English Competency is required to become a Lawful US Resident then Earn US Citizenship

Speaking the English language and competency of US Civics are requirements to earn Lawful US Permanent Residency and US Citizenship per the proposed Reform of the  Comprehensive US Immigration Laws announced by President Barack Obama when he spoke last January 29, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The following clause appeared in the Fact Sheet of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform where it stated the language requirement for anyone who will decide to become a Lawful US Resident:

"Create strict requirements to qualify for lawful permanent resident status.  Those applying for green cards must learn English and U.S. civics.  As under current law, five years after receiving a green card, individuals will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship like every other legal permanent resident." 

What this means to Non-English Speaking Individual?  

For those individuals who like to go and live in United States, whether to work or join their family members who lawfully earned their US Residency and or Citizenship; one thing is very important. Demonstrate speaking proficiency and communicate with competence in English. 

Other countries such as Australia, Canada and United Kingdom require English Proficiency for those who go and work there including those who will immigrate to live there. 

Another important piece of the Proposed Immigration Reform is the inclusion of Family Members;

"Keep Families Together. The proposal seeks to eliminate existing backlogs in the family-sponsored immigration system by recapturing unused visas and temporarily increasing annual visa numbers.  The proposal also raises existing annual country caps from 7 percent to 15 percent for the family-sponsored immigration system.   It also treats same-sex families as families by giving U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the ability to seek a visa on the basis of a permanent relationship with a same-sex partner. The proposal also revises current unlawful presence bars and provides broader discretion to waive bars in cases of hardship."

What this means to Non-English Speakers with Family living in the United States? 

Demonstrate speaking proficiency and communicate with competence in English. 

Many US organizations sponsor Employment Visas for qualified Specialty Occupation, filled by foreigners with special education and technical expertise. Entrepreneurs, Graduate or College Students in US Universities and other specialized field qualify to reunite with their family living abroad under the New Immigration Reform. 

Each family member (spouses and children) who will join a Lawful US Resident in the United States must demonstrate competencies in speaking or communicating in English (verbal or non-verbal). It will be convenient to integrate in the American society when one demonstrates acceptable proficiency level in the English language.

For anyone who is already living in the United States but do nor demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and comprehension. Take time to learn and invest time for dedicated English learning. There are many options and techniques to learn English cheaply. Many schools and tutors provide cheap learning experience to those who like to learn the basics of English. 

For individuals who like to get better opportunities, advancement in career and personal life, demonstrate better capabilities, competencies, excellent proficiency in conversational English, communicating effectively in English whether in business or personal setting. They  hire the services of experienced professional to coach them. 

About Your Coach:

Your coach will give adequate learning experiences to improve one's current problems. Learners will be guided on how to transform their difficulties and frustrations in conversational communication, written and verbal, presenting meaningful ideas, leading teams, convey messages to their peers and become effective communicator, team leaders and affective in their decision making as business men and women. The Coach is Learner's Guide and Advocate who will help resolve current difficulties through exercises and workshops.  Your Coach will provide you additional knowledge to develop competencies that will help you progress in career or personal life. 

 Here are Ten Basic Pointers to Learn English:

1. Begin with self-driven activities in learning English, if you need assistance hire a Coach or go to a Class

2. Learn to recognize and develop the ability to read English alphabets, words and phrases

3. Learn the correct way of enunciating English sounds, syllables, words and phrases

4. Learn adequate supply of English vocabulary to create meaningful phrases

5. Learn to say appropriate utterances in order to convey correct meaning

6. Learn to use phrases, expressions and idioms correctly with their cultural implications

7. Learn to speak conversationally so that you can engage in discussing any topic, do not speak with your Mother tongue among friends and relatives

8. Learn to develop comprehension, understanding of thoughts and ideas by reading materials that were written in the English language

9. Learn about the cultural background of the English language, the community where you are living in order to communicate with them effectively, recognize the regional differences of accents and meanings

10. Learn to write in English in order to communicate affectively in writing

We like to hear about your experiences. Share us your comments at the provided field.  Thank you.

