About Us

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Our missions are: (1)increasing business leadership and strategic competencies (2) proficiency achievement in business language (English) We have coached, tutored and trained individuals and business professionals whose mother tongue is either non-English or English. These include multinational executives, employees and their family members; from many countries like Vietnam, China, Japan, India, S. Korea, the Philippines, France, Germany, Spain, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, USA, Canada, and many others who benefited from our expertise.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Business and Conversational English - the Emerging Global Necessity

Globally, English is the understood preferred language of major business enterprises. It is the emerging conversational language required among professionals who are deployed to work internationally or has responsibilities that will interface with multi-country based business operations. Internationally inclined business men or women and their families demonstrate proficiency in the English language. 

Most recently, experienced professionals in Linguistics, Global Business and Cross-Culture arena are finding that there is growing gap regarding English proficiency particularly with limited Conversational Business English competency.



Researches show that there is a growing gap of this deficiency, particularly among Expat workforce demonstrating weaknesses in the language with approximate range of 58% to 71%.  Internationally based workforce in the field acknowledged that their handicap is on Business English Skills to support the demand and communication requirements of their jobs. 

Regardless of the profession, white collar or blue collar job, temporary or permanent status - English has become a burden among workers and employers. This is brought along by globalization of organizations and workforce migration across cultures. In addition, a misconception prevails that when you speak English you already very competent in working and become a part of the driving force of a business enterprise. Unless you understood its  intra-cultural implications or the called Socio-linguistics of the English language then you are capable.

Business and Conversational English language competencies and proficiencies are required to those who like to work in English speaking countries, they will learn to speak English within the business premise.


Among the workforce of multi-national organizations from other countries, who migrated to the United States, they face many challenges when articulating their ideas with their co-workers. They will need to increase proficiency level in their Conversational Business English.

For the employees who are English speakers, they also face many challenges when it comes to writing and articulating their ideas. They get confused on many grammatical features of the English language. This is because they did not learn the correct usage of linguistic features when growing up. Today, when engaged in speaking and or writing reports for management consumption they often commit mistakes like the non-native English speakers.

Do I like to acquire or increase my Conversational Business English Proficiency?
It is a matter of personal decision making. Prioritizing your business preferences for advancement or selecting to  become a misfit at workplace and feel inadequate professionally. 

There are many choices available when it comes to learning environments and comes along with those choices are the costs associated to poor versus quality results. When it comes to acquiring the necessary skills in Conversational  Business English Proficiency, there are limited options with quality and results. 

Ideas N Conversations is one that is unique and is based in the Silicon Valley (San Jose, California). Their techniques and professional approaches in coaching and training are customized by their experienced Coach / Trainer. Lessons are matched with the assessed learning deficiency of the individual, personalized that will provide significant improved learning adaptable for immediate use at the workplace. Their learning philosophy and business practices are far and beyond compared to the usual practices of the traditional adults language learning centers.  Results and Return On Investments are their priority for their clients. Take advantage of their Summer Promotions!



In the global internet, English is also becoming the global language that is dominating the internet webpages, and social media.  In 2011, a study shows that more than 56 percent of all website use English as their content language. 

This means that English is being adopted to become a Universal Language.  If you have a dificiency or weakness in English, you better start learning so by the time this has become almost everyone speaks it, you are in the advanced level to talk and share your ideas with anyone.


Monday, August 20, 2012

IdeasNConversations Facebook Group for Global Exchange


Do you have a Facebook personal page? You can meet other friends who has similar interests to you by joining us at our IdeasNConversations Group Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/IdeasNConversations/ 

This is an open group for anyone who like to participate in discussion, share insights, experiences, favorite stories, photos and exchange ideas among friends.

We look forward to seeing and interacting with you there. 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

We Speak Virtually to gain Conversational English Proficiency Via Skype or Yahoo


The Program: Interactive Conversations Through Practice with Multi-media Technologies (via either Skype or Yahoo Messenger) is a modern results and media-driven program that creates the experience, global interaction among individuals who like to develop the essential skills and competency in conversations; discuss topical issues while learning many linguistic features that make your ideas become relevant to your audience. When you live in an English speaking country, use the language like the way native English speakers do. The program simulates a virtual interaction and learning among remotely based individuals through Skype.

The Goals: Its purpose is to achieve a certain level of proficiency that articulates ideas, concerns, descriptions, perspectives, opinions, comprehension and emotions without fear and hesitation.

Topic Scope: Each scheduled session will have a conversational linguistic theme and topic focus. 
All topics include the development and practical use of concepts in speaking. When talking or conversing with another individual, it is essential to understand the correct usage of terms, words, sounds, phrases, language forms, idiomatic expressions, quotations, lingua franca, technical terminologies and articulation surrounding day-to-day living. The proficiency in English Conversations creates meaningful and engaging interactions in a formal or informal setting whether socially, personally  or in a business setting.

