Language Course (all online or blended learning)

International Certificate of Financial English (Financial Experts in Industry)

  • FINANCE PROFESSIONALS ONLY Higher Intermediate/Advanced (Berufbegleitend)
  • Monday 12th January 2009 - Saturday 16th May 2009
  • 12 Places available, (Strict limit of 18 students for each exam, next sitting in Nov 09)
  • Registration required by Monday 24th November 2008

 

The International Certificate in Financial English is a relatively new certificate from Cambridge, but beware, it requires preparation, that means getting clever2gether with other people in your industry, we do this preparation online because that way we can welcome learners from a wide range of organisations and countries.



You will need to invest at least three hours a week on average to work and learn together with your financial services peers and native speaking trainers who have worked in international financial services.

Your course is a blend of online learning and weekend seminars. The course covers reading, writing, speaking and listening skills specific to the financial markets sector

Topics we will discuss include:

    *  Financial Reporting
    *  Company Financial Strategy
    *  Risk Assessment & Analysis
    *  Investment Banking
    *  Ethical Standards within Accounting
    *  Accounting Standards
    *  Debt Recovery
    *  Accounting Software Packages & IT
    *  Auditing
    *  Assets and Company Valuations
    *  Budgetary Processes
    *  Economic factors / conditions / forecasts in certain markets/sectors
    *  Forensic Accounting
    *  Banking & Insurance
     

There are four parts of the exam, there are a range of different skills (some language specific and some examination specific) needed to pass.

You will be taught and tested in the same way as the examiners do.

Language Level needed (B2 and C1) (Intermediate/Advanced)

    • If your language level is not yet high enough then why not get up to speed with our
      Pre Module ICFE Course, (September 2009-December 2009) which is also a blended learning programme

      KEY BENEFITS

      *  Practice speaking English (even if you haven't used your English much recently)
      *  Practice using online learning techniques and technology
      *  Reach the right language level to go onto the ICFE Preparation Course 

Recognition

Cambridge University Certificates are recognised by a wide range of organisations worldwide, this particular certificate is so new that many organisations have not heard of it yet, but last year Cambridge released the International Certificate for Legal English and already it's recognition is spreading fast. Ernst & Young for instance are already encouraging their staff to take the ICFE. More on the the Cambridge website

WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE THE ICFE?

The ICFE will soon be an industry standard, so why not be one of the first to qualify - with a global financial services community from ICFE Online?

With as little as from three to five hours of study a week over 16 weeks, you'll be equipped with the language knowledge and communication skills to pass your ICFE exam, this qualification and stay ahead of the competition including your financial services colleagues.

But we offer you MORE than just a qualification. We will equip you with the skills and confidence you need to deal with a wide range of 'finance sector specific' communication tasks effectively and efficiently, in a fascinating and flexible manner. Once you finish the course you will have more industry knowledge, more empathy and understanding of your colleagues in other parts of the industry and the confidence to talk about finances to your bosses, clients and perhaps even a new employer???


Your Trainers

We ...
... are native English language trainers of Business English with financial industry backgrounds
... have been successfully developing and managing courses for over five years
... have experience of online teaching and learning
... are approachable, friendly, helpful and often quite funny (Meet us at a live demo in November)

COURSE METHODOLOGY

This course is predominantly in an online format with a speaking element (so you will need to have a headset, they are quite cheap these days). There are tasks and activities that are done at the same time in a group, (synchronous) like in conventional training but there are also individual exercises and group projects that you can work on at a time to suit you (asnychronous). This is approach is designed to accommodate the financial services market style of working.

Our commitment to online learning is based on a simple fact: in financial services there is often not enough time to attend group sessions. Online learning enables you to study at a time that suits you and your personal commitments. Learning online means you have the opportunity to work with professionals from a wide range of financial sectors and to discuss issues that affect you and your industry.


EVALUATION

The course is flexible in terms of when and where you study but there are clear deadlines and targets to reach. There are regular assignments in the same format as you will see in the examination and timed mock examinations

During the course you will have regular assignments and quizzes to help you practice the skills required from the exam. We will gradually add more and more time pressure so that in the exam you are comfortable with the format and have the examination techniques to achieve the grades you deserve.

Regular review activities enable you to identify where your weaknesses are and you will receive detailed language feedback with every question you answer in addition to a score and ranking, there will also be regular individual performance feedback from the trainers, with constructive suggestions and advice to boost your learning effectiveness.

Our learning methodology has a strong emphasis on peer collaboration, so that you are practicing the language skills that you need to pass the exam on a regular basis

You will be working with financial services colleagues and peers, often from other corporate and national cultures. To succeed you will be working and learning both independently and as part of a team to perform all the tasks that are evaluated in the exam.

There will be two live DEMONSTRATIONS in the last two weeks of November (each is recorded in case you cannot attend).

MEDIA COVERAGE
This certificate was only introduced last year, so at the moment there is not a lot of media coverage about it, there have been only two examinations so far, but the big accountancy companies and further education are the first to recognise and promote the certificate.

www.financialenglish.org has more information about the qualification from Cambridge

 

Discovery English Course (Young Learners)

  • Group 1 Age 11-13, Group 2 Aged 13-15
  • 'Usborne Beginner' Book with weblinks is included in the price of each course
  • Weekly Activity - Quiz, Live Chats, Individual Task, Group Task and Blog
  • 8 Places per group
  • €75 per month via direct debit or standing order

    Children are taught in a secure virtual classroom, where only the trainer and authorised students can enter. Nobody else can enter this room. Reading, Speaking, Understanding & Writing are all practiced with like minded people of the same age in a fun environment. The courses are designed to make English more enjoyable and understandable, there is no overlap with the school syllabus.

    Homework Help     is available as a part of their course on an individual basis too (hints and tips not solutions) each student is entitled to 12 minutes of homework help per month.

January 2009 - Knights
February 2009 - Bugs
March 2009 -  Roman Army
April 2009- Whales & Dolphins
May 2009 - Dinosaurs
June 2009 - Sharks
July 2009 - Space
August - SUMMER BREAK (chatroom & quizzes still available)
September 2009 - Big Cats
October 2009- Snakes
November 2009 - Trains
December 2009 - Review & Trivia Fun

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Internet Access (with Java) & a headset for speaking and listening exercises (via skype).