Few Tips in Practicing Your Language During Celebrations

Happy Australia Day"

credit: @junteet

Today, is the Australia Day Holiday of our friends down under. 

You can use the following tips at any time you are in a celebratory event, holidays, on vacation or at any location.

Few Tips for Language Practice During Celebrations:

Whenever possible and convenient, another way to practice your second language is by engaging a conversations with people around you. Take time off from your busy schedule and meet with family and friends and converse with them in your second language, like English. Please find below some tips that will help you gather new learnings:
1. Find an opportunity of practicing your English speaking, start from greeting someone with new phrases and gambits
2. Do not to speak in your Mother tongue so that you can gain more practice
3. When speaking with friends, take note of new words and their distinct way of saying words and phrases
4. Ask for meanings of words or phrases that you will hear. Someone will be happy to share you what they meant
5. Pay attention on the social implications and usage of phrases and words. Do not assume that the way it was used in your gathering has the same way of usage in another situation. Try to understand the setting, who is speaking, and what they are talking about. In that way, you will know how to use it after wards
6. Always look for an extended meaning of words and phrases as you are learning in that way you will increase your knowledge and proficiency in using them correctly

Enjoy and share us your experiences when possible. We will enjoy hearing from you. You can always email us at: info@ideasnconversations.com

If you have friends who would like to learn Conversational English or other living skills for career advancement and better opportunities. Share them our website link "Our 2013 Programs"  We are in your neighborhood, so you can just choose the location that is most convenient from your location.

For more information and inquiries, you can call us directly at : +1 (650) 241-3207 and our Coach will be happy to speak with you to answer your questions.


Reference Source:
JNTC Articles

Ethnicity and Competency Create an Effective English Speaker

Your English proficiency can always be improved at best.  Regardless of your ethnic origin you will gain proficiency when you empower yourself. Thousands of books have been written about this, thousands of educators have been teaching in schools.  Thousands of individuals desire to speak effortlessly like the native English speakers do.

There are realities about English Proficiency and Competency. One needs to understand that English Speaking is not only based on the way “Americans” or “English (UK Citizens)” “Canadians” or “Australians” speak.  Everyone regardless of country and rich ethnic origin, English is a language that can be spoken or written. However, one must note that each individual from various countries has cultural uniqueness that influences the way English is spoken.

By demonstrating the competency in English speaking regardless of your ethnic origin and accent is the most essential. Having the English language as the means of effective and clear communication is an equally important function that majority missed when reacting to differing sounds of English speakers. A respectable Linguist, Noam Chomsky once presented that English competency is formed from the complex activity of the human mind that integrates innate systems interactions between culture, language, experiences, environments and other unknown links within self.

Two types of English Speakers:

The first ones are those who were born with English speaking families and cultures. Majority did not learn the formal English language functionality features. Some went to school and learned the formal forms of the English language and its use in order to communicate effectively in their chosen profession;

Second type of speakers, are those who were born with non-English speaking families and cultures. Many of them acquired certain proficiency level in speaking and or writing in English. Majority learned English as a Second Language in order to communicate effectively with English speakers.  However, many individuals who learned English as a Second Language do not express themselves proficiently. This is because of the influence of the school curriculum which they attended. Many English classes internationally do not focus on developing Conversational English Proficiency. Instead, learners acquired high proficiency skills in writing and grammar, basic to intermediate proficiency in comprehension but low to below basic proficiency in vocabulary, syntax, culture, thought coherence and speaking.

Globalization Challenges:

As global societies entered the 20^th Century, there were influxes of non-English speakers who migrated to English speaking countries. Globalization continues and still increasing and expanding in the 21st Century, we are seeing more and more communication issues.

Today, many commercial environments are facing a deluge of their employees who are non-proficient in English speaking. This is the impact of globalization that allowed the migration of workforce with technical expertise to augment technical shortage of workforce in English speaking countries. 

In 2012, research identified that there was a growing deficiency in Business English Competency, particularly among global workforce demonstrating weaknesses in conversational / business English language with approximate range of 58% to 71%. Surveyed organizations that were operating globally acknowledged that their workforce’ handicap is in Business English Competency to support the demand and communication effectiveness in their jobs.

