English
These compact, highly effective English for Work courses consist of 20-25 hours of study and are offered at two levels: Lower Intermediate (B1) and Upper Intermediate (B2). We offer eight different modules at each level. Each module is centred around specific work-related areas of English communication. The modules are: Telephoning, Making Presentations, Travelling, Negotiating and Selling, Staffing and Training, Banking and Finance, Writing, and Meetings. You can choose any combination of modules at the same level according to your needs.
Each student is assigned a personal tutor to answer questions and give feedback on written and oral work. The support of your own personal tutor combined with stimulating online material is a very effective way of learning English.
Available modules
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Lower Intermediate (B1)
- Banking and Finance
- Making Presentations
- Meetings
- Negotiating and Selling
- Staffing and Training
- Telephoning
- Travelling
- Writing
Banking and Finance
Introduction
In this part you will practise language used when opening a bank account.
Listening
In this part you will listen to people changing foreign currency in a bank in New Zealand, and listen to some recorded messages.
Vocabulary
In this part you will practise vocabulary used in newspaper and magazine financial articles.
Reading
In this part you will read about the history of inflation in Britain, Germany and the United States.
Grammar
In this part you will study and practise language of ability.
Writing
In this part you will learn how to write a simple but polite letter to customers who are over their credit limit.
Speaking
In this part you will speak about a company that is going through financial problems.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Making Presentations
Introduction
In this Introduction you will learn how to talk about different kinds of companies and what they do.
Listening
In this part you will listen to someone being given a guided tour of a company.
Vocabulary
In this part you will learn words to describe where companies are, and what companies do.
Reading
In this part you will read a description of a company.
Grammar
In this part you will learn how to talk about a company's history.
Writing
In this part you will read and write company descriptions.
Speaking
In this part you will prepare a description of your company and then you will tell your tutor about it.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Meetings
Introduction
Here you will look at useful expressions for arranging meetings.
Listening
In this section you will listen to different extracts from a meeting and look at language used in these meetings.
Vocabulary
In this section you will look at different ways of referring to time.
Reading
In this component you will read about electronic (or "virtual") meetings.
Grammar
In this component you will look at how to speculate, make plans, and talk about what you have done.
Writing
In this component you will practise writing to a colleague, explaining about a meeting you went to.
Speaking
In this component you will practise reporting a business trip and what happened at a meeting.
Test
In this part you can test what you know and what you have learned about arranging, managing, and reporting on meetings.
Negotiating and Selling
Introduction
In this Introduction you will practise using words and expressions that sell.
Listening
In this part you will listen to sales talk in an advertisement and a phone conversation.
Vocabulary
In this part you will learn how to talk about salespeople, and how salespeople talk!
Reading
In this part you will read advertisements and study how to ask questions about a product.
Grammar
In this part you will study adverbs, comparatives, and the language of prediction.
Writing
In this part you will write an advertising text and send it to your tutor.
Speaking
In this part you will prepare a sales conversation, and practise it with your tutor.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Staffing and Training
Introduction
Here you will meet some of the characters who appear in this module.
Listening
In this part you will listen to a job-training interview and study the language used in this situation.
Vocabulary
In this part you will study and practise vocabulary that is useful to talk about staffing and recruitment.
Reading
Here you will read about MBAs, and then do some grammar work on modal auxiliary verbs.
Grammar
In this part you will study and practise how to talk about past experience.
Writing
In this section you will study and practise how to write a covering letter.
Speaking
Here you will study and practise how to talk about transferring to another job in the same organisation.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Telephoning
Introduction
In this Introduction you will listen to different kinds of calls, and practise numbers.
Listening
In this part you will listen to two different types of phone call.
Vocabulary
In this part you will learn useful expressions for making phone calls.
Reading
In this part you will read information about mobile phones and listen to a telephone enquiry.
Grammar
In this part you will study the language of making decisions, and of referring to different places.
Writing
In this part you will write a phone conversation and send it to your tutor.
Speaking
In this part you will prepare two phone conversations and then practise them with your tutor.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Travelling
Introduction
In this part you will look at the language you use when someone meets you on a business trip. You will also practise the language of introductions.
Listening
In this part your will listen to five travel conversations and practise the language that the travellers use.
Vocabulary
In this part you will practise useful vocabulary related to common travel situations. You will also learn to give and understand directions.
