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Why is English Grammar Important For Business?

Sat, 12 May 2012 08:35:15 GMT

If you are a business owner you will be judged on your professionalism, and yet so many companies today are neglectful of the fundamentals of English grammar. This is surprising, since it is now generally accepted that English is the international language of business so improving English grammar is a way of winning new clients and presenting your company in a positive light. Here are just some of the reasons why good English grammar is so important for business: Winning New Business: Sending out marketing emails is one of the most widely used methods of gaining new clients, but if they are spelled badly, are grammatically incorrect and don’t read well they could have entirely the opposite effect. With so much competition out there, customers are much more likely to choose your business rivals’ products and services over yours if their marketing material is well-written and carefully checked for grammar. Remember that a lot of people are likely to be busy and will make quick judgments in a matter of seconds. Staying Globally Competitive: If a lot of your potential clients are far away and you aren’t likely to see or speak to them often, you will be judged almost entirely upon how you write. It isn’t just clients either: possible business partners operating in markets you are looking to break into are likely to be put off if the messages you send them are unprofessional. You will get far more respect if you are very particular about grammar in any written material you send out. Eliminating Confusion: In addition to being inelegant, a badly worded sentence can actually be confusing for the reader. In terms of internal communication within your company, if messages are not clearly worded then valuable time can be wasted. If you want your company to run more efficiently, you need to insist upon your employees developing good grammar skills. With the above in mind, if you want your employees to focus on improving English grammar you could think about enrolling some of them on an online course. These have a number of benefits. For one thing, if they are learning online they can do it flexibly around their jobs whilst still having the support they need. If you choose the right course, the grammar skills they learn can be tailored for business purposes. It is surprising how much a good grasp of grammar can improve confidence levels too – and a confident worker is a far better asset to your team.

English – The International Language of Business

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:41:28 GMT

There are estimated to be over 360 million native English speakers across the globe. Whilst this compares to a massive 850 million native Mandarin speakers, a further billion people speak English as second or foreign language. With the dominance the British Empire at the turn of the 20th century and the emergence of the USA as a global superpower over the following two decades, English cemented its position as a global language. What is more, with the financial centres of London and New York located in English speaking countries, the language has become firmly established as the language of business across the world. There is talk of the USA declining as a global power and the rise of the China and other far eastern economies. So will English ever lose its place as the international language of business? Looking at the alternatives suggests that it probably will not. Mandarin is an extremely difficult language to grasp and English is already widely spoken as a second language in India and a lot of European countries. As a result, national and international companies in any country place particular emphasis on their employees being able to speak English. If you want to stand out from the crowd it is important to already have a firm grasp on the language when you turn up to job applications. On the other side of the coin, if you are a native English speaker but struggle with spelling or grammar your career prospects are drastically limited. It is, therefore, essential to learn English grammar to get on in your career. There is an emerging form of English, known as International English, that is somewhat simpler and easier to understand than British or American English. The international form of English does not use colloquialisms and places less emphasis on the correct use of tense and other grammar. The trouble is it is often interpreted as poor English and will simple not suffice in many international companies. Failing to learn English grammar correctly will ultimately cost you in a large proportion of jobs. For native speakers, it is important, however, to be able to speak clearly and correctly. One of the things that make English such a fantastic language is its huge variety of accents and dialects. The downside to this is that non-native speakers or natives from different parts of the English speaking world can struggle to understand one another. It is imperative, therefore, to be able to soften your own accent and drop some of the dialect to ensure you are clearly understood at work. So if you want to improve your job prospects and take the next step in your career, learning to speak or improving your English language skills is a great place to start. There are a number of quality courses available online as well as in night schools and colleges across the country that cater for all levels of English speakers.

