Foreign Relocation: More Than Just Practicalities and Logistics

Foreign Relocation: More Than Just Practicalities and Logistics

Whilst relocation to another country can be exciting and rewarding, you need to be fully prepared to ensure the best possible experience. By ‘preparation’, most people would assume that you mean packing up your belongings, booking your travel and arranging or confirming accommodation arrangements. And of course, it’s essential that these things are sorted before you depart. Equally as important preparation-wise, though, is some thorough research into the language and culture of your destination country.

Foreign Relocation: More Than Just Practicalities and Logistics

There are varying degrees of integration when in comes to foreign living. Often relocation can involve living in blocks or areas that are home largely to expats. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make an effort to learn some of the local language, and read up on the culture, though. Even if you are living in an expat environment, living your life in a foreign country and working in an office with domestic employees will demand that you have some understanding of how they live, and of their cultural practices and values.

Learning Prior to Relocation

If relocation is required for work, companies will normally pay for language lessons prior to your departure. These can be tailor-made to your needs and level. In larger organisations especially, you may find that you’re learning in a small group with other employees who are relocating. Anyone who has chosen to relocate independently of their work has lots of options for getting some basic language training. Of these options, one to one lessons or evening courses are the most common way to learn.

Learning in the Native Speaking Country

The learning doesn’t have to stop when you move either. Of course your linguistic ability will improve when you’re immersed in the foreign country, but you can continue to learn via one to one lessons. Often companies like Cactus can arrange for tutors living in your new country to teach you. Although it is also possible to continue with UK, or US-based tutors via online and other distance learning means.

Cultural Training

It’s also possible to combine your language training with cultural training sessions, which can be priceless when it comes to settling in to your new environment. On top of this though, it’s also important to do some research yourself into laws and regulations that may exist in your destination country. There have been several incidents of late whereby expats living in foreign countries have ended up in jail, or deported, because of not adhering to local law. Sometimes there can be a mentality amongst ex-pat communities that some local laws don’t apply to them. This especially true where drinking alcohol and showing public ‘displays of affection’ are concerned.

Language Training for Relocation

Being in a situation like this would not only end your foreign experience, but may also cost you your job. This makes it essential to find out about the ‘dos and don’ts’ as soon as you arrive, if not before. The UK foreign office website and the US Department of State website are particularly good resources for this kind of information, as are guide books like Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.

Language Training for Relocation

Are you soon expected to relocate to another country for work? Do you want a course designed to your specific learning goals to make your relocation easier? Cactus offers a variety of great business classes tailored to your needs. Cactus also offers general language classes online, across the UK and immersive courses across the world.

Are you looking to develop your language skills or of your team members? Are you looking to determine the number of hours needed to reach proficiency? Cactus Guide to International Success –  Levels and Progress Made Simple gives you the information you need to ensure your language training objectives are met. Download our free Guide to International Success.

Free Guide to International Success

Cactus Language Training Services

If you are interested in discussing your global language training strategy with the UK leading provider in language training, then get in touch to learn more about your language learning options. From face-to-face, online, blended learning and in company tuition Cactus Language Training will help you find the delivery and schedule that meets your needs. Cactus offer any language wherever you are and whenever you choose. Download our Free Corporate Brochure.

For information on any of our language training services, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have.

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Online language courses: online classes for over 20 different languages
Evening language courses: evening language classes for over 20 languages across the UK, including London
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Junior language camps: immersion programmes for children and teens across the world
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world

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