CASE STUDY
OUR MISSION
English language training for company employees:
Our job was to train employees and advise them on their English skills. Customers and partners of our clients were both native speakers from the USA and Great Britain, as well as non-native speakers in Europe and Asia.
OUR APPROACH
First, all potential participants received a needs analysis and a placement test. This enabled us to determine each employee's exact needs, level, strengths and weaknesses. In this case, this resulted in several levels and different needs. Some of the participants were unsure about their personal needs in the area of learning English.
To gain clarity about this, we conducted with each part
taker a short personal interview for fine-tuning. After that, we were able to pinpoint exactly the training areas and skills that the employees and the company needed.
After the needs analysis and the placement test, we selected a suitable trainer with a technical background. This was vital for the company.
THE FOLLOWING TOPIC AREAS EMERGED:
• Technical English
• English on the phone and dealing with visitors
• English for meetings and negotiations
• English for the office
• English for presentations
• English for trade fairs and exhibitions
• Small Talk situations & conversation strategy
Our next task was to form the participants into suitable groups. We paid particular attention to a similar language level and similar needs in order to ensure cross-departmental communication.
OUR SOLUTION: THE DESIGN OF THREE LANGUAGE COURSES
The first course was designed for those who had learned English for some time but were unsure of vocabulary and grammar when speaking.
The second group consisted of participants who used English at work but needed correction and feedback on their English practice.
The third type of course was one-on-one training for a department manager with specific needs and flexible timing to accommodate their professional commitments.
The design of the language training was agreed with the customer. A precise analysis of the placement test showed us the needs of the participants. All worksheets were then designed and created by the trainer to meet these needs. This enabled targeted and effective learning to take place. Fine-tuning of the course took place in the third course unit (see Course structure First course phase and intermediate feedback). Feedback was collected regularly throughout the course to ensure that the classes were always meeting the objectives. The course was designed so flexibly that we were able to respond to the current needs and participants we encourged to bring in examples of work from their.
