Tyumen State University
The Role of English in Training Qualified Specialists in the Region.
The world is in
various stages of social, economic, and demographic transition. The emerging
global economy is both competitive and interdependent. It reflects the
availability of modern communications and production technologies in most parts
of the world.
The increasing
globalization of the market-place is forcing companies to pay more attention to
international developments. Domestic firms are adjusting their methods of
cooperation to fit a broader and rapidly changing economic environment. They
are increasing their geographical outreach because more of their customers and
suppliers are located on various continents. Joint ventures are no longer just
theoretical possibilities.
This internationalization
is illustrated in three ways. First, companies change their basic goals to
conform to a global market place. Second, they adapt their products to local
markets. Third, they do not set up international bureaucracies; they hire
foreign nationals who understand the local markets.
So, what’s the
role of English in this process of economic modernization and industrial
development?
Undoubtedly,
English has become the world standard language. Its global spread is remarkable
and it is used for more purposes than ever before.
When British
pilots land their airplanes in Tyumen, they and the air-traffic controllers use
English. When an American specialist in coil-tubing technology wants to share
his discoveries and experience with Russian oilmen, he publishes his findings
in English. When Dutch executives conduct business with SIBNEFT, they negotiate
in English. When German experts working in Tyumen region want to transfer money
abroad, they and Savings bank’s manager discuss the terms and conditions in English.
When Mexican musicians perform in Tyumen concert hall, they sing in English
etc.
Tyumen region,
well-known for its large reserves of natural resources (gas, oil, timber, coal,
chromite etc.) has always attracted international investors. Companies all over
the region have established business relationships with many foreign partners
in different fields.
People now
understand that communication means better business. Improved skills in
business language and culture vastly expand the scope of the business. You are
gaining a competitive edge trading with new partners who prefer to conduct
business in their native language. You will be able to pick up the telephone
and hold a meaningful conversation, and will
no longer be disadvantaged in discussions with bilingual executives. You
will gain cultural sensitivity to understand your clients’ nuances and body
language, as well as their actual words. Acquiring proficiency in both language
and communication skills is becoming very important to make a successful career
in business.
Though the supply
of Business English courses and course books in Russia in general and in Tyumen
in particular, is far from being insufficient at the moment, we have to
acknowledge the demand continues to grow. The majority of students require
something very special.
Thus, our primary
objective is find a way to tailor language training to everybody’s individual
needs. Among the most pragmatic considerations for individuals and corporations
interested in training is its cost effectiveness: giving the customer superior
value for money, offering dedicated service as well as good – quality service.
Time becomes a crucial factor for trainees, as their duties at work demand
their total involvement causing them to spend long hours in the office and
leaving no time for study.
Course design in
such conditions should begin with the needs analysis. In our practice we follow
a “package-deal approach”, i.e., we develop language training programs through
the process of consultation and negotiation with learners. Thus, course
participants get involved in the structuring of the training program. We follow
the principle of client-centered course design. At the same time, we recognize
that tuition must be both stimulating and relatively simple: if it is boring or
overly intimidating, then you will never acquire the skills that you need to
succeed internationally: fluency, flexibility, adaptability to a new
environment, willingness to accept changes etc.
This article is
aimed to highlight the value of creative English language teaching in adult
education. We’ll focus on our experience of training Sberbank’s employees.
A wide array
of Sberbank’s foreign partners does not only demonstrate the recognition of the
Bank as a participant of the world banking system, but also allows to fully
satisfy the clients’ needs, especially those connected with international
activity, and keep up with the international banking practice and products.
Sberbank
maintains accounts with the largest foreign banks and effectively deals with
them in various market segments. For the purpose of providing services to the
clients involved in foreign activities and perfecting international settlements
Sberbank develops correspondent relations with over 200 leading banks of the
world and has direct SWIFT Settlements Agreements with about 1000 banks.
