Languages

Who needs them?

To take advantage of the opportunities in today's global jobs market, young people need to wake up to the need for language skills - and the fact that acquiring them can be quite fun… Teresa Tinsley of the Centre for Information on language Teaching and Research (CILT) debunks a few myths.

Everyone speaks English, don't they?
Well, no. Actually only about 6.5% of the world's population speak it as a first language. Researchers calculate that another18.5% speak it as a second or foreign language which leaves 75% of humanity who don't understand a word. No-one would deny that English is now a global language, and that there has been a massive growth in English learning throughout the world - but that just means that the world is becoming more multilingual - and monolingual English speakers are being left behind.Today there is a global market for jobs. Once others speak English, they can compete for jobs in the English-speaking market. They are not learning English for our benefit!

Languages are not a vocational option
Languages can be studied in an academic way - but many courses are really practical, especially those that combine languages with another subject. The range of vocational degrees involving a language is virtually limitless - from Accountancy with Russian to Engineering with Italian. Subjects like Business Studies or IT combine particularly well with a language and you'll get a much broader range of possibilities after graduating. And even if you don't want to do a language as a main subject, many universities offer institution-wide language programmes which mean you can take up a new language or keep up one your learnt at school alongside your other subjects.

The only jobs you can do with languages are teaching or translating
Language graduates have a vast array of career opportunities open to them, ranging from work with well-known multinational companies to international organisations or charities. There are exciting opportunities - often involving travel abroad - in almost every sector. A recent survey shows that only about 5% of language graduates go into teaching, and much fewer into translating or interpreting. About 27% go into business services, and around 10% go into each of the following: manufacturing, sales, banking/finance, community/social services, transport/communications. Don't think you're limiting your career options by choosing languages.

There's no demand for language skills in the jobs market
You may be surprised to know that language graduates have lower rates of unemployment than graduates in the great majority of other subjects - only 3% of German graduates were still unemployed at the time of a recent survey, as opposed to over 5% of those with degrees in Business Studies, and an amazing 8% of those who did Computing. Employers are waking up to the need to recruit people with languages - and not just the obvious ones either. Community languages such as Arabic, Urdu and Chinese are increasingly being required too, as are Welsh and British Sign Language. Rest assured if you choose languages your skills will be in high demand.

Jobs with languages don't pay well
Because of the shortage of English native speakers with language skills, employers are willing to pay over the odds. The Guardian reported last year that secretarial and clerical staff with languages can earn 20% extra than those with only English. Another survey of the jobs market generally found employers paid on average 8% more for staff with languages. Having another language often gives you the edge when it comes to promotion or competing for a plum job.

Language courses are all boring
With languages, the idea is to learn to communicate, and course designers have realised for some years now that sitting with your head in a book is not the best way to do this! The project work and activities you can get involved in on language courses now are really exciting. For example, students at the University of Central Lancashire take part in an international challenge via video-conferencing, competing with teams in Germany and Scandinavia to resolve a business problem. Language courses may give you experience of working in international teams and a whole range of ICT applications which will be useful in the future as well as fun.

Learning languages is a hard slog!
Languages are a very sociable subject. It's hard work learning to banter or tell jokes in another language, but it's fun too! If you enjoy being with people and communicating with them, the chances are you'll enjoy doing it in a foreign language too. And you get to travel abroad! Most language courses include a year in a country where the language is spoken, where you can attend courses at a foreign university or get valuable work experience.

It doesn't teach you anything worthwhile
Another language is a concrete and demonstrable skill - like being able to drive a car or touch type. But learning a language teaches you all sorts of other valuable things too - which you'll find invaluable later when you get into work. Using language to persuade, argue or explain, preparing presentations, putting text in different forms for different audiences, just putting ideas across clearly - all these are vital skills for the workplace, whatever language you're operating in. Learning how to interact with speakers of other languages can help you to see things from a range of perspectives - making you more adaptable, creative, and insightful. The ability to operate cross-culturally is becoming just as much valued by employers as straight language skills.

It's difficult to get to a good enough level
Of course some jobs - like translating into the foreign language - involve a very high level of competence and are best done by a native speaker. Others require specialist knowledge of the context you're working in - which you will pick up on the job. But in today's multilingual world, when a different language can pop up any time in an e-mail or on the phone - then what you'll need is the ability to tell at a glance whether that fax is an order, and which department it should go to; to make the foreign visitors feel at ease and welcomed; to spot opportunities or problems that the monolingual won't be aware of. You'll be surprised how much you can do, and how your fluency will increase with practice.

