Posted By Webmaster on September 3, 2010

Kasetsart University teams up with English Click for general English communications

The importance of general English communications skills in the workplace will be emphasized at a seminar/ workshop being conducted by English Click in conjunction with Kasetsart University on September 7.

The two and a half hour session is a realistic and positive initiative by the University’s teaching staff and recognizes that their students, once they enter the workforce after graduating, will advance further and faster in their chosen career if they possess high level English language skills.

The seminar will highlight a number of general situations and requirements that occur in all working organizations, whether they are in the government sector or in the private commercial field.

Clearly there is a host of particular vocabulary and expression sets applying to each individual work pursuit and the students at Kasetsart University will need to follow up with further specialized study to acquire the English language jargon of their own chosen profession.

The seminar is based on a special 24-page booklet divided into six modules and contains a number of activities that enable the students to practice their English skills.

Our general English communications skills workshop/ seminar modules comprise:

1. General introduction to English language
DVD illustrating English dialogue in the workplace.

2. Telephoning
Audio examples of x dialogues.
Activity – students practise a conversation in pairs.

3. Looking after visitors
Meeting, welcoming and looking after a visitor – offering refreshments.
Activity – students role play this scenario in pairs.

4. Writing
English language writing used in the workplace: e-mails and letters, reports and research documents, minutes of meetings.
Activity – students to complete a short writing exercise.

5. Presentations
Common English language used in presentations and basic rules for giving an effective presentation.

6. English language social communications in the workplace
Audio example of a work related English language social communications dialogue.
Activity – students hold a social conversation, e.g. at a conference, in groups.

The evening promises to be informative and rewarding, and we will post photographs of the seminar in a future Talking Point update next week.

English Click can provide fully tailored general English communications skills courses on each of the modules included in the seminar for companies or other education facilities wishing to duplicate the progressive approach taken by Kasetsart University on request.

English language vocabulary

initiative (noun): new and imaginative piece of action
graduating (gerund): obtaining a degree
career (noun): the course over time of a person’s job or profession
occur (verb): happen
host (noun): very large number
pursuit (noun): following, search
jargon (noun): specialised language used in a particular profession
modules (noun): sections

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for specific industry sectors – click HERE.

Category: Talking Point | No Comments »
Tags: English language skills, English language social communications, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language training for presentations, English language vocabulary, English language writing, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, speaking English, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on August 29, 2010

English skills essential for real estate property sales and management

Now is the time for people working in the real-estate market to improve their English language skills with a number of recent reports quoting different Bangkok property developers confident that there will be an upturn in demand for new apartments and houses over the next year.

English language skills are vital for working in the real estate industry

In particular, these companies emphasize their belief in a growth in sales at the luxury end of the market, that is, residences which have a price tag of many millions of baht.

Prospective purchasers of these up-scale properties of course include expatriates, thus highlighting the need for staff working in the property sector to be able to communicate effectively in English.

The whole process of completing a successful property transaction is wide-ranging and complex, not surprising given the very large amount of money involved. Major areas of focus include:

•    Advertising and marketing the apartment, house or estate

•    Arranging inspections of the property with clients

•    Describing the site in details, both externally and internally

•    Talking about the environs and the available facilities

•    Explaining the legal issues

•    Discussing how the purchase will be financed

•    Closing the deal.

Furthermore, the staff of the management office situated at the location need to deal with the non-Thai residents on various matters, with English being the main language of communication.

There are extensive specific vocabulary sets for each of the above stages of real estate selling and management, and English Click is able to provide a tailor-made English language training course, complete with a customized course booklet, for those working in the real estate property sales and management industry.

English language vocabulary:

real estate (noun): property consisting of land or buildings
quoting (verb): repeat or copy out (a group of words from a text or speech)
confident (adjective): holding a strong belief that your ideas or actions will be successful
emphasize (verb): stress
residences (noun): places where people live
price tag (noun / noun): sale price
prospective (adjective): possible
up-scale (adjective): top end of the market
expatriates (noun): people who live in a country other than their own
transaction (noun): a particular business / financial deal or process
complex (adjective): consisting of many detailed parts
inspection (noun): a visit to and look over of a property
environs (noun): the general surrounding area of a residence

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for specific industry sectors – click HERE.

