OVERVIEW

 A course to:  

   MEETINGS TRAINING:

English for Meetings Participants collect specific phrases that help them to lead and participate in English language meetings. Speaking Practice Short practice activities (“mini-meetings”) allow the participants to practice the language they have been given. Leading Practice Each participant chooses a work-related or business topic, plans an agenda for that topic, and facilitates a meeting using that agenda. This activity is captured as a video file and either copied to the participant's notebook computer or burned onto a DVD to take away after the course.

Balancing Advocacy and Inquiry There is a tendency among western business people to concentrate on advocating (befürworten) their own ideas and solutions. This concept was developed at M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the USA. This strategy shows how to discover greater areas of possible solutions by becoming more open to feedback about one’s own ideas and becoming more open to the ideas of others.    Finally, it can help to minimize western-style assertive behavior which would otherwise conflict with many other cultural styles.

Six Thinking Hats This is a strategy for dealing with complex or controversial topics during group discussions. It is helpful for eliminating pointless repetition and preventing more powerful members from dominating less powerful members. It also saves creative ideas that otherwise get destroyed by negative thinking before they can be fully developed.

   CROSS-CULTURAL AWARENESS:

Cultural Dimensions Participants learn various ways that cultural differences are measured and compared, the so-called “dimensions” of culture. Participants also contemplate their own culture in these terms as a necessary basis for interacting with other cultures.

Three Basic Types of Culture Participants learn an alternative way of grouping the cultures of the world into three basic culture types. This easy-to-remember concept is forms a sensible basis for discussing cross-cultural conflict.

Cultural Profiles Information about specific foreign cultures regarding topics such as meeting and greeting people, doing business, dress, dining, social entertaining, gift-giving, and body gestures is provided and discussed. Where possible, new behaviors are practiced.

   ENGLISH TRAINING: 

Correction and Feedback Corrections are made throughout the course and helpful suggestions for improvement are made as much as possible. Questions from the participants about English are always welcome and short explanations of the rules are given as necessary.

Vocabulary Building As much as possible, participants will be given not only correction for their mistakes but also alternatives for what they have said correctly, to expand their English horizons. Additionally, when participants say something especially well, this is pointed out for the benefit of everyone.

Language Level Requirements Participants must be able to speak English at an intermediate level or higher. In other words, one must be able to take part comfortably in English discussions. English corrections will be given and explained, and vocabulary improvements will be offered.

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PRIVATE SEMINARS   Private seminars are for groups or teams from a single organization.   They can take place at the client's site or a conference hotel of the client's choosing.   Private seminars can run from 09:00 to 17:00 each day or they can include evening programs and overnight stays in a hotel.    Group size:  maximum 8 Duration:  3 days  Pricing Information:  Please contact SCT.

OPEN SEMINARS   At this time, this SCT seminar is not offered as an open seminar.