Each Professional Business English program includes:

• Comprehensive needs analysis
• Customised training program
• Course materials and online services
• Individualised feedback and final report
• Statement of Completion

We develop a specialised program for each course focusing on the topics and skills required by the individual or group.

For example, a Professional Business English course may cover:

Sample Program

English for Engineers

Client Profile: A group of 12 overseas qualified Engineers from a variety of fields ranging from Electrical to Mechanical Engineering. English proficiency ranged from Upper Intermediate to Advanced.

Delivery: Following a comprehensive needs analysis, a program consisting of six workshops was devised to meet the learning objectives of the group. These 2 hour workshops, delivered at the client's premises, included:

Report Writing Workshop

Aims:

• Identify the purpose, audience and focus of a formal report
• Distinguish the sections and structure of a report
• Analyse the function and purpose of each section
• Review and practice the dominant language forms appropriate for each section
• Analyse a model report

Pronunciation Workshop

Aims:

• Raise awareness of individual habitual pronunciation errors
• Emphasize key aspects of pronunciation that ensure clear communication
• Highlight features of connected speech characteristic of native speakers
• Raise awareness of the importance of pausing and chunking groups of words
• Raise awareness of the importance of stressing key words in a sentence
• Highlight the significance of intonation and practice key intonation patterns
• Acquire strategies for self-awareness and on-going improvement of pronunciation

Telephone Communication

Aims:

• Consider strategies to repair telephone conversations
• Listen to and learn useful language for telephone conversations
• Listen to and learn language for taking and giving telephone messages
• Look at examples of formal and informal telephone language
• Examine ways to achieve the right tone for creating rapport over the telephone

Australian Business Culture

Aims:

• Become aware of cultural differences within the framework of 'Hofstede's Dimension of Culture Scales'
• Listen to and take notes from a lecture on various aspects of cultural variation
• Highlight the importance of cultural awareness in the work place
• Identify common areas of disparity between participants workplace culture and that of Australia
• Highlight practical strategies for acclimatizing to Australian business culture
• Participate in role plays dealing with adapting to Australian business culture

Oral Presentations

Aims:

• Review the basic structure of a presentation
• Analyse the fundamentals of each stage
• Look at different strategies for an effective opening 'hook'
• Consider the various types and importance of 'signposting' language
• Examine important voice features such as chunking, stress, pacing and intonation
• Highlight some basic techniques for creating maximum effect
• Look at ways of handling different types of questions
• Establish the 'golden rules' for delivering effective presentations

Workplace Communication/ Negotiation

Aims:

• Review the various functions of communication in the workplace
• Highlight useful language for each function and identify appropriate register
• Focus on the importance of tone and the language of diplomacy for achieving cooperation and building effective relationships with colleagues
• Consider different types of negotiation and strategies for successful outcomes
• Reflect on personal negotiation style; strengths and areas to improve
• Practice strategies and functional language during several negotiation role plays