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IMPROVE LANGUAGE SKILLS ON BUSINESS TRAVEL: SCHNELLE TIPPS
"Monolingualism is the illiteracy of the 21st century" according to the British Academy which has urgently called on the Government to implement a national strategy for languages. The focus on Brexit is the perfect opportunity to motivate UK citizens to raise their game, says the academy; that includes business travellers.
Languages in the UK - A call for Action, the British Academy's recent report, says: "The UK has the potential to become a linguistic powerhouse. If it did, it would be more prosperous, productive, influential, knowledgeable, culturally richer, more socially cohesive, and, quite literally healthier."
Such a fervent claim should be enough to rally us from our complacent position of: "they can speak English everywhere, I'll get by". The academy reminds us that three quarters of the world's population don't speak English. Its predominance has already declined and will likely decline further in coming years, whilst Mandarin Chinese, for instance, rises in global importance. The report continues:
"The economic cost of our linguistic underperformance in terms of lost trade and investment has been estimated at up to £48 billion a year, or 3.5% of GDP."
Zut Alors! I'm feeling the shame now. I sense it's probably true that we must try harder.
Avoid Faux Pas
The benefits of flexing foreign language skills before business travel are manifold: knowing just a little will help us read signs, ask for directions, navigate train, tram and metro information boards and make ourselves clear to taxi and Uber drivers. We won't get hopelessly lost, waste time and arrive flurried; we'll feel confident, content and enjoy a smooth experience. It's an obvious safety and health precaution too, if only in that the pharmacist or doctor will get our gist.
Furthermore, we'll have the tools for making introductions - to the right person in the appropriate way - respecting the subtleties of etiquette wrapped up in verbal variations and alternatives. Don't greet the Chief Executive in words you should save for your grandmother! Language is fundamental to a culture and knowing just a little expresses appreciation, respect and interest in the people. In the words of the British Academy: "These skills create openings and ease transactions".
In between flashing up Google Translate for help with the odd word or phrase and enrolling in a night class or in company sponsored learning, there are many easy routes to stronger skills. Here are just a few suggestions for beginners:
Duolingo
The most popular language-learning platform in the world, with more than 300 million users, this downloadable app offers instant help on-the-go via the user's smartphone or alternatively on the home computer. You can easily choose the theme of the lesson - colours, food or even a topical issue - then enjoy bite-size chunks of learning to help you read, speak and listen in your target language. It's free, designed to feel like a game, with a lively, vivid interface. This app is perfect for beginners but you can skip ahead if you feel intermediate.
FluentU
The difference with this app for smartphone or main computer is that the platform collates real world audio and video clips from across the internet to engage the learner, and then adds interactive captions to aid understanding. There's also a quiz section to revise learning, mixing in new contexts for a challenge. It operates via a monthly subscription fee but with a free trial period. Many users really enjoy the real world element, but personally, I find Duolingo more simple and user-friendly.
YouTube Tutors
If you head to YouTube and search "learn a language with a YouTube tutor", many opportunities will ping up before you; just scroll until you spot your target language. Try a few tutors; you'll find they have an energy and love of their own language which will intoxicate. Personally, I have dipped into Butterfly Spanish lessons with Ana and her video sessions are very worthwhile, whilst amusing. As Ana emphasises, these tutors won't be "big businesses or corporations", they just want to "hold your hand" and "lead you through the door of the language" they love.
Fun, lively, light-hearted and generous.
Tourism Websites
For free, why not visit the tourist information websites for the country in question, together with 'Visit' destination websites, as they often have a 'useful words and phrases' section for practice. Search the blog section too, as some useful tips are woven into article pieces. Here are a few examples of what you might unearth:
www.about-france.com offers vocab and grammar sections
www.germanculture.com.ua offers a learn German section
www.Italiarail.com has a "Learn These Italian Phrases Before You Visit" page
www.jnto.go.jp shares a useful China languages blog piece
Rosetta Stone
If you really mean to impress, you could try a longer term commitment with an Immersion method such as Rosetta Stone. This format was founded almost 30 years ago by somebody who didn't enjoy learning in a classroom setting but preferred a more natural journey. His design simulates a real-life immersion experience: the way a child learns their native language instinctively by experiencing the world around them. It relies heavily on the relationship between word and picture cues. Options include: on mobile, offline with headphones provided, or for use in a group setting which businesses sometimes favour. You can opt to contact a live tutor for some sessions, or exchange with other language learners in a chat room and ultimately get graded, but none of this is compulsory.
On solo business travel, at the end of a weary day when your native colleagues head home for their night's leisure, to plug into Rosetta Stone for personal practice, a tutor or chat room session can be a great way to feel occupied in the hotel bar or reception instead of feeling a bit self-conscious and aimless.
Everybody appreciates and has experienced the barriers to having a go in another language, particularly on important business dealings; it probably has much to do with the so-called English reserve. We'll be embarassed; we might flush up like an orb; stumble and end up feeling foolish or looking ignorant before valuable contacts. The British Academy reinforces that a little initial discomfort will reap long-term rewards and incalculable goodwill.
I will share a famous language quotation which always inspires me. Some say it's overused and becoming hackneyed. Until somebody sums up this matter with more punch, I'll continue to pass it on:
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."
Nelson Mandela
