First are those employees with limited English proficiency. Lacking adequate knowledge of the English language, internal business relationships with coworkers and supervisors suffer, the employee’s productivity is decreased and difficulty reading manuals and signs can lead to safety hazards and all around poor performance.

The second group are those employees who know English but struggle to speak clearly due to strong accent. This group generally encompasses employees that interact with the public including nurses, sales representatives and engineers. Lacking clear communication skills not only affects the performance and success of the employee, but poorly reflects on the public opinion of the company.

THE DESIRED RESULT

Regardless of which approach is needed, the results for the workplace are promising; job satisfaction is improved, employers note increased retention rates, co-workers experience fewer conflicts and the public image of the company is improved. When employees improve overall communication skills, they are better able to understand workplace communications increasing both safety and productivity.

THE SOLUTION

Each of these groups requires a different approach to language learning to meet their needs. Fluency Connection approaches the first group with customized courses in English for Specific Purposes. The second group takes a different approach with Accent Reduction Coaching.

English for Specific Purposes/ Customized courses
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses are customized to students’ needs and designed to provide the skills necessary to communicate clearly in their specific occupations. It is offered for both individuals and groups and assumes that students already have a basic understanding of English but require instruction in one or more specific language skills to advance in their chosen careers.

In ESP, the professional needs of the student drive the syllabus; be it the need to write emails, speak on the telephone, listen to customers or read business articles. Approaching these studies through a subject that is already relevant to them, their existing knowledge gives them the context they need to understand English of the classroom and allows them to learn more rapidly.

It is this combined approach of English instruction and existing professional knowledge that motivates students and enables them to immediately apply what they learn to their field of expertise. Using their new skills in a meaningful context reinforces what is taught and drives them to continue expanding their use of the language.

Accent Reduction Coaching
Enhancing understanding of diversity in the workplace is approached in many different ways including cultural training and discussion groups, but these methods are not sufficient. Fluency Connection believes that if the core issue of speech clarity is not addressed, misunderstandings and resentment are imminent.

Accent Reduction is a strategy that focuses on this core issue – the communication barrier that exists when people speak different varieties of the same language – and provides a long-term solution. By developing speaking skills that allow them to speak with clarity, employees take an active role in lessening conflicts and confusion.

Fluency Connection’s Accent Reduction course is an advanced level English language class based on linguistic theory and practice which addresses the specific skills involved in speaking clearly. These skills are learned, practiced and mastered just as one would master skills in playing an instrument or competing in a sport. The skills include clear pronunciation of each vowel and consonant sound, reproduction of stress patterns, and the use of intonation. Once the skills are learned, the speaker can continue to develop them over time.