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. Our Certificate Course in Communication & Business Skills comprises 30 lessons weekly, can be studied for periods of between 4 and 12 weeks and is carefully designed to enable international students at an Intermediate level of English or above to gain a useful grounding in business English and professional communication skills, and acquire a business English qualification.
This study programme is one of BBSI's most enduring business English 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 are required to collaborate in teams, produce work of a professional standard, conduct research and demonstrate new English language skills to others. Students who complete the course feel a real sense of achievement, have improved confidence in themselves generally and possess sound business English resources from which they can draw. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, ie business people and professionals seeking to develop their English language and business skills; recent graduates looking towards careers that require a sound level in business English; and high school graduates preparing for business courses in British universities.
Additional English and Business English Qualifications. Students will develop competent business English and professional communication skills. Those who study the full 12-week course can achieve a business qualification accredited by the NCFE national awarding body, while all participants can study for one of a range of different University of Cambridge ESOL† qualifications: the First Certificate in English (FCE), the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or the Business English Certificate (BEC). Alternatively, you can opt to join our ongoing weekly English Language Workshop‡ (ELW) at a language level to suit your needs. The course is conducted around a busy social and activity programme, and the maximum class size is 12, which can extend to 15 during the summer months, July-September.
Course Outline:
Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.0 (Intermediate)
Course Duration: 4-12 weeks
Course Designation: CBS
Entry Dates: The course is conducted year-round, and can be joined on most Mondays throughout the year. The main entry dates, however, coincide with the commencement of the 4 BBSI academic terms annually, ie in October, January, April or July (term dates 2008).
Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes' duration)
Minimum Age: 17 years
Course Structure & Content:
20 lessons weekly in Communication & Business Skills
10 lessons 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)
Awards:
BBSI Certificate in Communication & Business Skills
(continuous assessment)
Optional Examinations+:
University of Cambridge FCE
(examination dates)
University of Cambridge CAE
(examination dates)
University of Cambridge BEC
(examination dates)
Course Objectives. The course is conducted around a busy social and activity programme. The training objectives are to:
- develop English-language communication skills in a business & professional context
- provide a foundation in business knowledge
- provide a practical programme relevant to the modern working environment
- build confidence & enable effective communication in an international environment
- prepare participants for one of a range of English and business english examinations
- provide participants with the opportunity to obtain one of a range of English and business English qualifications
On completion of the course, participants will have enhanced their knowledge of international business and have developed their ability to use English language effectively in a professional, business and social context. In addition, students will have developed an extensive range of appropriate language skills, as well as having produced a very useful portfolio of assignments, commercial correspondence and written work.
Course Content
English Language Elements. English language is taught in context to support the study of business skills and their related topics: tenses and sentence structure, vocabulary building, levels of formality in spoken and written English, skills development and practice, study skills, pronunciation and spelling. The aim is to develop and practise professional English language communication skills in a business context.
Skills. The language skills covered include:
- oral communication
- presentation/PowerPoint TM
- business correspondence
- telephoning
- negotiating
- reporting
- meetings/debating
Business Topics. The business topics covered include:
- finance & banking facilities
- international trade, law & Incoterms
- market research & advertising
- customer services
- branding
- travel
- organisation structure
- cultural awareness
- recruitment
- quality
- business ethics
- leadership
- innovation
† University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
FCE (First Certificate in English)
FCE is an Upper-Intermediate level examination that indicates sufficient proficiency in English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs for example, or in the tourist industry, where contact with English speakers is required. FCE is also useful preparation for students working towards higher-level examinations, such as the CAE.
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
CAE is the second-highest level of Cambridge ESOL examination and is ideal for those who want to work or study abroad. A CAE certificate demonstrates language skills in a wide range of contexts. The examination is based on realistic tasks, and indicates the ability to use the language in practical situations, such as meetings and discussions.
BEC (Business English Certificate)
There are 3 levels of BEC examination: the BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher. All 3 examinations are ideal for students preparing for careers in the fields of international business and commerce, where a good knowledge of English is required to function effectively. BEC certificates are internationally recognised and demonstrate that the holder has acquired an appropriate standard of English in a professional context.
‡ English Language Workshop
The English Language Workshop is designed to provide general language support for those students who are studying a specialised course and who do not intend to prepare for a specific English language examination. The content of the Workshop includes extensive skills practice in professional areas of the language, which is useful for those who need to improve their ability to communicate effectively with others in a professional international environment, or who later decide to acquire a professional qualification.
Book this course on-LineThe following certificate courses are also available at BBSI:
+ Examination fees for those seeking to undertake external examinations are not included in the BBSI course fees.
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.
Download a PDF of the BBSI Certificate course in Communication & Business Skills.