Other Languages
Beginner’s
Begin speaking in your first lesson constructing sentences and learning vocabulary in situations practical for you. You will develop conversation skills during your classes putting different tenses into immediate use – what did you do yesterday? Where did you go? Where are you going tomorrow and how will you get there? The classes are very practical. You learn the lesson during your lesson – “a lesson finished is a lesson learned”. Homework is a luxury and you will learn faster if you are able do some, but it isn’t necessary to progress easily and well with our courses without the need for homework. At the end of each lesson you will know that lesson.
Intermediate
We begin intermediate courses with: 1) a complete assessment, pinpointing and improving your existing skills, using appropriate tenses, improving accent, using the best word or phrase in a situation and so on; and 2) developing a syllabus to bring you to an advanced level.
Advanced
As with intermediate lessons we begin with an assessment of your existing skills, improve them, and then develop together your aims in continuing studies. We have many clients who want to maintain their level of fluency and understanding through regular conversation classes as well as clients who need to specifically develop their business or social language skills. The deeper mysteries of the subjunctive tenses are a common area of study in advanced classes.
Business Trips & Meetings
Landing at the airport, finding a taxi or renting a car, buying tickets on the underground, buses or trains, giving addresses and directions. Booking into the hotel. Using the phone. Room service. Making a complaint. Ordering dinner. Going to the meeting. Talking to the receptionist…..where is the lift…?! Meeting and greeting: the little details – whether to take your jacket off, whether to shake everyone’s hand or just the boss’s, how best to introduce subjects. In some countries these details are more important than in others, but in all countries an attention to detail will pay dividends. Although many business meetings are held in English your learning their language demonstrates a real commitment to the future business relationship, and you will soon be able function fully – in a meeting.
Business Dinners
Many deals and business relationships are developed and done over lunch and dinner. So you will know the names of most food and drink and the usual table manners and acceptable topics of conversation. Whether to talk about the family, etc.
Shopping
You may need to go shopping, perhaps for flanges and valves or forklift trucks or presents for the family. You will learn all the necessary vocabulary and constructions to buy what you need.
Buying and Developing Property
Dealing with Estate Agents and lawyers. Vocabulary of houses and property. What’s a condensing boiler called? Negotiating with builders, plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, gardeners, etc. Names of different local government departments. How to get on well with the neighbours. The customs of the country.
Business Groups
If your company is developing business in and needs key staff able to speak – this is a solution. Small groups held in company are very specific to company aims. We’ve taught Engineering Insurance Agents Spanish; Coffee Traders Spanish & Portuguese and Capital Investment Brokers French, Lawyers Italian and even Bond Traders Mandarin
Social Groups
Groups of friends who want to learn, often at one of the friend’s house. A study evening but also a social evening for friends to get together and enjoy a shared interest in learning.
Intensive Courses
Learn in a short time and focus on your language course. The number of hours a day varies – ‘total immersion’ classes, up to 8 hours a day or daily short lessons 1½ or 2 hours per day. We are expert at helping you reach a required level quickly. We explain comprehensively grammar and general knowledge. When you travel you will be able to continue learning and continue developing your language skills.
If time is limited we will teach you how to communicate, speaking in the present and future tenses with just one past tense – this will be enough for immediate effectiveness.
We use grammar constructions and vocabulary similar to English allowing you to speak quickly and effectively. If you know another language everything can be achieved much more quickly.
Survival Courses
Your survival course is developed by reviewing each step of the trip you will be taking – . language skills and solutions for each situation. You will learn how to get by on your own and feel comfortable.
Exams
In both small groups and in one-to-one classes we prepare students for exams. For business learners we recommend studying for the London Chamber of Commerce examinations – both useful and relevant for your CV.
We take students through GCSE and ‘A’ level courses with all the examination boards and help university students through various aspects of their degree courses.
We don’t allow our students to take their exams until we are sure you are going to pass with ‘A’s.
