Are you losing time, patience and money on the job because of an inability to communicate effectively with your customers, clients or your own workforce?

Are communication difficulties and cultural blunders hurting your bottom line?

According to Lowell Gallaway, an economist at Ohio University in Athens, limited language skills among US workers costs employers $65 billion a year in lost productivity.

Many professionals dread communicating with their colleagues and staff in other countries. Others face difficulties right here at home, as they can't communicate with prospective customers or provide the same level of service to their clients who don't speak English.

If a lack of language skills or cross-cultural savvy is crippling your organization, UWM's School of Continuing Education can help.

We focus on you!
Each course is designed with your requirements in mind. Tailor-made classes focus on your workforce, your clients and customers, and your target culture. Classes can be held at our state-of-the-art classroom facilities or at your workplace, at times convenient to you.

Familiarization or fluency
As anyone who has struggled to communicate in another culture can attest, even the most basic knowledge proves helpful. Whether you are seeking an introduction, fluency or something in-between, our courses can be customized to meet your goals.

Available courses

- One-on-One Courses
- Small Group Courses
- Intensive Courses
- Rapid Response Training

Designed with the busy executive in mind, this intensive instruction prepares you and your staff for an approaching trip or visit.

Increase your profits
- Boost production! Effective communication empowers you to get things done the right way the first time.
- Add value to your service with a better understanding of your clients and their culture.
- Reach untapped markets.
- See the results on your bottom line.

Better communication in a safer, more efficient workplace produces immediate returns on your investment.

Quality instruction
- The only university-based language training program of its kind in southeastern Wisconsin.
- Qualified instructors experienced in teaching language and culture.
- Over 20 years of experience in continuing education.
- Learners can obtain CEUs or DPI clock hours.
- Simulate real-life situations in a supportive learning environment to gain confidence in your workplace communication.

Languages Available:
Spanish
Chinese
Japanese
English as a Second Language
Hmong
Russian
French
German
Italian
Korean
Arabic
American Sign Language
Ojibwe
Portuguese
Gaelic
Polish

Can't find the language you need? Using the world-class resources of the UW System, the School of Continuing Education can provide quality instruction in almost any language.

"The UWM School of Continuing Education customized a class and provided an onsite program that blended language skills, culture, geography, history and politics. Our team members now have a better understanding of their foreign colleagues and are able to communicate more effectively. Bottom line...we are better prepared to do business in other parts of the world because of this education."
-- Richard Heller, Project Manager
Information Platforms Business
Rockwell Automation