LEARN GERMAN! (Part 2)

SPRECHEN SIE DEUTSCH? - Part 2


In the first part of this article (see below) we gave you a brief insight into the German Language and talked about the the first 6 reasons why a knowledge of the German Language comes in handy while traveling and working abroad.


now in this 2nd part we give you even more reasons to learn German. Enjoy!


7. Germans form the largest single heritage group in the U.S.

Germans in the US

If you're American or are interested in American culture, learning German can expand your appreciation and knowledge of U.S. history and culture. In the year 2000 census, 42.8 million or 15.2% of Americans reported having German ancestry, making German Americans the largest single heritage group in the U.S.

In waves of immigration that span nearly 4 centuries, Germans brought with them many customs and traditions that have become so ingrained in American ways that their origin is often forgotten. 


Family names and names of thousands of towns and cities indicate the German heritage of their ancestors or founders. Such cultural mainstays as kindergarten, the Christmas tree, and hot dogs and hamburgers were introduced by German immigrants to America. They founded multiple breweries, created Levi's jeans, invented ketchup, and created Hershey's chocolate. Germans had such a fundamental presence at the time of the founding of the United States that a German language version of the Declaration of Independence was printed only a few days after it was adopted.

8. 1 in 10 books in the world is published in German

10% of all books are in German

German is not only a language of the past. As prolific researchers and scholars, German speakers produce nearly 80,000 new book titles each year. The only language markets that produce more books annually are the Chinese and English publishing industries. In number of books published, Munich is second in the world only to New York. Since only a small percentage of German books are translated into other languages (for instance, approximately 10% into Korean and Chinese, just over 5% into English), only a knowledge of German will give you access to a vast majority of these titles.

9. German-speaking countries have a rich cultural heritage.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria

Apart from their many contributions to American culture, the German speakers have a rich cultural heritage in their own right. Germany is often referred to as the land of "Dichter und Denker" -- of poets and thinkers. And rightly so, because German contributions to the arts and human thought have been nothing short of profound.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, and Hermann Hesse are just a few authors whose names and works are well-known internationally. 10 Nobel prizes for literature have been awarded to German, Austrian, and Swiss German authors. The world of classical music is inseparable from the names of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, and Wagner to name only a few reknowned German-speaking composers. Vienna remains an international center of music today. From the magnificent architecture of medieval buildings to the avant garde Bauhaus movement, from Dürer's woodcuts to the expressionist masterpieces of Nolde, Kirchner, and Kokoschka, Germans have made substantial contributions to world art and architecture.

Warhol's Goethe

Philosophy and the sciences would also be unthinkable without the contributions of German speakers. The philosophies of Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, and numerous others have had lasting influences on modern society. The psychologists Freud and Jung forever changed the way we think about human behavior. Scientists from the three major German-speaking countries have won dozens of Nobel prizes in physics, chemistry, and medicine.

Knowing German allows you to access the works of these people in their original language and to fully understand the culture whence they derived. Anyone interested in these fields automatically expands her knowledge and skill by knowing German.

10. German is not as hard as you think.

Its not that hard......

If English is your native language or if you already know English, then you already have an advantage when it comes to learning German. Because modern German and modern English both evolved from the common ancestor language Germanic, the two languages share many similarities in both vocabulary and grammar. If you understand any of this

Meine Schwester hat braunes Haar. Sie ist intelligent. Sie studiert Medizin in Berlin. Sie kann gut singen. 

... then you already know some German!

There are also many similarities (Mouse - Maus, House - Haus etc.)

In addition, German is spelled phonetically. Once you learn the system of sounds, it is easy to predict how the spoken word is written and how the written word is pronounced.

11. German is required or recommended by many undergraduate and graduate programs.

German speakers' strong contributions in such a broad array of fields make the language an important asset in many disciplines. At the University of California, for instance, more majors recommend knowledge of German as an important supplement than any other language (German: 56 majors, French: 43 majors, Spanish: 21 majors, Japanese: 7 majors). These majors include a wide range of subjects -- from biology, physics, and chemistry to linguistics, religious studies, and art history.

Considering the importance of the German language in the fields of publishing and research, it's not surprising that many graduate schools want their graduates to have at least a reading knowledge of German. Knowing German gives graduates access to important research published in German books and professional journals.

12. Germany financially sponsors over 60,000 international exchanges each year.

While promoting innovation and supporting research within Germany, the Germans also recognize that international cooperation and experience is essential to its continued success as a world leader. In the year 2001 alone, the German Academic Exchange Service supported 67,000 scholars, scientists, educators, and students in periods of international research and study. 43% of these were foreigners who were awarded financial assistance to participate in an exchange in Germany. In addition, like German students, foreign students directly enrolled in German universities pay no tuition fees. 

Convinced? An ASO TERRA LINGUA German training course will provide you with the ability to:

• Interact more confidently when visiting Germany or dealing with German nationals
• Develop rapport and strengthen relationships with German colleagues and clients through a show of interest in the French language and culture
• Demonstrate goodwill and facilitate international communication at both a personal and organisational level

Contact ASO TERRA LINGUA today!