Solution to the Deficiency of English Competency:

Ideas N Conversations offers various classes that will increase the proficiency of individuals; and are in Seven Bay Area locations. Each class is focused on acquiring living skills for advancement, immediate usability of learned information from class, integrates business environments of learners, creates a venue that progressively solve the identified difficulties of learners. This will allow learner to gain English Competency as a business or personal language within an English speaking community.

2013 Classes in Seven Bay Area Locations

You don't need to drive far! We are in your neighborhood.  

Acknowledgment: GoogleMap

All you need to do is to choose the best time and most convenient location for you. Call us at +1 (650) 241-3207 to reserve your seat. All classes are limited in seating to maximize learning impact to everyone. Your learning during the class are usable immediately at your own environment.

To learn about each program, please click  "Our 2013 Programs for Your Learning Convenience" 

Avoid being auto-deleted:

When you email us with your inquiries, please avoid going to a 'Spam box and be auto-deleted'. We suggest that please provide the following information, then our Coach will give you a call or reply to your inquiry.

1. Name:

2. Telephone:

3. Email Address:

4. Zip Code

We like to hear from you or from your friends who may be interested to participate in any of the classes that we conduct.

Four Essential Techniques Lead to Learning Language Competency of Global Business with Results

There are ways in improving and learning the global Business Language - the English Proficiency.  You acquire the highest level of Business English Proficiency instead of acquiring English skills. The latter is focused on measured and tactical execution of grammatically-based language use. 

While Business English, is integrated with Communication Competency and Proficiency. It illustrates the holistic understanding about the English language, cultural implications, usage of expressions and terminologies, its functions within specific utterances for a given setting in either business or personal.  IdeasN's Coaches have the competency in developing realistic Critical Thinking  abilities. By having this ability, it becomes your important differentiator as a professional or an individual. Your capabilities in influencing, creativity and effectiveness in communication will follow. We coach you from the most basic up to achieving the highest level of Proficiency that you are capable of.

The following techniques are offered as tips for anyone to self-learn the basics that will develop your confidence to eventually become better communicator. 

