5 Reasons You Should Learn English Today

5 Reasons You Should Learn English Today

Your life is already great as it is. You have a job, you have friends and a family, and you have everything you need in your own country. English isn't easy to learn. English grammar is confusing, there are so many words, there are so many accents, and for sure it's going to take time and effort to learn English. So why bother learning English at all? Here are 5 reasons you should learn English today!

5. Improved Global Communication

Global communication means being able to effectively read, write, listen and speak using the English language with people around the world. When you know English, you can communicate with the majority of people in the world. English is becoming the dominant intermediary language that peoples from all over the world use to communicate with each other. One source estimates that over 80% of information found on the Internet is written in English (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4684923).

Not being able to communicate in English creates a huge barrier to success in all areas of a person's life. However, when you know English, you can access the knowledge of the world in text, video and audio. Sir Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power." Further, knowledge creates possibility. And, with effective English communication skills you can share your unique ideas and perspectives with the world. You can be heard but a much larger audience.

4. Better Career Opportunities

Great English opens doors to great jobs and is the vehicle to business opportunities. English fluency can be directly related to financial reward. One study (http://www.voxeu.org/article/it-pays-speak-english) in India discovered that the hourly wages of men increased by 34% when they became fluent in English.

The types of jobs available to fluent English speakers is much more broad than for those who cannot communicate in English. Because most companies want or need to do business with English speaking countries, staff who are able to speak English are a huge asset. And in North America, great English skills immediately creates opportunities regardless of your ethnicity.

Consider also the vast opportunities to do business abroad that become available with fluent English. For example, small and large businesses around the world need web developers. A talented web developer with English fluency would no longer be dependent upon local economic conditions for business success because a world full of clients would become available. Check out www.odesk.com to see current freelance opportunities that can be done from anywhere in the world.

3. A Better Life

Improved English enables a better life for the individual who speak English as well as their family and children.

Odds are your children learning English in school -- how much more would you be able to help your children if you spoke great English? How amazing would it be to communicate with your kids and share in their new experiences that they have because of English?

With fluent English, a whole world becomes available. You can travel to new places and never worry about not being able to find your way. From ordering food to going out and enjoying sights, great English translates to an amazing travel experience!

The key benefit of having great job opportunities is a better life. More money, a more satisfying work life, and more career flexibility will all result in more contentment and fulfillment, more stimulation and more life!

2. Broader Perspectives and Better Integration

When you speak only one language, your perspective of the world, what you can know and experience, is limited. People who only have one language can also become isolated and insular.

When you know English you can see the world through the eyes of other cultures. Speaking English means more than just knowing words, it means understanding new ideas and points of view. So much is lost in translation. And you need to rely on others to do the translating and interpreting for you.

Being able to understand English has an immediate benefit -- when you want to understand world news, English fluency would enable you to read newspapers from around the world -- you would no longer be subject to the bias of your own country's media.

Having access to different ideas and opinions expands your consciousness. And the realm of possibility grows beyond what you could possibly imagine. Your understanding of the world and yourself will increase with leaps and bounds.
 

1. Freedom

All of these benefits can be summarized in one word: Freedom! With fluent English, you have a key to most of the doors in the world. You can go anywhere and do anything. You will become limitless.

And it's not just because you can speak a second language -- your mind changes when you learn a second language. Cognitive function has been demonstrated to improve when someone learns a new language. People have also been shown to be more creative, have increased mental flexibility and be better problem solvers. (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4684923)

If you want to travel or study abroad, you can. If you want to apply for a better job, you can. If you want to learn more about another country or culture that doesn't speak your language, you can. And if you want to watch movies and TV, you can, without dubbing and subtitles!

With English fluency, you will be free. You will be limitless!

 

5 Reasons to Learn English today are Improved Global Communication, Better Career Opportunities, A Better Life, Broader Perspectives and Better Integration, and Freedom. There are so many more reasons to learn English today -- what are you waiting for?      

10 Key Dimensions of Culture

 10 Key Dimensions of Culture


Also posted at http://www.overcomethebarrier.com/2013/05/29/10-key-dimensions-of-culture/

Our workplaces are becoming more and more globalized. It is now a reality that in our daily work our staff will encounter someone from another culture. The key to success in business is to train your staff to deal with someone who has different values and beliefs than they do. Knowing these 10 key differences between cultures will certainly help your staff work better with international clientele.

