Well, here’s something that might sway you.

“Say you are leading a team project, and everyone is working hard and doing their part. Yet, somehow, deadlines are being missed, errors are cropping up, and people are getting frustrated. What’s the problem? The answer could be poor communication,” suggests President & Founder of Valens Project Consulting Claudio Gutierrez in his article Why Effective Communication is the Key to Successful Teamwork.

He has a point. Fortunately, business language training can help you tackle it head on.

What Makes Business Language Training an Impactful, Inclusive Team Pursuit

 One of the most gratifying things about learning a language for business in the 2020s is not doing it alone in a corner with a dusty textbook.

On the contrary, it’s most effective when you’re bantering, role-playing, and fumbling through a mock negotiation with your teammates.

For all these reasons, the best business language courses are designed around real human interaction, such as:

• Group training – Learning shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues, comparing boo-boos, and getting instant practice with humans rather than an app

• Individual tuition – 1:1 in person or remote business language learning is ideal for advanced learners or any team members needing sharp, industry specific vocabulary, like business French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, etc

• Living a language outside the classroom – Many business groups spice things up with cultural awareness sessions, eating out at authentic restaurants, or even international dance lessons 

More Than Ordering Croissants

“When team members communicate openly and honestly, it can create a more positive and collaborative work environment,” Gutierrez continued. “This can lead to improved team morale and a more engaged team, which translates to better project outcomes.”

Win: win!

At la Academia, business language training is a different vibe than teaching you how to order a gelato in Milan. This is why we customise the programme around your business and its specific needs, not the other way round.

Get in touch if you’re thinking about giving your team the words to win at work.

This is firmly in your wheelhouse with business language training on your agenda, because there’s no single path to language brilliance in the corporate sphere. It’s completely subjective.

Plus, it’s a winner with employees too.

How Language Learning Gives Power to Your People

 Many workplaces are global workplaces circa 2026. This is why speaking your client’s language is a superpower, equipping your team to:

• Grow their mindset in a way they learn best
• Build resilience and confidence that goes way beyond the office
• Sharpen the practical skills that keep them adaptable and ahead

Business language training does all three. And here’s how. 

Group Classes = More Fun and More Practice

Group business language courses are comms gold, due to:

• Lively role plays
• Pair exercises
• Real conversation

All these interactive methods are designed to get them speaking faster, on a flexible schedule around your business, at your local language school or at your workplace.

And the added bonus? Many groups add cultural awareness training or international dance sessions to the mix. Yes, language training for work can be and should be fun if it’s going to maximise engagement and progress. 

1:1 Business Language Training Tailored to Your Specific Needs

 Need industry specific vocabulary?

Already past the basics in Spanish, French, Italian, or Chinese?

Individual tuition programmes are built around specific goals, in the language that matters for your work, and the vocab that demonstrates common ground. 

Make Language Learning at Work Count

At la Academia, we’ve had the pleasure of working with some seriously impressive companies. And they keep coming back because we make business language training  something to look forward to.

Get in touch and we’ll find the ideal fit for your people, on a group or individual basis, from beginner to boardroom ready.

For all these reasons, EFL lessons continue to open doors, boost confidence, and make life a whole lot easier.

Here’s how and why.

The UK is Still Top of the Class for English as a Foreign Language (for Obvious Reasons)

The UK remains the hottest go-to destination for learning English, and you can clearly see why:

• Trusted, high quality teaching standards
• Real life immersion you can’t replicate online
• A vibrant mix of cultures, accents, and experiences
• Students who stay longer, explore more, and get stuck in

As a result, demand for learning English as a foreign language in the UK is more than holding its own, despite global competition and uncertain travel patterns.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not moving with the times. On the contrary. 

What’s Changing Over Time?

The ways to learn English are keeping pace with busy 2020s life. For example:

• Flexible formats equip you to mix in-person and remote EFL lessons
• Specialist courses are on the rise, like EFL for business and industry specific training
• Real world practice for using English besides studying it, instigating a rise in language tourism

“This group is a key target for UK tourism due to the value of their visits, the opportunity to encourage repeat visits to the UK for young travellers and the English language training industry’s contribution to the UK economy,” VisitBritain told English UK in its article Facts & Figures.

