Corporate English Training: How Niermann Ofenbau Uses Tailored Language Training

Why Manufacturing Companies Need Specialized English Training

The challenges Niermann Ofenbau faced are typical for mid-sized manufacturing companies in Germany. The employees are excellent specialists -- engineers, technicians, sales representatives -- but their English skills often date back to their school days.

The most common problems at a glance:

• Technical correspondence: Emails to international clients often sound too direct or informal because German language patterns are transferred one-to-one
• Client meetings: During factory tours, the technical vocabulary needed to explain production processes clearly is often missing
• Trade fair appearances: At international fairs like the Hannover Messe, employees must present and negotiate in English spontaneously
• Technical documentation: Operating manuals and data sheets must be written in correct technical English

The key to success lies in training that is tailored precisely to industry-specific needs. General Business English is not enough for a company like Niermann Ofenbau.

Workplace Communication: Emails, Factory Tours, and Trade Fairs

One of the biggest improvements at Niermann Ofenbau was in written communication. Many employees translated German phrases directly into English -- sometimes with unintended results.

For example: The German sentence "Hiermit sende ich Ihnen die Spezifikation" became "Herewith I send you the specification" -- correct, but extremely formal and outdated. Better: "Please find attached the specification" or even more naturally: "I'm sending you the specification as discussed."

The training proved especially valuable during factory tours. Employees learned to explain production processes in English:

• "Let me show you our production floor. This is where we assemble the furnace components."
• "As you can see, all welding is done by certified professionals."
• "Would you like to see our testing facility? We run quality checks on every unit."

These phrases sound natural, professional, and welcoming -- exactly the right tone for a client visit.

How to Implement Successful English Training in Your Company

Niermann Ofenbau's experience shows: tailored training is the key to success. Here are the most important insights that also apply to your company:

1. Conduct a needs analysis: Which employees need what kind of English? A sales representative has different needs than a production engineer. At Niermann, three groups were formed: Sales/Management, Engineering/Production, and Reception/Administration.

2. Industry-specific content: Training should use real scenarios from daily work. Emails to actual clients, presentations about your own products, and role-plays for client meetings are much more effective than generic textbook exercises.

3. Regularity over intensity: Niermann Ofenbau opted for weekly 90-minute sessions instead of infrequent full-day trainings. This kept the learning rhythm consistent and employees could immediately apply what they learned in their daily work.

4. Practice-oriented success measurement: Instead of standardized tests, success was measured against real situations: Can the employee independently write a client email? Can they conduct a factory tour in English?