There are many differences between cultures. The following table, adapted from The Managing Diversity Survival Guide, Gardenswartz & Rowe (IRWIN.1994) by Deborah Hall of the Immigrant Welcome Centre (www.immigrantwelcome.ca), summarizes the10 Key Dimensions of Culture.
Dimensions of Culture
Western Culture
Non-Western Cultures
Sense of self and space
Informal
Handshake
Formal
Hugs, bows, handshakes
Communication & language
Explicit, direct communication
Emphasis on content
Meaning found in words
Implicit, indirect communication Emphasis on context
Meaning found around words
Dress & appearance
"Dress for success" ideal
Wide range in accepted dress
Dress seen as a sign of position,
wealth, prestige
Religious rules
Food and eating habits
Eating as necessity
Dining as a social experience
Religious rules
Times & time consciousness
Linear and exact time Consciousness
Value on promptness
Time = money
Elastic and relative time Consciousness
Time spent on enjoyment of Relationships
Relationships, family, friends
Focus on nuclear family
Responsibility for self
Value on youth, age seen as handicap
Focus on extended family
Loyalty & responsibility to family
Age given status and respect
Values and Norms
Individual orientation
Independence
Preference for direct
Confrontation of conflict
Group orientation
Conformity
Preference of harmony
Beliefs and attitudes
Self directed
Challenging of authority
Individuals control their
Destiny
Gender equity
Hierarchical
Respect for authority and social
order
Individuals accept their destiny
Different roles for men and women
Mental processes and learning style
Linear, logical and sequential
Problem-solving focus
Lateral, holistic, simultaneous
Accepting of life's difficulties
Work habits and practices
Emphasis on tasks
Rewards based on individual achievement
Work has intrinsic value
Emphasis on relationships Rewards based on seniority, relationships
Work is a necessity of life
Awareness of different values, beliefs and attitudes is the first step in becoming more effective at dealing with different cultures.

The second step is to have staff become aware of their own preferences and habits, as well as become aware of what habits they have a hard time dealing with. Any number of assessments can be conducted, from simply going through the above list and selecting preferences, to psychological testing (e.g. see https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/ ), to enrolling in cross-cultural training programs. Understanding our own beliefs and attitudes gives us a place to start from.

The third step is to adapt individual beliefs, attitudes and behaviors to more effective ones. This step, however, is highly dependent upon your staff's willingness and motivation to change. Certainly your staff have the option of doing nothing about themselves and demanding that their business partners adapt to their styles. In the current marketplace, however, this attitude is not likely to lead to business success.

Knowing the 10 Key Dimensions of Culture prepares your staff to be successful in the global marketplace. Different strategies can be taken to encourage staff to be interested in changing their perceptions. Regardless of the strategy that's taken, they key is to get individual buy-in. Tolerance of other cultures can't effectively be "faked" and it certainly can't be forced. However, by increasing your staff's awareness of cultural differences they will be in a better position to work in this global world.

How to Choose an English Tutor

How to Choose an English Tutor


Probably the single best way to learn English is to hire an English tutor.  When you're ready to hire an English tutor, there are many things to consider.  Let's look at what key points you should keep in mind when looking for an English tutor to help you with learning English.

Determine Your Budget

Improving your English is an incredibly important investment to make in yourself.  In this article, let's purely focus on money and forget about all the other benefits of being fluent in English (and there are many!).   One study (http://www.voxeu.org/article/it-pays-speak-english) discovered that being fluent in English increases the hourly wages of men by 34% and women by 22%.
How much money would that translate to in your life?  Knowing this, how much are you willing to invest in yourself today to get that increased salary?  Also consider how long do you plan to study English.  What is your end goal, and how much work will it take to get there?  The more you can work with a tutor one-on-one, the faster your English will improve.
Knowing your budget will help you to make some important decisions about the teacher/tutor you will hire.

Native English Speaker or non-Native English Speaker?

Your budget and the amount of time needed to achieve your goals will immediately determine whether or not you will be able to work with a Native English Speaker....

Read the rest of this article on http://www.overcomethebarrier.com/2013/05/10/how-to-choose-an-english-tutor/ 

The Best Groups to Be Involved With in Campbell River!

The Best Groups to Be Involved With in Campbell River!


Seeking out and being around positive, collaborative and forward-thinking people has been key to the success I've had so far in Campbell River.  And by success I mean: being happier, more fulfilled, having so many new friends and contacts, and feeling like an active member of this community. 

I've spent the last 2 years out in the community discovering where the most positive and giving people hang out.  There are so many great organizations and people in this community, and all serve different demographics and missions. 