What’s the Real EFL Difference?

Solid English skills are transformative for individuals and businesses alike, helping people to:

• Settle faster into life in the UK
• Build confidence in social and professional settings
• Communicate clearly at work
• Feel part of a community, not outside it

At la Academia, English as a foreign language isn’t taught in a vacuum. It’s built around real people and real goals, including:

• 1:1 EFL language tuition for privacy and precision
• Social, supportive, and cost-effective group EFL classes
• Tailored EFL training for professionals, from business teams to elite athletes
• Practical learning beyond the classroom

Get in touch for learning English with connection and confidence, not just labouring on grammar.

Here’s a closer look at why EFL for business is a savvy investment for both individuals and their employers alike. 

1. Say It Like You Mean It

 Wave goodbye to wrangling with emails or struggling to find the right words on Zoom calls. Business English gives them the tools to express themselves clearly, confidently, and convincingly.

In turn, clearer communication = deals sealed, conflicts resolved, and the next big idea pitched. Because it helps team members avoid awkward miscommunications and build stronger cross-cultural relationships. 

2. Benefit from Better International Networking

 Small talk at international conferences? Check. Meaningful connections with overseas partners? Double check. The business world really is their oyster with their newfound EFL skills enabling them to:

• Engage in global events and webinars
• Network with confidence, not confusion
• Tap into a broader spectrum of opportunities 

3. Boost Your Career and Job Prospects

 Business English can be a fast pass to the VIP lane for promotions to international job offers. And it’s often essential in native speaking countries like Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the United States.

As a result, it’s a real competitive advantage for team members looking to:

• Stand out in competitive job markets
• Speak the language of leadership
• Open doors in global companies

4. Increase the Market Reach of Your Business

 Thinking bigger and aspiring to expand? Speaking the language of your audience is a solid start, connecting you to more markets, more customers, and more potential.

Basically, the more of your non-native team who learn EFL, the better your business is placed to:

• Communicate with international stakeholders
• Keep pace with global trends
• Build credibility in new regions 

5. Tap into Professional Development

 Business English is a growth strategy to keep your company relevant, connected, and competitive, while equipping your people to futureproof their careers

Empower Your People to Communicate Fluently

Investment in Business English is great for both morale and business when you’re:

• Working with a non-native team or teams overseas
• Welcoming international staff from offices in non-native countries to the UK

And with la Academia’s flexible options via Zoom or face-to-face on your premises or the Manchester school, there’s no excuse not to get started.

Book a consultation and discover how our tailored Business English programmes can support your team, wherever they are in the world.

So, why are homestays a surefire choice for multinational businesses wanting to boost overseas and UK HQ relations?

Why Choose a Homestay?

What are the unbeatable benefits of a homestay experience?

• Get totally immersed – Living temporarily with an English-speaking family means soaking in the language and British culture firsthand 24/7, from teatime traditions to local slang.

• Learn faster IRL – Homestay programmes typically include 30 hours of intensive lessons spread over two weeks, combined with practicing your English in real-life situations every day.

• Mix business and pleasure – Host families are friendly, patient, and experienced, offering a supportive and homely environment while you learn.

AstraZeneca’s UK head office is in Cheshire. Their location makes Manchester the ideal destination for their European colleagues to enjoy happy and highly productive homestays.

Take Advantage of All Manchester Offers to Homestay Visitors

If you need any convincing why Manchester is the perfect place for homestay, here’s just a few good reasons:

• Home to two top Premiership football clubs
• Fantastic shopping destinations
• Killer nightlife
• Historic buildings and breathtaking natural landscapes.
• Easy access to nearby cities like Liverpool and Chester, plus the world-famous Lake District and North Wales

How did it pan out for AstraZeneca’s European counterparts?

AstraZeneca’s Success with la Academia

La Academia in Cheadle recently partnered with AstraZeneca to teach English to their European staff. These professionals stayed with local families in Macclesfield, enjoying a blend of English lessons at AstraZeneca’s offices and cultural immersion at their host homes.

