Using the Services of Language Training Providers

Language training for business can be obtained from a wide range of providers, including freelance individuals, private companies and public educational institutions such as FE colleges and universities. There is no sweeping distinction between these categories of providers as regards quality, each having examples of excellence. It is to the advantage of an employer or other potential client to have their own initial criteria for choosing a provider who will meet their needs.

Why do you need language training?

If the level of interaction required is very sophisticated and you have no colleagues with more than GCSE competence, you should seriously consider the services of an interpreter or translator.

If it is realistic within the budget and time-scale at your disposal to train your staff, to the level required to do the job, read on.

Your linguistic needs

Be clear about these in respect of:

Work roles to be fulfilled (e.g. switchboard, export sales, marketing, etc)
Skills to be targeted (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)
Levels to be reached, and from what starting point (e.g. National Language Standards level 1-5 from scratch, from rusty A level, etc)

Your practical requirements

Time-scale for reaching level required:

Style of delivery (e.g. intensive, 2 hours weekly). Will there be an element of independent learning (e.g. CD ROM interactive activities, audio tape for private study)?
Venue (e.g. trainer ’s centre, your premises)
Quality issues with regard to the training provider
What are the language qualifications held by the tutors used? (e.g. degree, native speaker)
What are the training qualifications held by the tutors used? (e.g. PGCE, Diploma for teaching languages to adults etc.)
What is the relationship between the training provider and the tutors in their employ? (Is the ‘provider’ merely acting in an agency role or is there a stronger bond?)
To what professional body does the training provider belong?

Does the training provider comply with a quality standard?

Services offered by the training provider:

Will the trainer provide regular feedback on progress? (e.g. written reports/profiles)
Will the trainer work to the National Language Standards (NVQ Units) either as a benchmark or to achieve a qualification?
If not, what other scale or qualification is used to provide training targets?

When you talk to a provider …

Make sure you put them fully in the picture about your needs.
Listen carefully to what they say they can achieve within time and cost constraints.
Don’t put pressure on them to achieve unrealistic outcomes; you may simply end up disappointed.

… and remember:

Good language training isn’t cheap, but if needed, is as good an investment as any other training
Nor is it a ‘quick fix’. Disbelieve the sort of publicity which promises ‘fluency in three months’.
Learning without the support of a tutor is possible but in practice almost always breaks down.