Overview of Scope:
Item
Description
1
Learning to use mechanisms for effective conversations
2
English conversational structures that demonstrate results
3
Techniques in articulating your ideas with results
4
Topical meaningful conversations with friends and colleagues
5
Utterance modification to influence listeners and specific audience
6
Sensible conversations that are meaningful
(Note: Specific sessions are customized to the identified level of difficulties)

After participating in a conducted Assessment of Difficulties, the Registration and sessions will follow. The Coach will host and moderate all activities. Attendees will be provided with the session content ahead of the scheduled session in order to encourage readiness and active participation. Attendees will bring their ideas, thoughts, insights, experiences and concerns to the session.

Requirements:
1. Must have a Skype or Yahoo Account
2. Pre-Registration required 
3. One on one tutorial is available for independent learning
4. Or In-cluster of 4 individuals per scheduled session is available
5. Others will be given a separate schedule when specific schedule is full
Who can Attend: Any individual who would like to increase their proficiency in speaking English and gain conversational skills without boundary.

Curriculum Terms and Fee Schedule:
1. Tuition Fees are pre-paid 
2. 2:12  Intensive and interactive Sessions
3. Customized class topics based on learner's assessed difficulties
4. Class type: 1/1 tutorial, dyad, or in-cluster of 4 individuals
5. Learner's Centered: Whole Language Approach and Results-oriented Methodologies
6. Venue: Virtual via Skype or Yahoo Messenger
7. Cancellation: 48 hours' Notice

For more details and inquiries:
Please call +1 650 241 3207  or send an email to: info@ideasnconversations.com

Trainers Professional Competencies:
Over 18 years of experience in teaching English Language Courses (basic to advanced curricula) among college students, adults and young adults, ESL/ESOL students from many countries like Vietnam, Japan, S. Korea, the Philippines, China, Mexico, France and other non-English speaking countries. Career professional in both private and public environments. Have worked with clients in over 40 countries. Students acquired better opportunities in career and living after speaking English fluently.

Trained, coached and tutored business professionals whose mother tongue is not English. These include multinational executives, employees and their family members. Demonstrated English proficiency was helpful in the performance of their duties and responsibilities within an English speaking country.


Interactive English Conversations through Practice with Multi-media Technologies

Interactive English Conversations through Practice with Multi-media TechnologiesSM 

English is a language that is globally spoken by individuals; who work in multinational organizations, who travels internationally, who likes to pursue international career, who likes to add a second language to speak, and those who like to interact with other English speakers for either business or personal use.

credits: IdeasN, Skype, Yahoo
Through the use of modern multi-media technologies and with universal English language, global conversations are possible.

The Program: Interactive Conversations Through Practice with Multi-media Technologies is a modern results and media-driven program that creates the experience, global interaction among individuals who like to develop the essential skills and competency in speaking; discuss issues, when you live in an English speaking country, use the language like the way native English speakers do. The program simulates a virtual interaction among globally based individuals by learning together through Skype or Yahoo Messenger. 

The Goals: Its purpose is to achieve a certain level of proficiency that articulates ideas, concerns, descriptions, perspectives, opinions, comprehension and emotions without fear and hesitation.

Topic Scope: Each scheduled session will have a conversational linguistic theme and topic focus. This will be provided by the Coach who will host and moderate the activity. Attendees will be provided with the topic scope so they will be ready and can participate actively. 

Requirements:
1. Must have an Account of either Skype or Yahoo Messenger
2. Pre-Registration required
3. Attendance is limited to 4 individuals per scheduled session
4. Others will be given a separate schedule when specific schedule is full

Who can Attend: Any individual who would like to increase their proficiency in speaking English and gain conversational skills without boundary.

Must have an account in either Yahoo Messenger or Skype.
Note: Sessions on either account are independent with each other, we do not mix them together for ease of technology and participant's location.

A.1 Via Yahoo Messenger:


A.2 Via Skype:


For inquiries: please call +1 650 241-3207 and to register please email to: Registration for Learning

To 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 programs that we conduct.


Relative Reference Links:
1. Program - Conversational English
2. Workshop - Conversational English
3. Business English in Conversations
4. Fluency in Speaking
5. Do I Need to speak English Well?

Friday, August 10, 2012

We Tutor / Coach Adults to speak English with a high level of Proficiency

Results-Oriented Goals:
  • Creates meaningful English conversations with clarity and relevance
  • Provokes critical thinking, self-directed performance with engaging activities
  • Learners become interactive, expressive with their ideas, discuss topics, overcome fears
  • Proficiency Levels are the absolute achievement 

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Non-verbal versus Verbal Language

Quiz 1:

  • How significant is Non-verbal body language compared to verbal language forms? 
You are welcome to share us your insights at the space provided below ...


