ENGLISHCOURSESUSA | LEARN ENGLISH IN THE USA
  • ABOUT
  • Get Started
  • Services
    • ARGO
    • COLLEGEY
    • CORT
    • Cturtle
    • ELSA
    • Unilodgers
  • GET SMART

How Career Opportunities Can be Opened Up by Being Multilingual

6/30/2020

 
Picture
Not only is the world smaller than we think, but technology and affordable travel make it possible for businesses and people to come together more than ever before — and it’s all possible due to internet availability and e-commerce. But no matter how advanced technology becomes, understanding language is still required to bridge the gap.

We’re living in the times of global citizens who travel and trade freely with others, and within these times, speaking more than one language is an invaluable tool. Although English may be considered a universal language that brings people together, having more than two or three additional languages under your belt can give you an edge in your future endeavors, whether they be professional or personal. If you are currently studying English as a second language or you’re committed to developing fluency, there are many opportunities available to use your language proficiency to get ahead in a career, no matter the industry. Let’s take a closer look at how language can help you advance your professional goals.

Expanding Employment Opportunities
“Remote work” is the new catchphrase in the employment world, especially as the coronavirus has pushed many companies and their employees to telecommute for safety purposes. For some companies, the global-scale experiment of working from home was a success — and there are even some, such as insurance provider Nationwide, who have decided to continue and expand remote work programs for all employees, even after closures end.

Employers aren’t the only ones seeing the benefits of a team that works from home. Many individuals have realized that working remotely expands their chances of employment. Specifically, telecommuting breaks down the geographical barriers and limitations of having to work for a local employer within a certain distance from your home. All you need is an internet connection and a computer to work for an employer half across the world. And being able to speak a second or third language — especially if it’s English — only improves those opportunities available to you.

For example, a growing number of international firms use English as the main language of communication, even if they’re based in Asia or Europe. It's entirely possible to work for a Japanese firm these days from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s also growing more common to join a video conference that includes remote workers of many nationalities, checking in from all parts of the world — and the unifying language is usually English. 

Promoting Better Human Connections 
Using the scenario of a multinational company hosting a company teleconference between the headquarters team and the remote workers worldwide, the ability to communicate in English creates a higher level of understanding and unity between the employees. 

If you aspire to a higher management position in a multinational company, ESL may be especially crucial. Clear communication fosters connection, essential for building trust and loyalty between individuals, and one of the important pillars of emotional and cultural intelligence is the ability to manage relationships. Being able to communicate effectively with others will help you better understand their cultural mindsets, regardless of the career or industry you’re in.

Having multiple language skills can be helpful for more than leadership, too. For example, if you’re in sales or wish to work with the public, being able to speak with someone and connect with them on a personal level before you pitch them with a product or service will likely improve your odds of closing a sale. 

You don't need advanced language skills to personally connect with someone, either. In fact, casual conversations about family, travel, favorite foods, or other friendly, engaging topics that tend to break the ice and build relationships are some of the earliest forms of a language you'll learn. In fact, casual conversation is a great way to improve your English all around. Small talk may not be an advanced language skill, but conversations about a person’s day to day life are essential in the business world, no matter where you’re from. They’ll serve as the stepping stone to improve your interpersonal skills to be a better salesperson, customer service representative, or public-facing employee.

Improved Cultural Awareness
Being able to speak a second language, even if you don't have full mastery of it yet, can open you up to a world you may not have experienced or noticed before. This proves especially true as you travel or go abroad for a study abroad program or business meeting. 

Being able to speak with others in their native language, or connect with someone through a shared language such as English, can provide you insight about the culture or the place you're visiting you wouldn’t have had access to before.
 

ESL and Expanded Career Opportunities 
Nearly every type of industry or business these days could use employees who are multilingual. There isn't one specific career or field that couldn't make use of someone with good language skills. If you’re searching for a job, being able to communicate with others in their language or a shared one, such as English, may set you apart from the competition. Make sure you continue honing your ESL and foreign-language skills and showcase your efforts, so that employers are aware of your dedication to better communication.

Adrian Johansen is a freelance writer in the Pacific Northwest.

​

Does Education Have the Power to Impact Your Future Success?

6/24/2020

 
Picture
My only childhood memory from my school days is working on my mathematics homework until late night and waking up early to run back to school. School is a time where you learn a lot about life and people. It is in school that you learn how to tackle problems, whether it is math problems or physics equations. We had to do it. 

