Cactus Language Training Blog

  1. L&D Tenders - How to Buy Corporate Language Training and get Best Value

    • Monday, 14th May, 2012

    There is no doubt for those of us involved in procurement, either on the specifying-and-buying- or the tendering-and-selling end of the rope, that the tug of war between best quality provision and lowest cost is only getting tougher.
    When it comes to corporate language training procurement, we see from our exposure to large-scale language training tenders that there clearly is no best-practice approach being adopted by corporate concerns when specifying the training they require, and some approaches are very much better than others. Given the largely superlative requirement to slash corporate training budgets, whilst still allowing companies to progress, it would seem like a good time to assess whether the language procurement process can be improved.
    Here are six top tips to get more out of language training:

    1. The British Language Learning Stereotype...
    We note that the quality of tenders from outside the UK are generally more detailed, and demonstrate a sharper awareness of what it is to learn a language, and how long it is likely to take. This is not necessarily surprising, as most of the rest of Europe has had to master a second language in order to step up to a European or International procurement position, so there is a greater empathy and awareness of what information will be the most useful to providers.

    ACTION: If you are asked to procure language training, get the organisations you’re considering to do the work. Many training organisations (Cactus included) will provide either free or “at cost” consultancy services to help you build a better specification.

    2. Get the intern to do it
    The pre-qualification conversations we have with can’t-be-named multinationals generally start out with a nice chat with an intern in the procurement or L&D department. We like interns, they’re always friendly, and they have time to listen, but we do sometimes worry that there must be more scientific ways of pre-selecting providers than asking an intern to spend a few days browsing the internet (which is what they tell us they are asked to do).

    ACTION: As well as asking interns to research providers, it would be a perfect intern project to scope out language training requirements, study the data from past years, run questionnaires on what end users are happy/unhappy about. This will provide stronger data for organisations to tender against.


    3. How Much Language Do People Actually Need?
    In continental Europe, there is much higher investment in robust language training programmes which span many years, to take key staff to a high level of language competency. There is also a realisation that a foreign language – if not used on a regular basis – needs some maintenance in the form of regular sessions.
    In the UK, the requirement for foreign language training has generally been more fragmented, and tends to be task specific. This is very much an approach we take at Cactus, that if time and budgets do not lend themselves to hundreds of hours of language study (and generally they don’t), then it is far preferable to apply whatever language skills you have to the tasks which need to be achieved in the work context. Cactus trainers work simultaneously on reinforcing and developing core structures of the language, but in such a way that the output of the lessons is a practical ability to communicate in real life, business situations. 
    Generally speaking, the larger the company, the more the process of purchasing language risks being divorced from the management of language need, therefore:

    ACTIONS: Circulate an online needs analysis form and an online test to get a snap shot of current levels and needs. Collate this information and use it as a basis for decision making. At Cactus, we are happy to sift through this data for free, and make recommendations on the most cost-effective solutions.

    4. If organising in-company language training feels like herding cats, you’re not doing it right...
    Language is a means to an end, and not an end in itself. The tighter the connection between the strategic or operational objective of your organisation, and the language content being taught, the more overt and measurable the return on investment will be. If you can’t measure the outcome of a language training course in a more tangible way than to see if the trainee enjoyed the course, then there is really little point in procuring it in the first place.

    ACTIONS: Satisfy yourself that the language training company has advanced approaches which capture business objectives and test trainees’ practical ability to perform better in their work role. Also ensure that there is a clear requirement place on line managers to evaluate trainees’ abilities, and that this is inherently understood to be part of the signing off process on training. If not, the opportunity to measure ROI may be diluted.
     
    5. The Discount’s in the Detail
    One of the biggest reasons that many organisations’ fail to get true value for money is down to the lack of detail provided in the Technical Specification. When it comes to face-to-face language training, the critical detail is in the volume of current or planned learners, their languages and levels and more than anything else, their geographical locations. This is because language training can frequently be delivered in a drip-feed format – i.e. a little often, rather than one- or two-day intensive formats. This quirk of language training can be perfectly well managed by a competent language training organisation, whatever the scale. However it does have greater than usual impact on cost if the weekly travel between trainer and company offices is ignored.
    Knowing even an approximation of this information usually means that Cactus can save the client a tremendous amount of money. When wild approximation meets wild approximation, any cost-effectiveness is purely theoretical.

    ACTION: Ensure that language training requirements are gathered along with training location data. A big excel download from your LMS is fine. Again, a perfect intern project.

