Business English Upper-Intermediate (B1 → B2)

Locations: Virtual Classroom, Utrecht

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B1/B2)

Would you like to improve or refresh your Business English skills for your current job or for a new role? Do you sometimes wish you were more persuasive when speaking English? Or do you sometimes struggle to find the right words to express your opinions? This course will help you to achieve your professional goals in a way that is flexible to your professional language-learning needs.

520,-

Starting from 3 February 2025

+ 3 more dates

General
Learning goals
Method
Time investment
Practical
Schedule

About the course

In this course you will look at how to improve your business communication, both spoken and written. You will work with one of our expert language trainers on a range of professional tasks and projects that will allow you to put your newly-obtained skills into practice in your own work. Intercultural communication and business small-talk will be a part of the course.

In this course, you will learn how to speak more persuasively. For example when presenting but also when trying to argue for your point of view. We will work together on your presentation skills, including handling tricky questions and situations during the presentation, and help you to become more spontaneous and fluent in your speech. You will also look at business writing skills so you can become more accurate and efficient when you need to write in English.

You can start this course if your level is B1. Would you like to know your current language level? Try our free language level test!

Learning goals

By the end of the course you will have:

developed your Business English vocabulary so you can express yourself better in a business context.
learned how to express more nuanced opinions and give convincing presentations and pitches in English.
enhanced your knowledge of Business English writing conventions, improved your own business writing skills and practised writing clear and structured emails.
learned how to work more effectively in intercultural business settings.
become more confident communicating in your workplace.

Method

We will work on practical exercises with an emphasis on cooperative work and task-based activities such as short presentations. Vocabulary development will be done in class and at home. Grammar will be revised when necessary. You will receive regular feedback on your spoken and written skills.
The teacher will challenge you (and the group) to get the most out of the course. Due to our personal approach, you will be able to work on your own learning goals in a welcoming and safe teaching environment.

Time Investment

This course will take place over nine weeks.
In addition to these sessions, you should give at least 2 hours each week to self-study and completion of homework.

Practical

The language of instruction is English.
You can order the book for this course via our book page. We expect that all students will have the course materials with them for their first lesson.
You will receive a certificate of participation if you attend at least 8 meetings.
If you work or study at Utrecht University you will receive a 15% discount. Please register with your UU email address. Your registration will then be processed automatically.

Schedule

Starting date: 3 February 2025 (Virtual Classroom)

Day	Date	Start	End
Monday	3 February 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	10 February 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	17 February 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	24 February 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	3 March 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	10 March 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	17 March 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	24 March 2025	20:00	21:45
Monday	7 April 2025	20:00	21:45

Starting date: 5 February 2025 (Utrecht)

Day	Date	Start	End
Wednesday	5 February 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	12 February 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	19 February 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	26 February 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	5 March 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	12 March 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	19 March 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	26 March 2025	18:00	19:45
Wednesday	2 April 2025	18:00	19:45

Starting date: 16 April 2025 (Virtual Classroom)

Day	Date	Start	End
Wednesday	16 April 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	23 April 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	30 April 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	7 May 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	14 May 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	21 May 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	28 May 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	4 June 2025	20:00	21:45
Wednesday	11 June 2025	20:00	21:45

Starting date: 17 April 2025 (Utrecht)

Day	Date	Start	End
Thursday	17 April 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	24 April 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	1 May 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	8 May 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	15 May 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	22 May 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	5 June 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	12 June 2025	18:00	19:45
Thursday	19 June 2025	18:00	19:45