Effective Communication in English in the Global Workplace

Common grammar/syntax errors can cause confusion in email and in verbal communication in English. This confusion is multiplied when global teams are communicating across time zones. One international manager noted that an error in email typically requires 3 email follow-ups. Working with the interactive software program, Writing in English*, helps nonnative writers eliminate common grammar/syntax mistakes and build the skills to communicate more concisely and effectively in English.

The following paragraph was written by a professional from another country working in the U.S. It has some grammar/syntax errors. The unedited version is #1. In the second sample, the grammar/syntax errors have been identified. In the third sample, those errors have been corrected. There is a step number next to each correction in the third sample that correlates with the steps in the Writing in English program.

#1 Original

The problem I have being facing every day to integrate the software for
ABC Software Project. A lot of times the behavior of software varies from
the host environment to the target. My responsible making sure all the
problems to be solved under specified environment and the performance of
software must meet the expected requirements in the certain time frame.
The problem must be review thru Peer Review to make sure it will never
happen again.

#2 Errors Identified red= mistakes, ^= missing word

The problem I have being facing every day ^ to integrate the software for
^ ABC Software Project. A lot of times the behavior of software varies from
the host environment to the target. My responsible ^ making sure all the
problems to be solved under ^ specified environment and ^ the performance of ^ software must meet the expected requirements in the certain time frame. The problem must be review thru Peer Review to make sure it will never happen again.

#3 Corrected

The problem I face/am facing (7) every day is (7) to integrate the software for the (19) ABC Software Project. A lot of times the behavior of software varies from the host environment to the target. My responsibility (16) is (7) to make (11) sure all the problems are (10) solved in (15) the (19) specified environment and that (22) the performance of the (19) software meets (7/ the expected requirements in the specified (24) time frame. The problem must be reviewed (10) thru Peer Review to make sure it will never happen again.

Steps from Writing in English

Step 7- Use the correct verb tense

Step 8- Use modal auxilaries correctly

Step 10 – Use active and passive appropriately

Step 11- Use gerunds or infinitives after verbs that require them

Step 15 –Use prepositions correctly

Step 16- Use the correct word form

Step 19- Use the correct article

Step 22- Use the appropriate word to connect clauses

Step 24- Use parallel structure

*Writing in English is co-branded by ETSÒ(Educational Testing Service), makers of TOEFL and TOEIC.

Accent Reduction and Clear Communication

What do you say to a nonnative speaker of English who wants to get rid of his/her accent? Accent reduction is a more realistic goal for nonnative speakers of English than accent elimination. The goal is to make speech more intelligible for effective communication. There are many factors that contribute to an accent in English. Incorrect stress can be an important contributing factor. Using correct stress in English is critical to being understood as English is a stress-timed language. Placing the stress on the wrong syllable in a word in English can cause confusion. For example, the word “suburb” has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable. If the speaker stresses the second syllable of the word “suburb,” and says “suburb,” the listener may hear “superb,” a similar word with a very different meaning that has second syllable stress. What are some ways to reduce an accent? There are many ways to reduce an accent if English is not your first language. It’s good to use tools for structured and unstructured practice in English: 1. There are many options for unstructured practice. Watching films and listening to podcasts in English will build your listening comprehension and give you models for pronunciation. Whenever possible, talking with native speakers is great practice. 2. Our interactive programs, Pronunciation In English and Idioms in English, offer structured practice to improve both listening and pronunciation skills in English. Both programs focus on stress, intonation and rhythm in English. These interactive programs feature multiple native speaker models and immediate feedback on practice activities. The immediate feedback on answers guides users in correcting mistakes. What else gets in the way of clear communication? Sometimes, mistakes in syntax/grammar can cause miscommunication. This is true in spoken English as well as written English. For example, in the following sentence a mistake with the modal “would” makes the meaning unclear: “I would get back to you by the end of the business day.” The speaker meant, “I will get back to you by the end of the business day.” Targeting common mistakes in writing can translate to more effective communication in conversations and email. What are some ways to improve syntax/grammar in English? It’s good to work with tools for structured and unstructured practice. 1. An option for unstructured practice is reading for pleasure in English. It’s important to choose topics that interest you at a reading level that is not too difficult. Sometimes, people push to read material that is very challenging for them and then get frustrated and give up. Choosing reading material that is easier will keep you reading as it will be more enjoyable. 2. Our interactive writing program, Writing in English, offers structured practice to improve syntax/grammar in English. It focuses on common errors for nonnative writers of English. The interactive lessons and practices with immediate feedback on answers guide users in identifying and correcting common errors. All three programs are available as Downloads, CD-ROMS and Online through our secure online ordering system at http://www.amenglish.com/products/allproducts.cfm

Are you plugged in?

An idiom is a group of words with a special meaning of its own that is not clear from the meanings of the individual words. Idioms are used extensively in conversations, email, presentations, newspapers, magazines, and films. If you don’t understand the idiom, you can feel left out of the conversation or presentation since the idiom is often the “point” of the sentence.

All languages have idiomatic expressions; however, idioms are used very frequently in American culture, especially American business culture. You can learn idioms over time after immersion in a culture, but it can really speed things up to have a systematic approach. Once you become more aware of idiomatic expressions, you will notice them more easily in conversations and newspapers like the Wall Street Journal, which is an excellent source for idioms.

Our approach to teaching idioms also helps improve listening comprehension and pronunciation in English. We present the idioms in the context of a story or dialog. This helps you to hear the idioms in a more natural setting. Audio tracks for each page include four different native speaker models. Then we have a page devoted to each idiom. This page presents the definition and examples of how the idiom can be used in a sentence. We also show how the concepts we teach in the Pronunciation In English program apply to idioms. The pronunciation notes demonstrate how stress, intonation, focus words, reduction and linking apply to each idiom. Idioms in English reinforces all of the concepts presented in the pronunciation program in a new context.

Every idioms page is followed by a scored dictation practice and a focus word exercise, both of which help build listening comprehension. At the end of every chapter is another scored dictation exercise. Once you learn all the idioms, you can check your knowledge with the final exam at the end of the program. It is a lot of fun to spot idioms you’ve learned in everyday conversations, in the newspapers, and in movies. Learning about idioms in English will help you become more fluent in the language as it used every day by native speakers.