Four Essential Techniques in English Learning Lead to Results
1	Learn and create adequate English vocabulary supply with understanding:  Read materials that were written in English such as websites, blogs, articles, books, newspapers, journals, magazines, researches, technical essays, industry news and English dictionary with diacritical marks. By spending at least 30 minutes a day, you will learn new technical words.  An effective learning tool is to keep a small pocket booklet on your side when reading. Write every new word that you will come across. Then take a dictionary and understand the actual meaning of the word. Go back to the original material that you were reading and understand how the word was used. Every writer uses words differently depending on the setting of the material. Many use simple words, complex terminologies, idiomatic expressions or slangs that relate to the circumstances illustrated in the material.   It is essential to pay attention on how words are formed, connected, described and expanded with time and locations.  These are all important functions of words; including their arrangement. The key is to understand how they are being used. When in doubt, always seek the assistance of a Coach who can explain to you the linguistic features used.
2	Develop a 'Linguistic Ear' that is focused on distinct sounds and enunciation:  Listen carefully to different Agents of English sounds. When listening to an English speaker, train your ear to carefully listen on the distinct sounds of vowels and consonants within words. It is somehow difficult for a non-English speaker to train one’s ear to differentiate distinct sounds without the help of an experienced Language Coach or Teacher.  Besides people, other agents of sounds are devices that broadcast people’s voices speaking English language like televisions, radios, movies, YouTube videos, electronic devices and gadgets. When listening to these devices, practice to be attentive with how words are enunciated or pronounced.  Please note, that every speaker has a unique and distinct way in producing an English sound either vowel or consonant. Understanding the cultural background and its implications to speaking will be essential. Somehow, many use the English dictionary as their point of reference in learning the linguistic sounds but the speaker was enunciating it differently. Regional differences and locations of English speakers also play a role.  It is important to keep in mind that when learning English, you need to understand your current location, its regional difference from others, and how people say certain things and differ from other English speakers in other locations – this is a dialectical difference.  There is no one sound that fits all when it comes to sounds of the non-formal English language usage. In a formal environment, majority of people try to use the formal sounds of English vowels and consonants, however certain regions cannot be avoided due to regional accents. An English Language Coach helps learners to train their linguistic ear effectively by modeling the actual sounds, word formations, enunciations and stresses of words.
3	Use of technical vocabulary, phrases, and conversational utterances: To become at least a good conversationalist, one must demonstrate adequate technical vocabulary, phrases and appropriate utterances when engaging in a conversation.  The techniques 1 and 2 above helped the learner to acquire simple ways in developing a supply of words and understanding sounds. When engaging to a conversation with other English speakers, you are expected to use and show your knowledge and proficiency level in exchanging ideas, thoughts, commentaries, share opinions on certain topics that are being discussed.  Practice makes perfect in the best option to become conversationalist.   When you are not confident, accelerate your focus and practice techniques 1 and 2. Practice with friends and family members. Read materials, then discuss the topics, use words and phrases that you come across in different materials. Pay attention on how the sounds must be enunciated. Most people who like to become proficient at their best hire an English Language Coach who will evaluate their progress and engaging activities. Hearing an unbiased feedback will help learners to gain better and faster results of higher proficiency level.
4	Immersing oneself in real-time conversational situations:   The best option to learn and validate your authentic sounds, usage and practical expressions and utterances would be to engage in a real time conversations with other English speakers. Do not be afraid to commit mistakes. Everyone commits an error - learn it from experience.  When you come across of someone rude in terms of correcting your errors, don’t give up, ignore the rudeness and don’t speak to that person again until you are better to square of.  Find others who will understand and supportive to your learning process. Most importantly is to enjoy the moments when sharing ideas and conversations.  During this event, you are technically validating your proficiency in comprehension about other’s ideas.  It is important to validate your proficiency in using the English language in a specific time, event, location, and setting whether personal or in business.  The quicker you can engage in meaningful conversations the better you become as a conversationalist. The more practice you will engage, the higher your proficiency will achieve, up to a point that you will be speaking like Native Speakers. Speak to your Coach often and solicit unbiased feedback about the progression towards higher level.

Majority of individuals who had difficulties in language, business and leadership proficiency became successful after they were coached with actual strategies, sessions, and workshops that helped them acquired the needed competency for their business and personal goals. 

As always your comments and insights are welcomed and will be appreciated. 

Acquire Your Competency: English Communications, Business, & Leadership

Our 2014 Classes and programs will help to increase your proficiency and then eventually optimize your competency as an individual. Optimistically, options are endless. However, in order to become the Agent of Success this year, your plans must be efficient, create a road map for prosperity, make time tables of the things that you like to accomplish, work and achieve productive results on each goal, adjust them when unpredictable circumstances arise and as time permits, navigate through various challenges that may come, and always celebrate results with your passion.

"Creating in You the following Strength is our Pleasure"

Regardless of events that are taking place around us, Ideas N Conversations offers the 2013 Classes and Programs for your personal or professional development. You have many options to choose from. Each class will give you learning environment to harness your "living skills that will uncover the best out of yourself in order to achieve better success and fulfillment today and in the near future". These will play essential roles in your personal or business life as you will advance and develop to be better.

For Remote Learning Options:

There are also classes available for anyone who likes to learn remotely. We have designed classes that can be done via Skype or Yahoo Messenger. All that you will need is your active account in either of the two platforms. Register with us and then you are ready to begin your learning in English Conversations for Business or Personal Use or increase your communication skills and competency.

Acknowledgment: Skype, Yahoo & IdeasN

For more details and information, please call +1 (650) 241-3207 or send us your email to: info@ideasnconversations.com 

Avoid being auto-deleted:

When you email us with your inquiries, please avoid going to a 'Spam box and be auto-deleted'. We suggest that please provide the following information, then our Coach will give you a call or reply to your inquiry.

1. Name:

2. Telephone:

3. Email Address:

4. Zip Code:

We like to hear from you or from your friends who may be interested to participate in any of the classes that we conduct.