Sberbank is
actively engaged in broadening business
ties with Export Crediting Agencies and banks that finance trade operations
through export agencies around the world.
Today, the
success of the modern bank’s performance is determined not only by the
profitability at a certain moment, but also by reliability and accuracy of
vertical and horizontal links based on mutual and trustworthy cooperation
between a bank and its customers, between top management and their
subordinates. Thus, it is important to develop interpersonal communication
skills and abilities to work in a team. Our learner-oriented course of Business
English offered to the bank’s employees, in our opinion, contributed a lot to
increasing the team spirit of the participants.
10 people from
different departments of the bank joined our course. After having carried out a
needs analysis we managed to find some common ground to provide effective
training. Since we conducted classes after working hours, we introduced grammar
through songs and games. Singing songs turned out to be an excellent warming up
activity which helped students relax and switch off their minds from every day
routine.
Our trainees were
more willing to combine a general
Business English course with studying peculiar Financial terminology. A modular
structure of the main course book “Best Practice” provided opportunities
for a creative approach in designing
classes. Within every module students were offered to look at different areas
relevant to their working experience in a bank. Moreover they played out
various situations of their would-be professional communication with foreign
clients and specialists. For e.g. they showed a delegation of British, American
bankers around their headquarters.
Trainees were involved in role playing in their “natural environment” of the
bank’s offices and halls. They were actively moving around their main building.
After four main
units of each module, there was a Business Scenario unit, the aim of which was
to consolidate language and skills that were introduced in the module. It
consisted of a variety activities all related
to one business situation, and its main feature was communication
exercise such as a meeting or a presentation. The business scenario was
redeveloped on the basis of the bank’s facts and data. Students were split into
groups for discussion. They were motivated to share views concerning business
practices in their bank. They analyzed and evaluated their bank’s performance
together taking the positions of either managers, employees or customers.
Case study
covered business across cultures. Each unit included a section on an
intercultural issue commonly faced by international business people. The aim of
this section was to provide students with an awareness of intercultural terms
and concepts in a clear and simple way. Discussing cultural matters helped the
bank’s employees to understand their own corporate culture and suggest ideas
for its development.
Taking into
account different needs of the course participants we thoroughly selected
teaching materials for professional input. The course included general banking
topics, such as the bank’s structure, performance, different types of accounts,
corporate banking etc. and specific themes, i.e., operations with plastic
money, foreign currency transactions, banking technologies, banking
correspondence. All these professional issues were tuned into the program of
developing managerial skills: holding board meetings, taking decisions,
preparing for negotiating, encouraging and motivating staff.
The trainees were
provided with authentic materials from international media. Reading and
analyzing international banks’ brochures the students didn’t only get a chance
to learn the specific terminology, but also to compare differences of banking
systems in various countries. They acquired useful information looking through
the latest data in English on-line too. Web sites of major financial companies
were available, and the students could assess the present financial situation
in the world. When they shared it with their colleagues in class in English
they prepared themselves to operating in the international environment which is
extremely significant nowadays.
As a result of
the course the trainees learned:
-
How to receive visitors from foreign
banks and be able to explain aspects of their work;
-
How to write business letters in
English;
-
To use English to telephone or fax;
-
To speak English at meetings with
the bank’s counterparts from different countries;
-
To get the most up-to-date
information from written financial reports, newspapers such as Financial Times
or through the Internet in English ;
-
To exchange information and
negotiate deals in English;
-
To make presentations in English.
What
is more students were involved in cooperative learning which helped them to
know more about each other, develop their team-building skills and grow
personally.
English
has been an international language for about 50 years. It is a vehicle that is
used globally and will lead to more opportunities. It belongs to whoever uses
it for whatever purpose or need. The task of teachers is to provide their
trainees with a good quality learner-oriented course so that they will be able
to use English as a tool in their professional careers. There is a high demand
for qualified specialists able to work in local, domestic and international
settings nowadays.