If you remember your school days, you’ll realize that education is far more than the knowledge you gained. Education gives us perspective on life. The opinions we build over time are due to our education. 

People still debate if education is the only medium of gaining knowledge. Some assume that education is merely a process of obtaining information about the world, while experience is something different. It is also true that information cannot be converted into education without knowledge. 
 
That’s the fundamental difference between humans and animals. Humans are born dumb, while animals are born smart. Have you seen how a chick runs away when he sees an eagle or a bird? It’s instinctive knowledge. Humans, on the other hand, are evolving beings. They learn by imitating others. They learn by following the footsteps of the people around them. 

Let’s look at some of the significant advantages that education can give us that can create a better future.

Education Gives Awareness 
Do you think Newton would’ve suggested the law of gravity but by sitting all day under a tree? Not at all. Sitting under a tree was relaxing the mind. It was awareness. The work was already done before sitting under a tree. We live in a world where consciousness is the only medium of survival. 

Whether it is taking a client onboard, getting married, or shifting to a new home, if you know enough information, you’ll be well aware of making the right decision. An educated mind will reason and calculate the outcome before taking any action. 
 
Separate Right from Wrong 
In childhood days, the private elementary schools in the Bay Area were the places where kids used to learn things about life. I was fascinated about how gaining knowledge about something changes our perspective about it, and then it gives us the ability to separate right from wrong. 
It is education that can help us know the world and people in a far better way than anything else. 

It Builds Progress 
The world of today is quite competitive. If you don’t evolve, you’ll be left behind. When you educate yourself — do professional development today — it helps you grow a little further. The technology of today can help you educate yourself and open up new opportunities with no geographical boundary at all. 
 
A Healthy Lifestyle 
Research by OECD concluded that educated people at the age of 30 live eight years longer than uneducated people who haven’t completed their secondary education. Evolution is the primary source of survival for humans. And if you are educated, you can surely adopt the lifestyle of others and live a healthy, happy, and longer life. 

Helps Us Know Our Neighbors
​
Education has helped students to mingle with other students from neighboring countries. This has opened a whole lot of opportunities for everyone. In this regard, digital education played a vital role. For instance, now, a professor in America can easily teach and inspire students in Afghanistan or anywhere across the world just by using technology as a medium. 
Offers Empowerment It is with an education that you can turn your weakness into a strength. When you are well aware of yourself, you can easily take steps to overcome the weakness and become dominant. Education helps people make better decisions in life, and via social media, they can connect with experts from all across the globe, making the students feel more empowered and mobile. 

In the End
​
In school, I didn’t even realize what education did for me. It was in later years of life that I realized that schooling kept me going when nothing else was working in my life. 

In life, you’ll get stuck a lot. At times there will be problems which look impossible to solve. But as Marie Forleo puts brilliantly in her book, “everything is figureoutable.” Sure, you might not be able to solve a problem instantly. But, if you take some time and do research, you’ll be able to devise a solution for many problems in this world.  

Consider education as a bamboo tree. Initially, it takes three years to take care of the tree. When you are just about to lose hope, the tree starts growing rapidly, and from then onwards, there is no going back. 

Similarly, when you begin your education, it might seem that it will not give you any benefit. But as you age, you’ll realize that education made a promising impact on your future life. Everything you make demands to learn, and it is learning that makes your life worth living even when nothing seems to be working out. 

Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Year Studying Abroad

6/19/2020

 
Picture
Deciding to study abroad can be an exciting challenge and new adventure. However, there can be limitations to studying elsewhere, before making the decision you should ask yourself some important questions. 

What Will the Location Be Like?
Choosing to study abroad is a great excuse to live temporarily in a different country. You get to experience a  brand new culture and meet new people, but is it the right place to study and learn? What sort of environment are you looking for? Every country and city has its pros and cons, New York is a huge, densely populated city, but so is London. Australia has fewer people, but still has popular cities with still a lot going on. Do you want to be in the heart of the city, or will you vibe better living just outside? Do you think you want to live closer or further away from your campus? Research and educate yourself about the campus life and culture and familiarize yourself as much as you can as this is the information you need to make a well-informed decision. 

