KAMMS World Wide Blog

For the first time in my life, I traveled to a country where I didn’t speak the language. I have lived in and visited many Spanish-speaking countries, but never a nation where they didn’t speak English or Spanish. Since I’m fluent in both of these languages, it was always easy to get around, order food and ask for things we needed on our trips.

It was quite different in Europe this summer, but what an incredible learning experience it was for me.

When we decided we were going to take the family to France and Italy, I went duteously (as any language teacher would) out to the store to buy Italian and French language learning programs. I only had a few weeks to learn, so I went straight for the travel programs, thinking I would learn enough to get by on our vacation. I looked through all of the varied programs on the shelves and decided on a couple audio programs with booklets from a popular language learning company.

On my way home from the store, I popped the French audio into my car CD player. The first thought I had was: Are you kidding me? There was no way in h-e-double hockey sticks, I was going to learn the anything from these programs. The lessons consisted of throwing long, complicated phrases at me that I was just supposed to remember. There was no “teaching” involved and no language learning methodologies employed. The best I could get from it was a few words like hello, thank you and goodbye ( listening to the program three or four times).

After that disappointment, I moved on to the Italian language program, hoping for a better experience. No such luck. It was exactly the same type of program. Again, I was given long phrases with all sorts of verb tenses and grammar structures and expected to memorize what I was hearing. In addition, everything was spoken by a native speaker with a strong accent, so I couldn’t even understand what words they were saying. Needless to say, it was a frustrating experience and I gave up quickly.

When we arrived in Paris, I used the three French words I had learned from the language program, and that was it. I pointed to things and asked strangers questions in English. I felt so inept when they answered me in their perfect English. I wanted to tell them: Hey, I may not be able to speak French, but I speak Spanish you know! I’m sure they could have cared less, since many of them spoke three or four other languages.

Then off to Italy. I knew about the same amount of vocabulary in Italian as I did in French, about three or four words. The difference in Italy was that Italian and Spanish have many similar words, so I definitely had an easier time communicating. Whenever I was having trouble in English, I’d just throw out some Spanish and see if they understood. Many times, either the person spoke Spanish or the words were so similar to Italian they knew what I was saying.

By far, the most frustrating part of not being able to communicate well in both countries was choosing what to eat at restaurants. I had no idea what I was reading on the menus. My main concern was steering clear of many of their most popular foods like: rabbit, boar, tripe (cow’s intestine) and other strange animal parts. I had to do my best to understand the waiter and the menu and hope for the best. Who knows what I may have eaten.

Overall, I learned a lot from my trip to Europe.

First, the travel language programs on the market are not effective at all. I was surprised to find out that the big name brand companies offer such inadequate products. You definitely can’t expect to be able to communicate or even just get by in a foreign country by listening to these programs. After this experience, I’m considering my company, KAMMS (we make occupational Spanish and English language programs) making travel programs that actually work for people.

Secondly, I realized one important reason why it’s so easy for Europeans to learn foreign languages. They have the luxury of being in close proximity to many different countries (where they speak many different languages) that are all within a quick, inexpensive bus ride, train ride or flight from their hometown. That really is a huge advantage for easily picking up multiple languages.

My family and I only spent a couple weeks in France and Italy, but we learned a lot of words and phrases just out of necessity and exposure to the new languages. We all agreed that if we had a little more time, we would have easily picked up the languages enough to communicate well. So the next time you’re surprised by or even envious of how many languages a European speaks, remember that they definitely have language learning advantages over us more secluded Americans.

Through learning language, we learn about culture. Through learning about culture, we learn respect for others. Through learning respect for others, we can hope for peace.

Anonymous

Do you think it’s possible that learning another language and gaining respect for others’ cultures can promote peace in the world?

It seems like such a grand undertaking: complete peace in the world. How about we look at it on a smaller scale; do you think that gaining respect and understanding for your neighbor who speaks another language can promote peace and harmony on your block, in your neighborhood or in your city? JFK said: “One person can make a difference and every person should try.”

Do you think if each one of us made an effort to connect with our neighbors next store or across the globe, this could contribute to peace in the world? I do. It’s one of the most powerful driving forces behind each day that I go to work. I firmly believe that by helping people to connect through language and culture our company can help promote peace in the world.

It starts at the local grocery store when someone helps out another person struggling with their second language and they both smile at each other. Maybe it’s a cheerful hello in the other person’s first language that gives them the feeling that you really care about who they are. At work we can help out a fellow co-worker who doesn’t understand directions in their first language or a customer who is hesitant to speak in their second. These small connections that happen every day can lead to a grander sense of unity among us all.

