TRIPLE E TRAINING HOLDINGS

Adult reading skills are often at the level of a pre-school child or junior primary school learner. This can seriously affect a person’s ability to understand written instructions, learn for exams, pass a learner’s driver license test or even function on a day to day basis in a society that is information driven. Things taken for granted by others, such as the ability to locate and quickly read text on screen when performing an Internet search, are out of reach for adults with limited or totally non-existent reading skills. The most precious gift that an employer can give to an employee is education to improve or even lay the foundation for basic reading skills in the employee’s mother tongue or in English. Employers will not only invest in the employee’s future, but also their own as they empower the employee to understand the text on paper or computer and thus help them to be able to contribute more to the workplace because of improved reading skills.

Learning to speak English fluently doesn’t have to be a lengthy course. Through the learning to speak English courses available at Triple e employees will be introduced to the basics of the English language. How to greet a person and return a greeting, the basic courtesy sentences, asking for directions, answering questions about where a person comes from, and more form part of the conversational skills. Since the employee also needs to communicate within a specific industry, the learning to speak English course also addresses the work tools, business language, and industry specific language through the learning to speak English course. Each attendant is assessed first to get a clear picture of his or her understanding of the language. In this way, the course can be structured to meet the learner at his or her level. Without a pre-screening you risk boring more advanced speakers whilst you also risk frustrating learners who have not yet mastered the basics. Small groups are accommodated and appropriate learning aids used to enhance the knowledge of the English language in a fun, creative, and productive way.

Many non-native English speakers already have a basic understanding of the English language, but still lack grammar skills. This is true for African language speakers and Afrikaans speakers as well as expatriates in South Africa. Although not a problem when having to communicate with a stranger on the street, the business environment is far less forgiving than the teller at the bank or the bus driver. As such business communication skills and especially when it comes to writing also include the correct usage of the language. As such once a learner has mastered the entry level of English they can progress to the improvement of their grammar skills. This will ensure that the learner can for instance, write a cover letter or CV with correct grammar. The same applies for a memo or normal business communication. No matter how big or small a company is Triple e will gladly assist the company with the improvement of English grammar skills of its workers.

English learning courses presented by Triple e range from basic conversational skills, to grammar enhancement, writing and reading skills improvement. Starting at the most basic the English learning courses address specific skills and once mastered certification can be obtained. This allows the learner to progress at his or own pace. For ABET certification the learner will have attended a specific amount of class hours and would have passed the exams. The idea is to give adults not just knowledge about for instance English, but also arm them with the qualifications they need when applying for jobs or further education. Once the learner has progressed through the English learning courses and has reached the required level, they can apply their skills as well as qualifications in tertiary education environments where they study for diplomas. As such it is understandable that a certain standard will be adhered to as to ensure that the English learning courses are recognized throughout the country.

Prior to candidates being placed in ABET training programs, assessments are made. The candidate’s comprehension of the English language is first assessed. If the candidate has little or no understanding of English it would be better for them to first attend English classes as presented by Triple e.

In these classes they will learn the basics including conversation skills and words that they will encounter during the course of a work day in their specific industry. This forms an important part of English classes as a person working in the mining sector will for instance, come across vocabulary not used in the financial sector. Once the learner has mastered the first level of English, they can be enrolled in the ABET program where they will attend English classes where they will learn how to read, write and speak the language on a higher level and will then also write exams to the effect for certification of a level completed.

Few people that can write and do so with confidence understand the difficulties a person faces who cannot write with ease. Writing skills development forms an important part of ABET programs to help adults develop their writing skills to a level where they will not only be able to put their name or signature on paper, but will also be able to communicate through letters and other forms of written communication. Once an employee has developed the basic writing skills they will be able to communicate instructions on paper to others, will be able to acknowledge information received on paper and will for instance, also be able to apply for a job or higher position because they can write. Although it may not seem like a great deal, an employee that can write is an asset and as such companies are encouraged to identify possible candidates that will benefit from writing skills development.

South Africa has a diversified population and with 11 official languages one common language to ensure communication amongst cultural groups has become essential. In South Africa as in many other countries around the world, English is the common business communication language. Speaking English in the workplace, day to day living and even in home will not take away a person’s right to their mother tongue or education in their mother tongue. Speaking English however, will empower them to understand and effectively communicate with other groups in the country. Apart from that, English is also used as the vehicle of communication with for instance, Chinese or Asian investors. Speaking English effectively will thus improve the worker’s stand in community and the workplace while this ability will also be a positive skill that can be used to the benefit of the company. Employers will benefit from fewer communication errors and will enhance their standing in the business environment when their employees can effectively communicate in English.

Adults who have little chance of obtaining education through the formal education channels because of funding or their age benefit from the classes presented by Triple e where they learn to speak English. To speak English is only the first step towards a better future, the next step is to learn how to effectively speak English, write and read it.

This is why there are various levels in the ABET program to ensure that persons can progressively enhance their language, literacy and numeracy skills in a non-threatening environment. The Triple e basic course on how to speak English addresses the learning needs of those learners with little or no comprehension of the English language. Just as Xhosa is taught through the help of visual aids and various learning materials, the course on how to speak English also entails a lot of interaction ensuring that confidence is built while the candidate learns to speak English.

Because adults do not learn in the same way as young children and want to see the immediate value of what they learn, Adult Education Classes must be structured to address these issues. The Adult Education Classes must provide an overview of what will be learned and must be applicable to the work environment. Various learning aids must be used and a high level of interactivity is required to ensure that learners don’t lose interest.

The Adult Education Classes must be outcomes based to ensure that the learners can observe the relevancy of what they are taught. It is important to have shorter courses and maximum value in each class to promote quick learning. Adults don’t have years to learn for instance, how to read or write. Their time is limited and as such the Adult Education Classes presented by Triple e are geared towards an overview, quick learning, and high level of interest.

Children in South Africa have ample opportunity to get an English education. With their minds still growing they can comprehend the often difficult to master language rules. They are exposed to English in the school environment and through the media. The same unfortunately doesn’t apply to adults.

Even with the language been spoken around them, many adults never had an English education, making it difficult to learn even the basics of the language. As such they will also not be able to enroll in advanced courses which are all based in English. The first step towards advancement is thus English education. Triple e provides basic English classes to help the learner understand the language. From there the learner can attend the various ABET levels for a full English education which will bring them on the same level as the children who have daily exposure to the language. English education is vital for any future education as technical colleges and universities present most of their classes in English. The first step to an education should thus be English education.