Workplace Languages offers many options for your managers to learn the Spanish they need to close the communication gap and also the functional workplace English (ESL) that is critical to the success of any employee with limited English proficiency.  Workplace Languages has developed customized Survival Spanish Classes & Seminars (or other languages) to management in a variety of industries.   We also teach a very functional workplace English to those employees with limited English proficiency. 

 All classes & seminars are taught on-site at your place of business and the curriculum is always customized to meet the needs of your company.  Our classes & seminars are always taught on-site at the company 24/7  All information is practical & no grammar is taught.  Classes & seminars are upbeat; nobody is put on the spot and we understand that you only want enough Spanish, Chinese, French … whatever language it is – to communicate immediately, easily & effectively.  We understand that you don’t want to be a language major. You just want to get your point across.

Workplace Languages, LLC also offers Online Spanish classes over Skype.  Classes can be schedule at your convenience.  We have over 25 native Spanish speakers – all certified instructors – in 3 different Spanish-speaking countries.

Call us Toll Free @ 1.866.330.9419.

Talk live over Skpe with one of our instructors in Nicaragua or have one of trainers present onsite at your company.  Let us help “close the communication gap” and get you up and speaking.  We offer One-Day Survival Spanish Seminars and also eight-week courses.  Workplace Languages, LLC also specializes in functional workplace ESL classes for all employees with Limited English Proficiency.

Call today Toll Free at 1-866-330-9419 or learn more by visiting www.WorkplaceLanguages.com.

• Do not make an attempt to communicate to the GM / Supervisor / Coworkers in English
• Haven’t completed the 2^nd grade in the U.S. or their country
• Possess only a few vocabulary words in English
• Have worked less than 6 months at the company

II.  CANDIDATES THAT ARE A “GOOD FIT” FOR A LEVEL I ENGLISH COURSE TYPICALLY:

• Is shy / not confident of their ability (although they may possess good speaking skills)
• Knows a number of vocabulary words in English
• Have problems “getting their point across” although they can do it occasionally 
• Is reluctant to speak with customers but will be able to communicate some ideas to their GM / Supervisor
• Needs to work at company 6+ months
• Can make simple requests but can’t elaborate / give many details
• Is able to fill out personal information on a application – name, phone, address …
• Wants to take the class / has aspirations of advancement within the organization (have a bilingual coworker elicit some of this information)
• Would have completed any grade between 2^nd  and 8^th in the U.S. or in their country          

III.  INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED TOO ADVANCED (BUT STILL POTENTIALLY WOULD BENEFIT BY A LEVEL II COURSE) FOR THIS LEVEL WOULD:

• Be able to communicate their ideas and make simple requests
• Speak “choppy” English and would have an accent but could “get their point across”
• Not have any difficulty completely filling out any simple forms
• Be able to explain roles & responsibilities of various positions in a simple fashion
• Have completed 8^th grade or above in the U.S. or in their own country 

1)         The bandage was wound around the wound.

2)         The farm was used to produce produce.

3)         He could lead if he would get the lead out.

4)         The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

5)         Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

6)         When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

7)         I did not object to the object.

        They were too close to the door to close it.

9)         The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

Let’s face it – English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren’t invented in England or French fries in France.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught?  If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

You have to marvel at the facts that your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.

That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.    …and so it goes.

Communicate to the main idea – Keep phrases and sentences as simple as possible.  Don’t’ use broken English.

• Think of at least one other way to rephrase what you want to say.

Avoid asking “yes/no” questions or asking “Do you understand?”  Remember to ask “wh-“ questions or open-ended questions to check comprehension:

i.e.  Instead of asking, “Did you talk to your supervisor?” ask, “Who did you talk to?”

In place of, “Do you work tomorrow?” you could say, “When are you free / off this week?”

The point is to ask a question in a way to elicit a specific response and not just a “yes/no” answer.

When they are speaking to you:

• Invite them to speak slowly.
• Give them time to communicate.

Ask yourself:

• Am I doing all I can to be understood?  SHOW then what you want.
• Am I trying to learn about my employees both personally and culturally?

Please don’t:

• Assume that a lack of English proficiency indicates that lack of intelligence.
• Assume that inability to express thoughts clearly means workers can’t understand you.

Language of Training Myths
As it is, your learners sometimes look at you like you’re speaking the language of an alien from outer space, so why would you think training them in the languages spoken in other parts of the world would be easy?  According to corporate relocation specialist Cartus, myths run rampant in language training. Here are five of the biggest of these misconceptions:

Myth 1: You don’t need to speak the local language to do business. Never underestimate the value of the local lingo, says Cartus. “Surviving a business trip to another country will require you to read signs and communicate with drivers, servers, and merchants, none of whom will offer translation options,” the vendor advises. “When business travelers learn the basics of the local language, it demonstrates their respect and interest in the culture and makes it easier to function independently abroad.”

Myth 2: You can learn a language in two weeks.Contrary to what some language products’ marketers would like you to believe, there’s no quick fix when learning a new language, Cartus points out. “Getting to an intermediate level takes on average 180 to 240 hours of study; at an hour of dedicated study per day, that’s a minimum of six months. If you’re learning a new language for business purposes, you’ll want a training program that’s designed specifically for business applications, with a focus on speaking and listening skills,” the vendor advises. “Most academic or e-learning programs churn out learners who have some reading and writing ability but who have a hard time translating those skills during impromptu communication. We recommend training with a live instructor, if your schedule allows. In this way, you can build a program that’s customized to your needs and specific challenges, and you can grow at a pace you determine. This helps maintain motivation.”

Myth 3: E-learning is faster.E-learning offers the convenience of an anytime, anywhere program, but in the business world, context is key, says Cartus. “Online training is great for beefing up vocabulary and understanding the fundamentals, but unless your online program includes skilled trainers, you may unknowingly learn an inappropriate use of the language, and this could hurt more than help,” the vendor stresses. “If you can’t commit to a series of live language lessons, find a provider whose online training is supplemented by access to a live instructor who’ll correct your mistakes before they can be held against you.”

Myth 4: Language training is language training; one size fits all. Learning a language for business is a far cry from learning a language in school or for a vacation on the Italian Riviera, Cartus notes. “New trends in language training offer approaches that can be tailored to your learning needs. Advanced learners require a more customized approach that focuses on technical and stylistic language skills, from learning business vocabulary and idiomatic expressions to fine-tuning grammar to running a conference call for an audience from a specific culture,” the vendor says. “You have options when it comes to language training; choose one that fits your level, goals, and business needs.”

Myth 5: Language “fluency” is the ultimate goal.Technical fluency in a language will get you only so far, says Cartus.  “Language and culture are so hardwired that being able to quickly conjure grammatically correct phrases is only half the battle. Idiomatic language, body language, accent, use of emotion, humor, and cultural protocol are all essential components of ‘fluency,’” the vendor emphasizes. “In a business setting, you need to understand and use these aspects accurately to make an impact. When working in another language and culture, your productivity, effectiveness, and status as an employee will be influenced by your ability to communicate holistically. Make it a point to build on your language skills constantly to ensure that what you’re communicating—and what you’re interpreting—are on target. Your success depends on it.”