Can You Afford It? 
Studying abroad will cost you money, depending on accommodation and the cost of the university term or year, books and other expenses will be a deciding factor on whether you can afford it or not. You can however apply for compensation through scholarships and grants. Most universities offer aid for students, so don’t be disheartened by this fact of expenses and the cost. Also, you could plan your year abroad to be just one semester instead, which will save on money and other costly expenses. A top tip is to apply for aid and grants early on to guarantee that you have a better chance of receiving it. 

Will You Be Able to Cope? 
Even if you are only moving abroad for a semester, homesickness is commonplace. Making new friends and feeling comfortable can be difficult when you’re out of your comfort zone and far away from home. “Staying in contact with friends from home is important but also try and push yourself and put in the effort to make new friends while you’re away. If you put in the effort to try something different and study abroad, it will also help you get closer to your dream job and show others your willingness to persevere,” writes Tina D. Helms, an educator at 1Day2Write and Write My X.

You will go through some initial shock when you move away, but you’ll never regret trying something new. 

Will It Be Easy to Make Friends? 
Making new friends can be tricky but being in university can make it easier as there are more people in the same situation and place as you. “Chances are that you’ll go to the same social events and classes as them, being around new people in the same classes you’re bound to have similar things in common. In a different country you can feel like an outsider, but making the effort to introduce yourself to others, being open, and starting new conversations will help along the way to making lasting friendships,” writes Jennifer B. Duffy, college blogger at Brit Student and NextCoursework. 

Does the Course Align with Your Values? 
Teaching courses are not always going to be the same as they are in other universities, equally some universities have different priorities and values. To make sure that you agree and align with the university's values, do all your research before making the decision to study abroad. Depending on what your values align with — if you want to get involved with the community, learn about the culture, and give back — should be a defining feature of the choice you make. You want to get the most out of your time abroad and make it count. 

Deciding where to study abroad and how long to go for will take some time, research as much as you can before making a decision. Also talk to your student council or other advisors about the best program for you, and reach out to other students who have studied abroad to find out their experiences and time abroad. 
​
Michael Dehoyos is a content marketer and editor at PhD Kingdom and Coursework writing services, and is a writer at Essay Help. He assists companies in their marketing strategy concepts and contributes to numerous sites and publications. 

​

English Phrases ESL Students Should Learn in the Event of a Car Accident

6/15/2020

 
Picture
​When people learn a new language, they often start by reviewing the basics, such as words related to food, clothing, or the days of the week. However, learning language related to emergencies could help to save a life. In the event of a car accident, the ability to use certain phrases can prove quite useful.

Requesting Emergency Assistance
One of the main concerns is knowing how to request emergency assistance. In the event of a major accident, a decent chance exists that someone would call 911 regardless of whether or not a request to do so was made. However, many individuals might drive by a smaller accident that does not seem to have caused a great deal of damage. Even if the accident seems small, the people involved in the accident could be injured. Therefore, you want to make sure you know how to ask a helper to call emergency services.

Directing People How to Handle the Situation
In the event that you are injured in a car accident, a helper might stop and try to offer assistance. Moving your body in a certain way could cause more damage, and you need to know how to make people aware of this information. In other words, you should know how to tell people not to touch you or to move your body as you wait for help from medical professionals.

Asking for Photos
At some point after the situation, you may need to speak with an auto accident lawyer. If you are injured in the accident, however, you may not have the ability to take pictures for yourself. Getting pictures of the immediate damage can prove useful later. Therefore, you may want to ask someone else who is in the car with you or someone who comes to help to take certain photos. You should ensure that you aren’t asking someone who could use the photos against you.

Phone Calls to Relatives and Friends
A car accident, even a minor one, can make you feel frightened. Even when serious damage or injuries do not occur, you may still want to call a relative or a friend to come help you or to chat. You should think about whom you might call in the event of such a situation. Then, you can direct the person who is helping you to call those individuals directly. Make sure that you have the numbers memorized or that you can easily instruct the helper as to how to navigate your phone.

A car accident is an upsetting scenario, and you might feel even more frightened when you and the people helping you do not speak the same language. Knowing some key phrases can bolster your confidence.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

Lu The Linh, Who Goes by Linh and is from Vietnam, is Studying at Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica campus

6/5/2020

 
Picture
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA?

At first, my mother wanted me to try to come to the USA to study because she thought that if I study abroad that I will have more opportunities for my future. I was 14 when I came to the USA. I felt excited because I heard about American as a dream of many people. She also felt less worried because I have a relative in the USA.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PARTICULAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY? 