Peculiar Facts about the English Language

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Did you know that?

1. Go is the shortest complete sentence in the English language
2. Bookkeeper is only one word in the English language which has three consecutive sets of double letters.
3. Underground is only word in the English language that begins and ends with the letters und.
4. E is the most used letter in English language.
5. Q is least used letter in English language letter.
6. 4 is only number whose # of letters is equals to its name.
7. One is only number with its letters in reverse alphabetical order.
8. Set words in the English language, has the most definitions.
9. Forty is only number which has its letters in alphabetical order.
10. Indivisibility is only word in the English language which has one vowel which occurs five times
11. Almost is the shortest word in the English language with all letters in alphabetical order in a word
12. Only 3 words in the English language end in "ceed","proceed," "exceed," and "succeed."
13. The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis.This word means a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust.
14. The other longest word with the same amount of letters is pneumonoultra-microscopicsilicovolcanoconioses but it’s plural.
15. There is no word that rhymes with “orange”, “silver”, and “purple”or “month”.
16. There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious."
17. Toughest tongue twister in English is- “The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick".
18. There is a seven letter word in the English language that contains ten words without rearranging any of its letters, "therein": the, there, he, in, rein, her, here, ere, therein and herein.
19. That English has the largest vocabulary of all World Languages (around 800'000 words)?
20. English has more Synonyms than all the languages in the world.

WHY CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING IS IMPORTANT

WHY CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S WORLD

In today’s world, conduction business internationally and sending your employees to different countries, may it be to station them there or just to negotiate a deal, without a proper Cross-Cultural Training, might turn out to be a recipe for disaster.

It is absolutely essential to know how to approach a business counterpart in lets say Italy or China, to achieve the desired results. Without knowing their different approach to business, how they conduct meetings or simply how they have dinner, you might suddenly be in the situation where you have offended someone and don’t even know why.

So let me explain some facts about Cross Cultural Training (CCT) and Cross Cultural Communication:

CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION – THE ORIGINS

The Cold War, the individual Eastern and Western Economies were largely self-contained because the world was polarized into two separate and competing powers. However, changes and advancements in economic relationships, political systems, and technological options began to break down old cultural barriers.

Business transformed from individual-country capitalism to global capitalism. Thus, the study of cross-cultural communication was originally found within businesses and governments both seeking to expand globally. 

Businesses began to offer language training to their employees. Businesses found that their employees were ill equipped for overseas work in the globalizing market and programs were developed to train employees to understand how to act when abroad.

 In 1974, the International Progress Organization, with the support of UNESCO and under the auspices of Senegalese President, held an international conference on "The Cultural Self-comprehension of Nations" which called upon United Nations member states "to organize systematic and global comparative research on the different cultures of the world" and "to make all possible efforts for a more intensive training of diplomats in the field of international cultural co-operation ... and to develop the cultural aspects of their foreign policy."

In the past decade, there has become an increasing pressure for universities and Companies across the world to incorporate intercultural and international understanding and knowledge into their education and training. International literacy and cross-cultural understanding have become critical to a country’s cultural, technological, economic, and political health. It has become essential for universities to educate, or more importantly, “transform”, to function effectively and comfortably in a world characterized by close; multi-faceted relationships and permeable borders.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS AND ASO TERRA LINGUAS BASIC MODULES

Misinterpretations and misconceptions are common when the same situation is viewed differently by people from different cultures. The basis of inter-cultural relations is not about changing other people, but adapting oneself to another culture. Today it is an integral part of BPO culture for those personnel who have to interact with overseas clients.

1. Country Briefing
This gives you a general insight in the respective country. Here Geographical location, Ethnic groups, Language(s), Religion(s) etc are explained.

2. Social Structure
Here you will be informed about the structure of the society, cultural differences and the community.

3. Lifestyle
This part covers typical foods, dressing, dining, social life etc.

4. Cultural Sensitivity
In this very important part you will learn about etiquette, protocol and communication styles.

5. Business Etiquette
Etiquette, manners, and cross cultural, or intercultural communication have become critical elements required for all International and Global Business executives, managers, and employees. As international, multinational, transnational, multi domestic, and global business continues to expand and bring people closer, the most important element of successful business outcomes may be the appreciation and respect for regional, country, and cultural differences - known as cultural diversity.

6. Local Usages
In this part of our training you will be given a brief introduction into the local language and its concept.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us directly for more details: info@asoterralingua.com 

LEARN SPANISH!

Espagnol - Facts about the Spanish Language

Spanish or Castilian is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several dialects and languages in the northern fringes of the Iberian Peninsula during the 10th century and gradually spread through the Kingdom of Castile, becoming the foremost language for government and trade in the Spanish Empire.

