English for Business

Key Information

Course duration

5 - 10 weeks per level

Hours per week

20 hours of face-to-face classroom teaching per week 

Timetable

Monday to Friday
8.20am to 12.40pm

English Level:

Upper Intermediate to Advanced (CEFR B2 to C1)

                                                                                                                                                        CRICOS Course Code: 063640B

English for Business

If you want to work or do business in today’s world, English is a valuable skill. Our English for Business course can help you develop the language skills you need to communicate in a range of business situations.

The English used in business can be different to the English you use every day. Even if you are good at speaking conversationally, there are many business situations that might be unfamiliar to you including interviews, meetings, presentations and negotiation.

In the English for Business course, you will participate in projects related to the retail and business world. You will develop the confidence to use your English in a real business environment.

The English for Business course is offered at three levels:
  • English for Business 1 (EB1) is an upper intermediate course. It gives you an introduction to business topics and concepts. You will develop your skills writing CVs and application letters, as well as writing to basic business formats.
  • English for Business 2 (EB2) develops the skills from EB1. You will visit companies and franchises, participate in fundraising activities and practice job interviews. You will also develop professional presentation skills.
  • English for Business 3 (EB3) covers further business topics. You will do three major projects including one about the stock market, a scope project and an individual project.

You will learn skills in four main areas:

  • Reading
    • reading a variety of business texts
    • developing prediction, skimming and scanning skills
    • understanding meaning from context
    • taking notes on important information
  • Writing
    • learning to write business letters, emails, memos, and reports
    • developing self-correcting and editing strategies
    • writing with greater accuracy, and more sophisticated sentences and vocabulary
    • improving your CV and written job applications
  • Listening
    • following and understanding information from discussions, presentations, news reports, company visits and business excursions
    • developing note-taking skills
    • identifying the attitude of speakers talking about different business concepts
  • Speaking
    • giving, justifying and discussing your opinions on different business topics
    • developing confidence, fluency and accuracy
    • presentations in Week 5 and 8/9.

Your learning outcomes

In this English for Business course, you will develop key skills that will prepare you for a range of real world business situations including interviews, meetings, problem solving and team projects.

You will learn to recognise healthy workplaces, and to evaluate company performance.

Reading

Interpret texts to identify main and supporting ideas, and interpret data.

Writing

Use effective writing skills for letters, emails, proposals and reports.

Listening

Understand and take notes confidently in real world business situations.

Speaking

Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills including for public speaking.

Lesson plan

Morning

Speaking
Get to know your classmates with a socialising task in pairs and simulated group task

Listening
Take notes from a recorded text

Vocabulary and reading
Practise describing an organisation

Writing
Use research skills to prepare a PowerPoint presentation on your placement organisation

Afternoon

Independent study in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

Morning

Writing and speaking
Present your own company profile with logo, statement and brief; CALL*

Speaking and listening
Identify and summarise main points from a spoken text

Grammar
Practise using appropriate question forms and seeking information (mock interviews)

Writing
Review business letters, emails and messages

Afternoon

Independent study in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

Homework

Write a first draft of a business letter

Morning

Speaking
Group discussion about cultural differences in the community and in business

Listening
Listen to a speaker talking about cultural differences

Reading
Read and discuss a text about ‘culture shock’

Vocabulary
Learn business idioms; grammar for expressing advice, obligation and necessity

Afternoon

Independent study in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

Homework

Write a second draft of your business letter

Morning

Writing
Review your business letter; Speaking – practise telephone skills

Listening
Follow up telephoning with set tasks

Reading
Read a text about cultural awareness in business using a market leader as reference

Case study
Discuss business briefings, aspects of business culture

Afternoon

Independent study in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

Morning

Writing
Write a short report on what you have learnt in relation to culture

Speaking
Using the daily paper choose an article to discuss with the class

Role play
Cultural tasks and activities

Writing
Write a thank you letter to an employer

Afternoon

Independent study in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

Assessment

Each level has assessment tasks that will help you track your progress. You will have mid course tests and end of course tests, as well as other assessments throughout the course.

At the start of your course, your teacher will explain the assessment tasks you will need to do. Your assessment tasks will cover the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

You will receive feedback on your performance throughout the course and a progress report in your final week.

Entry level

Upper intermediate

Course level guide