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Tips For Top Executives
We asked UK schools for their "Top Tips For Executives". You'll find a lot of
good advice here! Our warm thanks to all the schools that contributed, and our apologies
to the schools that we couldn't include.
Be realistic about what you can achieve in a short time
Try and divide your objectives into those which are immediate, and those which are
medium-term and longer-term objectives
Don’t try to understand every word you hear - firstly, it’s very difficult to
do this, and secondly, it’s not necessary. Try to listen for key words only
Think of mistakes as important - if you don’t make any, you will not be learning
Don’t worry about the number of times you may make the same ‘mistake’ -
with correction the frequency will decrease
Don’t try to learn too much new vocabulary - and only concentrate on items which
are going to be useful for YOU
Try to learn new vocabulary in context, that is, learn which words can be used in
combination with the word; don’t just learn the word in isolation
Always learn the pronunciation and stress of a new vocabulary item, not just the
spelling
Use an English-English dictionary as much as possible
Read and listen to as much real English as you can (record it onto a cassette if
possible). By observing the language as it is really used, you will become more familiar
with the most frequently-used expressions
Before you finish your course, think carefully about how you are going to continue
learning when you get home. (Your course is only part of the overall process)
Above all, remember that language is communication - the main objective is to
communicate your message and understand the message from the other person. If your grammar
isn't 100% ‘correct’, your message can still be transmitted and understood
It’s always useful if students can bring with them examples of the type of company
documentation which they need to write or discuss. Reports, overhead transparencies from
previous presentations, faxes, emails etc. can all help the school to tailor the course to
your individual needs.
The most important thing is to choose a good school
This is difficult because you can’t know much about a school without going there.
Brochures do not always give you a good idea of what they’re like. And remember that
the quality of courses at a particular school can vary
It is also difficult because you are buying a service, not a product
A personal recommendation is very valuable. If you can talk to someone who has studied
at a school, you'll learn a lot in a short time. You may be able to get good advice from
your training manager, a friend or a language consultant (GoUK Education)
Get as much information as you can - from your own personal contacts; from accreditation
organisations like ENGLISH UK; from the schools themselves; and, if possible, from people who
have studied at the schools
When you have looked at all the information, make a list of questions you want answered.
Then ask the school. Also ask one of their ex-students if you can
Remember that a high number of hours does not necessarily mean more progress: it simply
means you pay more. On average, we find 30 hours per week is the maximum. If you do more,
you are probably buying extra stress, not extra benefit
As far as possible, leave your work at the office. Learning a language takes
concentration
Choose an accredited specialist provider whose tutors have Business experience. DEL has
tutors who are Trinity qualified and are executives in the business side of DEL
Choose a one–to–one or small group course specifically designed for your level
and market area, and which takes account of your responsibilities within your company
Choose a course that offers you social Business English as part of the course and
contacts with local businesses for authentic practice
Choose a course that offers you Executive accommodation i.e. single room with en suite
facilities. DEL operates an Executive Homestay system where clients stay with local
Business Executives and professional people in beautiful homes in the Peak District
National Park. Staying with hosts often leads to business partnerships
Think about exactly when you need to speak English in your job - some people only do
part of their job in English (e.g. meetings/phone calls/entertaining foreign clients)
while others do their whole job in English and need a wider linguistic range - from formal
negotiations to ‘everyday’ language like " Is the coffee machine still out
of order?". Decide the relative importance to you of the different skills of
listening, speaking, reading and writing - which is most important to you?
Think about any previous Business English courses you may have done, and what was
good/not so good about them - be prepared to explain these experiences to your teacher
Send beforehand or bring with you as much information about your job and your
company’s products/services as you can - promotional materials, brochures, even, if
possible, the product itself
Bring any examples you can of work you have to do in English - letters you have written
or received, ads you have designed, etc
Think about who you need to speak English to: what nationality are they? Are they
‘above’ or ‘below’ you in terms of corporate structure? What sort of
relationship do you have, or want to have?
Bring all you need to study - good bilingual and monolingual dictionaries, a collocation
dictionary, a grammar book you trust, plenty of pens, highlighters, notepaper and a
ring-binder for handouts
If possible, make, and then bring, a cassette recording of you doing your job in English
- this will really help your teacher
Bring any gadgets you need, or find useful - a Dictaphone can be great for taping
colleagues, friends etc. speaking English (with their prior consent of course!); mobile
phones can be used in class sometimes; a palmtop computer can be a big asset to your
learning
Take full advantage of the school's social programme
Bring job–related materials (e.g. brochures about your company's activities) be
prepared to give a presentation to other students (bring relevant OHTs etc)
One of the most important elements for an executive English course is CASE STUDIES. They
really need to be put into situations which will come up sooner or later and for which
they need their English really fluent to defend their points
We would say that an Executive Course is best on a one–to–one basis. In this
way the client/student can make sure they receive individual attention with the lessons
tailor–made to their needs
At Basil Paterson the most important element of an executive English course is the fact
that it focuses on the practical use of the language of business in simulated meetings,
negotiations and presentations