Posted By Webmaster on October 31, 2011

Training to increase productivity and profitability:-

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend of mine who is a specialist at training to increase productivity and profitability while he was visiting Bangkok. Our conversation provided me with a trigger to focus my thoughts on the importance, value and results of corporate training to increase productivity and staff development.

English language training to increase productivity makes staff a more valuable asset for the company

Firstly, there is the effect on the individual staff member: a training programme will enhance the employee’s knowledge and skills and quality of output, as well as helping in developing motivation, loyalty and positive attitudes. An employee who underoes special courses of training to increase productivity will become better acquainted with the requirements of his or her job and will need less supervision – thus there will be less wastage of time and effort.

Furthermore, staff who receive training to increase productivity become eligible for promotion and consequently become a more valuable asset for the company.

Secondly, continuing professional development engenders a more elevated level of morale, job satisfaction and team spirit among the staff, desirable contributing factors to high standards of quality in the workplace and to the success of the organization. Moreover, training to increase productivity also helps in creating a better corporate image.

Thirdly, as supremely important tangible benefits for the company, staff who undergoe training to increase productivity will provide increased profitability – a valuable and positive return on the monetary outlay for the training programme.

English language training to increase productivity is clearly a vital area for management and staff professional development in today’s ever expanding international arena for government, professional and commercial organizations in Thailand, since English is the universal language of communication.

English Click can deliver English language training to increase productivity programmes to suit the specific needs and specialist requirements of organizations based in Thailand so that they reap the benefits described in the three paragraphs above.

English language vocabulary:
catching up with (verb + preposition + preposition): meeting and talking to again

trigger (noun): mechanism to start an action

motivation (noun): reason to do things

loyalty (noun): remaining committed to an organization

acquainted with (verb + preposition): knowledgeable about

engenders (verb): brings about

more elevated (adverb + adjective): higher

morale (noun): employees’ joint feeling towards an organization

desirable (adjective): to be wished for

tangible (adjective): real and can be shown

arena (noun): field

universal (adjective): worldwide

reap (verb): gather or collect

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training to increase productivity courses contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language training, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language training for presentations, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, in-house English language workshop, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on October 3, 2011

Effective English skills necessary for Thailand’s business economy to compete:-

In a recent newspaper article Dr. Aat Pisanwanich, Director of the International Trade Studies Centre of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, propounds that Thailand’s business economy needs to make major improvements in communication skills and learning the ways that businesses operate in other countries if they want to remain competitive in the increasingly integrated ASEAN market:

For Thailand’s business economy to compete it needs to improve its English skills before the Asean Economic Community comes into effect in 2015

“We (Thailand) have to improve a lot, especially in language for communication, and must learn more about each other in ASEAN.”

Dr. Aat points out that other ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are becoming more serious competitors in a scenario that includes the full economic and labour liberalisation under the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. He also quotes rice, rubber, sugar, automotive, electrical appliances and electronics as strong export growth sectors for Thailand.

On the subject of communication, effective English skills are necessary with English the common language for international trade, with English skills proficiency needing to be raised across all levels of the workplace if Thailand is to keep up with the economic growth achieved by other developed countries in South East Asia. To address this requirement, English Click can provide the appropriate training to enhance management and workers English skills in particular industry sectors.

English language vocabulary

propounds (verb): puts forward for consideration

integrated (adjective): combined to make a whole

scenario (noun): situation

address (verb): deal with

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for business management contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: Business English writing, English for Asean free labor market, English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language social communications, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, English language writing, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, Talking Point, Written business English

Posted By Webmaster on September 26, 2011

Advanced English language skills essential for Thailand’s business economy to remain competitive:-

I have read with great interest two recent authoritative newspaper articles that reinforce what we at English Click believe is absolutely necessary for Thai citizens to ensure that Thailand’s business economy keeps pace with other Asian countries’ performance and also to advance their own career path – the acquisition of advanced English language skills.

