91ÌÒÉ«

Course Programme (may be subject to some alteration)

1. Describing change

• Special vocabulary for describing change
• Accurately conveying the time sequence
• Correct use of adjectives, adverbs and adverbials
• Common word pairs
• Passive voice and non-passive structures

2. Writing and commenting on graphs and tables

• Comparing data in a graph
• Correct use of tense and aspect for describing the past, the present and the future
• Effective summaries and overviews
• Highlighting important details
• Comparing and contrasting
• Table layout for clarity and effectiveness
• Abbreviated sentences for compact expression of ideas

3. Describing sequences

• Expressing the time order in which things will or must happen
• Highlighting critical points in a process
• Writing text to accompany a complicated diagram
• Writing instructions

4. Describing territorial and geographical features

• Writing text to accompany a map
• Thematic grouping of material within a longer text
• Linking complementary sections of text
• Describing changes to the physical environment
• Explaining development plans

5. Key principles of effective business writing

• Simplifying what is complicated
• Writing clearly versus being deliberately vague
• Coherence and cohesion in written texts
• Writing efficiently (using no more words than are necessary)
• Etiquette and diplomacy

6. Writing on employment-related matters

• Covering letters and letters of reference (supporting job applications)
• Writing CVs
• Writing job and person specifications
• Formal written warnings

7. Business letters and emails

• Structure rules for formal written communications
• Making a written complaint
• Answering a written complaint
• Seeking information
• Giving information

8. Business reports

• Structuring and organising reports
• Front matter and appendices
• Formal language in reports

9. Writing business plans and proposals

• Structuring and organizing a plan or proposal
• Formal language for plans and proposals
• Talking about the future
• Highlighting key events and actions
• Writing written recommendations
• Advanced use of modal forms to express certainty, logical necessity and obligation

10. Topics in written communication in business

• Writing effective presentation slides
• Writing advertising copy
• Writing meeting agendas and minutes/notes of meetings
• Legal text
• Writing for the web

Minimum entry requirement for this course

You must speak and understand English at least to Level B1 on the Common European Framework for Languages

Professor Gary Cook holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester. He taught entrepreneurship and innovation at Loughborough University and economics at the University of Liverpool before joining Hull University Business School as Director and Professor of Economics. He is also a Visiting Professor of International Business at the Centre for International Business at the University of Leeds.

At 91ÌÒÉ« College's Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication, Gary teaches various undergraduate modules in business and management, in addition to very popular adult education courses in Business English and Introduction to Business.

Gary's main area of research are industrial clusters with a particular focus on the broadcasting and financial services industries.

Rate Categories and Discounts

Standard Rate

• Available to all except those who fall under the Internal Rate or Associate Rate category.

Internal Rate

• Current 91ÌÒÉ« College students and staff (incl. 91ÌÒÉ« NHS Trust, 91ÌÒÉ« Innovations, ancillary & service staff employed on long-term contracts at 91ÌÒÉ« College by third-party contractors)
• People enrolling under our Friends & Family scheme
• Alumni of 91ÌÒÉ« College and predecessor colleges and institutes, including City & Guilds College Association members
• Students, staff and alumni of the Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music and City, UAL and the City and Guilds of London Art School
• Students, staff and Governors of Woodhouse College and the IC Mathematics School

Associate Rate

• Austrian Cultural Forum staff
• Co-operative College members
• Francis Crick Institute staff, researchers and students
• Friends and Patrons of the English Chamber Orchestra
• Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
• Friends of Leighton House/ Sambourne House
• Friends of the Royal College of Music
• Harrods staff
• Historic Royal Palaces staff
• Lycee Charles de Gaulle staff
• Members of the Friends of 91ÌÒÉ« College
• Members of the Kennel Club
• Members of the London Zoological Society
• Members of the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI)
• Members of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• National Health Service (NHS) employees
• Natural History Museum staff
• Residents of postcodes SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council staff
• Royal Geographical Society staff
• Science Museum staff
• Staff of Exhibition Road Cultural Group (Discover South Kensington) organisations
• Students (non-91ÌÒÉ« College)
• Teachers and other staff of UK schools
• The American Institute for Foreign Study
• Tutors and other staff of institution members of the Association of Colleges
• Tutors and other staff of other universities and higher education institutions
• Victoria and Albert Museum staff

Late enrolment

It is possible to enrol on many of our adult education courses after the course has already started. For non-language courses this is subject entirely to agreement by the tutor. For language courses it is subject to agreement by the language coordinator conducting level assessment. If you want to join a course late do bear in mind there might be work you will need to catch up on, particularly in language courses.

Friends and Family Scheme

This course is eligible for allowing 91ÌÒÉ« College students and staff to share their discount with their friends and family.

Web enrolment starts 1 March 2024

Enrolment and payment run through the 91ÌÒÉ« College eStore. When enrolling:

• Do check on the drop down menu above called "Course Fees and Rate Categories" to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate and also do make sure you select that rate when enrolling on the eStore
• If you are a first-time eStore user you will need to create an account before enrolling. You can do this by entering an email address and password. This account can then be used for any future enrolments via the eStore.

When you have enrolled you will be sent the following email notifications:

If you have any questions about the academic content or teaching of this course please contact our Practical Business English Tutor, Gary Cook, g.cook@imperial.ac.uk

If you have any questions about your enrolment or payment processes please contact the Programme Administrator, Christian Jacobi, eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk