By kitlum Last updated: July 5, 2022

4 Executive English Training Courses to Give Your Language Skills a Promotion

As more and more businesses go global, it’s no longer a question of “should you learn English,” but rather, “how fast can you learn English?”

But how can busy executives find the time and energy to get their English skills up to speed?

Today, we’re going to show you how.

Tips to Maximize Your Executive English Learning
4 Executive English Training Courses for Language Leaders

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Tips to Maximize Your Executive English Learning

Before you sign up for an executive English training course, it’s important to have the right mindset and resources for success. Here are some tips you can use alongside your coursework to maximize your learning.

1. Identify Your Language Learning Style

Let’s face it, everyone has a different learning style when it comes to languages. What helps one person learn better and faster may not work for another person. So it’s important that you first identify what your individual learning style is and what works best for you.

You could start by asking yourself simple questions, such as:

Do I learn better through textbooks or through audio and visual content?

What timeframe do I have to improve my executive English skills?

Do I learn better in a one-on-one or group/class setting?

Because you’re a busy executive, you may have to work with a combination of different styles, and that’s okay. What’s important is knowing what works for you because that’ll motivate you to learn more and improve faster within a shorter period of time.

A good place to start is to structure your English training around the language that’s relevant to your specific industry and responsibilities. This will allow you to immediately use and practice the language you’ve learned, and grow your vocabulary and skills from there.

2. Use Daily Documents and Discussions as Learning Tools

On a typical day of your life as a busy executive, you’re likely to be participating in meetings and discussions, reading reports and memos, negotiating deals and communicating with other business professionals.

All of the many kinds of business-related communication you encounter (such as meeting agendas, reports, presentations and even conference calls) are excellent opportunities to pick up relevant business vocabulary.

Just think about it. Whatever you’ve read or heard in the course of your day can later be used to practice and sharpen your speaking and writing skills. So to develop better executive English communication skills, jot down key vocabulary and phrases throughout your day. Make time to review them on your commute home or before you go to bed.

Even if you’re noticing key business terms in your native language, that’s okay—now you know what words to look up, translate and memorize in English.

3. Turn Your Mistakes into Opportunities

Many learners worry that making mistakes in English will make them look silly or appear less competent in their work. The truth is that making mistakes is a very natural thing when you’re new to the language. Just remember, you’re not alone!

Speak and write confidently. That’s the key to sounding like an executive. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Making a mistake helps you become aware of areas you need to work on. To improve more quickly, find out where you went wrong and learn from your mistakes.

For instance, if you find yourself lacking the confidence to give powerful presentations, then focusing on improving English pronunciation can be a big help. If you find yourself consistently using the wrong words or not being able to find the right words, try some business English workbooks and programs:

Macmillan Business “In Company” Worksheets: These worksheets are an excellent resource for pre-intermediate, intermediate and upper-intermediate level learners. They cover many common business communication scenarios such as telephoning, making requests and vocabulary for business travel.

“Business Vocabulary in Use”: This free PDF textbook covers business English vocabulary and communication scenarios for intermediate and upper-intermediate level learners. You’ll find chapters dealing with marketing, finance and production as well as communication skills.
FluentU: This is one for visual learners, since FluentU uses authentic videos to teach English. In the business category, you’ll find tips for and examples of negotiations, workplace etiquette, advice from successful business people and even funny clips on how not to behave yourself in a business environment.

You’ll get vocabulary help from each video through the built-in video dictionary. This lets you check the meaning of any word in a video and save it as a flashcard. The program has an adaptive quizzing system—this means that the exercises you complete in FluentU will change depending on how well you know each word you’re learning.

4. Treat Every Interaction Like Speaking Practice

If you really want to build on the knowledge you pick up from an executive English course, you need to practice speaking as much as possible. Using your new skills in real professional situations is the most effective way to grow.

Look for opportunities to interact with co-workers in the office break room, with associates at business events or even with people you meet during your business travel.

Ask questions, discuss business news and communicate in writing. These are all great ways to put your business English to practice. Remember, the more you practice, the quicker you learn and the better you get.

4 Executive English Training Courses for Language Leaders

If you’re taking my advice and following the tips I suggested above, your executive English will improve very quickly.

If, however, you’re in an even bigger hurry to get your English up to speed—maybe you have an international business trip coming up, or you’re seeking a job promotion or even a new job—then you may consider signing up for an executive English training course.

Taking an executive English course will give you a more structured approach to achieving your language goals within a shorter period of time. Consider the following courses:

Executive English, Kelcy Roth

This program offers business English training to professionals of all levels. The program focuses on language skills for presentations, negotiations, meetings, business writing and cross-cultural business communications.

The courses themselves are flexible. You can use the free evaluation form on the website to have the course tailored to your specific needs, based on your proficiency level, job position, time availability and other information you provide.

Trainings are held at the Executive English headquarters in the Boston area. However, you may also choose to receive one-on-one tutoring or group training at a location of your choice.

Language Consultants International (LCI)

LCI offers an executive English program with a choice of two types of courses.

The Full English Immersion course is an intensive course where you’ll receive full-time instruction on a one-on-one basis. Everything about the course will be personalized specifically to your needs.

The second course option is the Group-Private Combo where you can attend classes as a group as well as private one-on-one lessons. In the class setting, you’ll be able to interact with other students, while in the private setting, you’ll receive individual attention from your tutor who’ll work with you on your specific goals.

Global Language Institute (GLI)

GLI offers a fully customized, one-on-one executive English training program. Each course is developed specifically for each student’s needs and goals. That means you’ll get an education that’s the most effective and relevant to you.

GLI is located in St. Paul, Minnesota in the U.S. You can choose either a 30-hour immersion program, or a flexible program based on your schedule.

Many industries are served by GLI, including human resources, finance, engineering, marketing and more.

Converse International School of Languages (CISL)

CISL offers executive English training programs in San Francisco and San Diego. These courses are designed for business professionals from lower intermediate to advanced levels. The courses are taught on a one-on-one basis or in classes of no more than four students.

Each course is structured to achieve a balance of the various business English language skills. CISL also emphasizes teaching culture and current events alongside executive English. You’ll connect with people from a range of backgrounds and will also do reviews of current events.

There’s also a focus on speaking skills, with weekly recordings to track your progress.

So there you have it. In addition to tips on how to fast track your success in business English, you may also consider these executive English training courses to receive guidance from a professional and interaction with other students. Good luck!