The Most Practical Foreign Language - French:

While any language will be useful for some jobs or for some regions, French is the only foreign language that can be useful throughout the whole world. French as a foreign language is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English. It is spoken as an official language in 33 countries around the world and is the only language other than English spoken on five continents. Therefore, French and English are the only two global languages.

When deciding on a foreign language for work or school, French is the language that will give you the most choices later on in your studies or your career.

French, along with English, is the official working language of:

• The United Nations
  
• UNESCO
  
• The International Monetary Fund
  
• The International Labour Bureau
  
• The International Olympic Committee
  
• The 31-member Council of Europe
  
• The European Community

French is one of the official languages of:

• Postal services throughout the world
  
• The International Red Cross

French is the dominant working language at:

• The European Court of Justice
  
• The European Tribunal of First Instance
  
• The European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg
  
• The Press Room at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium

One example of the importance of French can be seen in a recent listing of international jobs (4/8/97) distributed by the US State Department: 47 required or preferred French, 29 Spanish, 10 Russian and 3 German.

Importance of French in school and work

Historically France and the French language have had an enormous influence over western society. French played a dominant role among the founders of the United States in the 18th century and it continues to shape the west today, through the influence of such intellectual currents as post-structuralism and post-modernism. In the humanities and the social sciences many of the most important writings have come from France. Students and researchers who know French have access to these works for several years before they are translated into English. Many significant works are never translated and remain accessible only to those who know the language. In addition, many post-graduate schools require knowledge of at least one foreign language and French remains the most commonly used language after English.

When employers and universities look at applicants, they do not start looking at the bottom of the list to see who has done only the minimal amount of requirements necessary or taken the easiest route available, they start at the top of the list and look for those students who have risen above the rest. High school students should consider studying at least four years of a foreign language. College students should seek to earn a minor in French or have French as a primary or secondary major. With French they have access to the most widely spoken foreign language in the world after English and they become familiar with a culture that significantly influences our own. The French economy is one of the strongest in the world and is increasingly a leader in technological innovation. In sum, French is the language of the future.

Reasons to study French

• It is not limited to one or two continents.
  
• French is spoken in two of the G7 countries.
  
• France is the world's major tourist destination (60 million tourists a year).
  
• France is Europe's foremost investor abroad.
  
• France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have the lowest rates of inflation in the European Union. This is an indicator of the health of these countries.
  
• France is in 4th position in terms of world power and it does not have the debt problems facing many other major industrialised nations. (A positive sign for joint projects, business and scientific co-operation).
  
• France is renowned for the quality of its high tech,. (The TGV is the fastest train in the world - 515 kph).
  
• French is the official language of the International Red Cross.
  
• French is one of the official languages of post offices across the world.
  
• France is one of the two official languages at the Olympic Games.
  
• French-speaking Africa represents an area larger than the USA.
  
• French is the most widely taught second language after English.
  
• French is one of the official languages of the United Nations.
  
• Over 20,000 English words have their origins in French.
  
• In terms of number of words, French is the second largest language after English.
  
• Paris had 1,100 congresses in 1993 (including 400 international congresses) - a world record.
  
• France has the world's greatest number of Nobel Prize winners in literature (12).
  
• Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world.
  
• Le Courrier Australien, founded in 1892, is the oldest ethnic newspaper in Australia.
  
• Paris is considered the capital of the world in terms of quality of life (Healey and Baker 1991).
  
• Megabucks for trade: In 1994 the United States did business/trade with the following countries in order of importance: 1. French speaking countries; 2. Japan; 3. Spanish speaking countries.
  
• A good knowledge of French enables you to fully enjoy, at the cinema or on TV, the best films from the French speaking world.
  
• Learning French can help you improve the interpersonal skills you bring to your international career.
  
• You can do so many more interesting things on the internet if you speak French. There are many high quality internet sites available in French, ranging from fashion to finance; society to science; music to medicine… just to mention a few.

For those with the appropriate skills there are also possibilities for work in the following fields:

• International business
  
• International agencies
  
• The tourism and hospitality industries
  
• The diplomatic service
  
• French research institutes
  
• As a teacher
  
• As a translator or interpreter

And don't forget, French is spoken in over 43 countries in the world.

Choosing a University English Language Program

University English language programs offer a variety of services, options and costs. How do you decide which one is the best for you?

First, consider what your ultimate goal is in studying in the U.S. Is it to obtain a university degree, improve your English for business reasons or
enhance your personal growth and intercultural experience? Almost every university in California offers English instruction to international
students. However, the English programs are as varied in what they offer students as the individual universities are themselves.

