2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : I Know It's English, But I Don't Get It

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : I Know It's English, But I Don't Get It:  I have left my world of English-as-a-second-language in Europe and arrived back in Canada where English is the only language I wil...

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : I Know It's English, But I Don't Get It

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : I Know It's English, But I Don't Get It:  I have left my world of English-as-a-second-language in Europe and arrived back in Canada where English is the only language I wil...

I Know It's English, But I Don't Get It



I have left my world of English-as-a-second-language in Europe and arrived back in Canada where English is the only language I will communicate in for the next two weeks of my holidays here. 

 

When I am back in Canada or England and speaking my native language of English,  it suddenly dawns on me how difficult it is to live in a foreign country and try to communicate in English with those who speak it as a second language.  It is no less difficult for them either.  I have immense respect for all of our students whether studying advanced business theory in English, or those studying English as a second or foreign language.  However, I cannot count the number of times a second-language English speaker has said something in a way that immediately offended or challenged me, due to their inappropriate use of the language and, more importantly, their non-verbal message senders. While using English might be an advantage, the tones and non-verbal message senders you use might do more damage than good, and might be seriously missing the intent, purpose and goal of communicating, whether in casual conversation or in a business meeting.  I correct the misuse of expressions in most cases when I know the speaker, but I also know we native English speakers rarely do correct. I have had conversations with English students who are preparing for their English advanced qualifying examinations who can form correct sentences; who have achieved a good level of fluency, and are very impressed with their own skill, but who communicate in a way that is mechanical and without the familiar language characteristics that English speakers expect to hear. Thus the meaning or effect of the communication is altered at best, and damaging at worst.
 

The 'loudest' message senders in English may be the things that have no defined or articulated sound at all.  The shrugs, or grunts, inflection or tones used when expressing emotion, fact, opinion, ideas or feelings.  This is the skill that language teachers need to teach in conjunction with the grammar and other mechanics of the language. 

 

In my business teaching career, I spent a lot of time teaching effective communication.  To communicate effectively in one common language is difficult enough, and for years science has demonstrated that the words that form a message make-up about 7%  - 9% of the message.  The rest of the message senders are things we do not necessarily learn in school referred-to as paralanguage and metacommunication, although we all use them, in every language.  They form regional ways of speaking and gesturing; colloquialisms; cultural anomalies that are finite and limited, in some cases, to very small geographic areas.  We  learn spoken grammar structures and the non-verbal senders the same way in all languages. We, at the UK Language Training Services,  adapt and apply these learning principles in our English Immersion Programs and Professional Business English Retreats.

 

The message here is that, to understand a language, you must understand the culture, and to understand and communicate effectively, we must understand the more subtle non-verbal message senders that round-out and complete the message.    For example, a tilt of an eyebrow at exactly the right time, whether speaking or listening, can send a very loud message. That's true in any language but the angle of the tilt, or the timing of the tilt, or the eye contact between the 'tilter' and 'listener'; all differ, ever so slightly, from culture to culture.  In some cultures direct eye contact is threatening and perceived as aggressive and hostile or simply brazen and disrespectful, while in others it is regarded as necessary to signal openness and truthfulness.

   

The necessity for understanding English, it's nuances, and the cultural influences on the ways of speaking have prompted us to open a new language division in England where we will expose our students, not just to class work in language learning, but to life, culture; the importance and meaning, in speaking English properly.  Our participants will 'live' in English for  periods of two weeks or longer and will experience being spoken to, questioned, instructed, complimented, and corrected by the native English themselves in a variety of in-class and other common daily situations and interactions. 

 

Our program will focus on the 'whole' language experience.  Don't just speak English - speak English properly.  At UKLTS 'English Is All We Do'

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : Give The Gift Of Language This Holiday Season

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : Give The Gift Of Language This Holiday Season: English Immersion Programs - In England - Summer of 2013   Students of all nationalities are invited to join us for our Intensive Engli...

Give The Gift Of Language This Holiday Season

English Immersion Programs - In England - Summer of 2013
 

Students of all nationalities are invited to join us for our Intensive English Immersion Program in England.  Your nationalities may be different, but your language goals are the same. 

UKLTS is a fully registered and accredited member of the ESBL Education Group.  At our other division we specialise in UK official degree studies, and at UKLTS - English is all we do. 

We bring our program development expertise, our education management experience, and our teaching excellence to this program, and you benefit from our proven track record of success.

Student's existing English levels will be evaluated prior to being assigned to individual teams and to their personal language coach who will explain and correct their spoken grammar structures throughout the program.  In class and outside of our structured daily classes, you will be required to not only learn properly but to use and practise your English in all manner of situations and encounters. You will 'live' in English for the entire duration of your time with us.  The immersion programs are both 'submersive' and 'structured' to help you learn the language faster.

