Polycom—Language Matters
CASE STUDY: Language Matters: High definition video conferencing enables foreign language tuition for global employees.
Buckinghamshire-based Language Matters, a leading language training provider, is successfully using Polycom RealPresence video collaboration solutions, to offer foreign language classes to the corporate sector by introducing a new way to support corporate language students remotely.
Traditionally, language courses have been delivered face-to-face, but Polycom’s RealPresence secure HD video and telepresence solutions enable video collaboration from anywhere, so employees can learn a language even when away from the office. Video collaboration software for desktop PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones that can connect into room-based and immersive systems have opened up new ways of learning.
Language Matters is using Polycom Telepresence m100 video conferencing to deliver language training, without some of the issues that often affect group language training in enterprises. As the technology is easy to use, while offering premier quality and multi-protocol support, it improves the experience for learners and trainers, leading to a significant increase in course attendance.
“Our clients tend to travel frequently and have full diaries, so it can be difficult for them to be on-site for their training every week”, said Debbie Sasson, founder of Language Matters. “Video conferencing enables them to attend regularly, as they can dial in from wherever they happen to be. And as the training can be recorded, if they do have to miss a session, they can easily catch up by accessing the recorded sequence.”
Language Matters is now able to teach customers’ employees from all their global offices simultaneously instead of having to arrange several repeat sessions. Using Polycom video conferencing, teams in different locations can link in to one course delivered from the main customer site. The resulting cost savings for Language Matters means they can offer more competitive rates to their customers.
Because the potential students can learn from anywhere in the world, the sessions can be recorded and available for later use, to avoid any difficulties due to time zone differences. Making the sessions available to watch again anytime anywhere is a big part of the added value Language Matters’ customers receive. Practice makes perfect and employees can repeat sessions until they are confident with the new material.
The main concern for the teachers was the way in which their teaching methods might be impacted. But it didn’t present a problem; “The technology is fantastic!” says French and Spanish teacher Sabine. “It’s very easy to use. You can use the same sorts of materials as in a normal lesson; tapes, computers, written documents, whiteboards. It can be really interactive and you can establish fantastic relations with the students.”
The format facilitates all the typical features of a foreign language learning course but with the opportunity for extending the learning to a wider group at a time and place that is convenient to the student. The combination of Polycom RealPresence mobile and Polycom Telepresence m100 video conferencing has improved the learning experience for both the students and the teachers whilst making it more cost effective and practical for Language Matters’ customers.
You can watch a video of Language Matters delivering a Spanish lesson via Polycom RealPresence on the Polycom Website.