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Local Firm Specializes in Teaching English Language, U.S. Culture to Foreigners (By PAM REESE FINCH – The Times Union – ALBANY, NEW YORK)
Times Union Special Report – International Business
In today’s global economy, a new industry has emerged to conquer the age-old culture misunderstandings that sometimes can occur, souring what might have been a lucrative business deal.
Companies such as English– have emerged in the Capital Region to provide foreign visitors with a first-hand experience of America through a cultural immersion program and intensive English language training.
It’s a concept that appears to be working. Numerous well-known companies have enlisted the services provided by these companies.
English Connection, a division of CONNECT International, operated out of Saratoga Springs, New York, has served international clients from the United Nations in Rome and Geneva, Nissan Motor Co. from Japan, Swiss Television Corp. and the Korea Electric Power Co., to name a few. Closer to home, General Electric Co. in Schenectady and Ball Metal Corp. in Saratoga Springs also have been clients.
Currently, 12 native Brazilians are training at Ball Metal’s plant as part of a cooperative program. The Brazilians, who have been here since June, are learning skills that can be used at two plants opening soon in their country.
“There will be two plants in Brazil: one that will make cans, and the other that will make can ends. The plant in Saratoga (Springs) was chosen because it’s almost identical to those which will be built. It’s almost like working in a lab, a chance for hands-on experience,” said McCarty, a spokesman for Ball Metal’s headquarters in Indiana.
“When you get into things like learning English, the main reason they are here is to learn how our plant operates. Learning English obviously facilities this process,” McCarty said. “All are picking up things very quickly and asking a lot of questions.”
The program has been successful enough that Ball Metal plans to provide similar training to 48 additional workers, he said.
There is more to the service than teaching visitors how to communicate, said English Connection’s President and CEO, Joanne P. Kubricky.
“We teach them the English language and take them on excursions. There are two types of excursions: educational excursions such as (to) banks and the post office – this is where they have exercises to do, to find out what is express mail (and) return receipt requested – and (to) supermarkets, where they try to use the language to get by in a real situation,” she said.
“Then we have travel excursions to Montreal, Boston, Niagara Falls, Washington, D.C. New York City – fun holidays where they can learn English and have some fun,” Kubricky said.
The intensity of the program depends on individual student needs. Students then are rated on their level of skill. “Our programs specialize in academic instruction for those who wish to improve their level of proficiency in a limited time period,” Kubricky said.
“We have different packages. A student can have a certified teacher live with them all of the time, where they are working on language 24 hours a day. Some may live with a host family or in hotels, whatever their needs be. Some include meals,” she said. “A bulk of our business comes from abroad, one to six months of intensive English programs.” Kubricky said the program has serviced all kinds of businesses, and not just the students but executives too.
Some students receive private instruction only, while others have private lessons and classroom instruction. Courses include English grammar, reading, writing, listening comprehension, conversation, accent reduction and executive business English. Class size is limited to six students in order to enhance the learning environment, while specific curriculum is based on students’ needs.
English Connection, which has a greater focus on training foreign visitors coming here, also utilizes outside services and speakers to provide a well-rounded education, Kubricky said.
This training is not limited to executives. In many cases, entire families will participate to familiarize themselves with American culture.
Kubricky said the Capital Region benefits from the stay of these foreigners. “They do spend a lot of money here,” she said.
Stephen Thompson, from the Office of International Services at the State University at Albany, realizes the daily problems that can arise when one travels to a foreign land. It’s his role to help SUNY-Albany students cope with problems addressed in programs offered by English Connection.
“I’m the advisor of 750 international students who come to SUNY-Albany; most of them are graduate students. They come from 70 different countries,” Thompson said. The college offers a three-pronged evaluation process that measures proficiency in English, but there is nothing that indicates how well students will fare culturally.
“There’s no test for how well people will adapt. There’s no particular screening device we have at the university to make sure people are adaptable,” he said. “I’m not sure we have any way of ensuring that and that’s why I’m here, to help students with their adjustment to college and community and to life in the United States in general.”
Thompson helps students deal with the immigration department and gets work credentials when necessary. He also provides assistance in areas such as obtaining Social Security numbers. There also are speakers who discuss what kind of reception the students might receive from someone other than personnel from the international student office.
480 Broadway P.O. Box 1054, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Work Phone: (518) 581-1478
e-mail: admissions@englishconnection.com
www: http://www.englishconnection.com
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