STUDY OPTIONS
We offer a choice of study options to meet your requirements and time constraints.
Private Lessons (one-to-one)
Private lessons provide you with your own teacher, your choice of schedule, class duration, class location (Institute / home / office), and course content. You will receive the undivided attention of your teacher who will adapt your course to your personal needs and objectives.
Semi-Private Lessons (2-3 students)
Semi-private lessons allow you to decide on the schedule and venue of your classes, as well as your study partners. You can choose to form your own group with colleagues or friends, or you may ask to be grouped with other students of the same level and same language objectives. When choosing this option, you will still benefit from a private learning environment and the course content will be adapted to your group’s needs and requests.
Small Group Lessons (4-7 students)
Small group lessons allow you to enjoy individual attention from your teacher, all the while providing interaction and extensive practice in a supportive and friendly environment. These classes usually take place at our Institute and students are grouped according to level and study objectives. New classes start every month, and upon completion of one module you can immediately advance to the next one.
Skype Lessons (one-to-one)
Skype lessons are the ideal choice if you travel a lot for work.
Schedule
Classes are usually held once or twice weekly, but intensive classes can be arranged on request.
Rescheduling
When you choose the private study option, you can reschedule any class with a simple phone call (24 hours notice is required). Or you can also decide to have a Skype lesson instead.
If you have chosen the small group study option and an alternate class is available, you can request to swap your day(s) and time(s) of class for that week. Or you can choose to pay a small supplement and enjoy a one-to-one catch up lesson instead
COMMON BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
Our courses are generally built around common business functions, which are essential business communication skills.
WRITING
Effective Email Skills – Your staff will learn to use and appreciate formal and informal register; conventional openings and closings; key phrases and structure. Study and practice common functions in email writing as appropriate to your role and industry; arranging meetings; invitations; negotiations; commercial correspondence; handling problems and feedback, etc.
Report Writing – Your staff will learn essential structures and key phrases; effective organization; how to link sections fluently; to be brief and to the point; describing trends and presenting information systematically and eliminating confusion and redundant phrasing. Producing accurate and cogent reports is a crucial skill and one which will improve the performance of your staff and overall efficiency of your organization.
ORAL
Customer Service Skills – Your staff will learn to deal confidently with native speakers and appear professional in manner and tone. Through role-plays, reinforcement and correction they will learn accuracy in standard reception and telephone functions appropriate to your industry.
Meeting Skills – Your staff will learn the structure and language of meetings; opening and closing the meeting; inviting and giving opinions; polite interruption and disagreement; achieving consensus, etc. Through case-studies and role-plays you will become accustomed to chairing or participating in a meeting in another language.
Negotiation Skills – Your staff will learn the essential language skills to participate effectively in negotiations and to develop these skills in practical ways. The focus is on structuring and controlling information; making proposals and counter-proposals; asking the right questions soliciting or giving feedback; maintaining a positive atmosphere.
Networking Skills – Your staff will learn to maximize and develop corporate contacts. Elements of networking range from the practical; assisting clients and contacts, directions etc. to the social; lunches/dinners, parties and entertaining clients; talking about yourself and getting to know your clients and feeling comfortable in another language in a social context.
Presentation Skills – Your staff will learn to deliver clear, well-organised presentations that will make an impression on your audience. The focus is on the structure, skills and language needed to make a successful presentation. This includes starting and concluding; using visual aids; fielding questions; arranging and presenting information in a systematic and effective manner. Training is through error-analysis, positive models and practical experience.
SELECT A LANGUAGE
- English Language Training – For local and expatriate business people who wish to communicate more fluently, accurately and confidently in English
- French Language Training – For local and expatriate staff in French companies and/or those who need to travel to France or do business with French clients or suppliers
- German Language Training – For local and expatriate staff working in German, Austrian or Swiss companies and/or for those who need German for social and business use in the German speaking areas of Europe
- Spanish Language Training – For local and expatriate staff working in Spanish or South and Central American companies and/or those who need to travel or do business in Spain or Latin America
- Mandarin Language Training – For expatriates and Cantonese speakers who need to do business on the Chinese Mainland or socialise with Chinese clients
- Cantonese Language Training – For expatriates working in Hong Kong or Guangdong province or Mandarin speakers who wish to do business with Cantonese clients
- Japanese Language Training – For local and expatriate staff working in Japanese companies and/or those who need to travel to Japan or do business and socialise with Japanese clients
