The alliance between life-long learning provider Informatics and international language provider Linguaphone is a timely move to address the issue of declining English proficiency amongst the Malaysian population.

Mr Clive Sawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Linguaphone Group, and Mr Wong Wee Woon, Vice-President of Informatics Group Malaysia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to seal the alliance on the 10th May 2005.  Also present at the event were Linguaphone and Informatics management staff.

“We believe that English is the passport to career success.  When our customers master English, they will be able to create a significant impact during job interviews and business presentations.  As English is the official world language, the ability to speak and write it well will open windows of opportunities for us all wherever we are,” said Wong.

“We are confident that our students will be able to tap into Linguaphone’s impressive global network of partners and over 100 years of language training experience to emerge winners in their career, locally and abroad.”

The Informatics-Linguaphone collaboration offers students three types of English courses:

· Academic English for individuals
· Corporate English for working adults and companies
· International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test Preparation Programme for students preparing for overseas studies.

Ranging from 1 to 3 months of study required per level, the highly competitively priced course combine face-to-face teaching, guided language labs and online learning.

The buzz words are flexibility and practicality.  Tailored to their particular level and ability, students will learn through practical projects, using world-class materials in the form of books, audio CDs, PC Video CDs and supportive online learning resources.  Regular tests will monitor the students’ progress throughout their studies, culminating in an online certificate from the acclaimed Heriott-Watt University approved assessment system. 

“By studying for just 30 minutes a day and using Linguaphone’s ‘Listen, Understand & Speak’ proprietary method, we will teach you how to speak, read, listen and understand English in just 3 months.  You will also learn how to write effectively,” said Sawkins.