Category: Talking Point | No Comments »
Tags: English language skills, English language training course for the real estate industry, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language training courses for the proeprty market, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on August 19, 2010

English – “the language of knowledge”

A recent news item that caught my attention reported that former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad strongly supported the continuance of English language teaching in his country, saying this “will not make us less patriotic”. He also added: “People should accept the fact that English is currently the language of knowledge”.

English language skills provide access to the worlds knowledge

As an illustration to back up this statement, the internet is now a prime source of information across the whole spectrum of human knowledge and activity. Although the internet is available in various languages, English still remains the main language on websites around the world and the language people need to be fluent in if they want to take their company’s products or services to the international market, or work internationally.

Furthermore, we are living in an ever increasing technological environment and most of the scientific information and research is written in the English language. Commenting on this fact, Mahathir Mohamad stated: “You cannot rely on someone to translate the latest information for you as it changes every minute. If you master the English language, you can acquire the information by yourself and search for the information that will benefit you”.

Thailand is in a similar situation to Malaysia in as much that English language proficiency within the population is one of the key elements to achieving continuing economic, professional, scientific, commercial and social progress. Recognizing the importance of being able to read and write English, speak English and conduct presentations in English, the Thai Ministry of Education has shown is commitment to establishing an increasing number of international and English language programs within the country’s school system.

English Click has been teaching children English, Adults English and English for business managers for more than 50 years and is able to provide companies with English language training and knowledge building courses across a comprehensive range of disciplines.

Our broad range of specifically tailored English language courses include English language training for those working in the medical industry, English language training for those in the legal industry, English language training for engineers, English language training for those in banking and finance, English language training for travel and tourism industry staff and IELTS English language training for those planning on studying overseas, to name just a few.

English language vocabulary:
patriotic (adjective): loving one’s own country
illustration (noun): example (literally a picture)
back up (verb): support
prime (adjective): first or very important
spectrum (noun): range
acquire (verb): obtain
benefit (verb): help
proficiency (noun): skillful use
comprehensive (adjective): full, complete
disciplines (noun): subject areas

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for adults, English language training courses for children, English language training courses for business or English language training courses for specific industry sectors – click HERE

Category: Talking Point | 1 Comment »
Tags: English for managers, English for travel and tourism, English language for engineers, English language for the banking and finance industry, English language skills, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, Malaysia, speaking English, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on August 12, 2010

English language skills ‘vital’ for the import / export industry

There has been considerable media coverage over recent days and weeks regarding the strong growth of exports from Thailand this year, highlighting the importance of English language skills for those working in the import / export industries.

English language skills are vital for the import / export industry

The import / export industry is a vital sector of the Thai economy and one that involves international business relationships – and consequently the need for executives and staff to have English language skills if working in the import / export industries

According to Government figures, export revenue in the first half of 2010 was $US93 billion – a 36.6 percent increase over the same period last year.

Because of the very encouraging growth between January and June Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is now targeting export revenue for the full year of $190 billion, a 20 percent rise over 2009.

Export products that achieved strong gains in the first six months of this year include electronics, electrical appliances, cars and car parts, plastic and rubber products.

Import / export trading consists of several activities, notably marketing and sales, handling financial transactions, dealing with customs, knowledge of duties and tariffs, and logistics.

As in all sectors of business, the language used by professionals operating in the import / export industry contains its own specific vocabulary and range of expressions.

English Click can provide specialized training to all sectors of the import / export industry, tailored to the needs of each organization.

English language vocabulary

considerable (adjective): a great deal of
vital (adjective): of top importance and necessary
sector (noun): an area or portion that is distinct from others
executives (noun): directors and managers
encouraging (adjective): leading to positive hope
appliances (noun): machines e.g. television, refrigerator
tariffs (noun): a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports
logistics (noun): delivery systems and transport eg. shipping, air freight
expressions (noun): a word or phrase used to convey an idea

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for specific industry sectors – click HERE.

Category: Talking Point | No Comments »
Tags: English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language for the import / export industries, English language skills, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on August 5, 2010

English language a vital banking industry skill

A friend of mine who holds a senior position in a major banking group told me recently that there is growing interest from foreign banks in investing in the Thai banking sector, making English language skills more important for anyone contemplating a career in the finance industry.