Perspectives:
Generally speaking, "Communication is the use of messages to produce meaning within and across a variety of contexts, cultures, methods and media" - this description was provided by Association for Communication Administration. 

That description was providing us a knowledge that communication is a method or a tool that will transfer ideas and meanings through different media with another individual or groups. 

People with different backgrounds in terms of culture, linguistic competencies, or perhaps natural differences demonstrate different ways in communicating their ideas and will also understand these ideas differently with meanings. Whether or not such communication was illustrated in either verbal or non-verbal. 

Verbal communication requires sound forms of the language to communicate specific information. In today's technological age, there are many different forms to utilize in order to transfer those ideas verbally through various media. 

On the other hand, Non-verbal communication provides a different angle of meaning when communicating an idea. Depending on the setting of the communication process, specifically country, cultural, physio-linguistics and other factors. There are ambiguities of non-verbal communication, particularly focused on who is communicating ideas and who are receiving the information that is being communicated. Body language play an important role when it comes of non-verbal communication. Are there tools of today that illustrate non-verbal communication?  Yes, there are ... it is a matter of identifying these around you. They speak louder than words and the meanings they provide are strong and equally vital.

As always, we like to hear from you.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Introducing Oneself is a Conversational Competency

With many individuals who speak English as their second language. The challenge of using the appropriate phrases, expressions and words when in a crowd of people exist. Are there ways to learn these correctly? It is a matter of finding the right coach, who will facilitate your learning.

Here is a simple quiz:

When you begin speaking with someone you never met before, which utterances are the better options while in a particular setting?

Photo # 1

Photo # 2


Which of the photos above illustrates a setting that is interactively informal? and a formal reserved setting?

In situations where introducing oneself will take place. It is essential to demonstrate appropriate utterances when you begin speaking. English words and phrases have functional use during a given conversational setting. This can be either informal or formal.

For example at Photo #2: Jeremy is introducing himself to Sally. "Hi, I am Jeremy" versus "I am Mrs. Sally Carter"

In ideal situation, do not mix formal utterances like "I am Mrs. Sally Carter" in a very informal setting .. ideally it would be better to say "I am Sally" in response to "I am Jeremy".

In Photo # 1: Ms. Jones is introducing herself to Mr. Bradley. This is more of a reserved formal setting. In a situation like this, use utterances like "I am Ms. Terry Jones" and a response would be "I am Mr. Ed Bradley"
Sometimes, the utterances are: "I am Ms. Jones" and the response is "I am Mr. Bradley".

In both situations, depending on the location of the setting particularly in which country or city. There are differences in cultural practices where introductions are made. One important thing to remember when participating in any event, make a quick understanding about cultural practices in a certain area where you are going. It will provide you better success and avoid social faux pas.

Learning Conversational English will allow you to understand what are the cultural notes and contexts of utterances within certain situations. Your Coach will show you how and you can immerse yourself in actual practices that are meaningful to your learning.

The Class on Conversational English is normally taken by individuals who learned ESL (English as a Second Language) from other learning centers and or tutorial services but did not achieve certain high level of proficiency in speaking. These individuals have limited vocabulary and phrases to control their conversational skills when speaking with other English speakers. Hence, they are challenged when sharing their ideas.

For additional information about Lessons on English Conversations, please call +1 (650) 241-3207 or send an email inquiry to: info@ideasnconversations.com

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Presenting Results-driven and Meaningful Ideas: A Competency of Efficiency and Professionalism

Am I an Information Facilitator or Business Acumen Presenter or Skills Trainer?

Don't be one of those boring, invaluable data talkers, time wasters, insensible presentation skills and behavior of many individuals who call themselves 'speakers and presenters but read their slides - page by page and word per word'. 

"Learning will be optimized when presented with impactful information, driven with the right technical knowledge, competency, and experience of the user, teacher, coach, facilitator or trainer; particularly when using the 21st Century, technologically-based concepts, and useful tools for informative engaging discussions." - said Juntee Terrenal


There are three types of  'information Presenters who are professionally competent' whose skills are essential in order to accomplish their functional responsibilities in any business environment. They are the following; 



Information Facilitator:
The Presenter uses PowerPoint as a tool of meaningful learning. The normal teaching or training becomes interactive when sessions impact audience' inquisitiveness and trigger reactions. Many learning environment of today, utilize presentations to share various topics that are curriculum-based to audience.

Business Acumen Presenter:
Professionals and leaders, who are empowered to share and or close business with intended audience specifically in sales oriented professions, utilize powerful tools and options like Microsoft PowerPoint. It makes it easier for people in marketing, advertising, sales, business developers, managers, leaders and other business people to incorporate their ideas, stratagems, values, services and products information.

