Technical English is the differential on job selections

By Waldirene Biernath

Mastering English language for everyday use is no longer a differential. Nowadays, to outstand, professionals are investing in technical language learning.

Familiar terms such as "tier one capital" (funds that banks have in the coffers to ensure risk operations, such as loans) and "corporate divestiture" (strategy to remove the portfolio of corporate units) -just to fit in business vocabulary- is something valued at companies and on job selections.

The growing demand for specific courses at language schools confirms that, according to interchange and educational institutions.

Computing is one of the areas which demands most specific language knowledge, according to the schools.

Vivian Barone, pedagogical coordinator

Technical English is even necessary on job interviews. Vivian Barone, Barone English’s coordinator, explains how workplace vocabulary can be required on interviews. “Being fluent in English is not sufficient nowadays.  It is required to be able to argument in a critical way in English. Questions such as “How would . . . ”, “How can . . .”, “What would . . . ”, “What experience . . . ”, “What qualifications . . . ”, “Can you describe. . .”,  “Have you been . . .”, have been rare on current job interviews. The interviews, nowadays, are Competency-based interviews, also known as Behavioral-style interviews. The questions focus on the candidate actions in particular workplace situations. He must be able to compare his experience to the company’s requirements, so without technical vocabulary is difficult to talk about it”.

Human resources experts, however, recommend caution before enrolling in a course for specific purposes. The importance and value of the technical knowledge of another language "will depend on the work area and the company," states Elaine Saad, the general manager of the Right Management consultancy.

Two important aspects to be considered before enrolling in a technical language course; according to Silvia Freitas, director of corporate relations at Berlitz language network; are the course price and the language proficiency the person has. Specific courses cost up to R$ 6,000.00 per semester, twice the traditional course price, according to schools consulted.

Source: http://classificados.folha.com.br/empregos/1008938-ingles-tecnico-torna-se-diferencial.shtml

Chevron Corporation takes responsibility for Brazilian oil spill

 By Waldirene Biernath

Chevron Corporation announced it is taking full responsibility for the oil leak that occurred off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.

An ongoing oil spill off the Brazilian coast occurred because 
Chevron underestimated the pressure in an underwater reservoir.

"Chevron takes full responsibility for this incident," said George Buck, Chevron Brazil country manager, in an official statement released on Sunday night. "We are committed to deploying resources until the sheen can no longer be detected."

At least 18 vessels are working around the clock to clean up the oil sheen from the surface of the water. The company assessed the sheen at 18 barrels of oil, according to Chevron's statement.

Chevron is calculating the total volume of oil seeped into the South Atlantic since the leak was first reported Nov. 8, and said it should know within several days.

Brazil's National Petroleum Agency said 5,000 to 8,000 barrels of oil were leaked after an appraisal well cracked the ocean floor.

Brazil is expected to fine Chevron nearly $28 million for an ongoing offshore oil spill, Rio de Janeiro state's environment secretary said Monday.

Carlos Minc said the national government will also ask Chevron to pay for damages caused by the Atlantic spill.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was expected to meet with the national environmental minister and its mines and energy minister later Monday to discuss the oil spill and determine the government's actions.

George Buck, chief operating officer for Chevron's Brazilian division, said the spill occurred because Chevron underestimated the pressure in an underwater reservoir.

Brazil's worst oil disaster was in 1975, when an oil tanker from Iraq dumped more than 8 million gallons of crude into the bay and caused Rio's famous beaches to be closed for nearly three weeks.

Vocabulary:

spill (noun): an amount of liquid that has accidentally flowed out of its container;

leak (noun): an amount of liquid or gas that comes out of a hole or crack in something;

sheen (noun): a shine on the surface of something;

assess (verb): to calculate what something costs or is worth;

fine (verb): to make someone pay an amount of money as punishment for breaking the law;

appraisal: The phase of petroleum operations that immediately follows successful exploratory drilling. During appraisal, delineation wells might be drilled to determine the size of the oil or gas field and how to develop it most efficiently;

well (noun): a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine.

crude (noun): oil that is still in its natural state and has not yet been refined for use by chemical processes

Source:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/11/21/chevron-oil-spill-brazil.html;

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-21/chevron-transocean-spill-may-trigger-fines-bans-in-brazil.html