I choose Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) because tuition is not expensive like the university. MVCC is near where I am living, which is great because I am not driving and I am walking to school every day. My high school made a couple of trips to visit MVCC. Moreover, MVCC has the major that I want to study, and I have many free lectures. 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM OR UNIVERSITY?

What I like the most about MVCC is its holistic student support office that helps students with their schedule. The school has a career and transfer office to help students work on their resume when they are looking for jobs on campus. My school also protects the privacy of students from health officials, for example, students need mental help, they can walk through into the room but other people think that they get hurt, not because of mental help.

WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT HOME?

I have been living in the USA for almost 6 years, but I never have a chance to go back to my country because the ticket is too expensive. I miss my family a lot, street foods, and my best friend.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT U.S. LIFE AND EDUCATION?

I was surprised about the culture, about foods, and how people dress when they are outside of their house. Education is lighter than my country, one subject takes one year instead of my country, students need to take about 12-13 subjects each year, and they have no choice what they want to learn.

... YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?

My biggest disappointment is I was not trying my best while I was in high school so I can get more scholarships. I did not make a lot of friends, but I will try to at MVCC and I did have a lot of friends at MVCC, after a year.

HOW HAVE YOU HANDLED:

... LANGUAGE DIFFERENCES?

I felt stress when I started my life in the USA. The pronunciation is completely different from what I have learned in my country. Other people could not understand what I wanted to say, and I was not able to get their points, either. However, at MVCC they provide ESL for anybody where English is their second language. 

... FINANCES?
I do not have any finances but for native American students, especially at MVCC, they provide not only finances but also some more help, some programs on campus are free for students, provided needed for students.

... ADJUSTING TO A DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM?

I love the education system in the USA. They do not rank the students who are better, but they reward good students. They let students choose what the students want to take this year, next year, and they will set up the plan in the future for students. Therefore, students will feel more comfortable and balanced between their studies and can take part in the sport in school, without any burden.

WHAT ARE YOUR ACTIVITIES?

One of the many ways quickly to get to know or join college life is clubs and programs. I am involved with the International club, PTK club, and Kidz-N-Coach club plus the Food Recovery Program.

HOW EASY OR DIFFICULT IS MAKING FRIENDS IN THE USA?

Asians eat everything inside of pigs or chickens or fish, so it is hard for some people to accept that smell, just kidding. Most people are friendly, so it is easier to make friends with them when we have the same things to talk about. This means some of them feel our culture is interesting so they asked about that, I feel happy to share and let more people get to know about us. In the beginning, my English was horrible so it was hard for me to find friends who had the patience to listen and understand what I wanted to say. Friends helped me improve my English skills a lot.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? HOW IS YOUR U.S. EDUCATION RELEVANT TO YOUR PERSONAL GOALS AND TO THE NEEDS OF YOUR COUNTRY?

Vietnam is a small country, but these couple of years there are more schools that have connected with foreign as an exchange student program. In my study field, my career goals are to help students to understand more about other countries and what they will be facing. I can give them a general point of view and my experiences, and I hope to help them gain more confidence.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER STUDENTS FROM YOUR COUNTRY WHO ARE CONSIDERING A U.S. EDUCATION?

We are humans, we will find some way to community with others, we do not need to feel worried or scared. The school will provide what you need. Make some friends so you will not feel lonely. The teachers will understand that English is not our first language, they may give you extra time for the tests or quizzes, but talk to them to let them know. The school will help you to look over your essays, fix your grammar, and avoid plagiarism. Someone will be there for you if you need help. Do not feel stressed, relax, and try your best.​
Picture
Lu The Linh, who goes by Linh, from Vietnam.

    EnglishCoursesUSA

    Your one-stop destination for English language programs, tools, products and resources.

    Picture
    Picture
    Top ESL Blog Site Badge

    Archives

    February 2023
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

EnglishCoursesUSA.com

Do you want to learn English ?

Connect & Apply to  English language programs, secondary schools, universities and colleges with the assistance of our advisors.
 
Learn & practice  English online with our quizzes, games and podcasts or download ESL books and more!

Picture

About     Advertise     Contact     Submit     Product     Partners     Privacy     Refunds     ​Terms

ESL.COM Copyright 2022
  • ABOUT
  • Get Started
  • Services
    • ARGO
    • COLLEGEY
    • CORT
    • Cturtle
    • ELSA
    • Unilodgers
  • GET SMART