More information on dates, places and prices will be available on upcoming news blogs and on our websites.  This gift of language will be one that keeps on giving throughout the life of the student and the path they take.

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : Announcing Our Newest Addition - UK Language Train...

2013 Summer English Immersion Program in England : Announcing Our Newest Addition - UK Language Train...:   The European School of Business & Language - Barcelona is pleased to announce the opening of the ¨UK Language Training Services LIMI...

Why Study the English Language?

Because it is important:

1. The dominant role of English as a world language forces our learning like no other language has done before. 
2. English is the main language of communication between nations and therefore it is crucial that we ensure it is taught accurately, efficiently and widely. 
3. Communicating effectively and accurately is a major issue around the globe. Now more than ever, global economies, health, and infrastructural development depend on it. 
4. Without a common language of communication the message is ambiguous and obscure, or we communicate at cross-purposes. 
5. The more we develop a common language, the more success we have in advertising, politics, diplomacy, travel, education, religion, cultural understanding and sensitivity, medicine, law, business, or simply, ordinary people trying to share and be understood.
6. The quality of your English language ability can distinguish you from others as being more capable, a better choice as a business collaborator, and certainly more understandable.  The pursuit of 'good English' is vital to create this perception in others.  How you master the global language of English speaks volumes about your attention to detail and care in transacting other aspects of your professional and personal life.  Everything we do and say, says something about, us as a person, as a business person, about our personal and work ethic, our consideration of others, and the esteem and importance that we hold them in. 
7. Speaking English properly saves time and reduces serious, often costly misunderstandings.

So, what kind of English learner are you?

• When, or for what purposes do you or will you use English?
• Why are you learning English?
• Is it important for you to speak proper English for your job?
• Is simply communicating your message more important than speaking properly?
• Do you want to learn English simply for travelling?
• Do you need to write emails, take conference calls and speak on the telephone in English?
• Does it matter whether you learn informal or formal English?
• How often do you or will you need to use English?
• Do you need to do research for your job?
• Is proper pronunciation of English important to you?
• Do you think English is important or essential for you?
• How often do you study English now?
• Is your English language progressing, regressing or standing still?
• How confident are you in speaking English now?

Consider this:

The older a person gets, the more important and apparent the need for the English language becomes.  Getting a job in an English-speaking country or interacting with English speakers requires more than one language to ensure the complete transaction, which means that English as a second language is becoming more and more expected in the business community.

Moving to an English-speaking country will require mastery of the English language simply to carry-out the daily tasks and interact with others.

And for children exposed to English in an academic environment, learning English will not only benefit the child, but the parents as well.  Children bounce back and forth between speaking their primary language at home, and English in school.  When the parents commit to learning English, it provides a bonding experience with the English-speaking child and makes communicating with the child's school much easier and more rewarding.

Conclusion:

It is important to find a learning methodology that works for you, and is easy to access.  In addition to our excellent track record for success in teaching English in the classroom and in-company environments, we now have broadened our courses to include the most effective methodology; learning directly from spending time in an English-speaking country. 

Our small groups of 5 persons will each have their own native-speaking language coach to correct and explain the proper use of English in all applications throughout each day.  Students will live in English and in this intensive environment, will add close to 1 level of advancement over a two-week period.  The total immersion experience will include daily classroom sessions, field trips, meals, and cultural tours; all questions, answers and explanations in English. 

Do not miss this opportunity to improve your English level in a beautiful country with skilled and accomplished teachers.  Come with us to England in the summer of 2013!

Announcing Our Newest Addition - UK Language Training Services LIMITED

 

The European School of Business & Language - Barcelona is pleased to announce the opening of the

¨UK Language Training Services LIMITED¨  (UK Registration Number 08314563).  UKLTS is fully incorporated in England and Wales and their chief objective is to provide the highest quality English Language Intensive/Immersion Programs, and fast-track Professional and Vocational Retreats; all conducted in English, and with accredited qualifications upon completion.

As we have explained here at www.esblbcn.blogspot.com, all of our English language programs will be held in beautiful locations; conducive to ´learning and living in English´.  Accommodation and all event planning will be organized and provided by UKLTS in conjunction with our education group and other project partners, to bring you the best experience and the most effective learning in the market today.

We will be adding details as they emerge and posting them on our website, blogspot and UKLTS website at www.uklts.co.uk.

Now, more than ever, the shrinking base of career opportunities requires that we can communicate in English at a professional level, and for students wishing to study abroad or for people interested in emigrating, English is a 'must have'. Come and study with us.  Work in small teams, each with their own individual language coach and benefit from immediate feedback and instant correction.

