ON-GOING CLASSES
Our on-going classes refer to those classes that are scheduled for a minimum of six weeks and can continue for as long as you like. Classes can be arranged for as few as one student, up to a maximum of 12 , or anywhere in between.
ACCENT REDUCTION: PRONUNCIATION AND FLUENCY
Many fluent English speakers are mistaken for beginners because of their strong accents. This course is designed for intermediate to advanced students whose primary goal is clear effective speech. The class will build pronunciation awareness and provide extensive practice with all aspects of American English pronunciation: sounds, intonation, rhythm, stress, pitch, and voice quality. There will be intensive practice in the form of controlled exercises, role-plays, information gaps, short oral presentations, and many other fluency-building assignments. Participants will learn to recognize and correct their own pronunciation errors so that they can gradually incorporate improved pronunciation and speaking strategies into everyday life.
AMERICAN CULTURE, CUSTOMS AND COMMUNICATION
This course is designed for newcomers to the United States, or for those who feel that they just don’t “get” Americans. Participants will learn vocabulary for everyday functions such as greetings and introductions, making appointments, making small talk, telephoning, thinking about time and space, and expressing opinions. Course activities include: drills, role plays, pair work and larger group discussions.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SKILLS
This course is for intermediate to advanced speakers who need to improve their communicative skills when socializing, telephoning, presenting, taking part in meetings and negotiating. It will help participants to develop their knowledge of the language and interaction needed in common speaking situations on the job. There will be extensive practice to improve their listening and speaking skills, and there will be a strong emphasis on vocabulary enrichment and the expectations of Americans in speaking situations. As a result of this course, each student will gain knowledge, skills, and confidence for more effective communication in the workplace.
BUSINESS WRITING
This class is designed for intermediate to advanced students who need to develop their basic composition skills and brush up on correct grammar, punctuation, style, and usage. Participants will practice the clear expression of ideas; writing well-formed sentences; techniques for expressing complex ideas; paragraph development and providing details to support an idea; and making and responding to written requests. Students will produce written work both in and outside of class and will be encouraged to submit writing from real work situations.
GENERAL ENGLISH
This course is designed for beginning to intermediate non-native speakers who wish to improve their general English skills. The course will cover the fundamentals of grammar, writing, listening and speaking and will be customized to the needs of the individual or class.
IDIOMATIC ENGLISH IN THE WORKPLACE
Everyday conversational English is awash in idiomatic expressions. Most native speakers are scarcely aware of what these are, let alone that they use them with reckless abandon. To a non-native speaker, these can wreak havoc on their ability to understand even the most simple conversations. Mastery of at least a few hundred high-frequency idioms will foster enhanced workplace communication between native and non-native speakers, thereby resulting in increased productivity. This course will present approximately 200 of the most frequently used workplace idioms. The idioms will be presented in relevant contexts such as simulated lectures, expansion exercises, newspaper articles, TV sitcoms, etc. Personalized conversation questions and guided pair activities will stimulate discussion among participants and promote active use of the idioms in the context of natural language. To further reinforce correct contextual usage, participants will complete a variety of written tasks. Help your employees hit one out of the park with this class.
MEETING SKILLS
Although many non-native speakers participate in weekly meetings, many of them feel uneasy every time they walk into the conference room. Many lack self-confidence which stems from not knowing the particular vocabulary used in meetings. This course addresses how to comfortably and confidently conduct and participate in meetings. Topics covered include the following: preparing an effective agenda, opening a meeting, staying on track, dealing with difficult participants, keeping the meeting flowing, interrupting/jumping in, encouraging others to jump in, and closing the meeting.
NEGOTIATION SKILLS
PRESENTATION SKILLS
Our presentation course covers all the basics of planning, preparing and executing a professional presentation. Topics covered include: body language, gestures, preparing visual aids, and overall organization. Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate their performance through videotape feedback sessions.
WORKSHOPS
Our workshops are scheduled as 2-hour, half-day, or full-day classes. In addition, we offer on-going workshops which can be scheduled to meet once a week for up to four weeks. Workshops can be arranged for 10 to 50 participants and are priced accordingly.
CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION: HOW TO SUCCEED IN AN INTERNATIONAL WORKPLACE
“She never looks me in the eye!” “Why is he so loud?” “I can never get a straight answer out of him.” “He's very blunt.” “He smiles all the time.” “She never smiles.” “I never know if he understands me.” “Does ‘yes’ mean ‘maybe’ or ‘yes’ or ‘no’”? “She always gives orders!”
Do these remarks sound familiar? Have you ever had trouble understanding the style or meaning of your colleagues? Have you ever unintentionally offended someone from a different culture? Have you ever felt offended by someone from a different culture? If so, this workshop focusing on Inter-Cultural Communication Skills will be beneficial to your organization. The workshop consists of an orientation to the nature of cultural differences, followed by practical communication skill-building that will allow you to bring your new awareness of these differences into daily life. If you have ever felt confused, bemused, frustrated or intrigued by the differences you observe in your colleagues, this workshop will be a valuable tool in understanding how these differences can be seen not as liabilities, but as strengths.
This course is designed for native and non-native speakers alike who recognize that improved sensitivity to differing communication styles will enhance workplace performance. This workshop can be designed as either a two-part, eight-hour course, or a half-day, four-hour course. It is customized to address the particular languages and cultures of your organization. It offers practical strategies for avoiding communication gaps and for improving communication both in the workplace and with your customers.
CULTURE ON-THE-GO
This high-energy workshop is a condensed version of our Cross-Cultural Communication workshop (described above) and is designed for the busy executive or employee who would like to improve his/her international interpersonal skills, yet does not have the time for the more in-depth course. We will begin with 10 Rules for Success, followed by a hands-on demonstration of greetings and introductions. After this, the participants will work independently to answer a questionnaire on various aspects of culture: age, gender, time, space, status, etc. This will be followed by small group discussions. We will end by highlighting some of our Cultural Orientations, our position along these dimensions, and how they affect and guide our actions and beliefs. All participants will take away a fresh perspective on dealing with people from countries other than our own.
CHINESE CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
Similar to the Japanese workshop described below, but focusing on Chinese customs, history, languages, religious and spiritual beliefs and their influence on the emerging corporate culture.
DOING BUSINESS IN ASIA
This is an introduction to the different regions, countries, languages and cultures of Asia, ranging from India to Japan to Viet Nam.
INDIAN CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
Similar to the Japanese workshop described below, but focusing on Indian customs, especially the caste system and its affect on corporate culture.
JAPANESE CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
The objective is to help bridge the cultural divide between North Americans and Japanese to create a more productive, efficient, and harmonious workplace environment. The target audience is non-Japanese working for a Japanese company who have little-to-no knowledge of the customs and etiquette appropriate for the Japanese corporate environment. We will begin the workshop with a brief overview of Japanese history, culture and customs. We will then go into business protocol which will give the participants an opportunity to experience and practice some of the cultural differences between Japan and the United States. From there, we will discuss business practices, with emphasis on negotiating and the role and importance of post-workday business entertaining. Throughout the workshop participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions and share experiential anecdotes. Contact us for more details about the course content.
KOREAN CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
Similar to the Japanese workshop described above, but focusing on Korean customs and corporate culture.
PRESENTATION SKILLS
Similar material to the on-going course, condensed into a one-day, eight-hour workshop with easily applied strategies and techniques.
WORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES
This information-filled workshop is ideal for ex-patriots new to the San Diego area, especially those with spouses and children in tow. We give "insider" information on where to go besides the Zoo and Sea World. Topics covered include where to go with kids, how to get your kids involved in after school sports and activities, fun neighborhoods to explore, cool restaurants to try and how to take advantage of this great city! The workshop can be expanded to include "survival language" such as how to deal with the utility companies, talking to the doctor, going to your first parent-teacher conference, making reservations, giving and getting directions, etc. This is a valuable workshop to help new arrivals and their families.
WRITE RIGHT: BUSINESS WRITING BASICS
A one-day course designed to provide practical tools for improving and editing the writing tasks that your employees produce in the course of their work.