I believe if we can get passed the fears people have about learning languages, languages “taking over” the culture or the fears of “losing our language”, we can focus on the people behind the language. The important thing to remember is that in the overall picture, we all have the same hopes and dreams, desire to be safe, warm and fed, to love and to be loved regardless of what language we speak. By speaking in a second language you are connecting with another human being (who is really very much like you), that’s all.

It’s not complicated. It’s not scary. It’s just talking; just talking to your fellow man (or woman). Let’s put all of the fears and excuses aside and just talk to each other. You can start at home by learning a few key phrases in another language (try KAMMS’ programs)  and speak with a neighbor in their language. You could learn about customs in other cultures or how people live in another country. Not only will you learn a lot about others, you’ll also learn a lot about yourself in the process.

Let’s start promoting peace, one person at a time, by understanding each others’ language and culture and connecting with each other. Yes, complete peace in the world is a grand undertaking, but we can all do our part. It can start with you today.

“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were.” JFK

Please feel free to comment below.

KAMMS’ mantra has always been: It’s all about communication! Forget about the grammar and about pronouncing words perfectly. The goal is to get your thoughts out of your head and relayed to another person. That’s it. No stress, no worries, just interact with another human being. That’s why language was developed hundreds of thousands of years ago. (For an interesting article on the origin of language see: Origin of Language). Why do so many language teachers and language teaching programs insist on complicating the process by teaching us grammar and irrelevant vocabulary we’ll never use?

Of course, a language professor will probably argue that grammar is essential to language learning, but that’s probably because they haven’t read the latest language acquisition research. They are also, more than likely, one of the less than 3% of the population that actually enjoys learning about grammar. The rest of us are bored to tears by it and quickly become disinterested in learning the language.

Stephen Krashen, an expert in the field of linguistics, did extensive research on second language acquisition and came to the following conclusions: “Language acquisition does not require extensive use of conscious grammatical rules… Acquisition requires meaningful interactions in the target language – natural communication – in which speakers are concerned not with the form of their utterances but with the messages they are conveying and understanding.”

Thank you Dr. Krashen. That’s what KAMMS’ programs were designed to do; give people the short and simple phrases they need to know for specific situations, so they can immediately interact and communicate without worrying about grammar.

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It seems that many people are realizing the benefits of learning a second language, like obtaining a better job, getting a promotion, communicating well with co-workers, customers or neighbors, etc.

But recently, I thought about the many people that tell me all of the reasons that they should not learn a new language. I’ve heard it all: I can’t learn languages. I’m no good at it. I failed that class in high school. Why should I have to learn? I tried, but it’s too hard. I get bored. I don’t need to know another language. And so on…

I’d like to ask these people: If learning languages was completely “easy” would they feel the same way? Probably not. It seems those antiquated foreign language classes in high school and the old school techniques used in most self-paced language programs has put a sour taste on learning a new language.

It’s going to take some undoing, but KAMMS plans to help change the bum rap language learning has earned. People need to understand it’s like anything else; it’s all about how you learn. Just like when you had a bad teacher in school. If they don’t know how to teach, it makes for a bad experience and you don’t want to go to class.

I always go for the simplest, easiest and most direct way to do something. That’s the way people can learn a second language too. I don’t want to digress to a shameless plug for KAMMS, but I don’t want to leave you hanging either. So how can it be easy? Well, that’s the way KAMMS‘ Spanish and English on the Job programs are designed. It can be so easy!

I wish you great success! Stacey Kammerman CEO KAMMS

If you have any ideas about how to change the perception about language learning to show people it is easy and fun, please comment below.

If you want a good job and live in the US, you need to know English! If you already have a good job, you better start learning English before you possibly lose it!

Learning English will allow you to write “excellent knowledge of English” on your résumé. Knowing English is essential for many jobs. You’ll be able to communicate with customers, employees, co-workers, vendors and your supervisor. Knowing English will give you that something special that stands out on a résumé.

Additionally, all else being equal on resumes, knowing more than one language gives you an edge over monolingual applicants competing for the same job. You’ll have an asset that employers are looking for.

Knowing English also makes you indispensible at work and because of this, you may be able to command a greater salary. You will be the one who interprets for your co-workers, customers and supervisors. You’ll be crucial to the successful daily operations at work. You’ll have an asset the boss won’t want to do without! This creates great job security for you!

You could even become a world-class business person.  Many businesses today are international and international business is done in English. So if you want to do well in business, you have to know English — to contact other businesspeople, meet them at conferences, read international business newspapers and magazines, and obtain information for your business on the internet.

One of the most important benefits to knowing English is simply improving communication at work; you’ll be able to speak with your clients, customers, employees or co-workers. Plus if everyone at your job speaks English you’ll be more productive and possibly even safer if everyone can understand each other clearly. Besides it being essential to speak English at work- it’s just plain fun to communicate with someone in their language! Check out www.ingleseneltrabajo.com for programs that help you learn English for your particular job.

