Frequently Asked Questions
| Q. What is the difference between Business English and General English? |
| Business English is the language needed to communicate effectively in a specific business environment. The nature of your business (and of your particular job within the business) will determine the language you need to do this. |
| Q. Can you give me an example? |
| Yes, of course. In reality, the teaching of "Business English" is very different to the teaching (and learning) of "English as a Foreign Language". Take for example, a business executive dealing with international clients on a face to face basis. He will need different communication skills and vocabulary to (say) his secretary or receptionist, whose verbal contact with clients requires different skills which are specific to his/her own area of work. |
| Q. Are you qualified to teach Business English? |
| Yes we are. As a matter of fact only one teacher in every one hundred has a second ELT qualification, and is actually qualified to teach English For Specific Purposes. This means that many "Business learners" do not get the benefits of working with a specialist teacher. At Tlc we conduct a free "Needs Analysis" to help determine the language you need to do your job effectively. |
| Q. What exactly is a needs analysis? |
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To offer courses which are both relevant and effective and take into account our clients specific target needs and particular learning situations we need to know exactly what exists now.
We do this with our Business Needs Analysis. We match what "YOU", as a business "WANT", with the individual learning needs of your staff. We call this our "Learner Centred Approach". Each course is therefore unique. It is written specifically for you and your company, and the language learners within your company. |
| Q. What does that mean? |
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It means that we analyse the language needs of your business and compare this to what actually exists in reality. The difference between the two is called a "language gap". It is this "GAP" that must be concentrated on and closed.
TLC identify exactly what your needs are (what you want for your business to function effectively) and then analyse the existing language of your staff. Once we have identified these areas, we all (the company, your learners and Tlc) negotiate and structure a course that will best achieve these needs - and then we proceed to "CLOSE THE GAP". |
| Q. What's included in a TLC course? |
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Basically - everything. All Materials. Use of the centres facilities (during and out of course time - Tlc operate what we call a "Drop in Centre." All centre members can "drop in" at any time to ask for help/information etc. or to use the centre's facilities. For example - (library, computers, homework room, internet etc.) This is all part of Tlc's philosophy and methodology (a practical approach). Facilities Tlc Centre, La Garita include:
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| Q. What is a total immersion course? |
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These courses are designed for people who want to live in English throughout their working day. We do this by "shadowing" the client student from the moment he/she starts work in the workplace. A Tlc trainer comes to your place of work and spends the whole day with you. You do your normal job in your normal way - but everything you do is put under the microscope, analysed and discussed (in English) with the trainer as you progress through your day. Feedback (immediate and at end of sessions) play a very important part in total immersion courses as the objective is to study the "reality" of your working day and help to put this reality into an "English" context.
We also proivide total immersion courses in the La Garita centre for small groups - and more recently for 1 to 1 direct contact. These are intensive face to face courses and can be arranged to fit into a busy company timetable for 1,2 or 3 days or for a weekend. They provide valuabe re-inforcement for busy people who can only afford a specific amount of time away from the job and need a lot of input in one "session". |
| Q. What is a Simulation? |
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A simulation is a preparation for a "real life" situation, and is open ended - there are no "right answers". The outcome depends entirely on the way you handle the situation.
Unlike most role play activities, which last a short time, practice only a limited amount of language and only some of the skills you have - a simulation gives you the opportunity to use all your language skills within a complex activity based on authentic "real life" situations. Valuable "feedback" on your personal performance and course progress and follow up group discussions, help Tlc, to help you to achieve your communicative aims, as defined in your needs analysis. Tlc work on the principal that even though your English is not perfect, "it's all you've got," and you have to use it to communicate effectively with other people in spite of the gaps in your knowledge. The purpose of the course is to "close those gaps," learn new language, structures and vocabulary so it can be practised without fear in the classroom. |
| Q. What should I do next? |
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If you would like to discuss any aspect of the course informally, please contact:
Terry Whitnell at The Language Centre, La Garita on (0034) 928 70 74 92 or email Tlc direct. |
