ABET removes one of the biggest communication barriers in the workplace, namely language.
Language is the primary means of communicating ideas, thoughts and opinions. It is also a way of expressing emotions and identity, as well as recording facts. Importantly, it also enables people to interact meaningfully with others, whether it is with their co-workers or higher-ups.
The importance of effective communication throughout the entire organisation cannot be overstated. Companies with high effectiveness in change management and communication are three and a half times more likely to significantly outperform their competitors. This is compared to those that are not effective in these areas. Refer to Towers Watson’s study for more informative reading on the topic. Towers Watson 2013 2014 change and communication roi study towers watson by Blacknell Ventures – Issuu
ABET teaches the English language
ABET teaches the correct use of the English language.
There are many examples of how misuse of language has led to major disasters. A case in point is the deadliest aviation incident in 1977 in the Canary Islands. It was caused as a result of a misunderstanding between the Portuguese air-controllers and a Dutch pilot who were communicating in English, their second language. This is in addition to the use of non-standard phraseology during the critical moments that led up to the accident.
A language barrier also caused an air disaster involving Saudi Arabia Airlines and a Kazakhstan National Airways cargo plane near Delhi. The incident killed more than 300 travellers. Again, there was a misunderstanding between pilots who were communicating in English which was not their first language. The pilot also did not ask the air-traffic controller for clarification when he was uncertain about the message being conveyed.
English is used to communicate in aviation because it is the official language of the industry considering the global nature of this business. However, this expectation can lead to challenges similar to those encountered in typical South African workplaces across many different sectors.
ABET ensures efficient communication
By imparting English language skills, ABET ensures efficient communication in the workplace.
One of the ways that semantic barriers occur is when words used in an interaction have more than one meaning. In other instances, it is when a sender or receiver of a message tries to communicate in an unfamiliar language. This is especially relevant in South African workplaces where people are expected to mainly communicate in English because it is the formal language of business. However, the vast majority of South Africans only speak English as a second, third or even fourth language. Their home languages include Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans. These are the languages that are mostly spoken by South Africans.
Refer to These are the most spoken languages in South Africa (businesstech.co.za) for more reading on the topic. Notably, many unskilled and semi-skilled workers have not completed formal English literacy education. Many have learnt to speak the language merely by engaging with their co-workers in a work environment over time. While a commendable feat, these skills are usually insufficient to communicate effectively in the modern workplace. Formal adult literacy training is required to bridge skills gaps, which can lead to misunderstandings that cost, time, money and resources.
Interestingly, language is also a major barrier in South African classrooms. Many students are expected to learn complex subjects, such as maths and science, in an unfamiliar language. In many instances, educators at schools are also not proficient in English. However, they have to give class in English because it is also the formal language of education in the country. This has resulted in many individuals leaving the school system with sub-standard workplace literacy skills. ABET is also playing a role in addressing this challenge that companies face. Refer to the-language-challenge-in-the-classroom-a-serious-shift-in-thinking-and-action-is-needed (hsf.org.za) for more reading on this topic.
An ABET Level 4 certificate
An ABET Level 4 certificate is equivalent to a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 1. This means that employees who have completed all four ABET levels have communication skills of someone who has completed Grade 9. Many entry-level or general jobs only require communication skills at this level. However, it is common for many employees who have completed ABET to continue learning. The logical next step is to complete adult matric. Others choose to study National Certificate Vocational (NCV) courses which also lead to a NQF Level 4. Individuals who have completed these courses will, thus, also be able to study for a university degree.
With English literacy skills at an ABET Level 4, employees will be able to understand workplace rules and procedures. They can also complete forms, contracts and timesheets. Moreover, they will be able to read notices, instructions, timetables and job sheets. This is in addition to being able to count and record stock; work on a computer; and think logically and critically to find solutions to workplace problems. They have furthermore been primed to cope with workplace training programmes because they have foundational skills. English literacy is absolutely essential to continue learning.
Each ABET level imparts English literacy skills incrementally. ABET Level 1 is equivalent to Grades 1 to 3. ABET Level 2 covers Grades 4 to 6 and ABET Level 3 Grades 7 and 8. Refer to GETC-ABET Level 4 Examination Guidelines (dhet.gov.za) for more reading on ABET Level 4.