Some English programs are highly academic and prepare you for graduate school; others have business English and conversation partners. Some have academic counseling and immigration services; others have recreational activities and cultural field trips. Some offer university courses while
studying English; others offer a TOEFL waiver upon completion of the English program. Some offer lower prices and fewer hours; others offer a highly trained staff. Some have TOEFL, GMAT and GRE preparation; others offer conditional admission to the university.

Aside from the instructional aspects of a program, you should also consider more practical matters, such as the location of the school and its
surroundings. Is it in a metropolitan city, in a suburb, by the beach or in the mountains? What can you do in your free time? How safe is the area?
How close to the campus are clubs, restaurants, theaters, grocery stores and shopping malls? Does the English program arrange off-campus trips to visit museums, musicals, amusement parks and other places of interest? How much interaction do the English language students have with the university students on campus, and which campus facilities and services are available to them?

Another important factor to consider is which housing options are available at the English program. Is this your first time away from home? If so,
then you probably don't want homestay. You want to be around other students your age, attend weekend parties, and practice English with fellow students at the university. A campus dormitory may be the place for you. However, if you value your privacy and would like a quieter atmosphere, then an apartment is the right choice. Homestay is for students who want to experience American culture from the inside. You will learn expressions, vocabulary, and various nuances of American life that you will never experience in a dormitory or apartment.

If you are planning to obtain a university degree, you may consider studying English at the same university. While studying English you will acquaint
yourself with the campus, make friends with fellow students, join a student club, and adjust somewhat to life in California, before you start the heavy
academic load of a modern university student.

Friends and relatives who live or have studied in California can be very helpful in choosing an English program. Many students attend a program
based, not on all of the information above, but on their friend's or relative's recommendation. If your friend or relative is studying in
California, ask him or her for details about the school they are attending and about the surrounding area.

Whether you are looking for an intensive academic experience, TOEFL preparation or conversation and business writing, you can find such a
program at a university in California.

Learn a language… get a job

Recent reports have revealed that he UK has Europe's biggest concentration of telephone call centres. The reasons for this are a complex mix of the uneven international progress in the telecommunication industry and the benefits of the UK business environment, but include the range of skills and expertise - including languages - found in the UK workforce.

By looking in more detail at the growth of call centre operations, it is possible to build a picture of the likely impact of language skills on employment opportunities more generally in the UK.

Datamonitor has issued a report, according to Andrew Fraser of the Invest in Britain Bureau, which claims that the UK's position as the largest provider of call centres will remain unchallenged for the foreseeable future.

One of the latest organisations to invest is the Halifax Group, which is establishing a centre to create 1,500 jobs in Northern Ireland, and this is in addition to two it already runs in Yorkshire. With its total commitment to training, this large banking company illustrates the sort of employment opportunities which are arising.
It has been claimed that there are over 5,000 call centres in the UK, if you include those in-house, all offering highly professional services. For instance, the international airline Delta has stated that its west London centre handles 1.2 million calls a year, in ten languages, whilst other world companies are constantly expanding in the field and looking for competent foreign language speakers.

Delta is not alone in setting up operations in London, with Air France among other recent arrivals. There have been several references recently to the fact that in London alone there are 275 spoken languages, with 33 ethnic communities. Add this to the increasing international mix of the labour force and you have one of the main reasons for these companies choosing to settle in London.

Indeed, London First, the organisation responsible for attracting inward investment to capital, has argued that it is precisely because employers can find multilingual skills in London that many of them will relocate there.

On the other hand, Gateway computers have established a call centre employing 800 people in Dublin.
However, it has experienced difficulties in finding sufficient staff able to speak the required languages and this has meant an overseas recruitment drive to fill nearly one third of vacancies.

IBM UK Ltd has a similar tale to tell. They located their international technical support call centre in Greenock in Scotland, With the intention of building their workforce from the local population. However, they, too, have had to employ a majority of people from overseas, not because of a lack of technical capability, but because of a shortage of foreign language skill in the local community.

IBM has responded by signing up to the language NTO certificate of commitment scheme, which confirms their dedication to improving the foreign language competence of their employees and to basing this training on the National Language Standards.

However, the message from all these companies is clear: English is a world language of undoubted importance in any job which has an international dimension. But it does not follow that the mono-linguistic English speaker is winning the employment race. Those people with more than one language have demonstrably increased chances in some fact has not gone unnoticed and there appears to be a growing interest in learning foreign languages.