Skills Trainer:
Today's Era is technologically driven. Using PowerPoint is an essential software tool  to incorporate action-driven and strategic perspectives that will create value-add interaction with the audience. Majority of top executives, managers of various business units, use this powerful tool and integrate communicative competence to share and communicate business information with their team members, colleagues, and or associates. Such tool will facilitate better idea, interactive and more effective learning about essential information of their business. It is the goal of every trainer to achieve results when using this tool.

"If you don't have the competency, hire a Coach and learn it with passion"

Observed Disturbing Realities among presenters of information:
1. Template reflects amateurish looks
2. Used technical features like fonts, colors, images, and animations were amateurish
3. Prepared 30 plus slides to read to the audience
4. Read the information that were written in their slides
5. Cannot discuss freely what were presented concepts in their slides
6. Timing is not integrated

Program: Acquire the Competency of Presenting Results-Driven and Meaningful Ideas

Brief Summary:
This program is designed to increase the competency of the individual by learning the basics up to advanced level technical knowledge and skills in using tools that demonstrate results-driven data, exchange of meaningful ideas, personality, professionalism and confidence. Integrating the whole business landscape within a high performance organization to achieve ROI and positive results. It provides meaningful action oriented, results driven, learning experiences that are applicable in any setting of business, relationships and daily transactions.


Approach:
Our experienced American Coaches / Trainers will use techniques that overcome the identified difficulties of the Learner and match it with the current level of proficiency. These various learning approaches will sustain results through interactive, effective, easy-to-experience with realistic impact to identified difficulties. Activities will change progressively in order to support the growing level of proficiency which results to demonstrable skills and effectiveness.

Components:
Twelve Modular Sessions of two hours each
Intensive Program Participation
Continuing Progress Proficiency Evaluation
Competency Demonstration + COC  

Ideas N Conversations' Class will transfer to Learner(s) the essential basics to advance knowledge and technical skills in using the PowerPoint Presentation Software Program. That competency will solve business needs and individual handicap in utilizing the program. Each lesson is independently enrolled. It can also be enrolled as an entire package.

Practical Lessons in gaining skills and eventually a competency:
1.      Understanding About Power Point Presentation
2.      Developing a Customized Template with Professional Appeal
3.      Creating Effective and Relevant Contents
4.      Creating Sample Presentation Through Immersion
5.      Evaluating Data for Accuracy and Informational Usage

Goals in Presenting with PowerPoint:
1. Acquire relevant knowledge and skills in using PowerPoint Presentation
2. Develop confidence in discussing informative materials without fear and hesitation
3. Acquire correct information about the practical content and usage
4. Acquire skills that will demonstrate competence in managing data and information that will be shared in the presentation document for whatever purposes
5. Demonstrate results and return on investment by learning with  experienced IdeasN Coach

Techniques in Presentation Teaching:
1. Experiential Adult Speaking and Presenting with Whole Language Philosophy

Learner Requirements for Success:
1. Must have a computer (preferably desktop or laptop)
2. Must have a PowerPoint Program version 2003 or above
3. All sessions will be pre-paid and a minimum of 2 hours per session
4. Cancellation of session must be made 48 hours in advance

Creativity in Using of Presentation Software:
Create presentations, technical documentation,  reports, manuals, charts, illustrations, artistic layouts, flyers, business proposals, surveys, personal documentation and many other forms when communicating ideas through electronic media and integrated with other programs (like excel, Word, photos, etc).

Understanding various versions of Microsoft PowerPoint up to 2010, MS Office Suite for PCs or Mac would be essential. In that way, your readers or users of your document will have the efficiency of utilizing it.


After completing this class you must have:
- gained an intermediate to advanced proficiency in Presenting Meaningful Ideas
- acquired handy techniques in speaking fluently
- assimilated better communication skills with correct use of grammatical functions in both conversational speaking and writing, including culture and social implications of the English language within business or personal settings.

Terms and Fee Schedule:

Tuition Fees are pre-paid
Receipt will be issued
Fees as Non-Refundable
Acceptable form of payments: PayPal, Major Credit Cards
48 Hours Cancellation is required to be entitled for re-scheduling of missed class
*Applicable promotion (where applicable) will apply during registration

For more details and information, please call: +1 (650) 241-3207 or send an email to:

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 programs that we conduct.


Participate In our English Language Poll - Ideasnconversations Group

Our Ideas N Conversations Yahoo Group just started two Polls about English Language relevance into our own individual self.  You are invited to participate and share us your ideas, thoughts and perspectives. It is free to join us in the group. We look forward to welcoming you and your active participation.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ideasnconversations/

Please click on either of the link to get into the Poll Section:

Poll # 1 - Importance of English Speaking Skills

Poll # 2 - English Proficiency Level

As always, we like to hear from you. You can contact us directly at +1 (650) 241-3207 or
Send us an email to: info@ideasnconversations.com