Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 13:21
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=530 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>China national bus drivers have to undergo English language course, says SMRT
SMRT says Service Leaders from China have to undergo English language course, and added that like most non-Singaporeans who visit the country for the first time, they will require time to assimilate the culture and understand the common languages.
In a post dated Aug 20, a STOMPer wrote in saying that many SMRT bus captains, who are originally from China and hired to work in Singapore, are unable to assist passengers with information on bus routes.
The sender says that these bus captains often have difficulties communicating with passengers in English and cannot tell them where the bus is headed.
In an email to STOMP today (Aug 21), an SMRT spokesperson says:
“Please see below SMRT’s response to the posting ‘So annoying! China SMRT drivers can’t give info on bus route’. We hope you can share this with STOMPers.
“SMRT trains our Service Leaders (SLs) to equip them with skills necessary to do their duties well. Our SLs from China undergo a training programme that comprises courses on English language and English skills for customer service. Local and foreign SLs who are less conversant in English are required to attend a conversational English training course.
“As part of their training, all SLs are taught to be proactive and seek help from other passengers if they face a communication problem, for example, if they are not able to understand the language or accent spoken.
“As with most non-Singaporeans who visit the country for the first time, they will require time to assimilate the culture and understand the common languages. We seek the public's understanding on this.”
Related article:
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=530 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>China national bus drivers have to undergo English language course, says SMRT
SMRT says Service Leaders from China have to undergo English language course, and added that like most non-Singaporeans who visit the country for the first time, they will require time to assimilate the culture and understand the common languages.
In a post dated Aug 20, a STOMPer wrote in saying that many SMRT bus captains, who are originally from China and hired to work in Singapore, are unable to assist passengers with information on bus routes.
The sender says that these bus captains often have difficulties communicating with passengers in English and cannot tell them where the bus is headed.
In an email to STOMP today (Aug 21), an SMRT spokesperson says:
“Please see below SMRT’s response to the posting ‘So annoying! China SMRT drivers can’t give info on bus route’. We hope you can share this with STOMPers.
“SMRT trains our Service Leaders (SLs) to equip them with skills necessary to do their duties well. Our SLs from China undergo a training programme that comprises courses on English language and English skills for customer service. Local and foreign SLs who are less conversant in English are required to attend a conversational English training course.
“As part of their training, all SLs are taught to be proactive and seek help from other passengers if they face a communication problem, for example, if they are not able to understand the language or accent spoken.
“As with most non-Singaporeans who visit the country for the first time, they will require time to assimilate the culture and understand the common languages. We seek the public's understanding on this.”
Related article:
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
