35 Rue du Stand
CH - 1204 Genève
t (+4122) 321.52.63
f (+4122) 321.52.64
info@tlh.ch
English for Secretaries and Personal Assistants (London)
Max class size: 8
28 hours per week
Average age: 36
Developing the language skills of the front-line contact
Typical course participants:
Participants are experienced Personal Assistants or Executive Secretaries.
Course summary:
This course will provide you with the English language skills needed to perform in a variety of work situations, including dealing with visitors and difficult clients, managing aspects of written communication including emails, making arrangements by telephone and socialising.
Course benefits :
- communicate more confidently
- speak more accurately and fluently
- participate more successfully in meetings
- improve your written English including emails
- expand your professional vocabulary
- improve your understanding of grammar
- socialise and network with greater confidence
- work successfully in a cross-cultural environment
You can expect to manage work situations more confidently and successfully, feel more confident when using the telephone and communicate better in both work and social situations.
Language and skills covered will include:
- communication skills needed in work situations
- telephoning, hosting visits and socialising
- written communication and email
- active listening techniques
- intercultural communication and working in a cross-cultural environment
- vocabulary building and activation
- grammar and pronunciation as necessary
The following areas provide the framework for the course:
- Handling a wide range of telephone calls, for example:
- transferring calls
- taking and giving messages
- dealing with engaged lines, colleagues unavailable etc
- giving and receiving information
- Dealing with visitors, for example:
- greeting visitors, showing people round and giving practical information
- identifying and establishing needs of visitors politely and efficiently
- engaging in appropriate and necessary small-talk
- dealing with difficult clients
- Dealing with aspects of written communication, for example:
- confirming a visit or appointment
- requesting certain documents or information
- drafting documents or correspondence
- practical guidance on written work actually undertaken by participants
- When secretaries and personal assistants are socialising with their clients, discussion often turns to broader matters. The course reflects this with practice in a range of topical issues such as:
- current affairs
- social, political and environmental issues
- political systems and developments
- education and training
- advertising and the media
- technology and society
This course can be combined with other courses.
For dates and fees please contact The Language House or tel 0041 22 321 52 63.
"The training centre was very professional and the teachers very interesting. I was impressed by their wide culture and knowledge. It was possible to talk about sports, politics, entertainment, travel, music, theatre and a lot of different others things. The one-to-one lessons were good but very hard. It was not possible to have a bit of rest. There is pressure on you to speak and think in English at every moment, every day! The mix of small group courses and private training was a good combination. My Executive Homestay family was friendly and welcoming. I had contact in the morning for breakfast, in the evening for dinner three times a week and sometimes in the weekend. But I was very lucky because the weather was good so I was able to go out with other students. I would like thank The Language House for the good organisation and if I need more information about language training I won't hesitate to call you."
Telecommunications Manager
Pictet & Cie, Banquiers
"All targets reached… four weeks very, very intensive…. Executive Homestay accommodation was perfect (nice family, close to school 15 mins on foot). Excellent trainers... non-stop learning in a very friendly environment.”
Vice-President Investment Advisory
Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie