Linguaphone Business English : Spoken English for the Boardroom

Linguaphone Business English takes the learner to an active vocabulary of over 3000 words, and imparts 67 business communications skills. It is a program meant to give people command over Spoken English in the business context, and also the Board room manner so essential for corporate success. The learner will be able to not just perform well on TOEFL and TOEIC, but also on the BEC 2 exams conducted by the British Council.

Linguaphone Business English uses the Case Study method pioneered at the Harvard Business School, to teach business language and communications skills.

This Spoken English program is based on the Modular Case Based learning system, which has been specially designed for business people. There are 12 Case Studies in the course, and they span 15 countries and various industries. Each Case Study is based on a specific business situation. The case study is in three parts: Present the problem, Discuss the problem, and Resolve the problem.   The program develops communications skills that go beyond just speaking the language - how to negotiate a contract, how to write a resume, preparation for job interviews, how to politely say no - and various other skills so essential for business success.

Click here to see a summary of the Business English Case Studies.

Click here to see the Business Skills developed in each Case Study.

Learner Profile

This course is designed for the learner who already knows English but needs further practice to communicate more effectively in the business world. Business English will give learners the confidence and practice needed to do business in English with colleagues, clients, business contacts and acquaintances. On completing the course, learners will be able to:

1. Present a case or argument clearly;
2. Persuade other people to their point of view;
3. Listen, understand and answer accurately all the questions they are asked;
4. Be polite and firm in discussions and negotiations.
5. Read and understand articles in trade and professional magazines;
6. Read and write letters and reports in English;
7. Read and understand documents and contracts of agreement in English;
8. Draft documents, reports, business plans and letters in English
9. Learn formal and informal English for use in business
10. Gain overall confidence, which will lead to career and business success.

Business English is a Global Program

The English in the program is the English of the international business world. The situations are realistic business situations. The program depicts business people from all over the world using English to communicate with one another. Learners will hear both British and American English, as well as many accents of English from other countries which they will need to become familiar with.

Business English will help learners transfer their business skills into English. There is a language skills chart which provides an easy to use reference list of all the business and communications skills contained in the course. Learners who have completed the course, should have the ability and confidence to speak, read and write, in Global English. They will be able to conduct business in English competently and confidently

Business Case Studies

Business English is a modular-based course, which consists of twelve business case studies. The design of the materials uses the Modular Case-Based Learning (MCB-Learning) approach which is very flexible. The Case Studies are presented dramatically, just like a radio play. A Business Skills Chart is provided with each course, and learners are guided to use it in the following manner:

• Select a starting point. Start with any of the case studies, most relevant to their interests and needs.
• Choose a route through the materials which best meets their individual business and language needs.
• Quickly revise areas most urgent to their business needs.

A list of the Business Language Skills and Written Skills is attached to this proposal

The Cases

The 12 case studies in Business English present ‘true-to-life’ business situations and problems, many of which any business person will meet in the course of their work. These include:

• a strategy for improving a company’s market share;
• an effective marketing campaign;
• an exercise in creating an exclusive distributorship; .a business plan to break into a new market;
• a response to a problem requiring the appointment of key staff;
• an approach to extending credit;
• a strategy for dealing with bad debts;
• a management buyout;
• a strategy for improving market position;
• an approach to franchising;
• an approach to acquiring sponsorship;
• a take-over which reflects a particular management philosophy;
• an approach to making a tender.

Business activities contained in the case studies include:

• manufacturing and engineering;
• light industry and information technology;
• distribution and marketing;
• service industries.

The Business English Dictionary

The Dictionary has a commercial vocabulary of 4500 business terms. It also has a special section giving words used in British English and American English, and useful abbreviations for the world of business and international trade.

Business English Language Laboratories

In India, both colleges and corporate houses have established Linguaphone Business English Language Laboratories to promote the use of world class Business Language among their students and staff. It is also used as a Curriculum Resource in Business Schools to enhance their Communications Skills education. A Teacher Guide is available with lesson plans for the entire course.

Daily English Online

The Linguaphone Daily English Online Course is a very valuable complement to Business English, with its focus on international current affairs, its very strong emphasis on grammar at an advanced level, and the level of language used.

Business English Certification

There is an advanced Correspondence Course with tests and activities. Learners who complete the Course will get a Certification from Linguaphone and Lotus Learning.