English language training allows your ESL employees (who speak English as a Second Language) to connect with others in new and meaningful ways. For businesses that have a diverse workforce, encouraging camaraderie can be challenging. As a business owner or decision maker, you understand that effective communication is essential. But on a human level, you want those relationships to feel genuine.
Certain industries like construction or warehousing for example, have a larger portion of their workforce speaking English as a Second Language. And while every industry faces issues with communication, we need to make sure that every employee is set up for success. For some businesses, this can look like workplace ESL that highlights specific language skills that need to be improved. For instance, we can provide accent modification if that is a barrier you have observed in your workplace. Or maybe some employees struggle with writing emails, and others have more difficulty giving client proposal presentations. Our professional skills programs can focus on specific areas of language where you need to see improvement.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what industry you work in. Every single one faces communication issues at some point. The important thing is what you do about them. Our corporate English training can be tailored to meet all of your business needs. We can even provide multiple language training classes that run at the same time. Where one course teaches some associates specific language skills, and a concurrent English course that highlights other language skills.
As Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and connection, why not take the opportunity to strengthen workplace connections? For companies with ESL employees, hosting an office Thanksgiving party is a fun chance to connect and boost morale. Why not take the opportunity to honor your workplace diversity, and create an initiative that welcomes everyone. Here's some of our ideas:
How to combine English language training into your office Thanksgiving party:
1. Practice written English skills with a gratitude wall
Corporate English language training can be as specific as you need it to be. And although Thanksgiving is mostly celebrated in the United States and Canada, the spirit of Thanksgiving is universal. People from any culture can understand the importance of being grateful, and celebrating with the people you care about.
Taking this concept of Thanksgiving and applying it in the workplace can look like asking employees to write down what they are grateful for. It doesn't have to be perfect, but if ESL associates are already working on written English skills, they can apply what they've learned in class. Or, you can keep it light and have them write in their native language what they are grateful for.
2. Keep it light with a game
Business ESL is most effective when learners are immersed in an engaging activity. Especially with adult learners, keeping things light with a game can be just as effective as class time. To reinforce English for businesses during a holiday party, keep it light with a game. A simple game like "telephone" or a word memory game can be fun, and lighten up a party while getting people to start communicating.
3. Don't make it complicated - bond over food
Since the beginning of time, people have always gathered around food. This is a universal truth among all cultures of the world. So as you are celebrating Thanksgiving, why not lean into the feast aspect? You can turn it into a potluck, where everyone brings a Thanksgiving dish or you can even have everyone bring a food from their native country. As humans continue to gather around food, and show no signs of wanting to change this, Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to get people talking with each other around a table filled with food.
By encouraging your team to gather, the focus on language will strengthen workplace connections. Thanksgiving is a time to get together and to be grateful for a feast. By focusing on your ESL workers in a positive manner, you can create a sense of community regardless of language of origin.
Our interactive and engaging In-Person and Online Corporate Language Training provides English Classes for Companies online and on-site with live highly qualified native-speaking language instructors. We offer Real-Time Private and Group Corporate English Language Training. Get a Free Quote for your Industry Specific Onsite or Online Corporate English Training for employees.
