Business English 

An excellent command of English opens doors. Do you need to communicate professionally with your international counterparts, deliver powerful presentations and negotiate effectively in English? Follow a Business English, Financial English or Technical English language training programme from The Square Mile.

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Which business language training suits you?

Which business language training suits you?

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Business English: assured, insured or ensured?

Business, financial or technical English: improve your ability to communicate effectively whatever your background. Are you a technical engineer in the offshore business, a financial manager in a multi-national company, sales executive or ICT supplier with clients abroad? Follow a business English programme from The Square Mile and develop into a more confident, eloquent speaker or writer of English. An assured performance!

Bespoke language training for the best results

The Square Mile is specialised in bespoke (or tailor-made) English programmes. The level, content, planning, duration and methodology are designed to meet your needs. You can follow your programme individually or with a group of like-minded colleagues of similar ability. Our experience has shown that this approach offers by far the best results for business clients with limited time and specific learning objectives.

Whatever your background, level or learning objectives, we can provide an effective, cost-efficient programme to meet your needs. All our trainers are highly experienced, many are Cambridge ESOL examiners and our account team are specialised in matching your needs to a particular approach and trainer. Contact us to find out more.

Foundation English language course, level 1(A1)

The foundation English course is intended for participants with little or no knowledge of English. You focus initially on developing simple routines, vocabulary and structures to communicate in daily situations for example in a shop or at the station. The reading and writing aspects focus on simple, reoccurring themes such as completing standard forms and short e-mails. Your personal background and learning context determines as much of the choice of materials as possible. The programme takes between 40 and 60 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours over 2 to 16 weeks. Individual or group format, in-company.

Business English language course, level 2 (A2)

You already have a simple knowledge of English and can determine words, sentences and phrases related to daily activities. Your A2 level English course aims to develop your knowledge and skills in a simple business environment. Answering the phone, finding out a little about people, following instructions, writing basic e-mails and conducting exchanges are all part of the programme. Specific aspects of your work take a more prominent position in the course as we start to use your own materials more often i.e. technical manuals, price lists, product line-ups, safety protocols or organisational charts. The programme takes between 40 and 60 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours over 2 to 16 weeks. Individual or group format, in-company.

Business English level 3 (B1)

Your command of English allows you to have short conversations and read short letters, e-mails or adverts within a clear context. This B1 level Business English programme aims to improve your speaking skills so you can function in your work within the context of daily situations. Giving instructions, presenting your products and services succinctly, offering opinions, agreeing and disagreeing and developing a working knowledge of writing conventions are examples of linguistic functions covered. Use of your daily materials and situations allows your trainer to tailor more of the content to your needs, moving towards a more free-flowing use of English. The programme takes between 30 and 40 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours over 2 to 16 weeks. Individual or group format, in-company.

Business English level 4 (B2)

You can function in your job within clear boundaries and with the help of your counterparts. If you now want to expand your ability to communicate effectively and with increasing accuracy then this B2 level Business English programme is for you. The programme focuses on developing vocabulary, style and tone when dealing with more difficult situations, providing clear, coherent passages of speech or text and making fewer mistakes. Your business context takes a more central position in the course as you learn to be more fluent and confident in a broader business environment. Together with your trainer you decide the emphasis of the course. The programme takes between 30 and 40 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours over 2 to 16 weeks. Individual or group format, in-company.

Business English level 5 (C1)

This C1 level Business English programme takes your language skills to a new level. Nuance, style and tone become ever more important as you learn to present more effectively, negotiate competently and write structured, accurate reports and recommendations in English. Your trainer encourages you to broaden and deepen your active vocabulary and you develop the language skills to be able to lead and manage meetings and exchanges more effectively in both familiar and unfamiliar situations and contexts. The programme becomes a co-production between the participant(s) and the trainer, and takes between 30 and 40 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours over 2 to 16 weeks. Individual or group format, in-company.

Business English level 6 (C2)

In your profession, at your level in the organisation, “good” is not enough. You aim to speak English fluently, spontaneously and with conviction, flair and confidence. This C2 level business English programme stimulates you to draw on all your knowledge and push your English to the highest possible (near-native) level. Writing becomes second nature, error free and professional and your language skills form no barrier to you deploying your full knowledge and ability. The programme is a co-production between the participant(s) and the trainer, and takes between 30 and 40 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours over 2 to 16 weeks. Individual or group format, in-company.

Business English for PA's and Support Staff

Are you a PA, management assistant or support employee? Then you probably need English in your role as the face of your organization or manager. Making appointments and arrangements, ensuring information is shared correctly, taking minutes or acting as “gatekeeper” all require a good level of English when working in an international environment. This business English programme is aimed at improving your professional English for general conversation and for getting things done. Writing objectives include correct e-mail conventions and taking minutes. This English course is provided in-company, as an individual or part of a group of colleagues and tailored to your needs and takes between 30 and 40 hours, split across lessons of 2 to 3 hours.

Business English correspondence and e-mail

A well-written e-mail, letter or report conveys competence and professionalism. In your role you need to write in English frequently and need to be sure that your tone, style, grammar and word choice are accurate and appropriate. This business English writing course is tailored to your specific environment. Working individually or with a group of colleagues, we review your own materials and blend these with ours to identify and improve your written English. This business English course takes between 30 and 40 hours and involves a similar number of private study hours for writing assignments.

Business English for customer care

Helpdesk employees are vital to your business. In an increasingly international society, they often deal with customers in English. Their ability to express themselves clearly and concisely adds value to the customer contact and leaves customers with a positive image of your company. This business English for customer care course focuses on the language required to communicate about your products and services, deal with complaints or questions and/or share information with accounts payable or receivable. The course takes 30 to 40 hours and can be followed individually or together with colleagues. In-company.

Technical English

Good technical staff are hard to find. In order to improve the employability of their technical personnel, companies are increasingly turning to technical language programmes to enable their team to operate in conjunction with foreign technical staff overseas and at home. Our Technical English programmes have your technology at the heart and are genuine co-productions. You provide the context, we help your team with learning and applying suitable language and enabling them to learn independently from both technical and non-technical partners. Examples of topics covered include safety briefings, how things work, materials and production processes, planning and budgeting. The programmes are provided in-company for individuals or groups of colleagues and take between 30 and 40 hours, spread across 2-12 weeks.

Financial English (in association with the NBA)

As financial professional you report nationally and internationally. The content and style of your communication can affect the way your audience perceives the financial health of your company. Our financial English programmes are aimed at improving your confidence, fluency and ability to express yourself in a variety of ways in a financial environment. This programme can be followed from B1- level and incorporates speaking, listening, reading and writing in a financial environment. The exact content of the course is decided in conjunction with the participants. This programme can be followed in-company as an individual or part of a group of colleagues. If you are an accountant, this course may be accredited with PA points if you enroll through the NBA.