One of AstraZeneca’s co-ordinators contacted their teacher afterwards, saying:

“Hope you are well?
You will find attached some photos from our session at AstraZeneca. Another big thank you for this week of classes; you really managed to motivate us. You are an excellent teacher.
We will keep great memories of you.”

This heartfelt message highlights the positive impact of a leading homestay programme, enhancing language skills while also creating lasting memories and connections.

At la Academia, you’re not just learning a language, you’re living it when you sign up to a homestay programme. Intrigued? Get in touch with your questions, and be inspired to take a leap into the world of English homestays in Manchester.

According to The Commonwealth website, 33 of these vibrant states are considered small. They each have a diminutive population of 1.5 million or less, like big family gatherings in their own rights. On the other hand, the Commonwealth is the collective home to a colossal 2.5 billion people, with a youthful vibe of more than 60% aged 29 or under. Energy and potential abound.

But don’t even get us started on the real treasure… Languages.

Welcome to a Linguistic Paradise

There’s more to the Commonwealth than cricket matches and legal systems. There’s languages. The Commonwealth’s journal of international affairs, The Round Table, says “Commonwealth countries lead the world in linguistic diversity, with five members boasting 2,399 languages between them”. Yes, you read that right!

Let’s take a look at the Top 5 of tongues:

• Papua New Guinea – The linguistic heavyweight champion with 840 languages. This equates to 12% of the world’s languages spoken in an area as big as Sweden!
• Nigeria – 517 languages
• India – 453 languages
• Australia – 312 languages
• Cameroon – 274 languages

All in all, that’s a whole lot of languages, each with its own stories, traditions, and cultures waiting to be explored.

So, why does this matter to language lovers?

Easy. Every language you learn opens a door to understanding and connecting with another culture. The celebration of Commonwealth Day on 11^th March is an annual reminder of the wealth of languages the association offers. The melodious tones of India. The rhythmic beat of Africa. The lyrical flow of Aborigine. Which will you choose?

At la Academia, every day is a language journey. So, pack your linguistic bags and get in touch to explore the rich diversity of your preferred Commonwealth language… or several!

Now, leading language schools like La Academia recognise the need for a holistic approach to English as a Foreign Language (EFL). What’s more, it’s a method that’s working wonders for diverse student bases, from overseas professionals, to immigrants striving to slot into their new communities.

And here is how EFL learning is shifting up a notch…

EFL Moves Out of the Classroom

Gone are the days when EFL instruction solely meant conjugating verbs and memorising vocabulary lists. On the contrary, the more modern approach ventures beyond the classroom walls. Today’s progressive teachers also place onus on integrating real-life scenarios and cultural immersion.

Before you get too excited, foundational grammar and vocabulary exercises remain essential. But the real magic happens when you can confidently order a meal at a bustling restaurant, or engage in lively banter at a sports event, or confidently present your ideas at a Board meeting.

So, when you’re looking for a language school to embark on your business or personal EFL journey, check out their extra-curricular activities.

At the end of the day, you’ll still end up equipped with the necessary linguistic tools. But additionally, there’s also the opportunity for practicing in authentic, everyday situations, such as:

• A vibrant dining experience
• A cinematic journey
• A nail-biting sporting event

Ultimately, these experiences both elevate and expedite your English language learning, while nurturing a sense of meaning in your business and/or local community.

At La Academia, our transformational EFL learning options go beyond the confines of the classroom, propelling you towards a fulfilling and integrated experience in your English-speaking business or home environment. Get in touch for more information about the best way forwards for your business or personal needs.

So, the irony of Real Bread Week, which is celebrated on 18^th-26^th February, isn’t lost. After all, bread means so many different things to different people across the length and breadth of the UK. It’s confusing for EFL students to know which one to plant their butter knives against.

