English for International Professionals

 
                                                       Customized Intensive English

This Denver-based program provides opportunities for participants to improve their English skills and to increase their ability to function effectively in the international business culture. Spring Institute offers a variety of models of intensive English training.  All programs offer language testing for appropriate placement into an instructional level, 21 to 23 hours of instruction per week, and the opportunity to live with an American family.

Business Communication Program

The Business Communication Program is an advanced program of language and business training for professional persons working in international business. The program is nine to twelve weeks in length. Participants must have high intermediate to advanced proficiency in English.  The first six to nine weeks are language training and the concluding three weeks is a Business Practicum.

Phase 1: Intensive English Language Program includes classes in English structure, writing, reading, listening and speaking, business writing and communication, and computer training.  Other topics may include TOEFL prep, vocabulary building, discussion of contemporary issues, pronunciation, etc.

Phase 2: Business Practicum. Participants are immersed in experiences in which they can use business English and develop actual cross-cultural understanding and skills.  Experiences include management workshops conducted by professional consultants, VIP company visits to both small entrepreneurial and large high-tech companies, a formal business presentation before an American audience, business lunches with Spring Institute staff and area business people. Areas of emphasis include banking, petroleum, mining, micro-credit lending, English language, university, and non-profit systems.

Individualized Tutoring

International students study English with a trained ESL instructor.  Once the individual’s level of proficiency is determined, lessons are developed based on a bank of objectives for that level and the expressed needs of the student. Areas of instruction include: Cross-cultural communication, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, writing, survival skills, computer skills, and business English.  Programs are typically four weeks to twelve weeks long.

English for Specific Purposes

Classes in specialized English are held to meet the needs of international business people, government officials, or other professionals. The classes are typically groups of four to eight people who have the same level of English language proficiency and who are interested in improving their ability to communicate in English with people in their fields of interest. These programs are typically four to twelve weeks long.

Special Customized Programs

Specialized programs are also designed for specific groups.  For example, English Language Teacher Training is a key Spring Institute program for American teachers.  Customized programs are also designed for international teachers.  The format is similar to the Business Communication Program.  Phase 1 of the program focuses on basic language skill development.  Phase 2 presents teaching techniques in morning language skills classes, with afternoon discussions and participant practice of the techniques used.

Workplace English in Denver and Abroad

Workplace English language training prepares professionals to communicate effectively with counterparts internationally and to handle intercultural exchanges successfully. Short-term intensive courses are offered in the petroleum, mining, tourism, government, airline, and banking sectors and involve participants who hold management, administrative, and technical positions within their companies. These classes are offered on-site at business locations both in the Denver area and abroad.