The universities in the United Kingdom are seen as some of the most prestigious universities in the world. International students flock from all over the world in order to gain and utilise the qualifications provided by these institutions.

However one stumbling block I know that some international students find is not only is there ability to speak conversational English sometimes difficult but also to learn the specific terminology used in degree subjects is an even harder mountain they need to climb. Examples include using the English language in nursing, construction, biochemistry, business, finance etc.

Studying English in their native countries will cover the basics and semi-advance conversational English but I know when I studied German at A level I did not learn how to discuss the state of the recession and the effects on global tourism! However now I have found a superb service delivered by MSK English which I believe International students should seriously consider to support them in their degree.

An online language centre where not only can you learn to speak in a variety of languages but you can choose the level and scenarios you will be conversing in. For example if you will be working in the UK as a director in the finance sector you will have a one to one coach who has actual experience working in the finance sector at that level. I do not know of another service which delivers this option.

I have spread the word now it’s your chance to! Duncan Butcher

Globally there has and continues to be a major shift of medical professionals to developed English-speaking countries. A key barrier to the success of such a move is the ability to communicate in both medical and general English. Qualitative evidence from such countries highlights the concern from patients, their families and medical staff themselves.

Online English language practice before leaving a home country, during any retraining, and once in post can have a major impact on career success.

MSK English allows medical professionals to practice their English with live video conference-based classes with medically trained coaches and additionally in their own time on self-taught programmes.

Training departments have historically been cautious around online training. Teams won’t complete the course. We are fine with our current provider – the expensive mediocrity response. However with the improvement in online communication systems and video conferencing in particular, the equation has changed.

A. Better coaches

Language training has historically been based on random chance. A trainer comes in or the client comes to the trainer in whatever city. Does the trainer have industry experience, technical knowledge or relevant qualifications? Does this person exist in the precise location?

Online training overcomes this. A university academic or teacher can train theory heavy students. A coach experienced in medicine, accounting, sales or energy can train people working in those areas, bringing industry knowledge and relevant vocabulary and contexts to the learning. Moreover, training budgets can flex better. Why not have different levels and costs of coach for levels in the company?

B. Fully loaded costs

As training teams look at their spend, it becomes clear that paying for a training centre, transportation, employee time or room hire makes little sense. Online coaching simply allows a lower spend and a better coach.

More often than not in spite of being able to speak fluently in another language, there is still the odd communication breakdown in respect to our accents. Whether it be the “i” in Fish and Chips for a Kiwi or Aussie or the words beginning with ‘y’ pronounced with a ‘j’, for example ‘yes’ not ‘jes’ for a Spaniard, accents can be the cause of frustration and confusion.
How can you soften your accent?

There are many ways that this can be achieved. Such ways include:
• Make sure you choose an accent-softening course using native speakers
• Repetition is key – the key to clearer speech is to practise frequently
• Even if you are unable to speak aloud, simply listening and repeating words and exercises in your head will help

MSK English’s language and accent softening courses use native speakers as coaches and everyday language to naturally and quickly improve your pronunciation. Over time your natural language skills and the expanded ability of the ear, will cause your accent to naturally change to sound more like the coach in our one-to-one training sessions.

Electronic learning (or e-Learning or eLearning) is a type of Technology supported education/learning (TSL) where the medium of instruction is through computer technology, particularly involving digital technologies. E-learning has been defined as “pedagogy empowered by digital technology”(Nichols: 2008). In some instances, no face- to- face interaction takes place. E-learning is used interchangeably in a wide variety of contexts.

In companies, it refers to the strategies that use the company network to deliver training courses to employees. In North America, it is defined as a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies, mainly Internet or computer-based, to reach learners.

Lately in most Universities, e-learning is used to define a specific mode to attend a course or programmes of study where the students rarely, if ever, attend face-to-face for on-campus access to educational facilities, because they study online.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning

1. French – Bonjour
2. Spanish – Hola
3. Italian – Bon Giorno
4. German – Guten Tag
5. Russian – Zdravstvuite (pronounced Zdra-stvooy-tyeh)
6. Mandarin – Ni Hao
7. Dutch – Goedendag
8. Arabic-based languages – Marhabah
9. Swedish – Hej
10. Finnish – Hyvää päivää

At MSK English, we have specialist coaches to help young people improve their confidence and skills in foreign languages such as English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Chinese (more than 10 languages in total).

