Certificate in Communication & Business Skills

BBSI, one of the most highly-accredited business colleges and English language schools in England, offers international students the opportunity to study Business English in England, while acquiring a sound basis in English-language communication skills, essential business skills and current business concepts.

The BBSI certificate course in Communication & Business Skills can be studied for periods of between 4 and 12 weeks, and is carefully designed for students with a minimum English language level of IELTS [Academic] 5.0, ie CEFR B2. This course enables participants to develop their business and professional skills to a level of proficiency, and to hone their English language communication skills. The 30-lesson (22.5 hours) weekly study programme is one of BBSI's most enduring courses. It represents a challenging step up from general English and is recognised as being demanding in respect of the amount of output required by students, who need to collaborate in teams, produce work of a professional standard, conduct research and demonstrate new communication skills to others. The course leads to a BBSI Certificate in Communication & Business Skills, an NCFE Certificate in Communication & Business Skills, and students will also have the opportunity to prepare for an English or business English examination.

Additional English & Business English Qualifications. Students will also have the the option to prepare for up to 3 different University of Cambridge ESOL examinations: the First Certificate in English (FCE)

, the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)

, or the Business English Certificate (BEC)

. Students wishing to take one of these examinations are recommended to study for a full 12 weeks prior to the examination, to maximise their chances of success. Alternatively, participants can opt to join our ongoing weekly English Language Workshop (ELW)

at a language level to suit their needs.

Course Outline

Course Duration: 4-12 weeks

      Minimum English-Language Entry Level: IELTS 5.0/CEFR B2.

      Course Code: CBS

      Lessons Weekly: 30 lessons (22.5 hours)

Minimum Age. 17 years

Main Course Entry Dates. Sep, Jan, Apr or Jul; however, flexible entry dates are available for these

courses (term dates 2011/12).

Awards. Academic achievement is ascertained by means of continuous assessment.

            BBSI Certificate in Communication & Business Skills (continuous assessment)
            NCFE Certificate in Communication & Business Skills (continuous assessment, full 12-week
                course only)

Optional External Examinations+. Additional examination fees apply.

            University of Cambridge FCE (examination dates)
            University of Cambridge CAE (examination dates)
            University of Cambridge BEC (examination dates)

Course Structure & Content. A minimum of 4 weeks' study is required, comprising 30, forty-five
minute lessons (22.5 hours total) weekly. Course breakdown is as follows:

            20 lessons/15 hours weekly in Communication & Business Skills
            10 lessons/7.5 hours weekly in English Language
                   (selected from one of the following):
                        * preparation for the University of Cambridge FCE
                        * preparation for the University of Cambridge CAE
                        * preparation for the University of Cambridge BEC
                        * English Language Workshop (ELW)

      Course Elements. This Certificate course provides training in both business communication
      skills and English language. The skills and topics incorporate the following:

            Skills Components. The communication skills covered include:

                  * oral communication & discussion
                  *  presentation skills
                  *  business correspondence, formal & informal
                  * effective telephoning
                  * negotiation skills
                  * business reporting
                  * managing and participating in meetings

            Business Topics. The business topics covered include:

* finance & banking facilities

                  * international trade
                  * market research & advertising
                  * customer service
                  * branding
                  * travel
                  * organisation structure
                  * cultural awareness
                  * recruitment
                  *  business ethics
                  * leadership
                  * innovation
                  * change
                  * competition

Course Objectives. The training objectives are to:

                  * provide students with the English-language communication skills to enable them to
                        communicate effectively in an international business context
                  * enable students to develop a foundation in business knowledge
                  * enable students to build appropriate vocabulary related to business
                  * provide participants with the opportunity to obtain one of a range of English and
                        business English qualifications

BBSI courses are carefully designed and structured at different language levels to enable international students to develop all 4 English language skills simultaneously, while developing their professional communication skills and professional knowledge in academic, vocational or professional context, in the specialised subject of their choice. Students therefore have the flexibility to focus on either academic or vocational progression, depending on their personal training needs and particular learning objectives.