Business Conversation Skills (B1)
Location: Nieuwegracht 94, Utrecht
Level: Intermediate (A2/B1)
Are you a professional who can hold simple conversations but need more confidence? Are you participating in meetings and professional discussions but you have a lack of confidence?
Are you already able to use English for practical daily life activities but now want to go beyond this into expressing more developed or abstract ideas in speaking at work? Are you looking to expand or refresh your vocabulary and grammar knowledge in a fast-paced course? In this course you will work towards level B2.
About the course
This course focuses on developing fluency and confident communication. You’ll take part in discussions on a variety of topics, while expanding and reinforcing your vocabulary. Grammar will be reviewed as needed, based on common mistakes that arise during conversation.
The course is suitable if you’re at B2 level. Not sure of your current level? Take our free language level test to find out!
Learning goals
Wat will you learn?
- Participating actively in meetings and discussions
- Giving structured presentations
- Negotiating simple contracts or agreements
- Handling workplace conflicts professionally
- Speaking more fluently in (social and) professional situations
- Giving opinions and reasoning
- Engaging in more complex conversations
- Delivering short presentations
By the end of this course:
- You will feel considerably more confident using English and will know many more words and phrases that help you to express yourself in speaking at work.
- You will be able to present and discuss abstract ideas and information more easily.
- You will have practising speaking on a range of business topics.
Method
- During this interactive course there will be individual assignments, but we will also be working in pairs and small groups.
- You will receive regular, structured feedback on both your spoken work and delivery of presentations. Giving feedback to and receiving feedback from fellow students is also part of our didactic approach. We will guide you in this process.
Practical exercises
- Practice presentations with feedback
- Business role-plays (negotiations, problem-solving)
- Discussions on current events
Time Investment
This course consists of 9 sessions at Babel in Utrecht. The advised self-study load is approximately 2 hours per meeting
Practical
- The language of instruction is English.
- You will be working with a book. You can order this book on our special book page. Please ensure you have your book ready for the first session.
- If you are learning online, you can order the e-book version of the student book. You can do this here.
- You will receive a certificate of participation if you follow at least 80% of the classes.
- If you work or study at Utrecht University you will receive a 15% discount. Please register with your UU email address. Your registration will then be processed automatically.
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Starting date: 1 September 2025 (Utrecht)
Day Date Start End Monday 1 September 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 8 September 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 15 September 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 22 September 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 29 September 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 6 October 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 13 October 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 20 October 2025 18:00 19:45 Monday 27 October 2025 18:00 19:45 -
Starting date: 13 November 2025 (Utrecht)
Day Date Start End Thursday 13 November 2025 18:00 19:45 Thursday 20 November 2025 18:00 19:45 Thursday 27 November 2025 18:00 19:45 Thursday 4 December 2025 18:00 19:45 Thursday 11 December 2025 18:00 19:45 Thursday 18 December 2025 18:00 19:45 Thursday 8 January 2026 18:00 19:45 Thursday 15 January 2026 18:00 19:45 Thursday 22 January 2026 18:00 19:45
Take our placement test
If you want to take a course at Babel, it is important to take our free placement test.
