Business English: First-Time Managers

Is This Course Right for You?

This applied language program is perfect if you:

• Have recently stepped into management and want stronger communication control.
• Supervise staff or lead cross-functional teams for the first time.
• Are an upper-intermediate (B2) learner wanting structured, workplace-specific training.
• Prefer applied leadership language training over general fluency practice.

What You Will Learn

This course is built around four practical units, each targeting a core part of the first-time manager's role:

• Unit 1 — Employment Expectations and Motivation Discuss why employees stay, leave or relocate, talk about job satisfaction and retention, make quick workplace requests naturally, and negotiate everyday conditions like workload, holidays and deadlines using confident conditional language.
• Unit 2 — Management Styles and Team Leadership Describe management roles and qualities, compare leadership approaches without resorting to clichés, reflect on your own style, and present a clear, reasoned recommendation for how a team should be led.
• Unit 3 — Team Building and Resolving Conflict Read team dynamics, spot the real problem behind a complaint, reflect on past decisions, handle a conflict conversation calmly, and propose a practical action plan to get a struggling team back on track.
• Unit 4 — Performance Feedback and Difficult Conversations Evaluate performance fairly, give balanced feedback that motivates, raise sensitive issues directly but tactfully, and close conversations with agreed goals and clear next steps.

Real-World Business Scenarios

We focus on practical applications so you can use your new skills in the office immediately. Key situations covered include:

• Negotiating staffing, workload and deadlines when a client request clashes with an employee's holiday.
• Recommending the right leadership approach for a team that has lost direction.
• Mediating between two team members who are clashing, and rebuilding morale.
• Running an appraisal that recognises achievement while addressing one real concern.
• Representing your team and communicating effectively with senior management.

Course Structure & Delivery

• Format: 8 × 2-hour private, live online sessions (16 hours total).
• Progression: Step-by-step skill building tailored to realistic management scenarios, from motivation and retention through to performance management.
• Practical Practice: Heavy emphasis on active role-play and scenario-based training customized for your situation.
• Expert Guidance: Immediate feedback and guided, live corrections from your dedicated instructor to refine your approach.

Entry Level

This course is designed for learners at a B2 CEFR level (upper-intermediate). Participants should already be able to communicate comfortably in everyday professional situations, follow extended discussions, and express opinions clearly. The primary focus here is not general English, but refining your professional communication specifically for leadership contexts.

Assessment, Certification, and Next Steps

Learners wishing to track their progress can request a short practical assessment at the end of the program. A Certificate of Completion is provided based on your attendance and demonstrated communication skills.

Course Outcomes

After completing the course, you will notice a significant improvement in your daily professional interactions. You will not just speak English better; you will lead more clearly in English, feeling fully prepared for your next big meeting, negotiation or one-on-one.

Graduates can continue their professional development by transitioning into our 1:1 English programs.

Terms and Conditions

• Please email all cancellation or rescheduling requests to: support@lingua-learn.sg
• We require at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule a class. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will be counted as attended.
• No refunds will be offered once the program has started.