Employees who complete ABET programmes
Employees who complete ABET programmes have sound workplace literacy skills.
Interestingly, English is the most studied language in the world. According to The world’s languages, in 7 maps and charts – The Washington Post, 1,5-billion people across the globe are learning the English language. Meanwhile, about a quarter of the world’s population is somewhat familiar with the language.
Despite its importance in business, politics and education, English is a notoriously difficult language to learn. It features grammatical rules that are often broken and an alphabet that can be confusing to people who are used to a character-based system. This is not to mention spelling and pronunciation irregularities that perplex even native English speakers. It is, therefore, important that your employees receive instruction in the correct use of the English language from a competent adult literacy training provider.
ABET teaches grammar and spelling
ABET teaches the grammar and spelling skills that your employees need to communicate effectively in the written word. Grammar and spelling mistakes are among the lead causes of misunderstandings when communicating in writing. Words are understood by their context or pronunciation which can change the entire meaning of a sentence or make it unintelligible. For instance, the words “done” and “don” are spelt correctly but have completely different meanings. There are more examples of words that are pronounced the same but spelt differently and have completely different meanings. Among others, these include “buy” and “bye”; “meet” and “meat”; “lead” and “lead”; and “red” and “read”.
This is not to mention the many exceptions to spelling and grammar rules that make writing in the language even more complicated. For example, English speakers are taught that “I” precedes “E”, except after “C”. Yet, this rule is broken when spelling words such as “science”, “their”, or “foreign”.
Another English rule that is broken is that verbs in the past tense end with the suffix “ed”. However, what about words, such as “ate” and “slept”?
ABET teaches reading skills
ABET also teaches reading skills that are needed to understand written instructions from higher-ups. Important instructions are usually conveyed in writing because it provides a record of what was being communicated. This can be referenced whenever required.
When employees have a poor understanding of what is being communicated to them, their work processes become tedious and unproductive. They will also make mistakes because they do not know exactly what is required of them.
Employees with sound reading comprehension skills can quickly analyse the structure of a text and perceive existing relationships between sentences. They can also identify the most important information and summarise the content into clear actionable points.
English reading skills can also be complicated to learn. This is considering the importance of pronunciation, context and parts of speech in English language use. A sentence such as “present her the present” uses the same word twice. Yet, they are each pronounced differently, the first “pree-zent” and the other “pre-zent”. Many non-native speakers struggle to remember which pronunciation to use at which time. Certainly, this also stifles their ability to effectively communicate in the spoken word in English.
ABET produces active listeners
ABET produces active listeners and good communicators in the spoken language.
There are many semantic barriers to effective verbal communication in the workplace, such as the misuse of words.
Receivers of an instruction in English who struggle with the language may not assign the same meaning to the words used by the communicator.
Words have a variety of meanings depending on their context. For example, when used as an adjective, the word “yellow” can have many connotations. Firstly, it describes a colour, but it can also imply “freshness”, “beauty”, ‘sickness” and “decay”. The receiver can, thus, interpret the word in many different ways. This is based on their imagination, experience and, most importantly, educational background.
Non-native English speakers also struggle with the levels of formality in English, especially in the workplace. They are based more on vocabulary rather than a specific tense or verb conjugation as is the case with other languages.
Non-native English speakers also grapple with the many idioms, metaphors and other figurative language that are not to be taken seriously.
ABET removes ambiguity
ABET removes ambiguity, which leads to misunderstandings.
There are many examples of how ambiguity and vague words can lead to misunderstandings. A case in point is when the Israelis misinterpreted the text of the UN resolution 242 article (i). It is worded as: “Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied (the West Bank and Gaza) in the recent conflict”. This was intended to call for the complete withdrawal of the Israelis from the Palestine lands occupied in 1967. However, the Israelis argued that the phrase did not mean a total withdrawal. This is considering that there is no use of the word “all” or “the” before territories.
An ABET leader
Triple E Training is an ABET leader.
We have more than a 30-year long track record providing workplace and community adult literacy and numeracy training. Together with the stellar efforts of our clients, we are making an impact on illiteracy one learner at a time.
We look forward to helping you equip your employees with the skills that they need to get the job correctly done the first-time round. This while enabling them to achieve their full potential as valued employees.
Learn more about Triple E Training and our quality ABET. www.eee.co.za
