Common
Link ELT
phone 075 622 3900
fax 075 622 3902
info@commonlink.nl
FAQ's
If you have a question, feel free to send
it to info@commonlink.nl.
Q. What situations can your Business English training help me with?
A. Common
topics
include:
- Writing emails and letters
- Writing reports and other documents
- Participating in meetings
- Expressing opinions
- Making presentations
- Small talk and socializing with business contacts
- Cultural differences
- Preparing a CV
- Preparing for a job interview
- Telephoning
- Negotiating
- Dealing with problems
- Using industry specific vocabulary
Q. What are some common mistakes
Dutch people make in English?
A. Some Dutch people have difficulty with using the simple past tense
instead of the present perfect tense. What does that mean in practical terms? That means saying something like, "I have
seen that film last week." The correct way to say this is, "I saw that film last
week".
Using certain common words may also be tricky. For example, knowing when to use "then" vs. "than", "of" versus "off", "price" vs. "prize" etc. A good intake process will identify where people have difficulties, so coursework can be designed to target those areas.
Q. If so many people in Holland already speak English, why would anyone need training?
A. Within Europe, the Dutch do have quite good English skills. However, many people who do business internationally, for example, would like to refine their skills to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. They often use English with native speakers as well as with others who speak English as a second language. Refining skills is important because business presentations with errors distract an audience and cause the speaker to miss opportunities to get his or her idea across.
There are many other reasons why people take courses to improve their English. Some have family who have moved abroad and wish to communicate with their English speaking relatives. Others travel regularly and enjoy talking with other travellers. Some are students who need to have a solid knowledge of English in order to complete university coursework.