In
times of global trading and ongoing changes in the job market, greater
emphasis is being placed on English courses that not only teach English
language skills, but also enable students to further expand their skills,
especially those related to international business. Students looking
for such courses need look no further than Perth, Western Australia.
Western Australia's
knowledge of the global market and business is extensive. Being the
largest of Australia's states and territories in size, it boasts an
international economy built on international investment, and a consistently
high level of trade - the State is Australia's leading exporter. Many
of Western Australian businesses are on the leading edge of technology,
and the key to this success is the State's education system, teaching
a wide range of disciplines to ensure that the managers and workers
of tomorrow are well-skilled and able to contribute to the global market.
Learning Business
English in Perth offers students not only exposure to this expertise,
but a study environment conducive to learning. The safe and clean city
with a relaxed and healthy lifestyle offers diverse cultural and recreational
interests without being too distracting, and students prosper in the
stress-free environment. Many of the ELICOS centres in Perth teach Business
English. One of the more popular courses is the University of Cambridge
Business English Certificate, an internationally recognised course,
designed for students who wish to learn English for use in the international
business world.
The practical nature
and focus on using language in real-life situations enables students
to understand the ways of the business world. Business fields such as
marketing, financial services, general office work and production are
studied with topics highlighting such issues as business relationships,
using the telephone/fax, travel and meetings, company cultures and structures.
There are three
English levels to this course: lower intermediate (Business English
Certificate 1), intermediate (Business English Certificate 2), and advanced
(Business English Certificate 3), offered in January, March and August.
Executive/special
contract courses are also available. Designed for training executives
in English for business and other fields, programs can be arranged especially
for companies. One example is the English for Petroleum Engineers course
at the International English Centre, Edith Cowan University. This course,
specifically designed for petroleum engineers from a global company,
ensures that company employees are trained in both day-to-day English,
and English to suit their special needs. The company has direct input
in setting up the program, and gets regular updates about their employees.
They are also consulted often to update course content.
In this forever
changing world where skills and abilities are increasingly important,
and lifelong learning is necessary to gain and maintain an edge, a broad
knowledge of the world through education and travel is a must! Studying
in Western Australia gives students knowledge and valuable insights
into a global market.
Author
Karen Abbott
International English Centre
Edith Cowan University