As far as excelling in your career and making more money: Knowing English is simply the best way to increase your chances of obtaining your dream job and earning more money. And this could give you and your family a better life!

Please feel free to comment below. Thanks!

Research shows that knowledge of other languages boosts our understanding of languages in general and enables us to use our native language more effectively. Second language learners have stronger vocabulary skills, a better understanding of the language, and improved literacy in general.

People who learn a second language also gain enhanced listening skills and memory abilities. They show greater ability in areas such as creativity, and higher order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, conceptualizing, and reasoning.

Additionally, learning another language exposes you to unfamiliar cultural ideas, so you’ll be much better equipped to adapt and cope in a fast-changing world. You’ll learn to effectively handle new situations and it will improve your ability to understand and communicate with people from different walks of life.

If you have children, you can help them learn another language. Children who have studied a language at the elementary level score higher on tests in reading, language arts, and math. By you learning a second language, you can help your children improve their lives as well!

Please feel free to comment below.

I just received an email from a gentleman about an article I wrote for Virgina Beach Woman magazine. Although the comments were less than flattering, I am grateful for him taking the time to state his position. I hear people make comments like his all the time, which is exactly why I feel so strongly about what we do at KAMMS.

He began the email by telling me how “misguided” I am. In the article, I presented a metaphor about learning a little Spanish. I suggested that we offer an olive branch to Spanish-speakers. The idea is that we learn a few Spanish phrases to communicate and since they are also learning English, communication becomes easy. Not only can this help to improve communication in many different circumstances, i.e. work, school or in the community; it also brings many other assets to our lives. Besides being fun, studies have shown that learning another language has countless benefits to our lives in general, i.e. increased memory ability, better test scores, etc. There’s so much to write about these facts, it will have to be another article.

So, his opinion that he believes I am misguided doesn’t concern me, but the next part of his comment does. He goes on to say that he “resents” people who speak their native language around him. He says this makes him “suspicious” of them and that this is scary at a time like these.

I know that many people are against other languages being spoken in America. You hear it on the news everyday. Companies prohibit employees speaking their native language at work, or laws are made about language usage. But to feel resentful, suspicious and scared. That really is a shame.

I can’t imagine living my life this way. There are 337 languages spoken in the US. It must be hard to get through the day resenting everyone. There are so many things to worry about in the world. Peaceful people speaking their native language, communicating with each other, shouldn’t be one of them.

I’ve heard all the reasons people create to rationalize their fears about different languages spoken in the US.  No matter how strong they feel about them, they simply aren’t based on facts. You could write a whole book on this irrational fear. (There’s an idea:)

I know there are many people out there who feel disconnected from their fellow Americans because of language barriers. For now, my company, KAMMS World Wide will continue to make efforts to improve the situation. Our goal is simple: help to improve communication among all our citizens and by doing so: promote unity, strength and peace in our country.

Wishing you all great success! Stacey Kammerman

Please feel free to comment below.

“Hispanics account for over 50% of job growth in the United States; they have the highest rate of labor force participation across any race or ethnicity and by the end of 2010 it’s estimated over 16 million more persons will be added to the U.S. workforce.” Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics

Over half of all Hispanics report they do not speak English well. Why the concern? Breaking down language barriers is critical to maintaining a safe work environment. As the number of employees with English as a Second Language (ESL) has increased over the past decade, the number of workplace injuries has risen disproportionately. Even the U.S. government has recognized this trend and earmarked more than $2.2 million in funding for education.

Our country’s workforce has a critical need to learn essential language skills in order to avoid accidents, poor service, frustrated customers, mistakes, misdiagnosis, etc.  They need an immediate solution and they don’t have time to spend months or years studying a second language.

In response to this pressing need, KAMMS has created two series of convenient, affordable and effective job-specific language learning programs: Spanish on the Job & English on the Job. These audio, video and workbook programs immediately help to build a bridge of communication between Spanish and English speakers in the workplace.  As opposed to other expensive and time consuming language learning programst; we provide an affordable, convenient and instant solution by helping people to quickly and easily learn the essential short and simple phrases they need for a particular profession, situation or industry.

KAMMS’ Language Learning Collection (Spanish on the Job and English on the Job) now available through our new global partner, Franklin Electronics Publishers, Inc. KAMMS joins Franklin’s other distinguished content providers such as: Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press, Bertelsmann, EncyclopediaBritannica, HarperCollins, Larousse, Langenscheidt, The Princeton Review. Check it out at this link! http://www.franklin.com/handhelds/language_learning/kamms/