Unlike several of our national competitors, language competence is not yet officially recognised in the UK, for example, as a key graduate skill; but unofficially, there is plenty of evidence that the tide has turned and with good reason.

Figures for 1998 language graduates put their unemployment rate at graduation (4.5%) below the national average for graduates have one of the lowest unemployment rates of any subject: 4.2% for German, 4.3% for French, compared with 6% for business administration and 7.5% for media studies (source HESA 1999).

Graduates with language skills in their portfolio, are finding that employers in the major sectors have increase in job vacancies notified to them which specify a preference for out of the 1998 UK language graduates who went straight into employment, 26.9% were in business services, 12.7% in manufacturing, 11.6% in wholesale/retail sales, and 10.4% in banking and finance.

UK firms with offices abroad or with international trading patterns are clear importance. Equally, companies from outside the UK who locate here are expecting UK employees to be able to operate in the language of the parent company. A new French sportswear company, Decathlon, insists that to speak French or demonstrate a willingness to learn.

So the message is clear - learn another language and get a job!

The importance of speaking foreign languages in the International Hospitality Business

The world gets smaller and smaller and one can reach any continent and country within a couple of hours of air-travel. This also means that people from different cultures, speaking different languages meet and need (and wish) to communicate. Previous generations wished to introduce ESPERANTA as the common language for intercultural communication; today however the trend is that all citizens of the world consider English as the International language of communication. In most countries, English is taught as the second language.

Switzerland

Depending on regions this might be different. A good example is Switzerland, since in this small country of 7 million inhabitants four national languages are spoken. It is expected that citizens speak at least two of the national languages, and English is taught from an early age. There are many other bilingual or multilingual countries in the world.

Hotel Management schools in Switzerland are also multicultural. Member schools of ASEH (Association Suisse des Ecoles Hôtelières) teach programs in English, French or German. All schools require their instruction in one Swiss national language as well as English. (list of member schools can be found at www.aseh.ch - homepage "members")

Learn and perfect a language while on internship

Students would also gain additional language skills depending upon which Swiss language region they do their paid internship. Obviously tourists come from many different countries and will always be very pleased to be greeted or helped in their mother tongue. I am sure all readers know how nice it feels to get a welcome in your own language or even dialect.

Swiss trained hospitality managers often speak four languages and therefore get employment and career opportunities all over the world.

Do not forget that the learning of another language helps to better understand foreign culture.

The future is bright. The future is LANGUAGES!

At University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) we value students' futures as much as they do themselves. All our courses are designed with their success and their future employment in mind.

Based near the Lake District in the new city of Preston, UCLan has one of the country's foremost Language Departments, consistently ranked in the top ten in national surveys. A range of different degree courses are offered by the Department of Languages and International Studies, most of them with a distinct employment focus. The courses include quality work placements abroad where students get to live the language they are studying while enhancing their personal curriculum vitae. Preparing them for this residence abroad are course options in Business Languages which attune students to relevant aspects of business life in the foreign culture. We place strong emphasis on work-related skills alongside development of language skills. Students normally obtain paid work placements and receive monies from the European Union to pay for travel and subsistence expenses.

As well as an extensive portfolio of courses, we offer a wide range of languages to our students: English as Foreign Language, French, German Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese and Urdu. These can be combined in an array of combinations which few institutions can match. Students whose first language is not English, but who have studied EFL for several years, will be interested in the Diploma or degree in English for International Business or English for International Corporate Communication.

The Department is well equipped to support its students' studies not only through its strong links with both public and private institutions abroad but through a comprehensive range of language learning facilities in a dedicated centre for technology enhanced language learning. Also very significant is our tutorial system which provides advice and guidance on a personal basis to students throughout their studies.

Increasingly, international students come to do a final year at UCLan. Given prior study at an appropriate level, in just one academic year they can gain a British BA(Hons) degree qualification in one of the following: Languages with Tourism, Languages for International Business, Modern Languages, EIB or EICC.

International companies are seeking potential managers with well developed personal qualities and evaluation and organisational strengths in addition to language skills. Our courses provide exactly that preparation for a future of continuous management of change; not surprisingly our record of graduate employment is impressive with many students going on to international careers in business, accounting and merchant banking. It's a myth that all language graduates go on to become teachers and translators. It's fact that a degree in languages prepares you better for the job market than popular degree subjects like media studies.

If you are interested in making the most of your future you should request further information on one of these courses mentioned above. You are under no obligation whatsoever by doing so. It could, however, make a big difference to your career.

