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!