Already a small number of Thailand’s leading banks are 49 percent owned by overseas finance corporations and there are of course several large international banks operating in-country already.

Banks are a major part of a much wider financial services industry that is a vital component of the economy that affects the daily lives of the whole community.

Important branches of this sector include insurance, investment services (advice and management), the Stock Exchange of Thailand, business and property, and auditing and accounting services. This whole area of activity continues to become increasingly international and sophisticated.

Not surprisingly, this scenario means that a good knowledge of both general English and the specific phrases and terminology used in banking and financial industry circles is of vital importance to anyone who wishes to have a successful career in this industry.

Within each branch of the finance industry there exist specialist fields of tasks and duties to be undertaken, with particular vocabulary and common expressions applying o the particular context. To give a few examples:

Banking:

Teller (noun): a bank employee who deals directly with customers, sometimes called a cashier.

Letter of credit (noun preposition noun): a document that a buyer can request from his/her bank in order to guarantee that the payment for goods will be transferred to the seller.

Insurance:

Actuary (noun): a person who deals with the chances and financial impact of risk and uncertainty

Reinsurance (noun): insurance cover that an insurance company buys for its own protection.

Investment:

Blue chip (adjective noun): denoting companies or their shares considered to be a reliable investment, though less secure than gilt-edged stock.

Portfolio (noun): the total collection of assets held by an institution or private individual.

Accounting:

Intangible asset (adjective noun): something of value that is nonmonetary, for example a brand, trademark, goodwill.

Write-down (noun / verb): reducing the book value of an asset.

English Click provides specialized training to all sectors of the finance industry  tailored to the individual needs of each organization.

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for the banking and finance sectors – click HERE.

English language vocabulary:

Sophisticated (adjective): highly developed or complicated
Scenario (noun): a situation or event
Terminology (noun): expressions and words that are used in a specific context
Circles (noun): people belonging to a particular group
Context (noun): the settings or circumstances of a situation

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for the banking and finance sectors – click HERE.

Category: Talking Point | No Comments »
Tags: English language for the banking and finance industry, English language skills, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, Foreign investment, General Business English Conversation Course, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on July 27, 2010

An exciting initiative to provide additional assistance towards research and development (R&D) amounting to billions of baht a year in both the private and public sectors has recently been announced.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) will increase Thailand’s R & D budget to 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – in line with the level of developed countries – from the existing 0.2 percent.

Moreover, NSTDA plans to lift the budget for research activities in the private sector to 50 percent of total R&D expenditure over the coming years, as against 40 percent  at present.

Financial assistance to organizations conducting approved research projects comes largely in the form of tax holidays, soft loans and the use of NSTDA’s own research facilities and laboratories at cost.

The main focus of NSTDA’s agenda will be food and agriculture, energy and the environment, health and medicine, social contributions and specialty industries. In this last category, material development, biotechnology, electronics and nanotechnology will be of top priority.

It naturally follows that if the particular research project of any organization is to be of international standing, then the research paper needs to be written in English as well as in the Thai language.

English Click can provide specific training in framing and writing research documents in English, as well as editing services, and tailored to the specific topic focus – click here to see further details.

English Language Vocabulary

initiative (noun): a new move to achieve progress
private sector (adjective + noun): non-government companies and organisations
public sector (adjective + noun): government organisations
gross domestic product (adjective + adjective + noun): the measure of a country’s overall economic output
tax holiday (noun + noun): a temporary reduction or elimination of tax
soft loan (adjective + noun): a loan with a below market rate of interest and / or with a long repayment term
at cost (preposition + verb): at cost price; without profit to the seller.
biotechnology (noun): the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes
nanotechnology (noun): the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic or molecular scale

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for specific industry sectors, or our English language writing course for research & development outlines, click HERE

Category: Talking Point | No Comments »
Tags: biotechnology, English for managers, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, English language writing course for research & development outlines, nanotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on May 10, 2010

Talking Point

As Director of Studies, one of my responsibilities is to keep up to date with the English as a Second Language course books that are available from the leading publishers in this field, notably Oxford and Cambridge University Press. When I look at their catalogues, I cannot fail to be impressed by the very large number of titles that are written to help and improve the English communication skills within the student’s own professional and working environment. What is also very pleasing, is the regular addition of new professional books to widen the scope of the coverage. Given my own previous background as a publishing business manager, I find reviewing the latest list of these new educational titles particularly enjoyable.