Strategies for Successful English Language Learning

Once you’ve decided to enrol in an intensive English program in the United States, take some time to consider ways to maximise the experience. Examining the skills and attitudes of successful language learners will give you insight into strategies for successful English language learning.

Research in the field of language indicates that there are many things you can do to become a successful learner. Some people may have special abilities linguistically, but most of us can "learn to learn" language effectively. Curiosity about language and culture, daily study, and the commitment to use English in every possible situation while in an English-speaking environment, are very important conditions for success.

Motivation and attitude play a significant role in successful language learning. Listed here are some useful hints to encourage success in your new experiences. Combined with the expert assistance of knowledgeable instructors and reliable intensive English programs, attention to these ideas will help you gain focus in your studies so that you can learn English more effectively.

Be clear and realistic about your goals. Your sense of success will depend on your needs for English and whether or not you meet your needs. It is not just a question of measured progress. If you need conversational fluency, note-taking skills will not meet your needs. If you must learn to write effective business letters, informal conversation with current slang will not help you achieve your goal. Know what your goals are. Do you need English for occasional speaking situations, for travel or entertaining English-speaking visitors? Do you want to improve comprehension in both written and spoken English? Do your need to write English for professional purposed? Are you preparing for a university career in English? If so, your goals must include proficiency in all skill areas.

Learning a foreign language is an inexact process. Very few people learn to use a foreign language as well as a native speaker does. Fortunately, very few people need to learn English like a native English speaker in every skill area. Be realistic and aware of your goals.. There are many reasons to learn English, and your reasons are your own goals. Administrators and instructors in intensive English programs are aware of the wide range of approaches and curricula available. Be sure to select an intensive English program which accommodates your language goals.

Be realistic about the length of time it takes to learn a language. Programs which promise overnight success are simply not being honest. Language learning is a cumulative process. You will experience bursts of accomplishment as well blocks and delays in progress. You will notice improvement at different speeds in each skill area. Many students progress more quickly in passive skill areas (reading and grammar analysis) than in active and complex skill areas (speaking, notetaking during a lecture). If you are beginning level student whose goal is proficiency, a typical program may include at least nine months of intensive English study. If your study program is short-term and your goals include improvement and review rather than proficiency, you may realise some progress in two or more weeks.

Be aware of your learning style. If you know that you learn more quickly when you listen to an English statement a few times before writing it, or if you know that seeing a picture or graphic representation of a word or expression helps you to remember the word, the develop study habits which use the most effective techniques for you. Excellent instructors who know that students must be involved in active learning will created active learning experiences to connect you with the language.

When you have determined your best learning style. Talk with your English instructor(s) about additional opportunities to practice English and to make progress. Instructors will design class activities and assignments to match the preferred learning styles of students.

Learn something about ‘language learning’. Remember that language is a complex system of meaningful sounds organised with a series of rules (grammar). Every student has studies enough pronunciation, grammar and sentence structure to understand this! It is also true that language is a form of behaviour involving the human need to communicate and to be understood. Language learning involves motivation, emotion, a sense of self, and a set of cultural beliefs. Language is much more than sound and words and grammar. As you learn a new language, you will produce a ‘series of successive approximations’, meaning that each attempt at a new language will bring closer to effective communication. Language learning requires that you make mistakes. Do not be afraid of a language or afraid of making errors. Develop an ability to relax; ‘playing’ with a new language is an important part of learning.

There is a significant research on the nature of language acquisition. It is important to know about the process you are involved in, so that you will understand the challenges of your study, your feelings and responses, and your progress.

Take responsibility for your own learning. A good instructor is half the equation for successful language learning. Take charge of your learning. Take charge of your learning; participate actively in your program. Look for opportunities to use your new language in any of many new environments. Be willing to make mistakes and learn from these mistakes. Focus on your goals, your study habits, and your willingness to ‘learn to learn’. Enjoy the process! Find inside yourself the reasons you want to learn, and determine ways to evaluate your success for yourself.

Your instructors and program administrators will appreciated that you have clear and realistic goals. They will respect your commitment to learning. They will respond to your efforts and encourage an open and positive student-instructor relationship. And they will applaud your progress. Your success is your reward!

Biographical Information: Cindy Barnes Ochoa is Director of Executive English Program for the Intensive English Institute, a Portland, Oregon based organisation which offers intensive English for students and business people at 10 locations throughout the United States. She is president of the American Association of Intensive English Programs.