Advanced English language skills essential for Thailand’s business economy to remain competitive

The first article is very critical of the Thai education system, which the writer of the piece believes, is having a negative effect on Thailand’s competitive edge in the region. The main faults of the system are highlighted as overcrowded classrooms and an inward-looking curriculum that emphasizes rote-learning.

This situation, it is argued, has serious implications on the nation’s chances of successful competition in the business area in South East Asia and therefore serious implications for Thailand’s business economy:

“It’s easier to find young, versatile, highly skilled and English-speaking workers in Singapore, Taiwan and China,” said a US chief executive at a major Bangkok-based company. Not surprisingly, the executive quoted includes the ability to speak English as a necessary qualification for good staff.

The article goes on to focus on the relative standing of Thailand in regard to English language skills. Because of the shortcomings in the country’s education system, the local workforce has weak proficiency compared with other nations. The Swiss-based Institute of Management Development places Thailand at number 54 out of a total of 56 countries it rated for English language proficiency, the second lowest in Asia. Singapore was ranked #3 and Malaysia #28.

The second newspaper article presents a similar message and quotes extensively Sakkarin Niyomsilpa from Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, who says that Thailand’s business economy weakness is its language limitations, especially in English.

It is a necessity for Thai people to improve their English language capability to the same level as other Asian countries to enable  Thailand’s business economy to remain competitive. He also added that the government should develop more skilled workers for the automotive and petrochemical industries, while more students should be trained in tourism and medical services.

English Click delivers a wide range of courses, general and specific, that will enable students to enhance their English language skills for Thailand’s business economy, a qualification that without question is absolutely necessary for their own and the Thailand’s business economy advancement.

English language vocabulary

authoritative (adjective): written or said by an expert person

keeps pace with (verb / noun / preposition): moves at the same speed as, does not fall behind

acquisition (noun): getting

emphasizes (verb): stresses

rote-learning (noun): learning by memory from tables, books etc.

implications (noun): possible effects

versatile (adjective): able to do many tasks, multi-skilled

quoted (verb): who said the words

proficiency (noun): level of ability

similar (adjective): much the same

enhance (verb): improve

advancement (noun): progress

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language courses to help you in Thailand’s business economy, contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: Business English writing, English for business, English for managers, English language skills, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, Talking Point, Written business English

Posted By Webmaster on January 20, 2011

Investing abroad requires advanced English language skills

A recent newspaper article reported that Staporn Kavitanon, chairman of the prime minister’s economic advisory team, has proposed the establishment of a $1 billion revolving fund to support Thai investment abroad. Furthermore, the Board of Investment is expected to hire consultants this month to study how to promoteThai investment abroad.

Staporn Kavitanon, chairman of the prime minister’s economic advisory team

The implication of this positive initiative is that Thai business activity will become more international and hence the need for Thai management and staff to be able to posses effective English language skills.

An earlier study by the Board of Investment identified investment potential in other countries as:

• Construction
• Petrochemicals
• Tourism
• Fisheries
• Livestock
• Mining
• Jewellery
• Textiles
• Automobiles.

English Click offers a range of courses to improve the English language skills of managers, the English language skills of executives and their assistants and a range of English language skills courses with special focus on particular industries, to assist companies who wish to invest abroad. Moreover, these courses can also specialize in specific areas of corporate activity, for example finance, international law and marketing.

English language vocabulary

establishment (noun): setting up

promote (verb): help and advance

implication (noun): suggested result

initiative (noun): new move

hence (conjunction): therefore, thus

potential (noun): having the possibility of a good development

livestock (noun): animals for food

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses for business management contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language social communications, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, Talking Point, Written business English

Posted By Webmaster on December 20, 2010

New Year resolution – Improve your English language skills

As the year draws to a close, it is common practice to make ‘new year resolutions’, that is – to decide and plan on certain actions for the coming year that will make your personal and professional life better and to eliminate habits that you think are undesirable.

