Almeria, una tierra noble !

UNA TIERRA NOBLE 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6oWphMzd3I

6 SURPRISING WAYS ENGLISH HELPS YOUR CAREER

With English becoming a truly global language, it’s certainly a useful skill to possess in the working world. It’s no wonder that research has shown that about two thirds of learners in global markets such as Asia, Europe and South American are learning English in order to apply for jobs in their native country or to work overseas. But you might be surprised to learn that there are other ways English helps your career. Read on to find out how having a good grasp of the language can improve the way you deal with tasks, help you make better decisions and possibly even boost your earning power… 

1. Not speaking a second language may actually hold employees back

Not only is having a second language advantageous to individuals and the businesses they work for; speaking only one language may become an impediment to careers in future.

“There is a glass ceiling developing for monoglots within global businesses beyond a certain point; unless they’ve had overseas experience and have cultural awareness and probably a language, they’re not going to get into the more rarefied atmosphere,” says Richard Hardie, Chair at UBS. 

2. English skills improve employee agility

Aside from the obvious communication benefits of improving English; Andrew Hill, Associate and Management Editor at the Financial Times, suggests there is scientific research, “Indicating that multilinguals are more agile; that they have more capability of dealing with multiple tasks.” 

3. Multilinguals are better decision-makers

If you think that having a native familiarity with a language makes you more comfortable with using it to make decisions, you could be wrong.

“Multilinguals are better at making rational decisions in the second language,” says Antonella Sorace, Professor of Development Linguistics at Edinburgh University. “When the problem is framed in the second language, there is more emotional distance between the speaker and the problem and that allows a decision that is more rational in the sense that it is less coloured by emotional factors.” 

4. Multilinguals have ‘soft power’

Soft power certainly doesn’t mean a softening of abilities – quite the opposite, in fact. A concept developed by Joseph Nye of Harvard University, it is defined as: “A persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence – rather than coercion or payment.”

Traditionally associated with international diplomacy, soft power can be useful in roles requiring mediation, networking and the building of client relationships. 

5. English skills could mean better negotiation skills

These ‘soft power’ abilities (as mentioned in item 5, above) that multilinguals have means they’re better at negotiating “partly because they can see the other person’s perspective; they can anticipate the other person’s point of view and respond,” says Antonella Sorace, Professor of Development Linguistics at Edinburgh University. This would be particularly useful in roles that require negotiations around contracts.

6. English could help you earn more

According to this Pearson infographic, employees feel that improved English would allow them to earn around US$5,000 more per year. And while that would mean greater expenditure for businesses, for the reasons given above – and more – this could also mean a more efficient, not to mention galvanized, workforce providing more long-term financial benefits.

Source: http://www.english.com/blog/english-helps-career

Africa Day !!!

Dublin engineers working with rural communities in Malawi have come up with an effective joint solution to two problems faced by developing countries.

Clean cooking has become a priority for Irish Aid and other organisations working to tackle the huge health and environmental problems from inefficient solid-fuel cooking methods. Now a simple, locally made device added onto a clay cooking stove can use the heat from everyday cooking to make electricity to charge mobile phones, lights and radios.

Malawi is one of the the world’s least developed countries. More than 85 per cent of Malawian people live in rural areas, and fewer than one out of every 100 rural people has access to grid electricity.

“At the very best by 2025, only 20 per cent of the population will have grid electricity, so there will still be a huge need to need to find energy solutions for the majority of Malawians,” said Aidan Fitzpatrick, head of development at Irish Aid in Malawi.

The vast majority of people burn solid fuels in their homes for cooking, heating and lighting. Traditional stoves are wildly inefficient, putting only a fraction of the energy from burning fuel to use.

Women in Malawi spend hours each day searching for firewood while household air pollution worldwide leads to more than four million deaths a year, according to the World Health Organisation.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/irish-invention-is-giving-people-in-malawi-the-power-they-need-1.2288787#.V0XBxQFJp5E

PTE, TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, Cambridge exams… Which English exams should I choose?

In today’s globalised world, it is increasingly important not only to be proficient in English but also to be able to prove your level of proficiency. Companies with international business often require job applicants to present a certificate that shows how fluent they are in English, while for non-natives applying to universities in English-speaking countries, demonstrating you have a high enough level of the language to study your chosen subject is a basic entry requirement. With so many options available, the first question has to be, ‘Which English exams should I choose?’ Here we look at what’s on offer.

Which English exams should I choose?

1. PTE (Pearson Test of English), a globally recognised English language accreditation, focuses on assessing candidates’ ability to communicate in English in realistic situations and as such makes use of a range of real-life scenarios as opposed to direct tests of grammar and vocabulary. PTE tests both productive and receptive skills. There are six levels and candidates are assigned a score that maps to all six core bandsof the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1 – C2).

The tasks in the test follow on naturally from what happens in the EFL classroom, which, coupled with the score-based result, makes it ideal if you need to demonstrate your current level of English without taking a specialised exam preparation course.

A computer-based Academic version is also available, which is not only perfect if you’re planning to study overseas but is also accepted by the UK and Australian governments for visa applications. It can be taken any time, and unlike some other English language certificates, PTE certificates do not expire.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is designed to test the academic English skills required in the university lecture hall or classroom. It is an essential requirement for entry to university in the US and emphasises North American English, making it the first choice for anyone looking to study in the States.

In the test, you may be asked to read a passage from a textbook or listen to a lecture and then speak or write in response. TOEFL is available both as a paper exam (PBT version) and online (iBT version) and is offered around 50 times a year. Candidates receive a score based on their aggregate performance in the four different parts of the test (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

3. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is designed to measure your ability to use English in an academic environment. It tests all four skills and is most commonly used for college, school or university applications. It is especially popular withUK universities but is recognised by over 8,000 universities, schools, colleges, agencies, companies and employers in more than 135 countries.

Candidates get a score between 1 (non-user) and 9 (expert user) for each section. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections. Certificates have a recommended validity of two years.

4. TOEIC is used mainly for business. Companies, especially in Asia, often require employees to have a certain TOEIC score to prove their English is good enough to work with and understand English-speaking clients and colleagues. The exam is available in two formats, which can be taken separately: TOEIC Speaking and Writing and TOEIC Reading and Listening.

5. Cambridge ESOL provide a wide range of English language exams, all of which are known and recognised by schools, universities and employers across the English-speaking world. They focus heavily on skills and consists of sections dedicated to speaking, listening, reading, writing and Use of English (a test of grammar, vocabulary and collocation), with the speaking exam taken with another candidate. Most in demand are the First Certificate (FCE) at B2 of the CEF and the Cambridge Advanced (CAE) at C1.

Unlike the above exams, the Cambridge exams are pass or fail, so it’s essential to choose the one that is appropriate to your level and to make sure you are as fully prepared as possible before sitting it.

Once you’ve answered the question ‘Which English exam should I choose?‘, it’s time to think about how best to prepare.

Source: http://eltlearningjourneys.com/2015/07/01/which-english-exams-should-i-choose/