Language

If you want to negotiate with me then do it my way!

A workshop focusing on cultural differences allows you to develop sensitivity towards people of different cultural backgrounds, reduce conflict and achieve common goals despite different perspectives. And, if you also have to communicate using another language, a workshop gives you the experience and skills to reframe your communication more suitably for your foreign partners.  

Are you a fast talker and your wpm rate (words per minute) is high? Can you compete easily with Steve Jobs who was considered an average speaker often ranging between 153 and 168 wpm? Or are you faster? Audiobooks tend to stay in the range of 150-160 words per minute as this is supposed to be easiest for listeners.

Learning the English language becomes more interesting and more challenging, the deeper you dive into the peculiarities of a language: idioms, puns and slogans are used instinctively to make the conversation more colourful. Not only that, but it is a benefit for both business and private life. The better you understand and know how to use them, the more you will enjoy conversation with the locals and the more comfortable you’ll feel while socializing.

English as a Lingua Franca – what does this mean for me when learning Business English? - Part III

Is English simply a tool to communicate with global partners?

If yes, take a pragmatic, multi-norm, multi-method approach that tolerates inaccuracies for the sake of communication. It is therefore important to understand how other cultures communicate.

English in native-speaking communities of practice – what does this mean for me when learning Business English?  - Part II

Blending with the locals

Speaking like a native speaker means identifying which form of English you wish to learn – is it American English, British English, Australian English or one of the many other forms of English? This is called learning “English as a Foreign Language”.

English as a Lingua Franca – what does this mean for me when learning Business English? - Part I

Globalization has made English the most common language shared by business professionals today. This is especially true when global partners, whose first language is not English, communicate together.

merle & sheppard are currently working with Oxford University Press and doing Placement Test pretesting with some of our language learners.

Being able to communicate in a second language, especially in English, is essential in a globalized world. Not only do learners want to know what language level they have, but the Human Resources department and managers also need to know how best to develop their staff.