Far too many people try to learn English for years without success. It’s hard to believe that so many people are incapable of learning and using English as a tool to communicate.
Most people blame themselves for not learning… Maybe it is time to ask a few questions, or question a few of our beliefs when it comes to learning and using English as a business communication tool.
Here are a few assumptions that we have debated with our clients and participants over the years. Click on ‘Answer’, and you’ll see if the statement is True or False.
1. An excellent knowledge of grammar and a vast vocabulary guarantee people the ability to work in English comfortably and efficiently. Answer
Penelope Cruz has just become the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar for her role in last year’s hit movie, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. A native of Madrid, she has been a rising star in Hollywood ever since her 1998 Hollywood debut in the movie Hi-Lo Country.
She admits that speaking English is “like torture sometimes”. Nevertheless, the sultry beauty from Alcobendas has come a long way, and has proven to her compatriots and the bigwigs in Hollywood that she is a true star.
It is not surprising that Ms. Cruz would have trouble with her initial forays into the red-carpeted glamour of Hollywood. Like many of the 34-year-old star’s generation, she didn’t grow up learning English, and only started learning the language late in life (in her case, at the age of 18). Due to Spain’s past language education policies, it is at the tail-end of foreign language abilities in a recent EU survey from 2005 – coming 24th place out the 27 EU countries, tied with Italy and Portugal.
In June 2007 a Polish airliner carrying 89 passengers nearly collided with another aeroplane over Heathrow Airport because the captain and the crew had problems communicating in English. The pilots had configured their navigational systems incorrectly and they had to rely on coordinates given to them by the English air traffic controllers. They could hardly understand what was being said, and several times they “turned the aeroplane in the opposite direction given by controllers” – causing an oncoming aeroplane to have to change course in order to avoid a catastrophic mid-air collision.
Like it or not, English has become the de facto language for many industries, including the aviation industry. The story above illustrates the importance of clear English communication in today’s world.
Thankfully, English miscommunication doesn’t always lead to fatal air accidents. In day-to-day affairs, however, it can lead to some embarrassing or funny situations. Check out the video we posted above to see an example of a truly disastrous instance of misunderstanding.
Do you have an embarrassing or funny experience to share about misunderstandings in English? Post it below and you could win one of the following prizes:
The first person to send a story will receive 4 Telephone Coaching sessions.
The best story will receive a 6 month subscription to The English Works Club.
Word of the Day: steadfast: DEFINITION: (adjective) Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable.
SYNONYMS: unbendab... twitter.com/babelcom2012/02/04
Far too many people try to learn English for years without success. It’s hard to believe that so many people are incapable of learning and using English as a tool to communicate. 
In June 2007 a 