Here are just a few ways in which your child can benefit from MSK English:

• Give your child the best start in life. Give them the gift of excellent English communication!
• After school, on weekends, or during the holidays, have them practise whenever is convenient for you and watch their confidence grow.
• Our carefully selected team of experienced coaches will provide a fun but focused series of classes for your child from the comfort of your own home! Why not study together? We offer special parent and child sessions.
• Our tailored, one-to-one English coaching allows your child to practise only what he/she needs in a fun and safe environment.

What does intercultural learning mean? Before being able to answer that question, the word ‘intercultural’ needs to be clarified! The word ‘intercultural’ is composed of two words: ‘inter’ and ‘cultural’. ‘Inter’ means in between; this is an easy word to define, in contrast to the word ‘cultural’. ‘Cultural’ derives from ‘culture’. There are many different ways to define culture.

According to Wikipedia culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning “to cultivate”) is difficult to define. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of “culture” in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions. However, the word “culture” is most commonly used in three basic senses:

• excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities
• an integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning
• the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group.

In different cultures there are different languages. To be able to understand and most importantly tolerate an alien culture language is not vitally crucial, but language helps you to understand your counterpart better. Language as well as culture derives from tradition and has been developing all the time.

Language is the one of the most important systems of communication. People communicate also without language, but with language many things become more comprehensible.

One thing is for sure: intercultural learning is a component part of global learning. Online language schools enable you, as a learner to improve your language skill all over the world. The only thing you really do require is a functional internet connection.

It has been proven that through learning foreign languages intercultural learning improves and advances! There are many ways to learning a language: at school, further or private education. A completely new system is online language schools. Many people are not yet convinced completely of this new system, but the advantages are visible instantly: wherever, whenever and as often as you want, to a cheaper price, with a trainer, who is specifically coined to your employees’ needs. Think about it!

Is your company a globally-operated, modern business? If so, the knowledge of language is the most important ability to have in order to to communicate with business partners throughout the World.

The problem: In order to be able to gain language knowledge, language courses are crucial. BUT language courses are expensive and time-consuming! More importantly, you are not able to do it as every employee is indispensable. For you, as an employer, this is just not possible during office hours and lessons are expensive as well!

Online language courses could be the ideal solution for you. Via the internet, your employees could talk to their private language coach after work, for one or two hours, as many times a week as they choose and the best part is they could be at home, sitting on their comfortable sofa! Every single one of your employees can learn a foreign language very easily according to their individual needs.

Online language courses can help you in many kinds of areas: refresh your basic skills, deepen your technical language or simply improve your pronunciation.

Your advantages are: wherever, whenever and as often as you want, for a cheaper price, with a trainer, who is specifically matched to your employee’ needs. Think about it! Even if your employees are abroad, the coach can come to his or her aid helping for example to write a report or prepare a meeting for the following day.

This is your best, most convenient alternative!

Have you ever heard about an online language course? Not yet? Then it’s time! MSKEnglish.com offers you a unique opportunity to test a new, innovative system to develop your language skills.

You simply tell us what you want to improve or learn and for which purpose, we then can help you with your own learning. Do you want to go on holiday in a foreign country, where you have none or only little knowledge about? Do you have a basic knowledge of a language and consider living in a foreign country for a while? Just let us know and we will do our best to prepare you for the foreign country!

This is the ideal solution for you! When you want, where you want, as often as you want! Just have a look! www.MSKEnglish.com

We offer you the collection of 10 different languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Turkish! Your own trainer is being provided who is tailored for your needs.

In case you realize that you cannot get along with your trainer, no problem at all! Just let us know, we simply provide you with another one.

Try it now! The first lesson is for FREE!!! Any further lesson is only £16. Students get a 10% discount!

Our headquarters is in London, but wherever you are at the moment, the internet makes it possible, that we can reach you wherever you are!