Basically there are two divisions in these professional publications. Firstly, we have the titles that deal with business English – conversation or writing – on a general and universal level, focussing on everyday situations that are fundamental and familiar in all commercial organisations. Just to mention a few, topics in this category usually include: organisation chart and departments,  meetings, presentations, making suggestions and telephoning in English.

Secondly, there is the very large list of publications that explain the vocabulary, expressions and contexts relating to a specific profession. Not only do these books cover English language tuition, but importantly they also provide a large element of very useful training material within the particular profession. The range of titles covers the major fields of professional pursuits, for example medical English for doctors, nursing, legal, banking, finance, marketing, advertising, the hospitality industry, secretarial, engineering and IT. 

This fine array of materials services essential needs which can be briefly summarized as: English is the international business language; each profession has its own specialised vocabulary, expressions and set of linguistic conventions; Thailand’s economy is enhanced through international trade and / or clients; the professional development of staff and individuals is of paramount importance to the advancement of a nation.

As a footnote, English Click is able to produce specialised course books if the particular focus is not covered by the major ESL publishers.

Talking Point

As you probably know, the Fourth of July is Independence Day in the USA which celebrates the Declaration of Independence from British rule in 1776. Since this date,

the English language has divided into British English & American English.

While basically the same language there are definitely clear differences, mainly in pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary.

Pronunciation is usually very different, and there are many different regional accents in both America and Britain. If you want to compare the differences, listen to both an American and English film soundtrack, or audio CD or tape, or television programme or news.

There are a few differences of grammar and spelling, and rather more differences of vocabulary and idiom. Modern British English is heavily influenced by American English, for example through movies / films, with the result that some of the differences are disappearing, with the American English word being used on both sides of the Atlantic.

Spelling

A number of words end in –or  in American English and –our in British English, for example harbor and  harbour.  Some words end in –er  in American English and –re in British English, for example center and centre Many verbs which end in –ize in American English are usually spelt in British English with –ise, but may be spelt with –ize. Some common words with different forms are:

American                                           British

analyze                                                analyse

catalog                                                 catalogue

center                                                  centre

check                                                   cheque  (issued by a bank)

color                                                    colour

defense                                                defence

jewelry                                                 jewellery

pajamas                                               pyjamas

practice                                                practise  (verb)

program                                               programme

tire                                                       tyre  (on a wheel)

traveler                                                traveller

whiskey                                               (Scotch) whisky; (Irish) whiskey       

Vocabulary

The following is a list of common American English words and their British equivalents:

American                                           British

airplane                                                aeroplane

apartment                                            flat

bus                                                       coach (long distance)

busy                                                     engaged  (telephone)

cab                                                       taxi

can                                                       tin

candy                                                  sweets

check                                                   bill  (in a restaurant)

cookie                                                  biscuit

crazy                                                    mad

dumb                                                   stupid

elevator                                               lift

eraser                                                   rubber

fall                                                       autumn

faucet                                                  tap

first floor                                             ground floor

flashlight                                             torch

flat (tire)                                              puncture, flat tyre

french fries                                          chips

garbage                                                rubbish

gas(oline)                                             petrol(eum)

highway, freeway                               main road, motorway

intersection                                          crossroads

mad                                                     angry

mail                                                     post

mean                                                    nasty

movie                                                  film

one-way (ticket)                                  single (ticket)

pants                                                    trousers

(potato) chips                                      crisps

railroad                                                railway

raise                                                     rise (in salary)

rest room                                             toilet

round trip                                            return (journey / ticket)

sidewalk                                              pavement

sneakers                                               trainers / sports shoes

stand in line                                         queue

stingy                                                  mean

store                                                    shop

subway                                                underground

truck                                                    lorry

two weeks                                           fortnight

vacation                                               holiday(s)

windshield                                          windscreen (on a car)

zee                                                       zed (the name of the letter ‘z’)

Enjoy the celebrations on 4^th July and be sure to practice / practise your American or British English on this special day!

Category: Talking Point | No Comments »
Tags: Talking Point