Technical English is the differential on job selections

By Waldirene Biernath

Mastering English language for everyday use is no longer a differential. Nowadays, to outstand, professionals are investing in technical language learning.

Familiar terms such as "tier one capital" (funds that banks have in the coffers to ensure risk operations, such as loans) and "corporate divestiture" (strategy to remove the portfolio of corporate units) -just to fit in business vocabulary- is something valued at companies and on job selections.

The growing demand for specific courses at language schools confirms that, according to interchange and educational institutions.

Computing is one of the areas which demands most specific language knowledge, according to the schools.

Vivian Barone, pedagogical coordinator

Technical English is even necessary on job interviews. Vivian Barone, Barone English’s coordinator, explains how workplace vocabulary can be required on interviews. “Being fluent in English is not sufficient nowadays.  It is required to be able to argument in a critical way in English. Questions such as “How would . . . ”, “How can . . .”, “What would . . . ”, “What experience . . . ”, “What qualifications . . . ”, “Can you describe. . .”,  “Have you been . . .”, have been rare on current job interviews. The interviews, nowadays, are Competency-based interviews, also known as Behavioral-style interviews. The questions focus on the candidate actions in particular workplace situations. He must be able to compare his experience to the company’s requirements, so without technical vocabulary is difficult to talk about it”.

Human resources experts, however, recommend caution before enrolling in a course for specific purposes. The importance and value of the technical knowledge of another language "will depend on the work area and the company," states Elaine Saad, the general manager of the Right Management consultancy.

Two important aspects to be considered before enrolling in a technical language course; according to Silvia Freitas, director of corporate relations at Berlitz language network; are the course price and the language proficiency the person has. Specific courses cost up to R$ 6,000.00 per semester, twice the traditional course price, according to schools consulted.

Source: http://classificados.folha.com.br/empregos/1008938-ingles-tecnico-torna-se-diferencial.shtml

Do you sometimes feel this way?

(subtitled video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wV7NqZk3sk

Scene taken from the film Pink Panther 1

 Or if you already speak a nice English have you ever felt like inspector Clouseau on the scene above?

Yeah, sometimes learning English  is not an easy task. Everybody has a moment that the tongue doesn’t obey, either the tongue simply refuses to stay between the teeth or you stress on the wrong vowel like the infamous “develÓp” hehehehe... And to make things worse, the teacher starts saying “put your hand palm on your throat”, “feel your tongue”, “be careful! you can’t open your mouth as you open on /T/ just stay with your mouth closed and blow”. What??? You must think “she’s crazy”, I would say “maybe”. But one thing is sure “I don’t give up like inspector Clouseau’s teacher gave up”. I love what I do! More than that, it’s an enormous joy when I see a person who had difficulty speaking English speak fluently. And I’ve seen many of you doing it!

Now, let’s understand the scene context . It’s not the case that inspector Clouseau can’t speak English. He already speaks it. At the beginning of the scene he’s speaking English and he also speaks in English with the teacher. He just wants “to speak a flawless accent...  so as not to arouse suspicion” as himself said on the scene. That’s why he asks for “an accent coach”.

Imagine that a so discreet French accent would arouse some suspicion!!! You must watch the film to see if he can change his accent.  The film in English of course, after all you observing the accent!

flaw (noun) /flɔː/a mistake or fault in something that makes it useless or less effective

flawless /ˈflɔləs/(adj) without any mistakes, marks, or bad features

accent coach: it is a professional who helps to reduce accent. On the scene the accent coach is trying to reduce inspector Clouseau’s French accent.

 Although sometimes the learning process can be a little difficult we can make it fun and pleasant. Did you like the song at the  scene end ? Why don’t you learn to sing it?

Here we go.

GOT TO BE REAL Performed By Cheryl Lynn – 1978

"Got to Be Real" is a song by Cheryl Lynn released in 1978 and still makes success. The song is currently being used for the UK TV Advertising Campaign for 'Marks & Spencer'.

Post a comment about what you think difficult on learning English or a funny experience you’ve had. Anything you want. Remember this space is for us to change ideas and experiences. 


by Vivian Barone

To Blog or not To Blog

Barone English created this community  to provide an opportunity to practice English! Don't worry if your English isn't good. Interaction will improve  it. This week we’ve posted a topic relating Rebecca Black’s repercussion on the internet to cyberbullying and to the internet power to make a person famous overnight. Follow our community and post your comment!

by Vivian Barone