There is a wide choice of resolutions that a person can make and the ones actually selected depend on the particular areas that an individual considers need to be attended to, for example: eat healthier food, be more tidy, get up earlier! The important factor is to try to keep to your resolutions for the whole year ahead.

Consider a commitment to improving your English language skills as a New Year's resolution.

At English Click would like to suggest to you that improving your English language skills makes for a very positive and highly rewarding new year resolution. Improving your English language skills will undoubtedly place you in a better position to succeed and make progress in your professional life, given that English is the international language of organizational and corporate activity.

We are also quick to point out that our lessons to improve your English language skills are designed to be an enjoyable experience, and not a dreary chore, and thus our suggested new year resolution to improve your English language skills”can brighten up your life as well as being extremely useful.

As a closing message to all our readers of Talking Point and to past, present and future clients and students of English Click, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.

English language vocabulary

draws to (verb + preposition): comes to

eliminate (verb): put an end to

undesirable (adjective): not wanted

selected (verb / adjective): chosen

makes for (verb + preposition): provides

rewarding (adjective): giving one satisfaction or benefit (e.g. money, a gift)

undoubtedly (adverb): certainly

point out (verb + preposition): inform, indicate

dreary chore (adjective + noun): boring task

prosperous (adjective): rich

For a free, no obligation information pack on our various courses to improve your English language skills contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: English for business, English for managers, English language skills, English language social communications, English language vocabulary, general English communications skills, speaking English, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on November 18, 2010

English language skills essential to securing jobs with foreign investors:-

This weekend (November 20 & 21) the Careers Expo is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and strong English language skills will make job seekers significantly more appealing to potential employers.

English language skills will make job seekers significantly more appealing to potential employers – especially where the job sought is with a multi-national employer.

With increasing foreign investment in Thailand it’s reasonable to expect that this weekends expo will see an increase in the number of foreign companies looking for staff. While verbal and written English language skills look impressive on a resumé, there are a few other things that dovetail with good general English language communications skills.

As has been emphasized in previous Talking Points, possessing advanced English language skills will greatly improve the chances of career advancement for Thai people in any field they seek employment, and a position with a foreign company investing in Thailand opens the door to higher salaries, better career opportunities and the potential for working in foreign countries.

Applying for a job or new position and attending an interview is a crucial process that requires preparation, attention to detail and practice. With continuing globalization in the workplace an increasing number of employment interviews are being undertaken in English – especially where the job sought is with a multi-national employer.

For those wishing to submit a job application and attend an interview conducted in the English language, a short course of study requiring just a few hours is an ideal way to brush up on English language speaking skills and mean the difference between winning a coveted position, or not.

The range of professions and work pursuits available to people is huge – and one factor that makes life extremely interesting– with each area of work or profession having its own particular jargon or specialized language, often unknown to people outside the profession.

English Click offers a very wide selection of English language training courses that focus on the contexts and English vocabulary and expressions that apply to particular professions and industries, as well as general English language conversation courses and English language conversation courses for business.

Continuing job training, including English language instruction, is a win-win situation for both the organization that arranges the training sessions and the individual participants themselves, with increased knowledge and higher skills enabling both the organization and its staff to prosper.

English language vocabulary

Expo (noun): exhibition, fair
significantly (adjective): sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention
dovetail (verb): fit or cause to fit together easily and conveniently
emphasized (noun): stressed
crucial (adjective): of great importance
sought (verb): attempt or desire to obtain or achieve (something)
crucial (adjective): extremely important
coveted (verb): yearn to possess or have (something)
pursuits (noun): followings
contexts (noun): situations
participants (noun): people taking part
prosper (verb): become richer

For a no-obligation information pack on our range of tailored English language communications courses for adults, English language courses for business, and English language courses for people employed in specific industry sectors, contact us via eMail, or click here

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Tags: English for business, English for managers, English language skills, English language skills for job seekers, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, speaking English, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on November 9, 2010

Strong English language skills essential to capitalize on increasing foreign investment in Thailand:-

An absorbing interview I have just read reaffirms how important it is for Thai people to possess strong English language skills if they want to progress in their career and capitalize on the increasing foreign investment pouring into Thailand.

