How an English Literacy Course Can Help Help You in the Business World

English is the language of most South African businesses, making it vital for internal and external communication (e.g., with coworkers and clients).

This makes it a vital skill all employers look for when hiring.

MANCOSA offers a short English Literacy course that’s especially useful for second-language speakers. This course can help you to thrive in the business world by improving your writing, reading, and speaking abilities.

This article will examine what English literacy means, how it can increase your career opportunities, and what English courses you can take to master this invaluable skill.

What is English literacy?

English literacy is the ability to effectively understand, read, speak, and write in English. It’s a tool that can be adjusted to suit the unique demands of any professional context, providing a solid foundation for career advancement.

This proficiency empowers you with advanced comprehension, a rich vocabulary, and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations in diverse professional settings.

Taking English courses that can teach you to effectively speak, read, and write in English can:

Help with professional development, giving you more career prospects
Aid in learning since you can access more information and training materials
Help you understand and produce business documents, including reports, emails, and contracts
Open the door to international business opportunities
Help you navigate different tools and software, as many are primarily English-based

How an English course can help you in your career

Having strong English literacy significantly increases the ability to communicate effectively in the workplace or in a business context, thus offering professional growth. Here’s how:

1. Make a positive first impression

English skills allow you to introduce yourself properly and respectfully verbally and written. You’ll be able to:

Craft a good resume
Write professional emails to clients
Participate in interviews
Give input in meetings

This will make a positive impression on your prospective employer, increasing your chances of getting the job.

2. Communicate more clearly

Many employers are concerned about miscommunication. It can hinder projects, cause massive conflicts, and even result in missed deadlines. This means businesses are actively seeking employees who can convey their ideas and thoughts clearly and persuasively.

This includes clear communication in the following areas:

When writing reports
When giving presentations
When collaborating with others on team projects

3. Improve negotiation skills

Many jobs require negotiation skills, especially those in sales and marketing. These skills go hand in hand with English literacy since your points must come across convincingly. Not understanding the nuances of language can impact negotiations.

You should be able to:

Read contracts and proposals
Talk face-to-face with clients or suppliers

4. Develop better relationships with colleagues and clients

Building solid relationships in the workplace requires effective communication. English literacy will help you understand and be understood by clients, stakeholders, and coworkers.

This will lead to better teamwork and collaboration. It’ll also foster a sense of trust between team members since good communication can help form positive and productive relationships.

5. Access to more and better opportunities

Proficiency in English can open the door to more job opportunities in various fields. These skills and leadership abilities can make you a great candidate for a management position.

Also, you’ll have access to more learning materials and information, making it easier to study further. With further education in your chosen field, you can attain higher-paying positions. Workers with more education typically earn more and have lower rates of unemployment.

6. Enhance problem-solving skills

English literacy enhances your ability to understand and analyse information, which is crucial for effective problem-solving. This includes the ability to:

Decipher complex instructions
Research solutions
Write up findings
Communicate findings and steps to move forward

Who should take an English literacy course?

This type of course is ideal for English second language speakers. It can help bridge the gap and enhance fluidity to improve their communication and writing ability.

That being said, it’s important to note that English literacy is essential for anyone, regardless of the language they grew up with, since proficiency can increase job prospects and workplace relationships. This means native speakers can also enhance their English skills.

English courses available

MANCOSA offers several English courses designed to enhance student’s communication skills. These include the following:

The skillME Short English Literacy Programme: This course is perfect for those who want to improve their basic literacy, including writing, reading, and comprehension. It focuses on teaching proper grammar, styles, and other language basics. It also helps you effectively distinguish between written and spoken communication and shows you how to evaluate communication from different media.
The Business Writing Course: This short course is designed to improve business writing skills. It teaches you to overcome written communication barriers, understand and interpret business reports, and know target audiences for more effective messaging.