Sharing & Experiencing Culture Through English Conversations - Avoid Embarrasments

We enjoyed the engaging conversations during today's session on Cultural Implications and Context within Conversational English. The participants participated actively. Our new friends from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam (Sunny), who teaches English as a Foreign Language to university students and from Mendoza, Argentina (Emanuel) who likes to be a future English professor. Hosted by our American Coach, Jaiyetee, whose expertise of Coaching in the areas of Communications, Business, Linguistics and Leadership.

Our topics evolved from various aspects of conversations, its contextual meanings and cultural implications such as learning the 'Cultural Iceberg' where there are many information that we do not know and aware of when communicating with someone whom we just met, or we work with or we have been introduced. Even when we have worked together for a while, but we did not explore the cultural backgrounds of implicit culture (the things underneath of the physical view). Often times, we are experiencing more the external appearance of the culture (what we are actually seeing). Imagine the view below, looking the physical view or its panorama,but you  are not sure how deep is the water and what exists under the surface of the water. That is how the implicit culture looks like - you cannot know it until you explore and discover more through a personal immersion. In the photo, you need to dive into the water and see what you can immerse yourself to understand what is in there.

We shared our ideas, views, perspectives and talked about;

1. Perceptions versus realities

2. Verbal communications and its implications and correct usage

3. Non-verbal communications and their unknown meanings

4. Meaning of words and phrases in different countries

5. Cultural meanings of greeting someone at a particular country in context

6. Giving gifts to a personal friend, business partner, family friends and acquaintances

7. Cultural Immersion and Experiences

In order to experience the real scenario and learn the cultural contexts of phrases, words, expressions, actions and avoid embarrassments during conversations in English, we need to learn what these mean in other cultures. Cultural Meanings and their relevance to the speaker / recipient of the information is important. We make sure that what we say will not be  offensive. Must demonstrate cultural competence, be articulate, and confident in an engaging conversation to be achieve great experience. 

When interested to participate in any future English Conversations via Skype please send your interest via email: info@ideasnconversations with your skype ID, and we will include you in the future events. You can invite your friends to participate with you to learn together. If you have specific topic that you would like to learn more, just email us with your suggested topic and we will consider for future topic agenda. 

Thank you to all our participants. Until the next session. 

Skype Conversations on Cultural Implications in Communication and Business

Our next Skype Session and Conversation is now open 

What to do: (follow direction below)

• Register your slot immediately to participate. 
• Slots are limited to impact engaging conversations and learning.  
• Will chat with you then.

For additional information, please call +1 (650) 241-3207 or email us at: info@ideasnconversations.com 

Across the World - Happy Valentine's Day

To All Our International Friends ~

On this Love Day, let's demonstrate love, care and peace to one another ~

With our heartfelt thanks for your friendships,

Ideas N Conversations  

Participating in Conversations Bridges New Learning and Winning Friends

Today's ability to engage in conversation via various technological platforms offer us many options in learning through conversations, practice as well as doing business internationally.

We like to engage in conversations with you and learn from each other. Join us in our regular sessions with various topics to discuss.  If you have specific topic that you would like to discuss, please let us know. We welcome the opportunity to learn about your interests so we can keep the conversations going and lively. 

How to participate?

Register via Skype ID: ideasnconversations Code: PKSkype or send an email with the Code PKSkype at the subject line or send a topic for discussion

Our goal in every session is learning new insights, information from others, ideas that will make each others become better. This is open to all, you don't need to speak English well in order to participate. We facilitate the practice of English Speaking Conversationally as well. 

For additional information, please call +1 (650) 241-3207. Your comments will be appreciated always.

Adequate English Vocabulary Sets You to enjoy Meaningful Conversations

Learn the easy way in developing the reservoir of vocabulary that you can use both in your day-to-day activities, in your work or in any personal setting.

Ideas N Conversations holds classes in your neighborhoods. Select the nearest location from the map below which blue star indicates the location of classes. 

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 other classes, please click  "Our 2013 Classes & 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.

Learning Benefits through Skype Conversations across Cultures

It is a fascinating experience among individuals who take time in sharing their thoughts, ideas and experiences with others. Particularly when eliciting new learning, challenges and techniques in furthering higher level of proficiency or gaining competency in Conversational English.

Conversational English requires competency or at least an intermediate level of speaking proficiency to demonstrate topical knowledge, varied ideas, grasp of culture, multi-cultural expressions, slangs, and idioms used by speakers, as well as recognition of the locale where one is using the English language.

Recently, individuals converged through a Skype Conversational English Session - FRSKYPE, who were attracted in the subject focus 'Conversational English Session'. The session was attended by enthusiastic new friends; Jesus, who is based in Colombia, South America and a senior university student, intending of becoming an ESL Teacher in the future. Bere, who is from Mexico, only two weeks old new resident in Bay Area, California and is learning Conversational English. Sunitha, an engineer by profession from India, living in Bay Area California, and acquiring proficiency in Conversational English. The session was hosted by Jaytee, the resident expert, linguistics and business coach of Ideas N Conversations.  

The group had a great exchange of ideas, have met new friends from other locations, and learned from different perspectives, shared experiences, and challenges. Learning took place pertaining to philosophical insights regarding how we perceived others when they were/are speaking, and how we were/are perceived by others and or our listeners when one was/is speaking.

The group shared a common idea that English is a means of communicating with others who speak English, living in English speaking countries, and working in globally operating organizations that use English as their business language. 

It was shared in the forum, that to be conversationally efficient in English, one must have a linguistic ear, and linguistic competency in order to understand the sounds, words, phrases, expressions, and contextual meanings that English speakers use. 

Each participant shared some challenges in demonstrating competency or at least proficiency. Each shared different experiences where their known proficiency  was not enough to sustain the conversations across listeners and audience to be a meaningful experience.

Insights and strategic options were shared by the Host, regarding ways to learn effective Competency in Conversational English. How language are used across locations and speakers with cultural implications. How the English language was taught in other countries, and what makes up the unit of an English speakers and their community. 

The group intends to meet again and discuss other topics that will enhance additional learning which are relevant to Conversational English and related matters.

Ideas N Conversations intends to hold other sessions that will increase knowledge and facilitate learning among participants. 

Interested individuals who likes to participate in the succeeding sessions, please check back here about the next schedule. Or you can email your interest to: info@ideasnconversations.com and we will add you to the future attendees list.

Your comments are appreciated as always. Share it to us so we can learn from each other. 

Join Us at IdeasN Skype Conversational English Session - February 7, 10AM - Its Free

To improve your conversational skills, join us at our Skype IdeasN Conversations - Code: FRSKYPE  

Date of the Session: February 7, 2013
Day of the Session: Thursday

Time: 10:00-11:00AM (Pacific Standard Time, California, USA)

Attendees slots are limited - please reserve your spot ASAP!

 Interested? please do the following:

1. Send an email to: info@ideasnconversations.com with Code: FRSKYPE on your subject line

2. Skype us at our ID: ideasnconversations your Skype ID Name to be registered in the session

3. A Confirmation for your participation will be sent to your Skype ID

Please note, that our regular program is available at:  Interactive Conversations 

Looking forward to speak with you.

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.