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