BA Tobacco Norway
In July 2008 the Norwegian company Tiedemanns Tobak, a leading producer of tobacco related products, was bought and taken over by British American Tobacco. Much of the internal communication was changed into English, which presented a challange for many of their employees.
The Project
- To offer lessons to all employees spread throughout Norway often in distance locations
- To improve knowledge and confidence in using English at work
- To optimise the available budget through group lessons (4 students per group)
Concerns
- Attendance for sales representatives traveling 2-3 days a week
- Would it work with a majority of students at low levels?
First Step
- Meeting with BAT representative to introduce Berlitz Virtual Classroom
- Presentation of recommendation
Results
- Acceptation of 15 groups of 3-5 students
- Frame agreement for 2 years signed
Organisation
- A presentation was held for about 40 of the participants introducing the program
- All students took a Berlitz online proficiency test to evaluate their level
- All students were given the option of a schedule of lessons once or twice a week
- Berlitz Norway created the groups based on the test results and the preferred schedule
- Final scheduling managed by Berlitz Virtual Classroom
Results
- Enthusiastic and positive feedback from the vast majority of students:
- Excellent instructors
- Confidence grew
- Enjoyed high focus on speaking
- Group was well balanced
- No travel time made it easier to follow the course
I now live and work in Norway and need to learn Norwegian to communicate in work situations and everyday life. I chose the BVC program for convenience and timeliness. I’m very satisfied with my learning progress. The pace is encouraging yet manageable with having a work schedule too. The teaching style is similar to how one is taught their first language and I seem to be responding to this. The instructors are patient and encouraging, and the teaching materials are effective. In addition the level of support from all the staff I have encountered has been really excellent.
Ms. Johanna Dresel, Consultant - Scandpower AS