If you're between the ages of 19 and 45 and want to be active in the community to grow your business networks, social networks, take part in community initiatives and develop professionally, I highly recommend you check out the Young Professionals of Campbell River.  http://www.ypcampbellriver.com/

If you're a business owner or a professional and want to connect with and support (primarily) women in the community, and meet some incredible ladies, check out Business and Professional Women's Network.  http://www.bpwn.org/index.php

If you're into community service and want to do this kind of work with amazing people, check out the Kinsmen http://www.campbellriverkinsmen.com/home.html and Rotary Clubs.  Also, I highly recommend signing up as a volunteer at Volunteer Campbell River.  http://www.volunteercr.ca/

Do you love to support immigrants?  Do you love diversity?  Do you want to meet and work with some of the most kind-hearted, passionate and innovative people in the community?  Then consider getting involved with the Welcome Centre.  http://www.immigrantwelcome.ca/

And finally, if you want to be around people who truly believe that teamwork, abundance, friendship and positivity are key to living your Dream, then you'll definitely want to check out HALO and  Halo Haley Larson.  As Haley aptly says, "Teamwork makes the Dream work!"
http://halo-networking.com/

If you have any questions or want to know where and when any of these groups meet, give me a call and let's chat!  250-287-0086


7 Tips for Teaching English as a Foreign Language in China

7 Tips for Teaching English as a Foreign Language in China


A few years ago I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to live and teach English in China.  It was an incredible experience.  There is so much depth and history to this amazing country!   And what better way to explore this magical country than by teaching English there?
I learned a lot in my first months in China that I wish someone would have told me before I went.  As much experience as I have with Chinese culture, I’m still an outsider; I still have misunderstandings.  However, I invite you to consider these points so that you can get the most of your experience teaching English as a foreign language in China!

Read the rest of my article at...  http://www.overcomethebarrier.com/2013/05/08/7-tips-for-teaching-english-as-a-foreign-language-in-china/

Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are




Amy discusses how you can you significantly change the outcomes of your life by practicing simple Power Poses.  Using these techniques you can become more confident, more powerful and achieve the success you dream of!  Watch this fantastic TED Talk to understand the research behind this wild claim!

Be a dog with love and a cat with dreams!

Be a dog with love and a cat with dreams!





White Cat Insight

Accomplishment Coaching says,

INSIGHT + ACTION = RESULTS

Only when we take action on our new insights will we get results.  What action might you take on this week because of this Insight? 



Want to work with Dave Brown?

Call him at 250-287-0086 to set up a Conversation of Possibility NOW!

I Accept Myself Unconditionally Right Now!

I Accept Myself Unconditionally Right Now!

December 2012 I posted a practice on Facebook for others to try, and I took it on myself.

It was very straightforward--post "I accept myself unconditionally right now" on the bathroom mirror, read it at least once a day and notice what happens. This is one powerful affirmation attributed to Louise Hay (http://www.louisehay.com/)

So I took on this practice, just as instructed... and without a doubt my level of self acceptance has grown in the past months.

An inner peace that I was previously unfamiliar with has taken residence in my heart.

In every moment, when that inner critic starts jumping up and down and begins judging the crap out of you, consider repeating to yourself.. "I accept myself unconditionally right now".. and see what happens.


White Cat Action

Accomplishment Coaching says,

INSIGHT + ACTION = RESULTS

Only when we take action on our new insights will we get results.  What insights might you generate if you take on this Action this week? 



Want to work with Dave Brown?

Call him at 250-287-0086 to set up a Conversation of Possibility NOW!

One Step to Love Everyone

One Step to Love Everyone


Different leaders and visionaries have encouraged us to love everyone. If there is only one thing that is guaranteed to get in the way of loving someone, it's judgement. Judging them. But we are judging creatures. We are designed to judge and compare and interpret.

So I believe the secret is to not to try to stop judging people; instead accept that you are judging people all the time. Let the judgements flow. Don't stop them. But find a way to express those judgements without getting them on other people. Journal. Go for a run. Paint. Sing. Write. Let the judgements flow, but direct them away from other people.

Practice this, and I believe the result will be love for everyone.




White Cat Insight

Accomplishment Coaching says,

INSIGHT + ACTION = RESULTS

Only when we take action on our new insights will we get results.  What action might you take on this week because of this Insight? 



Want to work with Dave Brown? 

Call him at 250-287-0086 to set up a Conversation of Possibility NOW!