    6. Save on the Booking Processes too.
    Whilst you are outsourcing your language training, you might as well aim to also outsource as much of the process of turning training requests into “people on courses” as possible. Cactus works in a consultancy role alongside major organisations to find smarter way of handling training requests and placing approved trainees into courses. Thanks to its remote training management capabilities, Cactus can orchestrate complex solutions from a distance, using everything from company-specific online course listings (and online booking), through to version-controlled excel spreadsheets to expedite the whole L&D function for language training.

    ACTIONS: Add a paragraph to the Technical Specification explaining how you wish the process to work between employees’ requirements, through trainee screening and budget allocation, to provision of courses. Highlight what parts of the process you would dearly like to outsource.

    About Cactus
    Cactus is one of the leading providers of corporate and public language training in the UK, mainland Europe and Worldwide. In addition to its ability to provide cost-effective, multi-lingual, multi-location face to face, blended and customised language training solutions, Cactus also provides language training consultancy services.
    Cactus provides both free-standing language training consultancy services to companies grappling with language training requests, and also offers pro-bono services to help organisations better formulate their tenders and technical specifications.

    Email , Cactus UK MD or for immediate language training requirements, call Ernesto Forner, Head of Corporate Language Training, on 0845 130 4775 (UK) or +44(0) 1273 725200 (from outside UK).

  2. Everyone is a winner!* The Olympics Cactus style

    Everyone is a winner!* The Olympics Cactus style

    • Friday, 4th May, 2012

    All our London language courses will take a 2-week Olympics break from Fri 27th July – Fri 10th August.

    As we all know, it can be a nightmare getting around London at the best of times and according to recent Transport for London adverts, this is set to only get worse during the Olympics, affecting both public transport and roads.

    We’re therefore taking a 2-week Olympics break - so whether you’re staying to watch, heading for the hills, or have been lucky enough to secure some tickets - you won’t lose out, have to miss any lessons or get hot under the collar trying to fight your way through the crowds to get to us.

    All London courses will ‘resume normal service’ from Sat 11th August and will run for an extra two weeks to make up for the break. So you get the full course you paid for, without having to compete for a seat on an overcrowded bus or train or miss your favourite event. 

    Book your language course in July with confidence, knowing that we’ve got you covered!

    *Applies only to Cactus students, no guarantees can be made for Team GB. We would however like to wish all athletes the best of luck!

  3. April is TEFL month at Cactus

    • Tuesday, 3rd April, 2012

    Throughout April we will aim to answer all your TEFL questions, such as:

    “What is the difference between TEFL, CELTA and TESOL?”

    “Is a 4-week TEFL course as intensive as everyone says?”

    “How do you know which TEFL course is best for you?”

    We will be posting a series of videos discussing and answering the most common TEFL questions. So make sure you’re a fan or following us and don’t miss out!

    www.facebook.com/cactuslanguagetraining

    www.twitter.com/cactustefl

    For transcripts of the videos and even more TEFL related questions, as well as information on thousands of courses around the world visit www.cactustefl.com.

  4. New Language Courses in Canary Wharf

    New Language Courses in Canary Wharf

    • Tuesday, 3rd April, 2012

    From April Cactus will be offering its popular 10-week evening language courses in City Harbour, only 2 minutes from Crossharbour DLR station and 10 minutes from Canary Wharf.  View map & school details...

    With one 2-hour class per week, from 6.30 to 8.30pm, you can easily learn a language after work. Get started now and you could be speaking a new language in time for this summer, by the end of June to be precise.

    Language courses available in Canary Wharf include Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. Courses start from £205 including book and are taught by experienced teachers in small interactive, sociable groups. They run on different nights of the week and start quarterly form 17th April. Book early and you can get £10 off!

    “Good value for money and good teachers...” Jody, Spanish student

    “I really noticed a continuous improvement week after week.” Rudiger, Spanish student

    To find out more visit www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk or call 0845 130 4775.

    For previous Canary Wharf students, this move will affect only the location of their course. All other course details, e.g. days and times, remain unchanged.

    Why are the Canary Wharf courses moving?
    We have appointed a new centre in Canary Wharf, based on feedback received from our students.
    During each course we ask for your comments via questionnaires. Your input actively shapes not only the course you are on, but our future course offering.
    We would like to thank everyone who submitted feedback or took part in our survey for helping to continuously improve our courses.

