Hell All,
I've recently joined a firm which trains new hires on standard english. In an endevour to reduce training time, the training team has come up with an audio cd. The idea being a few topics will be delivered through the cd and not in a classroom. The audience is usually fresh graduates and have working knowledge of the language.
My question is, is it a good idea? if yes what about visual and kinesthetic learners?

Hi: Share your concern with the training group. Many professionals in the education field are not exposed to the different learning styles and brain dominance theories. According to many experts in this field the new generations are more visual and people with right side of the brain dominance are growing at fast rate. That means that we need to start evaluating how do we as trainers approach the training process.
Share the information with the training group.

Good Luck, IMS

Ines Serra
www.comunicasolutions.com

Anu,

I used to teach Spanish as a foreign language, and I think that your questions are valid ones.

However, my first question to you is to ask you what they will do with the language? Will they need to be able to write, or will they need more conversational skills, like talking in a help desk?

If it's for conversational purposes, then an audio CD with engaging activities may be the way to go, whether they're visual learners or not, because that would more authentically simulate a conversation than written materials would. It is hard to say, not knowing your circumstances.

I will, however, caution you on trying to replace instructor-led foreign language training with asynchronous, recorded, and non-interactive approaches. Language learning is about creating meaningful dialogue between two or more people, and it is one of the most basic of social skills. If your company is trying to replace socially-interactive learning with a non-interactive CD, then I would personally, and professionally, be concerned about how effective it would be in comparison.

However, for drills and supplementary activities to the classroom, it may really help to augment their skills, if the CD is done right.

Thanks for your responses.

To answer ISD in OTA's question, the learners will need more coversational skills. So, as you mentioned, the method would work.
Unfortunately, they are also replacing instructor led training with the CDs.

Further, will including additional learning aids like flash cards, handouts for exercises etc.. which can be used by following instructions in the recordings work?

Hi: Trying to answer your question. CD's, DVD'S, flash cards, are great supplemental materials. Having an instructor is vital because they can correct pronunciation, provide exercises and coach.
If the trainees are going to talk to English speakers by phone, correct pronunciation will be key for the success of that communication.

Good luck! IMS