The importance of feedback on language training

By Sarah Howarth

As a busy professional, when you take time out of your crowded calendar and invest your time in language training, or training of any sort, you need to be assured of return on your investment. This is key for your employer too, of course. It’s therefore essential that your training provider offer you robust ways of measuring and reporting on the outcomes of your training.

• Has it met the objectives you set when you embarked on your course?
• What new skills and language can you use as a result?
• How have you been able to implement your learning at work?

In this blog post, we discuss various ways in which providers can give constructive feedback on the impact of your course on your business-communication skills.

How is ability in language assessed?

Mention the letters ‘CEFR’ to any self-respecting language training professional and they will all think of only one thing – language levels! CEFR stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This handy, international reference tool allows language trainers, learners and providers across the world to easily understand a person’s language level in a uniform and accurate way. It details the requirements relating to speaking, listening, reading and writing that learners must meet in order to attain each level. The scale extends from the most elementary level (A1) to the most advanced (C2). This transparent system makes it easy and straightforward for employers and educators to benchmark and understand an employee’s or learner’s level. For more information on the CEFR, click here.

At Language Services Direct, we have adapted this framework to relate it more specifically to business (rather than general) language skills.

At the outset of training, your provider should assess your level against an approved framework like the CEFR. Then at agreed intervals throughout your training, your level should be re-assessed by your trainer. We recommend re-testing every 40+ hours to allow demonstrable progress to be made.

Making progress

At the end of each block of training, for example 40 hours, your supplier should provide you with a detailed progress report. You should expect this to include information on:

• the language level you have acheived
• the objectives of training – and the extent to which these have been achieved
• topics and language covered – and to what extent you have mastered these
• recommendations for ongoing self-study, skills development and using your learning at work
• updated objectives and priorities for any futher training

Language trainers are experts in assessing progress; whether it be via creating an informal test, a role-play to demonstrate learning or a bespoke listening/reading/communicative task to elicit skills required at particular levels and based on your particular industry, etc. All of which can be assessed against the CEFR to report accurately and constructively.

What about tests and exams?

Whilst a detailed progress report provides very useful and personalised feedback on training, many of our clients require additional means of assessing progress. They are often keen to benchmark learner progress more formally. To this end, your provider might be able to offer you standardised tests and external exams. To find out what we offer here at Language Services Direct, click here.

The proof is in the pudding!

Of course, the ultimate test of progress for business language learners takes place at work. Your colleagues should be able to see the impact of your training when they interact with you in the language. They might note improvements in your confidence, fluency, accuracy and other specific skills you have been working on in class such as your pronunciation. Our aim is always to allow you to feel more confident to use the language for business purposes such as contributing to meetings, following email trails, presenting information, negotiating, taking part in a conference call – or whatever other objectives you may have set.

Using your training at work

We believe that your training provider should actively support you to implement your training at work. After all, this should be the ultimate outcome of our courses. Here are a few ways in which this can be done:

• Prpgress summaries for line managers highlighting your new skills and the business situations in which you should be able to use them. This allows your manager to support you in seeking opportunities to put your new skills into action.
• ‘Just-in-time’ coaching: following your course, you may choose to book a block of short coachign sessions with your trainer. These may take place by phone, conference call, email or i nperson to offer practical advice on your business communication. You might, for example, want to practise an upcoming presentation or receive constructive feedback on an important report.
• Ongoing access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with a curated selection of the best language learning websites, apps and resources so that you can continue learning and practising your skills.
• Ongoing access to alumni groups and forums on the VLE whereby previous students and trainers can continue to support eacher other’s language development.
• You may also choose to book some Real Time Practice sessions. Here we use extended role plays conducted by phone, email, web chat or any other form of business communication to simulate real-work situations. Learners then receive detailed feedback from the trainer to guide improvement.

Finally, a word on self-evaluation

Whilst feedback from others is undoubtedly essential and learners should always try to remain open and responsive to this, the importance of self-evaluation should not be underestimated. We always encourage our learners to reflect on their language performance – both in lessons and at work. How did it feel? Were you more confident and comfortable in your communication? Does your new, wider range of vocabulary allow you to express yourself more precisely and effectively? Do you feel more secure in your use of grammar or in your pronunciation? What areas might you need to prioritise in further training? These are all important questions to ask yourself.

A final word for the wise: remember to stay focused on your progress and achievements, and on how to further refine and expand your language, rather than being daunted by what you think you don’t know. Celebrate your successes and focus on being able to communicate rather than being perfect. In business communication, most of the time, it’s connection rather than perfection that matters.

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