Michael Byrne, chief executive of Linfox: "Asian trade is really growing and will continue to improve as wealth grows and drives consumption.” Photo: Courtesy Linfox

In the article Michael Byrne, chief executive of Linfox, a large Australian logistics company that has extensive operations in Asia, highlighted how Asian economies are expanding at a faster rate than any other region in the world, and said, “Asian trade is really growing and will continue to improve as wealth grows and drives consumption.”

Secondly, many foreign companies, including Linfox, have been firmly established in Thailand for many years, thus creating the demand for Thai staff who are able to communicate proficiently in English.

Thirdly, and very importantly, foreign companies, including those based in Australia, see their future linked to operating in Asia.

“A lot of companies now are scrambling to get into Asia and they admit that they would rather be in Asia now than in Europe or North America”, Mr. Byrne said.

If Thailand is to take full advantage of this new wave of foreign investment in the region, then it follows that the local workforce requires a strong English communications skills.

Finally, the interview makes the observation that the acquisition of an Asian language in Australia – and this is no doubt true of other western countries – is at a relatively low level.

Moreover it can be difficult for a native English speaker to choose exactly which of the many Asian languages they should learn – Mandarin or Cantonese Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Urdu, or any of the other languages spoken in the region.

As Mr  Byrne correctly points out, “there are very few Australians who speak three or four languages”.

Accordingly, English remains the common international language for business and being able to communicate in English language is a key to career success.

English language vocabulary

absorbing (adjective): very interesting
reaffirms (verb): confirms again
career (noun): working life
capitalize on (verb + preposition): to make the most of
extensive (adjective): covering or affecting a large area
expanding (verb): increasing
wealth (noun): money and assets
consumption (noun): the purchase and use of goods and services by the public
scrambling (verb): moving very quickly
acquisition (noun): learning and possessing
accordingly (conjunction): and so / consequently

For a no-obligation information pack on our range of tailored English language communications courses for adults, English language courses for business, and English language courses for people employed in specific industry sectors, contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, Talking Point, Written business English

Posted By Webmaster on November 5, 2010

Effective English language skills essential for overseas business:-

In the event of an overseas trip effective English language skills are essential for successful communication outcomes, with this requirement applying equally to executives and staff of organizations, or spouses and assistants who may be intending to accompany them.

The strong baht means an increasing number of people are traveling for business placing increased focus on English language skills for executives, managers, assistants and spouses

With the Thai baht now at a foreign exchange level that it has not been at for a decade, overseas travel to England and the USA, for example, is now considerably lower than it was two years ago, with the British pound and US dollar having fallen in value by between 35 per cent and 40 per cent against the baht over this period.

On an overseas trip there will almost certainly be occasions when social conversations in English are part of the agenda, supplementing the work-related component. This more relaxed form of dialogue is a sure way to build up and strengthen relationships with international clients and colleagues, but again good English language social communications skills are required.

Irrespective of whether you are at a business dinner, an exhibition stand, showing a visitor around your organization, or attending an event after work, you need to be able to make conversation in an appropriate and confident way in order to establish and maintain successful relationships.

Ever since people first began trading and making deals, there has never been business without socializing. In many cultures the socializing is the business – people only do business with their friends, and if you are not friends already you have to become friends before you can make a deal.

Even in the more ‘business-like’ West, socializing is still extremely important. In fact, in some countries, such as Britain, not socializing with business contacts is seen as very impolite and could damage your relationship.

English Click can provide a wide choice of general English, business English and specialist English language training for executives and their colleagues, assistants, or family who will accompany them on international trips giving you and them the confidence to exchange words freely in this important aspect of business conversation.