Modern Spanish developed with the Readjustment of the Consonants (Reajuste de las sibilantes) that began in 15th century. The language continues to adopt foreign words from a variety of other languages, as well as developing new words. Castilian was taken most notably to the Americas as well as to Africa and Asia Pacific with the expansion of the Spanish Empire between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries.

As of 2010, 329 to 358 million people speak Spanish as a native language and a total of 417 million people speak it worldwide. It is the second most natively-spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese. Mexico contains the largest population of Spanish speakers. Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

10 Benefits of speaking Spanish in today's World

There are many benefits available to people who learn to speak Spanish. Speaking the Spanish language will acquaint you with the Spanish culture like nothing else can. Learning Spanish will greatly increase your enjoyment while traveling to Spanish speaking countries. Why learn Spanish? Ten key benefits to learning Spanish are:

1. Economically speaking Spanish speakers are a gigantic and rapidly growing market worldwide and are predicted to be one of the key markets going forward. Especially if you live and do business in the United States.

2 .If you speak Spanish, you will be able to work and/or travel throughout Middle and South America and it also will be much easier for you to learn other Latin Languages such as Italian, Portuguese, French and so on.

3. Speaking Spanish is an important asset for doing business in other parts of the world as well.

4. Knowing Spanish as a second language will make you attractive to employers as well, and more valuable to your company once you land a job. Companies and Governments often pay a premium wage for bilingual employees, so you can usually get paid more from the start.

5. If you have plans to attend a graduate school, law school or even medical school a second language, if not required, will look good on your transcripts and give you an edge in a competitive world. Sure you need to have good grades, but grades are not the only thing that admission committees are looking at when making their decision whether or not to admit you to their program.

6. If you are a student who needs some extra income, your Spanish language skills will allow you to make a nice part time income giving Spanish lessons to your peers. Speaking Spanish is becoming a valuable commodity and many people would love to speak Spanish

7. Your knowledge of two of the most widely spoken languages will create a wide range of lucrative opportunities to be self--employed.

LEARN SPANISH WITH ASO!

8. Culturally speaking your knowledge of the Spanish language will allow you to travel and open you up to culture, literature, movies and other arts that you would not be able to access without your Spanish language skills.

9. Some of best literature and movies in the world have been written in Spanish.

10. Learning to speak Spanish will give you the opportunity to live and work in a large variety of countries. This will also help you land the job or better yet, the career of your dreams.


If you want to speak, write, and understand Spanish using easy and creative techniques visit us at ASO Terra Lingua or contact us

The Importance of Soft Skills Training

Like in so many areas in business, lots of people lack Soft Skills. Business is about people. It is about communication, relationships and about presenting yourself, your company and your ideas in the most positive and effective way. Many business people like to think that success is based on logical, rational thoughts and acts, but the human element should never be ignored. Which is why a strong soft skills set is vitally imperative.

Be Gentle

6 soft skills for every hard-nosed professional

Behavioral training experts say there are several soft skills are required in these circumstances. Some of them include:

1. Interpersonal skills

2. Team spirit

3. Social grace

4. Business etiquette

5. Negotiation skills

6. Behavioral traits such as attitude, motivation and time management

Do you have these? If your answer is yes, great for you!

But if your answer is no, then you know it is time to approach a professional Training Consultant.

Soft skills training can make the difference between closing the deal and losing it, creating a organized, efficient team or a malfunctioning one, getting that promotion you strive for or missing out. Great people skills give you a competitive edge, helping you to create positive relationships. If you acquire these you can give and get more from the people around you, both internally and externally.

Don't underestimate the Value of Soft Skill

Soft skills training encompass a whole range of skills, including assertiveness, influencing and persuading, negotiating, presenting and public speaking, networking and managing a team. Overall, it is about gaining a better understanding of the ways people think and behave and presenting yourself and your ideas in a way that will have the best impact.

This type of training not just important for managers, but for everybody who interacts with other people as part of their job or  in their private life - anyone with friends, customers or clients, anyone who commissions work from suppliers and anyone who works as part of a team or simply wants to lead a more productive and fruitful life..

For many professions, the importance of soft skills is obvious - for example sales people, those in customer service, politicians and journalists. For many of the more process driven and technical professions however, such as accounting or IT, soft skills training can often be forgotten or given less focus. Even in this type of business, though, employees need to interact when managing staff, running meetings or simplifying complex ideas or processes for clients and coworkers. 

Skills have to be built!

For some people, these skills come naturally, while others need to work harder at them. Some personality types are filled with horror at the thought of public speaking and networking with strangers, while others flourish in this type of situation. Some find it difficult to be assertive and a strong negotiator, others can be too aggressive. Everyone will find that they can benefit from learning new techniques and obtaining objective advice and feedback.

Soft skills training should be tailored to take into account the experience, situation and personality of the delegates. A pre-course questionnaire can help to establish these things and a good trainer will adapt their approach accordingly. A successful training session will also get the balance between theory on the one hand and practice and interaction on the other. After all, it's all about how you work with people and you can't learn that just by listening.