Corporate Language Case Study: Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young Executives Gain Valuable English Skills at Bridge

Wendolyne Ramos
Audit Partner, Ernst & Young Chile
English Programs in Santiago, Chile and in Denver, USA

Ernst & Young is one of the four largest accounting and auditing firms in the world, with a presence in more than 140 countries.  As a large multi-national, Ernst & Young sends employees to work in different countries around the world, and English is the company’s primary language of communication. Wendolyne Ramos began her English studies at Bridge in Chile as a manager at E&Y in 2007.

Industry:

Business and Finance

 

Summary

 

Large multi-nationals such as Ernst & Young need to train hundreds of employees effectively and quickly in English. Bridge began working with E&Y in Chile in 2006 with a total of 14 executives enrolling in Bridge English classes. In 2010, a total of 213 Ernst & Young executives studied English with Bridge, who is now the company’s sole English language-training provider in Chile.

“My company invests a lot into the training of its professionals, for this reason we have established a partnership with [Bridge].” Janet Mella Solar, Training and HR at Ernst & Young

To date, 25 executives have been sent to study English in Denver. Among them was Wendolyne Ramos, a manager who spent three months taking group classes at Bridge’s headquarters in Denver. Wendolyne comments on the need for English at her job:

“[English] is fundamental. Ernst & Young is a global company; therefore, English is the universal language. It is used daily on a local level as well as an international level. All of the communication with our clients and collaborators in other offices, regardless of the country, are in English, and in all areas.”

 

English Classes with a Focus on Communication

Wendolyne’s program consisted of 20 hours a week of group classes. At the English language center in Denver, CO, Wendolyne was exposed to executives and professionals from around the world, always communicating in English. Of her experience, she remembers:

“I was in Denver for three months and it was shock therapy! From knowing nothing of English, or just the basics, my only option was to learn…”

 

In addition to lessons learned in the classroom, executives like Wendolyn who study in Denver benefit from cultural exposure. Many stay with American host families, take part in excursions, and travel in free time to gain a better understanding of American culture.

 

“The English program with [Bridge] is very good; the coordination with our company is excellent! From the evaluations, to the reports, to the importance of being with the students every day, to suggestions to optimize the curriculum, and of course the results of each module, it is the best.” – Janet Mella Solar

 

 

Results

 

In her time at Denver, Wendolyn was able to raise her English two full levels. She adds:

 

“In three months the change was noticeable. I finished speaking English, not technically perfect, but an English that allowed me to operate easily, to travel and communicate. The experience was notable!”

 

Recently, Wendolyn has been named a partner at Ernst & Young, representing the culmination of her career and hard work. Without doubt, the ability to communicate effectively in English played an important role in her advancement in the company.