The Executive English course is a highly intensive language course designed to make business professionals more effective when they use English. Each session is unique, as its curriculum is developed around the individual needs of the participants. And because classes are limited to no more than 4 participants, course contents are highly focused for maximum learning. Executive English is a two-week course, and it is possible for take two courses in succession without repeating any material.

Executive English focuses on language useful for business. In the first morning session, instructors further identify participant’s needs and language weaknesses, determining how to tailor-make the course. This enables instructors to choose materials and activities that fulfill that contract. Instructors provide intensive error correction, feedback, and analysis to participants. Personalized attention helps participants discover and monitor recurring errors.

Our primary goals typically include:

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

Executive English is appropriate for those with low-intermediate to advanced levels of English language proficiency. Acceptance to the course is contingent on the completion of a pre-course Learner Profile [see: attached] and follow-up telephone interview. The small class size allows us to monitor individual language practice exercises that are appropriate in level and focus for each participant. Equally important, in group work each participant gets realistic practice in coping with the difficulties of international communication, including understanding unfamiliar accents, varying levels of vocabulary, and different cultural concepts.

All instructional materials are included in the course fee. These typically include an English grammar text, a presentation skills text, a vocabulary text, and a negotiation skills book. The instructional team usually creates practice materials and simulation prompts. Participants are encouraged to bring or buy a good quality English-only language learners’ dictionary, such as the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary or the Longman Business English Dictionary.

Many of our Executive English participants find it very useful to record speakers or their own performances in class for later analysis. Participants can also record group discussions and instructional presentations for later review an practice.

Executive English is so successful because class size is limited to four students. This allows instructors to record participant’s presentations and production in order to give detailed, documented feedback. Participants monitor their own progress as they use English in more and more demanding "real world" situations.

30, 35 or 40 hours per week

Executive English offers up to 40 hours of instruction per week, with participants meeting for five morning and afternoon sessions. The average Executive English day reflects the course philosophy of maximum individual attention and progress. There are three core components to the course:

Language Awareness concentrates on analyzing language and practicing micro-skills such as grammar, pronunciation, phraseology, and linking expressions. In discussions of business topics, participants improve speaking, listening, and reading skills. Participants may concentrate on documents, articles, and vocabulary specific to their own professional situations.

Language Performance offers clients the opportunity to perform and then analyze their own English through filmed presentations and simulated business situations. This, then, serves as good practice for out-of-class projects, or for clients’ real Bay Area professional appointments.

Executive English participants come from many profession. They generally have intermediate and higher English proficiency and typically:

At the end of each course, detailed reports are prepared for each participant. These describe what was done in the two-week course. The reports also outline each participant’s strengths and weaknesses in using English for his or her business needs, and suggest ways to continue improving his or her English.