to find solutions to difficult situations
PRICE: 199€
LOCATION: Metro Tirso de Molina
REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY, 10 MARCH 2011!!
Want more information? Don't hesitate to send us a message at stop (dot) spanglish (at) yahoo (dot) com.
1.07.2011
What English *can't* do
I sometimes wonder if there are more people who start taking English classes in January than in September. September is a more logical time to start classes: after you've been through school for almost twenty years, September feels like the logical time to start anything that is new and academic.
January, however, is a time of new beginnings, a time to start clean. So it's probably no surprise that a lot of people prefer to start classes in January. Why not? If you're already thinking about new changes for the new year, why not start (or re-start) learning English?
I think that anyone who has the guts and dedication to learn English well should be congratulated. It's a difficult task, but it can give you many rewards. That said, there are some things that English cannot do.
English will not save your job. Almost 90% of the time, when I start a new group class and I ask, "Why are you learning English?", students will say, "I need English for my job." The more we talk, however, the more it become clear that the student doesn't really use English at work. The student wants to make a good impression by attending classes, by appearing to learn English - but that doesn't mean that the student wants to actually learn English (or, for that matter, do the work that comes with learning English.)
Don't fool yourself. If the only reason that you want to learn English is that you think it'll keep you employed, you're probably better spending that extra 2-3 hours at work.
English will not make you smarter. A good English teacher CAN show you ways to learn more efficiently and to learn in a more efficient manner. That doesn't mean that learning English will help you raise your IQ. Sorry.
English will not make you sexier. Just think of the number of genuinely sexy English-speaking actors and actresses you know. Then think of the number of genuinely sexy actors and actresses (and singers and so on) who don't speak English as a first language. I rest my case!
English will not help you make more money. I have no research to actually back that up; at the same time, I have to say that I don't know of any studies that show that you'll make more money if you speak mediocre English. You've got a better chance of making a better salary if you speak really great English and by that, I mean being able to show that you speak English at the First Certificate Level, or better. That's not a crazy assumption: just look at the number of job adverts that specify a "nivel medio-alto de inglés." (Like I said, I haven't been able to find any research that can prove this. I may start writing people to get more information.)
There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve your English, and being motivated is certainly an important part of that. Just be realistic!
January, however, is a time of new beginnings, a time to start clean. So it's probably no surprise that a lot of people prefer to start classes in January. Why not? If you're already thinking about new changes for the new year, why not start (or re-start) learning English?
I think that anyone who has the guts and dedication to learn English well should be congratulated. It's a difficult task, but it can give you many rewards. That said, there are some things that English cannot do.
English will not save your job. Almost 90% of the time, when I start a new group class and I ask, "Why are you learning English?", students will say, "I need English for my job." The more we talk, however, the more it become clear that the student doesn't really use English at work. The student wants to make a good impression by attending classes, by appearing to learn English - but that doesn't mean that the student wants to actually learn English (or, for that matter, do the work that comes with learning English.)
Don't fool yourself. If the only reason that you want to learn English is that you think it'll keep you employed, you're probably better spending that extra 2-3 hours at work.
English will not make you smarter. A good English teacher CAN show you ways to learn more efficiently and to learn in a more efficient manner. That doesn't mean that learning English will help you raise your IQ. Sorry.
English will not make you sexier. Just think of the number of genuinely sexy English-speaking actors and actresses you know. Then think of the number of genuinely sexy actors and actresses (and singers and so on) who don't speak English as a first language. I rest my case!
English will not help you make more money. I have no research to actually back that up; at the same time, I have to say that I don't know of any studies that show that you'll make more money if you speak mediocre English. You've got a better chance of making a better salary if you speak really great English and by that, I mean being able to show that you speak English at the First Certificate Level, or better. That's not a crazy assumption: just look at the number of job adverts that specify a "nivel medio-alto de inglés." (Like I said, I haven't been able to find any research that can prove this. I may start writing people to get more information.)
There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve your English, and being motivated is certainly an important part of that. Just be realistic!
9.22.2010
But what does it MEAN?
If you think you've got it rough, speaking English at work, spare a thought for the United Nations interpreters who have to translate politicians...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11377609
It's another great article from the BBC World Service!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11377609
It's another great article from the BBC World Service!
8.24.2010
What it's like for us...
There's another great essay on the "Facts and Arguments" page of today's The Globe and Mail. This one talks about a Canadian woman who went to Zurich, Switzerland, six years ago, and how she deals with the language barrier -- and people's attitudes about what living in another country should be.
http://tinyurl.com/33kklnc
This essay also includes audio, so you can listen to the essay while you read it, or before/after.
Enjoy!
http://tinyurl.com/33kklnc
This essay also includes audio, so you can listen to the essay while you read it, or before/after.
Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)