Be Bilingual - Recession-proof your career!

The international economic crisis highlights the need for improved skills and qualifications to compete in an uncertain job market. Being bilingual is sure-fire way to recession-proof your career.

Which language?

Thousands of languages from guaraní in Parguay to Vietnamese in Vietnam tempt the language learner.

For many, the language choice is simple - the lingua franca today is English.

A CV in English opens the doors to many more opportunities. A quick search of "ingles" on CompuTrabajo.com.ar shows just how important English is in Argentina. Job announcements for 456 posts showed up.

At least some level of English is required from jobs in hotels to high tech firms and financial offices. English is in demand because of its importance to international commerce.

First Step

The first step is to improve your English skills - hire your English coach!

Professor Winn is available to help boost your English langauge skills and successfully prepare your CV or you for an interview.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Well-rounded education includes English language

Spanish University Increases English requirement

As pointed in the article, "Los alumnos de la UPNA deberán tener un nivel medio de inglés para graduarse," the inclusion of a higher than basic level of English is necessary to have a well-rounded education today.

Moreover, "el nivel de inglés obligatorio al acabar las carreras será el B1."

B1 Level

B1 is a designation in the European langauge framework. One's mastery of a language exists in quantifiable levels.

B1 is defined as:

1) CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements.

2) CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.

3) CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.

Hire your English Coach

Do you need to improve your English to reach your career goals? Do you want to use English at or beyond the B1 Level?

Hire your personal English coach, Professor Winn, today!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

2 More Effective Email Skills

Emails are essential in communicating effectively in the global economy.

Professor Winn presents two more important email skills in Business English:

1. Uses proper spelling and punctuation.
Again, you have only one chance to make a first impression. Poor spelling and punctuation do not speak well about your company.

2. Proofread, proofread, proofread!
If all possible have a native English speaker proofread your communications. Proofreading for style, proper spelling and punctuation, and coherence is worth the investment no matter the size of the business deal.

Professor Winn is available for coaching your staff in Business English from copywriting and proofreading to translation and interpretation.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

4 More Key English Words to Clinch Negotiations

Here are 4 more key English words to clinch your negotiations:

1. equivalent - a proposed agreement that is different from, but equal in value to, a previous proposal

2. facilitation - a process where people, called facilitators, try to make it easier for two people to reach an agreement

3. final agreement - the results of the negotiation that everyone agrees to put into action

4. good faith - being honest about your intentions

Professor Winn can coach your staff during negotiations with English-speaking clients.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

3 Effective English Email Writing Skills

Email outpaces any other means of communication in the office today, according to surveys.

Writing effectively is a vital skill in any language, especially in Business English.

Here are three top skills to writing emails effectively in English:

1. Write a meaningful subject line.
Time is of the essence in the fast-paced global economy. Let your recipient know immediately the matter at hand.

2. Keep the message focused and readable.
In other words, make your email short and sweet as we say in English. Shakespeare said it better - Brevity is the soul of wit. Never write like you speak. Cover your key points and watch out for wordiness.

3. Write in active voice.
Engage your reader. Write in the active voice! Instead of "the document will be sent by Friday," write "Marketing will send the document by Friday."

Hire Professor Winn for all your English Services from writing emails, reports, and other documents to translation and interpretation. Get your competitive advantage in the global economy today. Communicate effectively in English!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Key 6 English Words to Clinch Negotiations

Your negotiations in English can make or break the deal.

Here are six key terms to boost your English negotiation vocabulary!

1. alternatives - any other choices a person or group has, rather then agreeing with the other person or group

2. arbitration - when a neutral person or group comes in to settle a disagreement

3. commitment - an obligation to do something or deliver something

4. compromise - an agreement where you get less than you want but also give less than the other person wants

5. concession - accepting less on one specific point in order to get something from the other person on a different point

6. confidentiality - an agreement that prevents either side from talking about the agreement in public

Are you involved in English negotiations in Buenos Aires? Professor Winn can coach your team across the finish line!

Close the sale with your English-speaking clients now! Hire Professor Winn for a complete set of English Language Services from copywriting and proofreading to translation and interpretation.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Telephone English II

In our previous post, we discussed how essential proper Telephone English Etiquette is to your bottom line.

In particular, Professor Winn can coach your team to effectively handle your telephone communications in English.

In a structured program for your staff, Professor Winn covers the vital skills necessary to welcome English-speaking callers to your business and handling their requests for your staff.

Some but not all of these skill components in English telephone etiquette are:

• Answering the phone
• Introducing yourself
• Asking to speak with someone
• Connecting someone
• Making special requests
• Taking and Leaving a message for someone

Business English is a growing discipline given the role of the language in international commerce and its status of lingua franca for default communications between business partners across the globe who speak different languages.

Increase your global competitiveness and hire Professor Winn as your English coach today!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Telephone English I

Telephone English is vital for effective business communications.

As the saying goes, you have only one chance to make a first impression. Every caller to your company is your potential next customer.

Therefore, proper English telephone etiquette is essential.

Helpful phrases for general greetings during the day like "good morning" or "good afternoon"are key to setting a friendly tone from the beginning.

Of course, listening intently and understanding the caller's request naturally is important. Phrases such as "How may I help you?"or "One moment, please" let the caller know you empathize and care about the conversation.

Practicing English telephone etiquette with a native, like Professor Winn, and learning the key phrases to handling a call to your business, are investments every business should make. He can coach you or your staff in proper telephone conversations in English to increase your competitiveness in our global economy.

Professor Winn offers other English Services for businesses from writing effective emails and reports to interpreting for Spanish-English meetings.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Perils of Business English Teaching

The good news? Business English is in strong demand in Buenos Aires. Argentina's capital is cosmopolitan and more open to international commerce than others on the continent.

That said, there are perils in working the Business English biz.

You often work for a recruiting company who sets up gigs at companies around town. So far so good.

However, be aware of these perils while working with companies:

• Many companies want the the best teachers at the lowest price (naturally).
  
• Many companies won’t pay for cancelled classes.
• Many students cancel over half of their classes.
• Teachers become demotivated and drop classes.
  

And the list goes on (covered in other posts).

Make sure you are clear on the recruitment's firms policies regarding cancelled classes. I've had cases where I never saw the student, but I still got paid! :)

Every field has its hazards. Just know the rules to stay ahead of the game! Buena Suerte!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Living as an American English Teacher in Buenos Aires

I had always wanted to visit the "Paris of South America," but never imagined how I would wind up here during my South American adventure which began in Bogota, Colombia in July 2008.

The city lives up to its nickname with its wide avenues, spacious green parks, cutesy bookstores stuffed in nooks and crannies and even bookinistas crowded around Cementario Parque on Sunday like those along the Seine in Paris.

Argentine wine is delish, another culture share with France, just perpetuating the similarities between the two countries.

Argentines seem hesitant to embrace their "Yanqui" brotheren from the north. Halloween is hardly celebrated because it is "too Yanqui." Christmas also was almost invisible except of course in the big shopping centers. Personally, while warm one-on-one, one cannot but help notice an arms-length acceptance of Americans here.

There are hopes of improved relations between the two countries at the diplomatic level given the new Obama Administration. Indeed, Mr. Obama has accepted an invitation to visit from Presidenta Kirchner.

English teachers are respected and the demand for English language instruction appears strong. The "American accent" is preferred.

Strong commercial ties between Washington and Buenos Aires remain and better ties person-to-person hopefully is in the wings.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-languagetexts here!