    Cactus has 17 training locations across London, including Baker Street, Bond Street, Canary Wharf, Clapham, Gloucester Road, Greenwich, Highgate, Holborn-Russell Square, Islington, Kings Cross, Notting Hill, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Shepherds Bush, Soho, Victoria and Wimbledon.

  5. How to Choose Your Study Abroad Program

    How to Choose Your Study Abroad Program

    • Wednesday, 28th March, 2012

    When choosing to study abroad there are many things that go through your head – is it worth it? Will I really learn the language? Can I get enough course credit? All these questions and anxieties are completely normal and ultimately important to your decision making.

    The first thing you should do if you are looking to study abroad outside of your home University program is to meet with your school advisor about what you want to do and what you want to achieve. The most important part of your education abroad is that you are rewarded not only in the experience but for the work you did while you were there.

    Every University has a different list of criteria for issuing US credit for the courses you take abroad, so before booking a course you should always consult with your advisor on how many hours you’ll need to complete and what type of courses you’ll need to take to not only get the experience you want but the course credit you need.

    By confirming the amount of hours you need to complete and having a detailed list of the documents you need from the institution aboard to submit to your home University, you will be well on your way to making your study abroad experience happen. Having this information at the beginning of your search will help you determine which program in which location is the best for you and allow you to make the best decision more efficiently.

    Once you have that information, it comes down to how much time you can commit to studying abroad and how many credits you ultimately want to receive. Do you have a week, a summer, or a whole semester? Do you need 12 credits or just 3? Here’s a breakdown of types of study abroad programs and what will work best according to your goals:

    Winter and Spring Break
    If you want to make the most of the few weeks you have off for winter or spring break there are plenty of options around the globe. The best option for this short period of time would be an Intensive Language Course or a Combined Language Course. These courses are 30 lessons (25-30 hours) per week and focus on advancing your language skills as quickly as possible in the short amount of time that you are there. The standard rule is that 45 contact hours equals 3 credits, so take 2 weeks of the Intensive or Combined course and there’s a solid chance your University will issue you the credits for your time abroad

    Summer
    Doing a study abroad program in the summer is a great way to make sure you take enough hours of a course to gain the credit you need while still allowing you a varied amount of programs to choose from. You can take a Spanish and Mayan History Course in Merida, a Language and Culture course in Paris or Aix, a German and Music course in Vienna, or a Japanese and Traditional Culture course in Fukuoka, Japan. These courses will not only advance your language skills in a short time period but give you extra elements to the course to provide your home university with good reason for issuing you more course credits.

    Semester
    If you’re going abroad for an entire semester, it’s most important that you focus on a program that offers you variety to allow you to get the most credits for your time abroad. The reality is that if you’re looking for a whole semester of credit, taking just a language course won’t be enough. Focus on the programs that offer language courses as well as cultural courses so you can get a well rounded academic semester. A good example of this is the semester program in Malaga, which offers a Spanish course as well as courses on Spanish history, literature, economy, and media. Taking this type of program will not only make your time more enjoyable, but will make it much easier to transfer credit upon your return when you are able to present varied course syllabi and assignments for approval.

    Ultimately, the options are endless, but the more organized you are about your goals with study abroad, the more likely you are to gain the credit you need and make the most out of the experience.
    Still need advice? Feel free to contact us for information on possibilities and programs.

  6. Show some love this Valentine’s Day with our special date and gift ideas

    • Wednesday, 1st February, 2012

    Why not treat your Valentine to an experience they won’t forget this February?  Instead of the usual clichéd hearts and flowers, surprise your loved one with Cactus lessons in the language of love!

    For all Francophiles, Cactus is offering special “French Tuesdays” in partnership with Cafe Rouge.  It’s a chance to learn the basics or brush-up old skills, while enjoying delicious contemporary French cuisine.  The sessions are available every Tuesday from 6.30pm-8.30pm at locations in Hampstead, Knightsbridge, Leicester Square, Wimbledon and Brighton, until 21 February 2012.  To book your place, simply visit http://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/caferouge/

    Or Cactus’ language gift vouchers make the perfect gift for all language lovers.  Available in multiples of £10, they can be redeemed against any Cactus products.  So if you want to whisk away your partner to romantic Rome for a language holiday to learn Italian, or simply fancy learning together with one of our many evening courses, there’s sure to be an option to spark your passion.  Visit http://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/en/promotion/gift-voucher

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