Online Business English Courses

The English language is an official language in over 70 countries. The importance of being fluent in both written and spoken English is ever increasing, especially for those who work abroad or in international companies.

Business English is the English required to communicate a message clearly and effectively in a professional context. This could include the kind of language used when reaching an agreement, marketing a product, closing a sale, managing a project and delegating tasks, among several other possible scenarios.

English is the leading international language in business, aviation, travel, entertainment, science and also on the internet. In many workplaces, the professional use of English can be of great value to one’s career advancement and growth.

Have you ever found yourself unsure of how to write that report or email at work? Or confused by your manager’s instructions on how to handle something important? Do you ever hold back during office meetings and discussions because it is difficult for you to keep up with the technical language being used and you don’t feel confident enough to express yourself clearly and correctly?

If any of that sounds like you, now is the time to work on improving your Business English skills. Do not hold back during the online meetings, write that email from start to finish, issue that report and enjoy feeling more confident at work.

At Gateway School of English we are offering Online Business English courses for all those who would like to take this time to work on their language skills for better English at their place work. Lessons are held from Monday to Friday mostly in the evenings as most people prefer to take Business English courses in the evenings after work.  We also offer very attractive rates for one-to-one private tuition , for example 3 times a week. Private tuition is very effective as the teacher can focus on the individual needs of the student.

This course provides students with the quickest route to communicative competence in English and is organised around the professional tasks and business-related situations that busy executives face in their day-to-day work lives. Practical assignments will draw on the students’ varied interests and lessons will respect their professional knowledge and expertise, particularly when discussing areas such as leadership, innovation and human relationships.

The course includes topic-based situations that help to reinforce vocabulary and communicative skills like speaking and writing.  Our aim is to offer a flexible approach to the basic interaction patterns used by business people in their work.  Topic-based learning units cover a wide range of business situations, such as using good commercial English when collecting data, drafting reports, preparing presentations, managing job interviews, writing business letters and emails, handling telephone conversations, decision-making and problem-solving.

Want to know more about our online Business English courses, e-mail us here: [email protected]

Until we welcome you online for our Business English courses, below are some common phrases used in the workplace:

• Shortlist: A list of several options taken from a longer list.

“I’ve gone through all the resumes we received and shortlisted 10 people to interview.”

• To start off: To begin something in a certain way.

“Finding those budget reports on my desk this morning really started my day off on a negative note.”

• To be with someone on something: To agree with someone on something.

“I am totally with you on that one, we should postpone the campaign until further notice.”

• Until further notice: Until another update indicates that the present situation has changed.

“Due to the unforeseen circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, our offices have been closed until further notice.”

• To cut corners: To do something quickly and without paying too much attention to detail, to save time and money.

 “For the time being we need to cut corners on our marketing campaigns – there are more important things to focus on.”

“I am sorry but you will have to re-do this report; we have to dig deeper with regard to these statistics. Cutting corners is not an option!”

• To get the ball rolling: To take action to start something.

“Let’s get the ball rolling on this project by researching the market first.”

• To pull strings: To use one’s power, influence and contacts to gain an unfair advantage.

“If only you could pull some strings for me to get me that job interview! After all you know the boss personally.”

• Outline a plan: To give a summary or general description of a plan’s main or most important features.

“We need to outline our plan with the product developers before we go into serious discussions about the next step.”

• To be on the same page: To agree about something.

“If the management team is not on the same page as us, we cannot move forward with our plan for the IPO.”

• Won’t budge: To refuse to change one’s opinion or decision about something.

“I’m sorry but I won’t budge on this. This is the final allowance for your department, end of discussion!”