Reading
In this part your will read the emails a person sends and receives in order to organise a business trip to Britain. You will also practice writing emails.
Grammar
In this part you will practise forming questions to ask for travel information and questions you can use in social situations when you travel on business.
Writing
In this part you will look at how to write a fax to confirm a hotel reservation and how to write a letter to ask for money back when a hotel bill is wrong.
Speaking
In this part you will look at how to exchange basic personal information and make social conversation when you travel on business. You will practise doing this with your tutor and work to improve your pronunciation.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Writing
Introduction
In this part you will look at useful vocabulary related to writing at work. you will also practise correcting written texts and look at terminology related to texts.
Listening
In this part your will listen to different messages, and then practise written and spoken messages.
Vocabulary
In this part you will practise useful vocabulary used in documents and you will also practise talking about documents you write.
Reading
In this part you will read an article about junk mail and write to your tutor giving your opinion.
Grammar
In this part you will practise ways of introducing and connecting ideas in a letter or an email, review verb forms, and practise using the infinitive form of verbs.
Writing
In this part you will analyse and practise formal and informal writing styles used in letters and emails.
Speaking
In this part you will practise summarising messages and letters, and you will practise pronunciation and speaking.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
-
Upper Intermediate (B2)
- Banking and Finance
- Making Presentations
- Meetings
- Negotiating and Selling
- Staffing and Training
- Telephoning
- Travelling
- Writing
Banking and Finance
Introduction
In this part you'll be introduced to a situation that takes place in a bank in Auckland, New Zealand.
Listening
In this part you will hear about a famous financial collapse.
Vocabulary
In this part you'll study vocabulary describing banking conventions and banking practices, and read an article about banking in different cultures.
Reading
In this part you will read texts about borrowing money to buy a house from an Australian bank.
Grammar
In this part you will practise different ways of expressing the future and also preposition + -ing form of verbs.
Writing
In this part you will practise writing to describe market trends.
Speaking
In this part you'll practise speaking to a bank customer about an overdrawn credit card account.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Making Presentations
Introduction
In this Introduction you will learn words and expressions useful when giving presentations.
Listening
In this part you will listen to a product presentation and study the language that is used to organise it.
Vocabulary
In this part you will learn how to talk about changes, dimensions, products and pricing.
Reading
In this part you will look at how companies present themselves in their brochures.
Grammar
In this part you will study the language of persuasion and look at the differences between formal and informal language.
Writing
In this part you will practise writing the language of persuasion, and send an original Web site text to your tutor.
Speaking
In this part you will study how to make a presentation more effective, and then you will prepare one, record it and send it to your tutor.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Meetings
Introduction
Here you will look at different types of meetings and you will study useful meeting vocabulary.
Listening
In this component you will hear extracts from a committee meeting and analyse the language used.
Vocabulary
In this component you will look at vocabulary required to describe what happens in different types of meetings.
Reading
In this component you will study idioms and phrasal verbs, and look at the difference between formal and informal language.
Grammar
In this component you will learn how to ask different types of questions.
Writing
In this part you will look at the difference between formal and informal writing.
Speaking
In this component you will look at different ways of making small talk. You will also study language which will help you to structure a meeting.
Test
In this part you can test what you know and what you have learnt about participating actively in meetings in English.
Negotiating and Selling
Introduction
In this Introduction you will study formal and informal language.
Listening
In this part you will listen to a negotiation and study the language used at each stage.
Vocabulary
In this part you will learn vocabulary that is useful to talk about the different stages of a negotiation.
Reading
In this part you will read about negotiating and learn some related idioms and phrasal verbs.
Grammar
In this part you will study the language of making suggestions, stating conditions, accepting and rejecting.
Writing
In this part you will take part in a simulated negotiation, and write three letters to your tutor.
Speaking
In this part you will practise the language of negotiating and take part in two role plays with your tutor.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Staffing and Training
Introduction
In this part you will familiarise yourself with the language of job applications.
Listening
In this part you will listen to a job interview, and study typical questions and answers.
Vocabulary
In this part you will study work-related words that can be used for a positive effect.
Reading
Here you will study features of a job application letter.
Grammar
In this part you will study how to talk about past and present situations, using appropriate tenses and time expressions.
