English for Business

This course is aimed to gain a useful grounding in business English and Professional communication skills.

We offer this qualification at levels 2, 3 and 4. The qualification consists of a mandatory reading and writing exam and optional speaking and listening exams.

Reading and Writing - Compulsory

• Candidates will be assessed via a 3-hour examination consisting of 4 questions.

Speaking - Optional

• Candidates will be assessed by a 15 minute examination including 5 minutes preparation time. The examination consists of 2 parts. There are four criteria - fluency, grammar and pronunciation - and candidates will be assessed on their performance in both parts.

Listening - Optional

• Candidates will be assessed by a listening test lasting about 25 minutes. The test comprises 30 short listening tasks, each with a multiple-choice question.

The aims of the course:

Level 2

• Write accurate English suited to the stated purpose.
• Understand and write English using formats that are current and common in business communication.
• Adopt the tone, form, layout, content and composition appropriate to the requirements of a given situation.
• Understand spoken and recorded Business English at the defined level.
• Participate in conversations.

Level 3

• Understand and write English used in a variety of ways within a range of business contexts.
• Employ appropriate business formats and styles to produce a range of business documents for different audiences and purposes.
• Understand spoken and recorded Business English at the defined level.
• Participate in conversations and discussions.
• Make an oral presentation on a business-related topic.

Level 4

• Understand authentic business texts.
• Write English in a wide variety of ways within an extensive range of business contexts.
• Listen and understand business-related material such as conversations, announcements, short talks, and news bulletins.
• Give clear, detailed oral descriptions and presentations on complex subjects.
• Express themselves orally in a clear and appropriate style on business or professional matters.

Progression: Further study in any discipline.