English language vocabulary

spouses (noun): husbands or wives
intending (verb): planning
considerably (adverb): to a great extent
supplementing (verb): adding to
Irrespective (adjective): regardless of
appropriate (adjective): right for the occasion
maintain (verb): keep
business-like (adjective): formal and focussed 100% on business
damage (verb): hurt and harm
freely (adverb): extensively

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language social communications, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, speaking English, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on October 20, 2010

Higher English language skills required for impending Asean free labor market

Recent newspaper reports have highlighted the need for Thai professionals to enhance their English language communication skills in advance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) pilot free labor market plan that will allow specialists and professionals in seven areas to work anywhere they choose in the region commencing 2015.

English language proficiency will be vital for those wanting to take advantage of the deregulated Asean labor market in 2015

The particular fields are:

• Medicine

• Dentistry

• Nursing

• Engineering

• Architecture

• Natural resources and geographical exploration

• Accounting

English Click can provide specialist English language training courses in each of these sectors to assist professionals who wish to work in another Asean member country with our range of English language training courses for specific industry sectors.

Some government officials predict that the free labor market will eventually expand to cover all fields and levels of jobs. However, although Thai workers will have more opportunities to work abroad, they will face strong competition from professionals from other countries who possess a high level of English language proficiency, notably those from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Mr. Santi Bamrungkunakorn, Director of the Office Skill Standards and Testing Development, said, “Thai workers would need better English skills” if they are to compete.

In particular, according to Mr. Somsak Lohlekha, Medical Council president, Thai doctors in state hospitals could be very interested in working in other Southeast Asian countries because pay rates in Thailand are low compared with elsewhere in the region.

English language vocabulary

impending (adjective): coming soon
enhance (verb): improve
pilot (noun-adjective): test
predict (verb): forecast
eventually (adverb): in the end
opportunities (noun): chances
proficiency (noun): ability

For a free, no obligation information pack on our English language training courses contact us via Email, or click here

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Tags: English for Asean free labor market, English for business, English for managers, English language skills, English language social communications, English language training courses for specific industry sectors, English language vocabulary, General Business English Conversation Course, general English communications skills, Talking Point

Posted By Webmaster on September 14, 2010

English language writing – an essential skill for business people

A frequent discussion I have with my colleagues is how best we can help our students improve their English language writing skills.

Organizations produce an endless amount of written documents. Those who need to communicate internationally must be able to write business English effectively

We can not escape the reality that organizations, either in the government sector or private commercial field, produce an almost endless amount of written correspondence, documents and records. For Thai organizations that need to communicate internationally, it is essential that their managers and staff can write business English in an accurate and understandable form.

The main types of writing that are undertaken in these concerns consist of:

•    e-mails and letters

•    memorandums and notices

•    reports

•    research documents

•    minutes of meetings

•    promotional literature and website pages.

There are also some specialized forms of English language writing within specific business sectors, for example contracts and agreements in the legal profession, news stories and articles in the newspaper and magazine industry and copywriting in the advertising field.

To achieve successful English language writing output, the following key areas need to be understood and used:

•    accurate grammar

•    correct syntax (word order and grammar combined)

•    appropriate vocabulary and collocations (words that normally go together)

•    correct spelling and punctuation

•    logical sentence and paragraph structure

•    clarity of expression.

English Click provides Business English Writing courses, English language writing course for adults, and English Language Training Courses for Executives and Accompanying People conducted by experienced native English-speaking teachers that focus your particular requirements.

English language vocabulary

escape (verb): get away from
essential (adjective): absolutely necessary
concerns (noun): organizations
endless (adjective) having or seeming to have no end or limit
memorandums (noun): items of information and messages
literature (noun): piece of writing
output (noun): produce
focus (verb) pay particular attention to

For a free, no obligation information pack on our Business English Writing courses, English language writing course for adults, and English Language Training Courses for Executives and Accompanying People – click HERE.

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Tags: Business English writing, English for business, English for executives, English for managers, English language skills, English language vocabulary, English language writing, English writing for adults, Written business English