Why should you learn a language?

We have all seen them. Some of us have been them. You know, the people who try to get their point across to the waiter in foreign territory, not by using foreign words, but by talking very s-l-o-w-l-y and LOUDLY – in their native language of course. Obviously the moment isn't pleasant for either the waiter or the customer, but it certainly is cringeworthy for any bystander. Perhaps learning a few words could save you time and ensure you get what you are trying to order.

Also while learning a language, one simultaneously betters his knowledge of the culture. You learn all these little nyances not only in the vocabulary, but also in how the language is used: how to be polite and respectful when needed, or generally speaking how to behave correctly in certain situations.

Being able to speak more languages also opens up a lot of career opportunities. Even the most basic knowledge in a language can prove to be surprisingly useful when applying for a job. It might just give you an extra push needed to shine over other applicants. While doing business with foreigners, speaking just a few words of their language usually leaves a positive impression of you – not to mention speaking it fluently. In today's world one can't assume to get by just by speaking Finnish and rally-driver English.

I remember reading that learning new languages also reduces your chance of developing dementia later in life – and I should remember, having studied English, Swedish and Russian as foreign languages. And also some Spanish, though mostly profanity. Learning languages even makes it easier to learn another languages, especially from the same language family. When you get the concept of how puzzles work, it makes it easier to put the new pieces together. 

Text: Esko Naski, student of Independent Study in English course

Can I learn English?

I want to tell you my story of English studies, and I hope it helps other students who are afraid of coping with English language as a part of their university studies. My way hasn’t been easy but fortunately this story has a happy end.

Year 1993 was very important for me. That’s when I started on the third grade in elementary school and also when I started learning English. I was not able to take part in a couple of first classes, because I was ill. I’m now 30 years-of-age but the memory of that time still haunts me.  I truly believe that missing those first few classes caused the problem that I'm still very timid to speak and use English. Why? Well, let me tell you.

During the time I was ill, the rest of the class studied numbers, colors and English vocabulary in general. As the topic was new, my friends at school got really excited in learning English and perhaps that's why they focused more on it than on other topics. They probably found the topic more fascinating because of its novelty. When I came back to school, my friends told me all the things they had been taught and I tried to learn and memorize all those things in my spare time.

I was not able to participate in any discussions, because I didn’t know the English words. And for some reason I thought I never will; I was ashamed of not being able to speak English. I was also too ashamed to confess anyone that I had no idea what was going on, and that I found it impossible to ever reach the same level of skills my friends had because I had been absent from the first lessons. That's where it all began. I always felt like being one step behind and just when I felt that I had learned something, I thought that I should have known a lot more. I now understand that I should have told someone about this problem. Today, if I don’t understand something, especially the relevant parts, I tell about it to someone who is able to teach me. But as a child I did not understand that.

I now realize that I should have acted differently, but at the same time I can’t help wondering how it is possible that teachers never noticed my struggles and offered help. After all, I was a little child without any confidence whatsoever on my skills when it came to learning English. Such a small problem grew huge over the years and all the way through the elementary school, high school and Applied Sciences I believed that I can’t speak English and that I will never be able to learn it. But that is one of the reasons why I'm so happy that I came to study at the university. You can imagine how shocked I was when I realized how well I have to know the English language, in order to be able to pass this degree. I was convinced, that I could not do it. But I decided to do my best and work extremely hard to learn it. And that is exactly what I did! I translated various articles word by word, and did a huge amount of notes.

You definitely wonder if it made any sense, but it did. I noticed that little by little I understood English language better. I learned to understand what the articles in English were about and I was able to do English exercises. But above all, I got self-confidence that I can learn English. Now I'm in the English language course, where we have to make an oral presentation. In the past I would have fainted with fear. Now I'm really excited in practicing all the new things we learn in the course. I am no longer afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes will be there, but so what? In the English language course, our teachers have been really great and they guide us very well. I'm not bitter, but still a part of me hopes that I could have got this kind of support in the English language twenty years ago.

Text: Laura Niiranen, student of Independent study of English course

Business communication, what’s included

Spoken or written words are the most usual way how we perceive communication. We can communicate also with action or behavior and with the color and design of our clothes. The culture makes big difference how we learn to communicate, what is suitable and what is the working culture. In business life we need to think all of these. What is the appropriate way to write, how to get professional respect by speaking? What about clothes and color of our outfit?

Written and spoken business language has formal style. At first it shows respect to the receiver of the email or the person with whom you have a discussion, and on the other hand if the working language is not your first language, the formal message is easier to understand. You can also show your skills with communicating professionally.

Some organizations have strict rules how to communicate inside and outside the company, still there are people who are not willing to take these advices. I have received business emails where all the messages have been written in the subject line with caps lock on.  As the subject line was quite short, usually some needed information was missing. My colleagues told me to ignore the writer’s rude style. He writes almost every email in the subject line. In our unit we have training of email for every new employee.  On the other hand, there are strict rules considering all corporation. Well, they say that rules are made to be broken…

There are cultural differences when acting in global corporations, the business partners are located abroad or when the business support services for example IT –support have been outsourced. The IT –support of employee in India have different working culture than we have Finland. I have been dealing with problems where ten people in the Finnish unit can’t work because of software problems. IT –support in India does not rush, because it is only ten people. I am always polite, but how to push the message through? How to make them understand the influences, if people can’t do their everyday work tasks?

Business wear for men is easy, but it can cause grey hair for women; what to wear, skirt or trousers, shirt or blouse, jewelries and what kind of, heels or not, a handbag… and the color of the costume. Black color is not the best for the Finnish white skin. Women can choose soft colors to the clothes and refresh the outlook with jewelries or scarfs. A skirt should be knee length and open necklines do not belong to business wear. Shoes can be high heels, but comfortable to walk. When you meet new colleague, the outfit is one important part of the first impression.

I have noticed during my career that after the competence the business wear is a one important thing for women to keep in mind to retain respect in business life. Written language is another important thing and spoken words should be in line with the two previously mentioned things. Of course there are differences between business fields. Basic office workers differ from artistic fields, but always think first before brake the rules.

Text: Kati Aronen, student of Independent Study in English course