How to Improve Your English Skills

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:37:21 GMT

There are many people wanting to improve their English skills, from those who are completely new to the language to those who have a pretty good grasp but want to fine-tune their grammar. If you want to improve your English, the best thing you can do is immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Here are some simple steps you can take to improve, some of which are completely free and some of which may require some investment in your personal development: Watch television: I would not normally advocate sitting and staring at the television for its own sake, but if you are learning a language then it is an incredibly useful tool because the visuals will help you follow the sense and you will be able to pick up vocabulary on a huge range of subjects. Use the internet: Many people these days are finding that to learn English online is one of the best options open to them. You have an unlimited range of subjects and formats to choose from and you can also chat to other learners on blogs or forums so your learning can be a more interactive experience, as opposed to sitting on your own reading or watching television. If you want to learn English online in a more structured way then consider taking an online English course which will allow you to study flexibly at your own pace, and will also give you a much better grasp of finer details such as grammar and sentence structure. Read: One of the best ways to learn a language is to read constantly – whatever you can get your hands on. Some people prefer the brief snippets of text you get in magazines, whilst others prefer the challenge of getting their teeth into a novel in an unfamiliar language. A good tip, if you are a real beginner, is to start with children’s books and work your way up to more complicated fare when you a familiar with the more basic language. If you are out for dinner, even reading a menu is good practice. There is scope for learning through reading almost everywhere you look. Keep talking: Apply what you have learned in conversation whenever possible, whether it’s going to the shops, chatting to people on the train or at work. It doesn’t matter if your speech isn’t perfect – ask people to correct you and you will soon begin to improve. This is also a great way of boosting your self-confidence and social skills.

Want To Master English? Try Learning Online

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:03:20 GMT

Trying to learn a second language can become more difficult the older you get. For one thing, you may have lost the natural aptitude that young children have to pick up new languages, and for another you probably have a lot more demands on your time than you once had. If you have a basic grasp of English and would like to become proficient in terms of grammar but don’t have a huge amount of time on your hands, something you could consider is learning English online. An online programme such as Better English: A Better Future. One of the biggest reasons students will give for choosing to learn a language online and using Better English: A Better Future as opposed to going to classes is the flexibility it offers them. You can complete the modules any time it suits you – whether it’s to fit round an existing job, university course or family life, for example. You can also do it anywhere, which is essential if you are a person who is obliged to travel a lot. As long as you have your laptop with you, you are free to work on your course whenever you have a few spare minutes. Some people considering learning a language, however, do worry that learning online means they are lacking the vital one-on-one expertise they would get from attending a class. On the contrary, online courses these days can be very interactive so it is not a case of just sitting in your room with no contact whatsoever. We found the programme Better English: A Better Future ticks all of these boxes. Above all, remember that English is generally accepted to be the international language of business so if you are hoping to use your mastery of a second language to further your career prospects, it is worth a small investment and trying to fit the necessary hours needed to complete your course around your schedule.

Why Learn English Online?

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:54:44 GMT

Is there a certain career path you have set your heart on? People need goals in life, but be aware that no matter how much aptitude you have in a particular area, if your English language and grammar skills are poor, either when writing or speaking, then you could be severely damaging your chances of getting the job you want or winning a place at university to study your chosen subject. If you are less than confident about your English skills then taking an online course, such as ‘Better English: A Better Future’, may well be the answer for you. But what exactly are the main reasons why you might want to learn how to improve English online? Well to begin with, from a purely vocational point of view English is generally accepted to be the global language of business so if you are hoping to get on in business a good grasp of the language is practically essential. Whether you are a native speaker and want to brush up on your grammar, or a non-native speaker still in the process of learning the language, a good course may be just the thing you need. Learning online is in many ways more convenient than attending night school. If you travel a lot then you can work on your course from anywhere in the world, or if you are already in a job and don’t have the time to attend classes, you can fit the work in around your working hours. Online courses are generally designed to be flexible and this is perhaps the main reason so many people opt for them. Furthermore, learning how to improve English online means that not only can you do the work when and where you want, you can also complete the tasks in as much time as you need. Everybody finds certain things more difficult than others. For example, you may find learning the basics of grammar and punctuation much easier than actually putting them into practice in sentences. If you were going to a night class then you would have to keep up with other members of the class, but online it’s entirely up to you when you feel ready to move on to the next stage of your course. ‘Better English: A Better Future’ can also be used by managers in-house if their existing staff need to improve their English skills. If you are already in a job and think you and certain of your colleagues could benefit from online training in order to progress in your careers, it may be worth suggesting it to your line manager. Such a course can help you and your co-workers to communicate more effectively and work as a team, and by reviewing your progress your managers will also be able to see clearly where your strengths lie. This means your abilities will not go unrecognised.

