Training Levels Guide

Telephone

Break the ice

To be able to make contact and ask for the required person.

To be able to give previously prepared information over the phone and take   simple messages.

Ability to handle simple conversations despite having difficulty dealing with problems.

To be able to discuss simple problems and offer solutions. Also, to obtain and clarify detailed information.

Meetings

Break the ice

To greet and make polite and extremely simple conversation in the target language.

To understand the gist of a presentation if given with the help of clear, non-verbal graphics.

To be able to follow the main points and issues in a meeting and make limited contributions. Also to understand the main parts of a presentation.

To be able to express opinions, agree and disagree with other participants although you may feel inhibited about interrupting. To have the confidence to present facts and figures. Answering questions adequately may be a problem.

Negotiations

Break the ice

To enquire politely as to the wishes of other participants but resort to English for the actual negotiations.

To be able to give basic information about your responsibilities and those of your department.

To be able to follow the main points and issues in a negotiation but only make limited contributions, some in English.

Ability to describe a negotiating position but probing into a counterpart’s position may present a challenge.

Writing

Minimal

To be able to complete basic forms and accompanying letters with the assistance of a trusted native speaker.

To write standard letters using set phrases.

To be capable of writing simple letters requesting routine information.

To understand routine letters and compose suitable replies with some help.

Routine Work

Break the ice

Socialising

Break the ice

Telephone

Confidence to hold detailed conversations and express
ideas & arguments but difficulty in fully understanding a client’s position.

To hold detailed conversations and give advice. Confidence level is high but you are still likely to feel uncomfortable when dealing with complaints or aggressive native speakers.

To be able to hold detailed conversations with confidence & authority and deal with complaints effectively.

To be so confident in your language skills that you can negotiate the basic terms and conditions of a contract as well as carry out elementary negotiations.

Near-native speaker

Meetings

To be able to interrupt and make suggestions with confidence but not always tactfully. To present facts & figures and answer questions on prepared topics.

To have the required confidence to interrupt and to be able to fall back on the correct register to present solutions and handle native speakers in a helpful and tactful manner.  To be fluent and assertive enough to deliver prepared presentations.

To show no hesitation in chairing a discussion and preventing unwanted interruptions. To give a well-structured presentation and respond to unexpected questions

No hesitations in chairing a meeting, bringing in participants tactfully, controlling discussions and providing adequate summaries where necessary. To be able to deliver off-the-cuff presentations and handle complex questions confidently.

Near-native speaker

Negotiations

Confidence to ask probing questions in order to fully define a client’s needs.

To be able to put forward alternatives as a basis for compromise and negotiate the basic points of a contract fairly independently.

To lead negotiations in a firm yet flexible manner as the situation demands.

To steer negotiations effectively to a successful conclusion.

Near-native speaker

Writing

To write business letters with specific content and take the minutes of a meeting without much assistance.

To describe a tense situation tactfully but replying to a complaint might be a challenge.

To know how to confront a complaint, apologise and present relevant solutions with the required authority and confidence. To be able to write clear and detailed reports

To write persuasive, correct & tactful letters which achieve the required response.

Near-native speaker

Routine Work

To know how to build up a good rapport with clients and make a quite a favourable impression. To be able to express conclusions drawn from facts & figures.

To be capable of fully establishing a client’s needs and make recommendations. To present and analyse figures routinely.

Ability to maintain a good relationship with clients, react immediately to unexpected client requests, explain and negotiate contract details.

To be able to carry out a client interview in a controlled manner and sell a complex product to a client by giving sound and clear advice.

Near-native speaker

Socialising