The Business English in Action course (BEA) is designed for people who need English for business situations, but who have only a short time to study. Its overall objective is to make participants more fluent, confident, and expressive in English so they will be more effective in a wide variety of business situations. The course also tries to raise awareness of the cross-cultural aspects of doing business internationally.

The focus of this course is on speaking more fluently and listening more successfully. The course is specifically designed to offer clients a challenging, well-balanced program to activate the language they already know, to introduce new structures and vocabulary, and to demonstrate useful ways to continuously improve their English when they return to work or to their studies. Weekly themes such as marketing, management, technology, and entrepreneurship provide a focus for all program components, including guest speakers, on-site visits, and course assignments. All elements of the course complement and reinforce one another so students are exposed to a wide range of business topics and related vocabulary and language.

Classroom activities include:

Our instructors are highly-qualified professionals with Master’s degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or a related field. In addition, ELP instructors have an average of 19 years’ experience teaching English in the United States and abroad.

21 class hours per week

4 weeks

BEA participants are guided through a systematic program designed to make them more comfortable speaking English in demanding business situations. Skill work and activities focus on grammar, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading, vocabulary, and writing.

This class includes simulations and business projects.

During three of the four weeks, a member of the San Francisco business community gives a business lecture. This offers participants the opportunity to improve their listening skills and to gain practical business information from working professionals.

BEA participants are expected to complete about two hours of homework a day. These assignments include reading, grammar exercises, and a variety of contact assignments in the San Francisco business community. Particularly strong or weak participants may be given special assignments. Participants are counseled to set up a routine for homework so they do not get behind or come to class unprepared.

All BEA participants may take the TOEIC examination at the end of the course for no extra charge.

There are two measurements of a student's achievement: proficiency and performance. Proficiency refers to one's level of English language skill; performance refers to one's diligence in doing assignments and participation and performance in class. Proficiency and performance evaluations do not necessarily correspond.

Proficiency Evaluations: The English language proficiency of each student is measured by standard tests (Michigan placement test at the beginning of each session and TOEFL at the end) and by instructors’ evaluations. Instructors use the CIEP English Language Proficiency Chart and give each student a numbered evaluation for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Aural Comprehension.

Performance Evaluations: GRADES. Instructors also evaluate each student's performance with a letter grade corresponding to the following:

A = Excellent

B = Good

C = Average

D = Poor

F = Failure

Grades are based on class participation (including attendance), completion of homework assignments, completion of in-class assignments, and quizzes and tests.

After the end of each session, a Proficiency/Grade Report (which includes proficiency evaluations, grades, and attendance data) and the student's TOEFL score are sent to each student. Students who are applying to colleges and universities may also request that copies of the Proficiency/Grade Report and TOEFL scores be sent to those institutions. A student who continues to the next session will be placed according to the proficiency evaluations and grades given by the instructors.

Students who receive letter grades of A, B, or C from their Structure, Oral Communication Skills and Elective class teachers will receive Certificates of Completion at the end of each session. [Please note: ELP can issue only one certificate per student. Lost certificates cannot be reissued.]

A student who receives a grade of D or F will be placed on Academic Probation for the next ELP session. If a probationary student's academic performance does not improve, he/she will be asked to leave the program and will be considered out of status.

Students who are interested in pursuing further studies in the United States can make an appointment with our Academic Adviser. The Academic Adviser can help match a student with the American college, university, or other educational institution that best serves his/her academic needs.

UC Berkeley Extension offers a range of business-related diploma programs that require a minimum score of 550 on the institutional TOEFL or 760 on the TOEIC. In order to preserve the integrity of these programs, no exceptions to this requirement are made. Many clients enroll in BEA as a prelude to a diploma course. For students who already have a 550 TOEFL score, BEA offers the chance to increase fluency and communications kills, to get into a routine of study, and to adjust to life in San Francisco before beginning the diploma program. Students who do not yet have a 550 TOEFL score can use the time to increase their language skills and confidence, and to prepare for the TOEFL at the end of the program.

The Learning Center is the English Language Program’s library, study hall, and listening laboratory. It has a reading room with a variety of books, magazines, and newspapers, a listening laboratory with tape recorders and videocassette players, and quiet study rooms in which students can do their homework. Instructors are available to give students individual help with conversation, reading, listening, grammar, and TOEFL preparation. The Learning Center is open Mondays through Fridays; hours vary from session to session.

The Computer Lab may be used by students on a drop-in basis. Students can do research on the Internet, type their assignments, or send e-mail to friends and family. Instructors sometimes reserve the Computer Lab for class use, but it is generally open from 8:00am – 9:00am, 12:00pm-1:00pm, and 2:30pm-5:00pm Mondays through Fridays (the lab closes at 4:00pm on Fridays).

The Student Activities Office at ELP plans optional cultural and recreational activities to help make the student’s English learning experience in Berkeley as enjoyable as possible. ELP-organized events include:

Volleyball and Basketball Tournaments Karaoke Party

Theater in San Francisco Barbeque

San Francisco Sight-seeing Great America Amusement Park

Ski Trip to Lake Tahoe Bike Trips Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Extra fees are required for most activities. After arriving at ELP, students choose the activities they would like to participate in and they pay their fees at that time. Optional activities provide participants with an opportunity to meet students from different cultures and to practice English in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

*Activities vary seasonally and depend upon availability