English Language Study and the Link with Further Education

The study of English Language in the UK has rapidly developed over recent years to the extent where now it can be studied at Universities as well as at specialised Language Schools. John Duncan discusses the progression of this subject and the opportunities available in the 1990s for international students to participate in this line of study.

Until the late ‘60s there were relatively few students coming to study English in the UK. Those who came were seen as adventurous, with time on their hands. There were only a handful of schools which students could choose to study at, and getting information about those schools was quite difficult because the ‘educational agent’ as we know him today was virtually non-existent. The British Council was more or less the only source of information.

During the late ‘60s and throughout the ‘70s there was a steady rise in both the number of students and the number of schools teaching English as the English language became established as the major language for world trade and commerce. The greatest number of students came from Switzerland and Japan during the academic year and then from Italy and Spain during the summer holidays. There were Iranians, then Arabs: Iraqis and Saudis.

As more and more students came, the ‘market’ became more sophisticated. Different types of course became available, such as English for Business, and students were offered a whole range of examinations as well as the traditional Cambridge First Certificate. Information about school and the various courses offered was also more readily available as schools began to actively market themselves overseas. The number of ‘agents’ rose dramatically, and they in turn fuelled the demand.

During the ‘80s the market continued to develop rapidly. Whereas in the early days England was the only place to study English, the schools in England suddenly found themselves in competition, not only with Scotland and Ireland, but also within the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and virtually anywhere English was spoken, no matter what accent!

These days, there are more than 1300 language schools in the UK, many more in the United States and literally hundreds in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, offering a complete spectrum of courses including such variations as English plus Aviation, English plus Horseriding and even English for retirement in Barbados! Governments have long since become aware of the importance of the language market and have shown their support through grants. For example, in Australia, new schools setting up have been able to recoup virtually all their marketing costs.

The overseas student, however, is not confined to studying in language schools. Most universities in the UK now have between 7% and 15% overseas students. Some of these come on exchange programmes such as the ERASMUS Scheme, but many others are studying privately, paying full fees, fees on which many universities depend.

Just as language schools in the UK are in competition with language schools overseas, universities are themselves in competition, particularly with those in the States and Australia. The Americans were quickest to adapt to the new market by offering 4 year undergraduate programmes with a built in one-year foundation which enabled them to accept students who were not ready to undertake a full undergraduate programme, either academically or linguistically.

Most individual full fee paying overseas students come from countries where English is not the first language, mainly in Asia, countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan. The governments of Turkey, Libya, Iran and Saudi Arabia also sponsor significant numbers of students to study in overseas universities, often at a postgraduate and doctoral level.

Unlike language schools, which can accept virtually anyone, no matter what their educational background, Universities have to be much more selective as a student who isn’t up to it either academically or linguistically not only wastes a lot of time, but also money, because that student will have taken the place that could have been offered to someone else. Those responsible for marketing universities have to become totally au fait with overseas qualifications. They also need to be able to assess a student’s linguistic ability.

TOEFL was the exam used by American universities and initially adopted by the UK. However, in the UK it has proven inadequate. TOEFL is a multiple-choice test with no speaking component. Students are able to cram for TOEFL, and obtain a high score, but when they have started at university they have found themselves totally unable to cope linguistically. This disadvantage was not so significant in the States, where there was always the integral foundation year in the 4 year undergraduate programme.

In joint co-operation between the UK and Australia, the IELTS examination was introduced in the late ‘80s. It is diagnostic and designed specifically to test a student’s ability to cope linguistically in an academic environment. To enter university, the normal requirement is 6.5 on IELTS, or 5.5 if a students wants to enter a foundation year. If a student does not have these scores, even if he/she is ready academically, he should delay his course commencement as he needs to improve his English.

He/she can either study more in his own country or he can come to England. Most universities, run pre-sessional courses during the summer holidays prior to the academic year beginning at the end of September. In this time, a student can realistically hope to improve his IELTS score by 0.5 to 1 point.

If the students level is more than 1 point below the requirement he/she will need to attend a longer language course in a specialised establishment such as the English Language School. The question is, which of the 1000+ language schools should he choose to study in?

Without doubt he should choose one of the 250 or so which are recognised by the British Council. The others have no form of control or guarantee of minimum standards. It would be advisable to choose an established school with a wide range of nationalities, where students have to speak to each other in English, not their own language, a school which offers Study Skills programmes which specifically prepare students for academic study. Other considerations which are also important are accommodation possibilities and location.

Take, for example, The English Language Centre in Bristol, established in 1969. Bristol is a major university city 90 minutes west of London, with more than 35,000 British students. The school runs full time courses around 100 adult students from some 25 different countries. Study Skills options are available and a significant percentage of their students go on to further education in their language course. They prepare students for examinations, including the IELTS test, and their students have a high rate of success.

With the help and advice of the centre’s own academic counsellor, many will then go on to take academic courses in British universities, benefiting particularly from those which also offer ‘language support’ such as that available at the University of Bristol. This is a perfect example of how a student may benefit from both specific language tuition and general language support through the co-operation of two educational institutions whose aim it is to give the individual a rewarding academic experience.

English Language Study in Australia

Australia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for learning English. For those who like adventure, a chance to travel, or experience of the outdoor life, Australia is an exciting and safe study destination. If your interest is in developing your English for business or further studies, there is also a wide choice of good quality colleges and programs which will suit your needs and Australian people extend a warm welcome to overseas students.

Many students who come to Australia to study make a point of saying that the Australians they meet are friendly and helpful, interested in them and their culture. Most English colleges arrange accommodation for their students with Australian families near the college to give them a taste of ‘Aussie life’. This way they get to know people of all ages, and become part of an Australian family for the duration of their stay. Some of the friendships formed with homestay families last for many years after students have returned home.

Students sometimes think that Australia is a very long way from home. However, modern travel means that it is only a flight away, and once there you will find that your money goes a long way. The cost of living is quite inexpensive, and if you choose to travel, you will have the chance to see some of Australia’s great attractions: the Barrier Reef in Queensland, Ayer’s Rock in the outback of the Northern Territory, the natural wilderness of Tasmania, the snow-topped mountains of Victoria and New South Wales, the white sandy beaches where dolphins play in Western Australia, and the lush wine-producing regions of South Australia.

Australians love the outdoor life, and everywhere you go you will see Australians enjoying their sport, picnics, visits to the beach and camping holidays. This vast country has every possible climate - one to suit everyone. The southern cities, particularly Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, have a temperate climate, with hot summers and cool winters whereas Tasmania, which is further south, has snow-capped mountains in winter. Sydney is semi-tropical, and the cities of Queensland tropical and always warm whilst the Northern Territory and northern Western Australian outback regions are hot and dry. You can ski in winter, swim and surf all year round, go boating or fishing, play tennis and golf, and enjoy many other sports.

Each region has its own unique wildlife, and you will have the opportunity to see kangaroos, koalas, playpus, echidnas, and many other strange creatures in the wild and in special national parks where these animals are protected.

The English language industry, or ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students), as it is commonly known, has developed in Australia over a period of about twenty years, and is now one of the best known in the world. English language centres in Australia which offer courses to overseas students vary enormously. There are now more than 150 to choose from, ranging from the small privately run college with small group tuition, to the secondary school preparing students for high school studies, to large university or vocational education centres which will offer English in its own right or as a transition to any number of other tertiary or further training programs.

Australia also has a very high quality university and vocational education system, and students often come to Australia with plans for a full study program, with English language as the stepping stone to other courses. You could choose to do a General English course, or specialise by doing a course in English for business, graphic arts, the hospitality industry, academic studies, or post-graduate studies. Or if you are interested in doing one of the internationally recognised English language examinations, many centres offer special courses in preparation for the Cambridge University examinations, IELTS or TOEFL. Your English college will help you to enrol for these examinations, or if you are unsure of your future study plans, advise you on further study options after your English course is complete.

As a safeguard for students coming to Australia, there is a national accreditation process which all new ELICOS colleges undergo. The National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme (NEAS), which set up in 1990, requires all centres to comply with a set of standards, and this is a guarantee that students will be taught by qualified English teachers, programs will be accredited and class sized kept small. When fully accredited by NEAS, colleges are able to show its special logo on their promotional materials as a symbol of their good standards.

Your English language study program in Australia does not have to be all work, however. Visiting and living in a new country is also exciting and fun. For those new to Australia, you will be introduced to Australian customs, and have the opportunity to meet others through arranged social activities. You will find that Australians come from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and so most cities can offer a vast range of international foods and restaurants to try. Also, excursions to see the attractions of the city in which you are studying are often part of your English program, and these help you to get to know your city.

Australia has a great deal to offer overseas students. Whether you choose to study English in Australia for its own sake, for the opportunity to travel across a new and fascinating country, or as part of your vocational and academic program, your stay will be a unique experience which you will never forget.

The New World of English Language Learning

You have got to be "global" to excel in your profession, and achieve your goals. You have got to know the world around you and the people within it. You have got to be able to communicate, to learn and to share. You have got to be able to access information through the latest information technology. You must speak English in order to progress in this high-tech international society that puts a premium on innovation.

According to Newsweek magazine, experts have estimated that by the year 2000, more than 1 billion people around the world will speak or be studying English. That is an indication that competition in the workplace is getting fiercer, and that you need the additional skills to have the competitive edge. You need English to be competitive.

Intensive English Programs (IEP) are a brilliant way to master the language, especially Schools that are endorsed by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) present you with high educational standards. What else should you look for when deciding on a school to study English?

Traditional methods of English Language instruction focus on teaching English for the sake of it. Schools who use these methods view the fact that you are not a native English speaker as a crutch, not an opportunity.

In this system, a student who wants to attend an American university is recommended to advance his/her general English skills before pursuing his/her goal. For many of you, this would appear quite logical.

Why?

The new world of English Language learning incorporates a league of institutions that enable you to simultaneously pursue your English and personal/professional goals.

You lose no time. You stay on track.

Through specialized tracks, academic, business or general communication purposes, you have the possibility to improve your English while concentrating on one of the three tracks. You work on projects that are of interest to you. Projects, that help you master your listening, writing and grammar skills. You are engaged in scintillating activities that would not be possible in your home country. You participate extensively in the community where authentic language is utilized. You also use computers to enhance unique experiences gained both inside and outside of the classroom.

As your English language level improves, you are able to continue your studies with advanced level programs. Intensive English Programs sharpen your skills methodically to prepare you for the challenges ahead of you. If your English language skill is at an advanced level, you have the opportunity to take professional level studies; these can be either university courses or professional courses that may be attended by both international and American students. These programs have the flexibility to combine your studies with advanced English classes to support your professional level courses.

Your decision is your investment for your future. So, think B-I-G!

Learning the English Language

Each year thousands of young people travel to the UK to attend courses to learn or improve their English. For most, it is a voyage of discovery - discovery of a new language and the new opportunities that it brings, the discovery of new friendships which can last a lifetime. So how can you, when you’re thinking about coming over to England, make sure that all these wonderful things happen for you too?

Probably the most important decision is your choice of where you are going to study. There are three issues you should address: let’s take each in turn.

Firstly, where in the UK do you most want to go to? There’s no right or wrong answer - different people have different views. Some want to go to a more rural area; others want to see the north of England or Scotland; others may want to stay with friends or relatives or some will want London as one of the world’s favourite capital cities.

London is one of the most compelling cities in the world. It offers an incredible range of museums and art galleries, including the Tate and National Galleries, the Natural History and Science Museums and the Victoria and Albert Museum, wonderful historical places like the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, glorious ceremonial occasions like The Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace and - in the summer - the Trooping of the Colour, and, of course, the concerts, pubs, wine bars, clubs, discotheques and shopping for which London is justifiably famous. Any trip to England should include some time spent in London - so why not base yourself here?

Secondly, if you do decide to come to a College in London, pick one where you can be confident that you’ll have made significant progress by the time you leave. However much fun you might intend to have, the main reason why you’re coming over is to learn or improve your English. So how do you choose a College where you are likely to learn well?

Look for a College where you are tested when you arrive, to make sure you go into a class at the right level for your ability: this will ensure that you won’t waste you time being taught things you already knew, and also that you don’t find yourself sitting in a class where everyone else is much better than you - a depressing experience!

Look for a College where the Government Inspectors have confirmed that the teaching is of exceptionally high standard. ETC is very proud to have been awarded a Grade 1 (the highest level) by the Inspectors last year for English as a Foreign Language (EFL). These external audits are Government - sponsored, completely independent, and demanding: if they are happy with the standards of teaching, you too can rest assured that you will not only benefit from excellent teaching but will also enjoy the expertise of highly experienced and qualified staff!

Many Colleges have many different courses. Summer school which runs over the summer holidays, includes intensive tuition, often accommodation with a local family and a full programme of excursions and social activities. There is a wide range of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses which run during normal term times, and modular programmes which allow you to study at your own pace (perhaps from home). These include courses leading to academic GCSE and A Levels and vocational qualifications like NVQs and GNVQs.

Most Colleges have extensive experience of welcoming students from abroad. Usually there is a special prospectus for the Summer School which is available on request. Most Colleges supply a comprehensive information pack for all kings of students from overseas who want to study English, from courses for complete beginners through to courses for mature Business people who want to improve their command of Business English.

So whatever your reasons for studying English in the UK, ask for an Information pack from the Colleges and you’ll find a course to suit you.