Poor knowledge of English grammar amongst Oxford students

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:28:46 GMT

A recent article in the Telegraph, reported the concerns of eminent Oxford teaching Pofessors on the poor grasp of English language skills amongst a large number of English students. “Examiners were once again concerned that students graduating from Oxford having studied foreign languages should have such a precarious command of their own,” one Spanish tutor wrote. "Any Oxford tutor will tell you that the standards nowadays forthcoming from schools are appallingly low, and certainly much lower than a generation ago. "In modern languages part of the problem is they aren't taught English grammar, so how should they learn the grammar of foreign languages?”

Spelling mistakes 'cost millions' in lost online sales

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:33:59 GMT

An online entrepreneur says that poor spelling is costing the UK millions of pounds in lost revenue for internet businesses. Charles Duncombe says an analysis of website figures shows a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half. Mr Duncombe says when recruiting staff he has been "shocked at the poor quality of written English". Sales figures suggest misspellings put off consumers who could have concerns about a website's credibility, he says. The concerns were echoed by the CBI whose head of education and skills warned that too many employers were having to invest in remedial literacy lessons for their staff. By Sean Coughlan BBC News Education Correspondent

One in five Scots children leave primary school not fully literate

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:26:52 GMT

The proportion, which equates to 13,000 pupils, increases to one in four in the country’s poorest areas, according to the study. Meanwhile, only three of Scotland’s 32 councils reported that all children achieved the expected level of reading and writing by age 14. The findings were included in a study of literacy among pupils, which recommended a new formal exam be set to test reading and writing skills at the end of their third year of secondary school. The report was commissioned by Scottish Labour and conducted by a group of experts, including Ian Rankin, the best-selling novelist, and Judith Gillespie, development manager of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council. Unveiling the report, Iain Gray, Labour’s Holyrood leader, said: “We need a revolution in literacy teaching our schools and we will argue for that in opposition and once in office we will pursue this relentlessly. “This report is huge wake-up call for Scotland. With one in five Scots with literacy problems this mean that thousands of Scots will not reach their full potential and Scotland’s ability to compete in business and commerce will also suffer.” He promised his party would eradicate illiteracy and innumeracy and backed the recommendation that a new qualification be introduced to identify struggling children at an early age. The report found 18.5 per cent of all Scottish children leave primary school without being functionally literate, but this figure dropped to 10 per cent in the richest areas and increased to 26 per cent in the poorest. The proportion of 14-year-olds not achieving basic standards of reading exceeded 20 per cent in two council areas and ranged between 10 per cent and 19 per cent in six others. Fourteen local authorities said all pupils met this grade, but the figures were worse in relation to writing. Only three councils reported all children achieved the expected standard, while in two areas half the children did not and in a further six at least 30 per cent fell below the expected level. The commission concluded: “If the problems of poor basic literacy are to be addressed, there has to be a recognition that socio-economic issues are the main underlying cause.” Scottish ministers “should make a formal commitment to zero tolerance of illiteracy”, it said, with appropriate education spending allocated to the problem. A national strategy should be drawn up, it also recommended, and every council and school should develop literacy plans to be implemented from an early age. By Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor Daily Telegraph

Gain the competitive edge in business marketing.

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:01:23 GMT

In times of economic downturn all sorts of problems land in front of directors and business owners, including sales declines, cash flows and cost cutting. For most companies marketing will be the key to survival, but probably at a reduced cost. The use of email marketing and direct mail can be a cost effective way to continue to market the company’s products and services and seek out new customers. Both of these forms of marketing rely on the written word. At Better Writing: Better Business we know how important good writing skills are. Many bosses say, according to research, that they would not do business with companies that can’t weed out language errors. They say that the lack of good writing skills could well be a reflection of other weaknesses in the business. Improving these is a cost effective solution for employers, and easily done. Better Writing: Better Business is an online server-based programme that holds the keys to accurate writing. Staff can undertake it at their own pace, and learn at their desk. With no need for expensive offsite learning, you will be conserving upskilling funds and giving your staff skills that could swiftly give your business and company ‘the competitive edge’.

