EDITOR’s NOTE: This article is written for business owners and HR leaders in Thailand who are considering Corporate English Training to help their teams or specific individuals speak English more confidently. It explains why English training in small groups is usually best.
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KEY INFORMATION:
- ECSC Thailand is a leading communication skills training company that helps Thai professionals develop confidence.
- This is because our trainees (your employees) are given plenty of opportunities to practice speaking the English they learn in our lessons.
- Language learning is an active process, not a passive one. So trainees learn by speaking, not by completing grammar worksheets.
- Large groups of employees (trainees) are not ideal for focused speaking practice, which is why we recommend small groups not large ones.
- This article makes mention of our four primary training services. Pricing information for those services can be found here.
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One of the most important goals for HR Managers and Training Managers when arranging custom English training for companies is to achieve the best results within the set training period and budget.
This is especially true when organizing group Corporate English Training at your company. It may seem that putting all trainees into a large group is the best option. It may seem that everyone can have fun together, and you can save some of the training budget.
But that’s not really true.
Because language learning is active learning – requiring participation and feedback, not just passive listening. And large groups often don’t allow for enough participation by the trainees or enough feedback from the trainer.
This post outlines several key benefits of English training in small groups for your employees’ Corporate English Training.
Opportunities to Speak
One major advantage of smaller groups when Thai employees learn English at work is that they have more opportunities to participate in class.
With fewer students competing for speaking time, each trainee has a better chance to ask questions, engage in speaking activities, and contribute ideas during group discussions.
This increased interaction leads to more speaking practice and helps improve English communication skills more quickly.
Opportunities to Receive Feedback
Another key benefit is that employees receive more attention from the trainer.
This is crucial, as it allows the trainer to address individual learning needs and provide personalized feedback. With fewer people in the training room, trainers can offer more targeted corrections and answer specific questions – and most importantly, speak English with them one-on-one.
This helps build a stronger trainee-trainer relationship and makes the learning process more comfortable and effective.
Ability to Focus Better
A third benefit – often overlooked by managers – is the reduction of distractions when the training group is small.
Large groups can get noisy, especially when trainees are enjoying themselves. While enthusiasm is great, too much noise can disturb other employees in the office and make it harder for trainees to concentrate.
Smaller groups, on the other hand, are quieter and more focused. They also tend to feel less intimidating for shy or quiet employees, allowing them to participate more and ask questions confidently.
Faster Progress
Finally, and most importantly, English training in small groups often results in faster progress.
The learning rate in active learning environments – like language classes – is typically higher in small groups than in large ones. With more interaction, fewer mixed-ability challenges, and better engagement, trainees often show stronger understanding of lesson content and improve their fluency in less time.
This boosts their motivation and confidence to continue using English, which can enhance their productivity when completing work tasks that require English.
Final Thoughts
In summary, while large groups may seem more cost-effective, it’s important for HR leaders who are considering employee English training to remember that group size directly impacts learning outcomes.
The more students in the room, the slower the progress. As a result, larger groups can make corporate training less effective – and potentially more expensive in the long run – since it takes longer for employees to improve their English skills.
Finding the right balance between group size and cost is key to designing an effective Corporate English Training program that delivers real results for your company.
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Recommended Number of People Per Group (PPG)
- Executive Coaching (1 PPG)
- Group Courses (4-8 PPG)
- Employee Workshops (8-12 PPG)
- Onsite Consulting (12-16 PPG)
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Visit our Contact Us page to inquire about English communication skills training for professionals in Thailand. Or, schedule a discovery call with our Founder, Don Gorr.
Don Gorr
I'm the Founder & Managing Director of ECSC Thailand. We help companies 'activate the English in their employees' so they can speak English confidently.
