Award in Business English

Communicating effectively in English is one of the basic necessities of any local business organisation looking forward to enhance its competitiveness within the globalised society. The aim of the course is to assist participants achieve further language specialization skills in comprehending and communicating in English within a Business Environment.

The aim of the examination is to test the high-level ability to understand and write the general and special varieties of English used in business, and the ability to use appropriate formats.

The course is targeted for:

• Business People, Managers, Consultants, Lawyers, Marketing people, employees in administrative and managerial roles within any business environment,
• Administrative Officers and any participant who wishes to polish up and enhance his/her skills in the English Language and apply them to the world of business, commerce and enterprise.

This is a 50 hr guided learning course.  Students need to invest further hours which will include private study and home assignments.

Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website. 

Learning Outcome 1: Write a business letter using proper English applicable to a wide range of business contexts

Unit Content   

• Composing a business letter

Learning Outcome 2: Employ appropriate business formats and styles to produce a range of business documents for different audiences and purposes

Unit Content

• Drafting an internal company report

Learning Outcome 3: Practice recorded Business English at the defined level

Unit Content

• Business-related text comprehension
• Business-related text and data conversion and reformulation

Learning Outcome 4: Participate in conversations and discussions

Unit Content

• Linguistic competence (structures)
• Linguistic competence (concepts)
• Linguistic competence (vocabulary)
• Linguistic competence (functions)

Learning Outcome 5: Produce an oral presentation on a business-related topic

Unit Content

• Listening competence

The following are the suggested pre-requisites and/or entry requirements needed:

Pre – requisites:

• Access to the course is open to those who already have a good working knowledge of oral and written English. The ability to communicate effectively in English needs to be proved by relevant qualifications (such as a minimum of a SEC level in the subject) and will be enhanced at the beginning of the course through a Placement Test. The programme will not go into the basic skills and competencies of the language, and neither will it tackle basic grammar and linguistic applications        

Entry requirements:

• Participants are expected to have a working knowledge of English linguistics and grammar as applied to everyday usage…. This may be proven by presentation of a certificate in this regard with a minimum of SEC / Ordinary level in English Language

Course participants may be awarded either an MCAST Certificate of Attendance or an MCAST Certificate of Achievement.

MCAST Certificate of Attendance

• An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to those candidates who attend at least 80% of the lessons.

MCAST Certificate of Achievement

• An MCAST Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to those candidates who satisfy the 80% attendance criteria AND ALSO choose to sit and pass the course assessment/s.
• Students who opt not to sit for the assessment/s or fail (the assessment/s) will however be awarded an MCAST Certificate of Attendance provided that they fulfill the minimum attendance criteria as stated above.

If the student intends to obtain a Certificate of Achievement, she/he is required to sit for an assessment/s.  Assessment/s may take various forms such as a home assignment, class assignment, practical test and time constrained test.  However, the assessment/s is not compulsory and an applicant may choose not to sit for it.

There are no additional costs or special materials/equipment to bring.