One of The Best Way to Improve Your English

Objective: To improve the English conversational ability of bank employees.

Issues:
1. When students are given free courses, they sometimes lack motivation.
2. Students taught in large group settings may not participate to the fullest extent.
3. When students are told what they will study or how – in other words, not given a choice – they may lack motivation and purpose.

Responses:

• Voucher system: employees given vouchers to use as they choose from a variety of classes and courses offered by NY English including large group classes, small group conversation classes, computer assisted English instruction, learning through entertaining videos, informal English-only get-together, day-long intensives, subject matter courses (for example, modern economic theory, marketing)
• Vouchers offered as a reward or only upon application and interview
• Large group instruction enhanced by fun and friendly competition

Discussion: Business leaders and employees are generally in agreement about the importance of improving English language skills in conversation, reading, and writing. Businesses may pay for or subsidized their employees attending courses at English language schools. Employees may, on their own, attend courses to improve their employability. The results of these efforts, however, may prove to be less than expected. Many traditionally taught classes that rely on book learning may not lead to improved conversational skills, and employer sponsored programs often fail to motivate students. Whether these courses are presented in house or at a language center does not seem to make a difference in many cases. So what is the answer? Or answers? How can employers get the “biggest bang for their buck?”

Let’s stake a step backwards – or to the side – and, instead of looking at the employees, let’s take a look at ourselves. Why haven’t you, why haven’t I, learned that second or third language we wanted to? Why haven’t II – or you -- mastered that musical instrument, or learned to dance, or paint, or – you name it? Of course there are a host of reasons that people succeed in or fail to achieve their goals, but the one common feature we have found in the students who appreciably improve their English language skills is let them talk.