English is the language of business and therefore of communication across our global world, thus the ability to write and speak the language effectively is essential. The main aim of this course is to give all participants the skills and so the confidence, to write business documents in English.

DURATION
3 Days

CERTIFICATION
On successful completion of the programme, the participant will receive the Law Society of SA/L.E.A.D’s Certificate in English Writing for Legal Staff.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Staff members who would like to improve their English writing ability, particularly those individuals who are second language users of English but are nevertheless required to prepare professional and precise business correspondence with confidence.

WHAT PREVIOUS STUDENTS SAID

• “Understanding the common mistakes that we all make on a daily basis around the office when we communicate either verbally or in writing especially with the outside world.”
• “I will now write letters and memos that are concise, direct and to the point.”
• “The training covered was relevant to what we do on a daily basis and we will implement all the new information.”
• “I will be able to write emails with more confidence.”
• “In future I will pay much more attention to detail on letters, emails, tenses and spelling.”

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completion of this training the participant should be able to:

• Understand that English is a living language that is continually changing to meet the challenges of modern society, and why it can be regarded as a universal language.
• Identify parts of speech and understand the unique function of nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions and articles, in a sentence.
• Write short, simple sentences that are grammatically correct.
• Identify the differences between active and passive voice.
• Identify the 3 steps for successful written communication: Why, What, Whom.
• Improve business writing skills.
• Learn appropriate phrases for use in business writing.
• Use diplomatic English in a business environment.
• Understand e-mail writing and know the etiquette that applies.
• Learn appropriate formal and informal phrases for use in email writing.
• Plan their business writing, by identifying and collecting all relevant information.
• Compose a piece of business writing, by identifying and collecting all relevant information.
• Compose a piece of business writing using appropriate language, concentrating on active voice rather than passive.
• Organize a text by using grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs.
• Edit their own work to ensure that jargon and clichés are omitted and appropriate tone and style is used for the particular business writing.

COURSE OUTLINE

• Words- their importance, jargon and colloquialisms.
• Dictionary use – limitations of the computer.
• Grammar – why it must be correct.
  • Subject/verb relationships.
  • Spelling – computer limitations.
  • Common errors and why they are incorrect.
  • Sentences.
  • Paragraphs.
  • Tone.
  • Inappropriate language.
• Formats
  • Formal letters.
  • Memos.
  • Faxes.
  • Emails.
  • Formal reports.
  • Minutes of meetings.

The skills as listed above are designed to improve the written communication process in the business world. Throughout this presentation the participants will be encouraged to bear in mind why they are communicating, who will be receiving the communication and what is being communicated. This will allow them to decide which format is the most appropriate for them to use

LEARNING THAT IS ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE
Participants need to have a basic knowledge of English as a written language.

METHODOLOGY
This course is designed to revise the basic rules of English grammar and to put these into practice. It requires a large degree of learner participation both orally and textually. Skills will be practiced on a continual basis throughout the 3 days of training.

COURSE QUERIES: Contact Merlin September e-mail:merlin@LSSALEAD.org.za | Tel: 012 441 4652/00