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.