The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA)
Apart from its usual courses, the SRA will also be offering a programme for foreign workers.
SRA executive director Lau Chuen Wei said they will be taught communication skills such as basic phrases and how to handle complaints.
She said: 'From feedback, some foreign workers are all right at the interviews. But on the job, they may face unexpected situations when dealing with customers.'
The association plans to model its programme on an ongoing course run by Singapore-based Lighthouse Global Training and Consultancy for a leading cosmetics brand's new foreign staff - 15 Malaysian and Chinese nationals.
Mr Richard Lam, Lighthouse's corporate training director, said the course helps participants overcome 'cultural barriers' which may affect their customer service.
The 24 hours of training are conducted over eight weeks.
Metro department store
For the last four years, it has run a language laboratory programme. Each store has up to three computers loaded with tutorial software for staff to use in their free time.
Metro's human resource director Edward Tan said those who take up this voluntary programme see an improvement in language skills. Store supervisors are also encouraged to speak to their foreign staff in English.
Tangs department store
New foreign employees undergo a 60-hour programme over four to six months. Started last year, it helps staff from Malaysia, China and the Philippines improve their speaking and listening skills.
'We want to improve our service level, and English proficiency is a component of this plan,' said Ms Janet Lin, training and development manager for Tangs.
Her company uses the Workforce Development Agency's workplace literacy assessment as a benchmark.
Novotel Clarke Quay
New foreign employees go for classes twice a week to help improve their understanding of service-related terms and their pronunciation, among other things.
Conducted by external trainers, these classes come with a test at the end of each term.