Writing
Here you will practise writing a covering letter to accompany a CV.
Speaking
Here you will practise speaking fluently, in a job interview situation.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Telephoning
Introduction
In this Introduction you will learn ways of creating a good impression on the phone.
Listening
In this part you will listen to people dealing with different problems on the phone.
Vocabulary
In this part you will learn useful words and expressions to talk about deadlines.
Reading
In this part you will read about good telephone manner, and then look at ways of achieving this.
Grammar
In this part you will study the grammar involved in dealing with problems over the phone.
Writing
In this part you will write two phone conversations and send them to your tutor.
Speaking
In this part you will practise how to sound polite, and how to end phone calls. Then you will role-play a phone call with your tutor.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Travelling
Introduction
In this component you will look at typical phrases used in different situations when travelling.
Listening
In this component you will listen to two business colleagues talking in different situations.
Vocabulary
In this component you will look at vocabulary connected with complaining and words used in British and American English.
Reading
In this component you will read about different ways of doing business in two countries.
Grammar
In this component you will learn how to tell anecdotes and make suggestions.
Writing
In this component you will ask somebody to change some travel arrangements and to send you some information.
Speaking
In this component you will make arrangements to travel to Barcelona for a conference and a holiday.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Writing
Introduction
In this part you will look at different types of texts you read and write at work. You will also read some tips on writing, and practise some useful vocabulary about writing.
Listening
In this part you will listen to a tutor speaking about a student's letter and giving suggestions on how to improve it. You will also look at useful language to use in letters.
Vocabulary
In this part you will practise words used in formal writing, synonyms, and noun and verb forms.
Reading
In this part you will read about writing conventions and etiquette for emails, discussion groups and chats. This is known as "netiquette".
Grammar
In this part you will practise using modal verbs, referring back and connecting ideas in a text and different uses of as.
Writing
In this part you will practise writing to request, explain, apologise and complain. Then your tutor will work with you to improve a letter you have written.
Speaking
In this part you will listen to people speaking about what they write in English and what they want to be able to write. Then you will write and speak about yourself.
Test
In this part you can test what you know about the topic.
Level system
| English for Work | Council of Europe framework |
University of Cambridge ESOL exams |
IELTS | TOEFL (paper) |
TOEFL (computer) |
TOEIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Proficient user | CAE (BEC 3) | 6.0 - 7.0 | 560 - 600 | 220 - 250 | 900+ | |
| B2+ Independent user | 5.5 - 6.0 | 520 - 560 | 190 - 220 | 800 - 900 | ||
| Upper Intermediate (B2) | B2 Independent user | FCE (BEC 2) | 5.0 - 5.5 | 480 - 520 | 160 - 190 | 725 - 800 |
| B1+ Independent user | 440 - 480 | 130 - 160 | 605 - 725 | |||
| Lower Intermediate (B1) | B1 Independent user | PET (BEC 1) | 400 - 440 | 100 - 130 | 405 - 600 | |
| A2 Basic user | KET | 255 - 400 | ||||
| A1 Basic user |
Course prices
| Course | Part | Study time* | Access Time** | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Intermediate (B2) | Any module | 20-25 hours | 2 months | 75.00 EUR |
| Lower Intermediate (B1) | Any module | 20-25 hours | 2 months | 75.00 EUR |
| Extra speaking tutorials*** | 2 Tutorials 5 Tutorials 10 Tutorials |
20 mins / tutorial 20 mins / tutorial 20 mins / tutorial |
- - - |
20.00 EUR 47.50 EUR 90.00 EUR |
* Study time - refers to the number of hours of study which we estimate you will need to do during the course.
** Access Time - refers to the length of time that your username and password will be valid to log in to the site.
*** Extra speaking tutorials - are only available with one of the above courses and must be used before the course expires.
Sample material
Try a sample of the Travelling module.
Try a sample of the Making Presentations module.
Test your computer
Check you have the correct software installed on your computer.
Extra speaking tutorials
For more speaking practice with your tutor, you can sign up for extra speaking tutorials. Normally there is one 20-minute speaking tutorial per module. To sign up for extra tutorials, select the number of additional tutorials you would like when you buy your course. All speaking tutorials are with professional English language teachers.
Level test
You can do this level test free of charge and with no obligation to do a course. When you finish the level test, please try a free sample class at your level.