Call, write or visit us and let us book your place for the next program.

The Most Effective English Language Learning Program

Double-Decker buses, thatched cottages, country houses, castles, ancient ruins, village pubs, cream teas, eccentric aristocrats...  Visitors to England will discover many interesting things while benefiting by studying English in an English-speaking country with our intensive English Immersion Program. 

You may think England is all cold, grey, rainy weather.  Well, you will find that it doesn't rain as much as you have heard. 

If you think England is all fish-and-chip shoppes, you will discover that Indian restaurants far outnumber the 'chippies'.  There are a surprising amount of great places to see, packed into a relatively small island.

In our English Immersion Program, we will be hosting serious language students in different, but no less interesting English-speaking destinations.  In the future we will travel to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and enjoy the diversity each destination has to offer while 'studying and living in English'.

We invite you, our future students/travellers, to post your comments about where you would prefer to begin your 'language tour of England'.  Just choose one of the destinations profiled below.  The place with the most 'mentions' will be the next destination for our Intensive English Immersion Program. 

Stratford-Upon-Avon
Visit the birthplace of the man who practically invented the English language.  A market town with over 800 years of history and containing many buildings that would have been familiar to Shakespeare.  William Shakespeare is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with introducing nearly 3,000 words into the language.  His vocabulary numbered about 7,000 words; four times that of an average, well-educated English conversationalist.

Bath, Somerset
First established as a spa by the Romans in AD 60, Bath is a beautiful example of Roman architecture and Baths built around hot springs.  So Civilised!  Bath later became popular as a spa city to the aristocracy.  25 miles from Bath in Wiltshire is Stonehenge, one of the world's most visited sites and one that continues to be shrouded in mystery.

Brighton
Experience the Bohemian aura of the city with the Royal Pavillion, (home to three Monarchs), the piers, the night life, the beach....  From Regency architecture, museums, aquariums to the pebble beach, Brighton offers something for every walk of life.

York
Birthplace of Judi Dench, 007's 'M', York is one of the world's oldest cities, settled by the Vikings during medieval times.  The York Dungeons are a 'must see'.  Rich in ancient history, ambiance and fun activities, York is renowned for its exquisite architecture, quaint cobbled streets, and a wealth of visitor attractions all within the compact walled city.

Include this memorable English language learning experience in your next summer's holiday plans.  Remember, let us know what you would prefer and we will do our best to accommodate you.  See you in England.



Learn English in England with the European School of Business & Language in association with the experts from the  UK Language Training Services LIMITED

English Language Immersion Program - in England

We, at the European School of Business & Language Education Group are always looking for ways to improve upon our already-excellent English Language programs. Having not one, but two certified English philologists on staff means that what is possible to know about developing, delivering, and evaluating dynamic and effective English language study programs, is known by them.

For the first time our English Team will be taking their classrooms to England in the summer of 2013 for a highly-intensive English Immersion Program.  Students will choose packages of 20 or 30 hours of in-class study per week.  In addition to this, the classes and professors will 'live' in English.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be shared together as well as site-seeing and other cultural experiences; all in English.  Students will be exposed to 60 hours minimum each week of corrected English speaking, listening and interacting.

We will live in guest houses, home stays or B&B's to gain even more exposure to English speakers.  Each study group will be no larger than 5 persons with 1 professor.  Group's nationalities will be mixed so that you are not able to interact in any language other than English which, in these mixed groups, is the common language.

Travel expenses will be the student's responsibility.  Accommodation, breakfast, snacks and lunch will be provided by us.  Dinner and entrance fees, if any, will be the responsibility of the student, as will be the pints, at the local pub.

The core curriculum will suit business professionals, as our program is tailored around Business English and English for Specific Purposes.  An English Level Test will be administered to ensure each student is put into the proper group, and a list of your English learning goals will be developed.  A student evaluation and a future English learning strategy will be completed at the end of the study period, and a Certificate of Completion will be provided to each attendee.

We are fully accredited by Trinity College London as an oral examination centre and is fully accredited by Cambridge University as a CIE centre.  We have had excellent results in preparing students for all English Qualifying Examinations.  Both Trinity and Cambridge language qualifications are recognised by employers, schools, and governments around the world.

If you are interested in knowing more about our English Immersion Program, please email us at info@esbl.com.es.  Dates, fees, location, accommodation arrangements and course structures will be posted on our website in January of 2013.  Each program will be limited to 20 students, so register your interest early to secure your place.  There is no doubt that you will notice a marked difference in your English language ability after the program.www.esbl.com.es