In my first post regarding the lessons that we corporate language trainers have learned from our interactions with our corporate clients, I looked at the time constraints inherent in delivering corporate training.

Our next points examine the importance of tactical language skills and professionalism.

Lesson # 2: Tactical language skills are key

For corporate clients, language topics must relate directly to the workplace.  Learners need to wrap their mouths around the actual words and phrases they will be using later that day when interacting with colleagues or clients.

Especially crucial are tactical phrases for clarifying, summarizing, expressing an opinion, interrupting, agreeing, asking probing questions and a host of other high-octane communicative functions. Our clients consider these phrases the “secret keys” to communication success on the job, and they have become integral to Gandy’s training.

Lesson # 3: Professionals expect professionalism

Corporate training participants deserve a corporate caliber of training. These participants are well-educated and highly intelligent.  Their expectations are high – and rightly so.

Curriculum and materials must be relevant, comprehensive and well-organized.  Instructors must be subject matter experts – polished facilitators who are familiar with the nuances of corporate culture.  This level of refinement is key if we intend to engage and satisfy the corporate client.

Speaking on behalf of the thousands of professionals who have participated in Gandy’s training, I’ll say you won’t find a more intelligent and earnest group of language learners.  Granted, their packed schedules may prevent them from dedicating large chunks of time to their studies.  Still, for the two hours a week you see them, they are ready to engage fully.  North America’s second-language-speaking professionals are keenly interested in improving their communication skills.  It’s simply a case of offering training that is the right fit.

What makes corporate language training so special?  This question has been on my mind all day while drafting a speaking proposal for this year’s TESL Ontario conference.

My presentation will share lessons learned in the corporate Business English classroom.  By this I mean lessons that we – as corporate trainers – have learned from decades of interacting with corporate clients.

Over the next few days, I will be posting three of the most important of these lessons.  These are points to take to heart, as they can significantly impact people’s lives – and livelihoods.

Lesson # 1: Time is of the essence

Business professionals do not have all day to sit in a language class.  These are busy people who often work overtime to meet project deadlines.  For them, every minute counts.

We typically see them in our workplace classes for only two hours a week – perhaps a total of 20-60 hours in a year.  Compare this to the hundreds of study hours required to advance a single Canadian Language Benchmark level and you’ll understand why corporate ESL training requires laser-like focus.

Classroom scenarios need to zero in on real-life situations participants encounter at work.  For North America’s technical professionals, this means participating in team meetings, giving project updates, conducting business needs analyses, influencing decisions, negotiating solutions and creating rapport with customers and colleagues.  When we – as corporate language trainers – offer well-targeted practice scenarios, we show respect for the participants’ valuable time.

In the next post, we will look at tactical language skills and professionalism.