Grammatical errors can seriously undermine an organisation's credibility.

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:13:16 GMT

Grammatical errors can seriously undermine an organisation's credibility, so it's essential that employers identify problems at an early stage. Nadia Damon reports. Eilish Dempsey worked as a receptionist at shipping firm NYK Group Europe for nine years before moving into a new role as PA to the managing director. Drafting business correspondence and e-mails were a key part of the job, so Dempsey knew she needed to brush up on her grammar. "I had learned all these things in the past," she explains, "but when you don't use this knowledge every day you tend to lose it." Following her request for additional training, she attended a one-day effective business English course with training company Hemsley Fraser. "The course covered a lot of useful things," says Dempsey, "and it taught me to look at my work more carefully before pressing the 'send' button." After initially having to spend time re-reading her work - with her managing director often having to amend his previously dictated correspondence himself, Dempsey claims her increased awareness of business writing techniques and grammar has given her the confidence to rewrite sentences and make other alterations that are welcomed by her boss. This has cut down on the number of drafts required - saving them both time. Literacy day Regardless of whether good grammar is required at recruitment stage, or may be a necessity further down the line, all businesses need to ensure they have a literacy programme in place, says Heather Ker, author of the recently launched Better Writing: Better Business, a web-based modular course produced by educational software developer, Basic Writing Skills. "Because unless people have been extremely lucky in their choice of school or teacher, they are very likely [thanks to successive UK education policies] to have missed out on the technicalities of grammar and punctuation," she explains. Sue Southwood, development officer for Literacy, Numeracy and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) at the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), which has worked with the British Army on literacy issues, acknowledges that grammar is a frequent issue for employers. She claims that a key part of any learning & development department's literacy policy should be recognising the problem and how it might be affecting the business. She says this knowledge can then be used to raise awareness among key staff to conduct a skills check and/or as a basis for individual interviews with employees as part of an organisational needs analysis. Aptitude tests Where business writing is a key part of the job, employers are entitled to conduct aptitude tests at the recruitment stage. However, much like any employment procedure, a grammar diagnostic should adhere to recruitment best practice - which means telling candidates about a test in advance and asking them if they have any special requirements. This is particularly important when testing dyslexics, as the condition comes under the Disability Discrimination Act. It should be clear during any assessment that the organisation is testing essential skills for the role itself, rather than weeding out anyone it privately deems to be unsuitable. But while it is understandable that employers may be keen to diagnose any literacy issues early in the recruitment process, NIACE development officer (Dyslexia) Rachel Davies makes the point that by testing at the interview stage, and rejecting applicants purely on the basis of grammar, employers do run the risk of missing out on candidates who may have better business skills and just need some additional support or training. Incognito interventions As literacy will always be a touchy subject in the workplace, Southwood recommends that employers refer to these skills using work-based examples. "Marketing courses as 'report writing' or 'writing better e-mails' is much more effective," she explains, "as is using a model that offers opportunities to improve rather than suggesting people have needs or gaps that need to be met or filled." Alison Cowper, learning consultant at Hemsley Fraser, agrees that diplomacy is a key part of grammar awareness - especially as many very well-educated people have never had this training. She says: "People can feel a bit touchy about being sent on a course, but, in my experience, people are quite hungry to learn." Cowper, who teaches a one-day effective business English course, reveals that companies which dress grammar and punctuation training up as editing, proof reading or business writing will automatically generate great demand. Barry Rockhill, managing director of GBC Learning, claims a lot of grammar and punctuation tuition is offered under the umbrella of 'business writing'. Grammar may be a common bugbear of employers, but Rockhill says many companies are also looking to improve productivity levels by sending individuals on courses that speed up the writing process and offer advice on techniques - particularly when it comes to reports and e-mails.