Let’s take a look at the ‘roll’ call, based around a recent YouGov survey Cobs, buns, baps or barm cakes: what do people call bread rolls?:

1. Roll – 52% – Most commonly used in the South of England
2. Bun – 10% – Most commonly used in the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, with a smaller slice in Lincolnshire, Merseyside and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
3. Cob – 8% – Most commonly used in the East and West Midlands, plus Staffordshire and Worcestershire
4. Bap – 6% – Most commonly used in Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire, plus to a lesser degree in Cornwall, Devon and the West Midlands
5. Barm – 6% – Most commonly used in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and also in Cheshire
6. Tea Cake – 4% – Most commonly used in West Yorkshire, with smaller minorities in Lancashire and Cumbria.
7. Muffin – 3% – Most commonly used in Greater Manchester
8. Batch – 2% – Most commonly used in Warwickshire
9. Bara – Most commonly used in Wales
10. Softie – Most commonly used in Aberdeen
11. Stottie – Most commonly used in the North east
12. Breadcake
13. Oven bottom
14. Scuffler

At La Academia, we help hundreds of EFL students every year to sort out their barms from their batches! Get in touch if you’re looking for group or 1:1 EFL lessons that are fun but highly effective.

A recent article by Emma Batha in Context (Thomson Reuters Foundation’s media platform) entitled “English language test dashes nurses’ hopes of filling UK jobs” lifts the lid on the dilemma.

In the article, embattled UK-based and overseas non-native speaking nurses and their prospective UK employers question the relevance of the two English as a foreign language exams that are recognised by the NMC (National Medical Council):

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System
• OET (Occupational English Test specifically for healthcare professionals)

“Some have failed more than 15 times, but they speak perfectly good English and communicate confidently and clearly with patients and colleagues,” claimed reformer Agimol Pradeep. She continued to describe how “…some senior NHS staff – dismayed by the nurses’ situation – had tried the test themselves, and failed it, despite being native English speakers”. 

There are clearly issues. But in the meantime, professional language lessons are a compelling option for nurses to catapult their chances of passing their English as a foreign language exams – to standard, if not with flying colours!

Here’s a few interesting options.

Three Ways for Non-Native Nurses to Prevail in English as a Foreign Language Exams

• Individual and Group Learning – 1:1 tutoring and group learning is available in-person in classroom or office settings, and also online. All options are designed to equip adult students to thrive at work and lead fuller lives in their local communities.

• Tailored Learning Paths – Bespoke learning is especially effective for adult students with specific goals in their sights. It can include sector-specific vocabulary and be customised for adult students with an intermediate or even advanced command of English.

• Virtual Learning Across the Waters – Online learning for adult students based abroad is a powerhouse resource to help with job applications, work permits and ultimately settling in the UK.

At La Academia, we can’t alleviate the issues nurses are currently experiencing with English as a foreign language exams. But we can help them to potentially succeed against the odds. Get in touch if you’d like to talk about this is more detail.

But Baroness Coussins of the Chartered Institute of Linguists recently warned – “What a contradictory world… on the one hand retreating into a post-Brexit little island mindset, and on the other, being in instant contact every second of the day via… smart digital devices with anyone and everyone in the world”.

In truth, any life skill contributes to a fuller, richer life. But it’s 10X the case with languages. They can have a game-changing impact on our personal and professional lives.

There are some compelling reasons why speaking only the English language can be distinctly disadvantageous in the ‘20s and beyond. Let’s take a look at just a few.

The Downsides of English Language Monolingualism 

• Uplevelled Commercial Future Forwardness – The Baroness pointed out that… “only 6% of the world’s population are native English speakers and 75% speak no English at all”. And despite Brexit, UK businesses are still including the ability to speak French and/or German as highly desirable requisites when they’re recruiting. It’s a wake-up call that we need to broaden our horizons beyond the English language more than ever in order to keep pace in the global business arena.

• Boosted Ability to Consume Online Content – We might feel like we’re drowning under mountains of online content. But surprisingly, less and less of it is in the English language. Arabic tops the list of most used language online, and Chinese continues its bid for online digital domination.

• Less Reliance on AI Tools – There are many online translation tools that we can use at the push of a button, and they’re fine for looking up words and phrases. But, increased use of these tools is accompanied by more bloopers, due to a lack of human nuance.

At La Academia, we believe that communication makes the world go round. Our passion for languages is almost tangible. We’re proud to teach all languages – including the English language – to students of all ages. Get in touch and tell us which language you’re interested in, so we can plan a learning path with you.   

Source 
Positive about Languages – why there has never been a better time to be a linguist, Baroness Coussins, Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)