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English Courses
English for Secretaries & Admin Assistants
This practical English-language course equips secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and office coordinators with the communication skills needed to support day-to-day office operations confidently and professionally. Participants develop the vocabulary, grammar, tone, and fluency required to manage correspondence, telephone calls, appointments, meetings, visitors, documents, and workplace requests. Emphasis is placed on clear, accurate, courteous English across spoken, written, and digital office interactions.
Next group
2026 & 2027
- Course fee
- Contact us
- Duration
- 1 month
- Group rate
- Ask an advisor
Course overview
This practical English-language course equips secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and office coordinators with the communication skills needed to support day-to-day office operations confidently and professionally. Participants develop the vocabulary, grammar, tone, and fluency required to manage correspondence, telephone calls, appointments, meetings, visitors, documents, and workplace requests. Emphasis is placed on clear, accurate, courteous English across spoken, written, and digital office interactions.
Training methodology
Interactive language instruction combines short demonstrations, guided speaking practice, role-played telephone calls and visitor interactions, email-writing workshops, meeting simulations, listening tasks, document-editing exercises, vocabulary drills, and individualized feedback. Participants complete realistic office communication assignments and a final integrated administrative scenario.
Target competencies
- Professional oral communication and active listening in office settings.
- Accurate and courteous business email and administrative writing.
- Telephone etiquette, call screening, and message taking in English.
- Appointment scheduling, meeting coordination, and minute-taking language.
- Office vocabulary, document handling, and information clarification.
- Cross-cultural communication, confidentiality, and professional tone.
Course objectives
- Use appropriate English vocabulary and expressions for common administrative tasks.
- Greet visitors, handle inquiries, and communicate professionally in person and by phone.
- Draft and revise clear emails, notices, invitations, and routine office messages.
- Schedule appointments, confirm arrangements, and resolve calendar conflicts politely.
- Prepare meeting agendas, capture action points, and write concise meeting minutes.
- Read and interpret workplace instructions, schedules, forms, and business documents.
- Ask clarifying questions, relay messages accurately, and follow up on requests.
- Apply suitable grammar, tone, and etiquette in multicultural professional environments.
Course outline
Module 1
English Communication in the Administrative Workplace
- Administrative communication roles and common office situations
- Formal, neutral, and friendly registers in workplace English
- Choosing language for managers, colleagues, clients, and visitors
- Clear communication across face-to-face, phone, and digital channels
Module 2
Essential Office and Administrative Vocabulary
- Departments, job titles, office facilities, and equipment
- Common administrative duties and workflow terminology
- Documents, files, stationery, supplies, and office services
- Frequently used action verbs and workplace collocations
Module 3
Grammar for Accurate Office Communication
- Present, past, and future forms for routine tasks and updates
- Questions, negatives, polite requests, and confirmations
- Modal verbs for obligation, permission, and suggestions
- Prepositions of time and place; articles and sentence accuracy
Module 4
Professional Greetings and Introductions
- Welcoming colleagues, clients, and external visitors
- Introducing people and explaining professional roles
- Making polite small talk and managing first impressions
- Closing conversations and offering further assistance
Module 5
Listening and Clarifying Instructions
- Identifying key details in spoken requests and briefings
- Asking for repetition, clarification, and confirmation
- Paraphrasing instructions to prevent misunderstandings
- Recording names, dates, figures, and action requirements
Module 6
Telephone Etiquette and Call Handling
- Answering calls with professional opening phrases
- Identifying callers and understanding the purpose of calls
- Placing calls on hold and transferring them appropriately
- Closing calls and confirming next steps
Module 7
Taking and Relaying Telephone Messages
- Capturing caller identity, contact details, and urgency
- Using standardized message-taking language
- Checking spelling, numbers, and appointment information
- Relaying concise, accurate messages to colleagues and managers
Module 8
Managing Difficult or Unclear Telephone Conversations
- Handling poor connections, accents, and rapid speech
- Requesting clarification without sounding abrupt
- Responding courteously to complaints and impatient callers
- Escalating sensitive matters and managing expectations
Module 9
Business Email Structure and Style
- Subject lines, greetings, openings, and sign-offs
- Writing concise requests, replies, and confirmations
- Organizing information into readable paragraphs
- Proofreading for grammar, tone, and completeness
Module 10
Writing Routine Administrative Correspondence
- Appointment invitations and scheduling emails
- Acknowledgments, reminders, and follow-up messages
- Internal notices, announcements, and office updates
- Polite refusals, apologies, and alternative arrangements
Module 11
Managing Calendars and Appointments
- Days, dates, times, time zones, and availability
- Offering and confirming meeting slots
- Rescheduling, postponing, and canceling professionally
- Explaining scheduling conflicts and proposing alternatives
Module 12
Meeting Preparation and Coordination
- Preparing and communicating meeting agendas
- Sending invitations and logistical instructions
- Confirming attendees, rooms, and virtual meeting links
- Explaining meeting procedures and participation requirements
Module 13
Meeting Language and Minute Taking
- Recognizing discussion points, decisions, and responsibilities
- Common expressions for agreement, questions, and clarification
- Writing concise and objective meeting minutes
- Recording action owners, deadlines, and follow-up tasks
Module 14
Reception and Visitor Management
- Welcoming guests and verifying appointments
- Providing directions and explaining waiting arrangements
- Communicating visitor procedures and access requirements
- Managing delays, unexpected visitors, and special requests
Module 15
Reading Office Documents and Instructions
- Interpreting memos, circulars, forms, and procedures
- Identifying deadlines, approvals, and required actions
- Understanding schedules, tables, and basic workplace reports
- Summarizing information accurately for supervisors
Module 16
Forms, Records, and Document Handling
- Requesting and verifying information for forms
- Explaining filing, archiving, and document retrieval
- Using precise language for version control and attachments
- Describing confidentiality and information-handling requirements
Module 17
Office Requests and Task Coordination
- Making and responding to polite workplace requests
- Prioritizing tasks and negotiating realistic deadlines
- Reporting progress, delays, and completed assignments
- Following up without creating unnecessary friction
Module 18
Professional Communication with Senior Management
- Using concise and respectful executive communication
- Summarizing issues and presenting relevant options
- Communicating urgent requests and sensitive information
- Preparing short verbal briefings and written updates
Module 19
Cross-Cultural Etiquette and Workplace Tone
- Adapting levels of formality in diverse workplaces
- Avoiding ambiguous expressions and unintended offense
- Respectful disagreement and tactful corrections
- Building rapport through courteous professional language
Module 20
Digital and Virtual Office Communication
- Writing effective chat and instant messages
- Participating in video calls and online meetings
- Using clear language for shared files and collaboration tools
- Managing digital etiquette, response times, and follow-up
Module 21
Handling Problems and Service Requests
- Explaining errors, delays, and missing information
- Apologizing appropriately and offering practical solutions
- Escalating issues while maintaining professionalism
- Confirming resolutions and documenting next steps
Module 22
Pronunciation, Fluency, and Speaking Confidence
- Pronouncing common office terms, names, and numbers
- Word stress, sentence rhythm, and intelligibility
- Practicing spontaneous responses to workplace situations
- Building fluency through paired and group simulations
Module 23
Integrated Administrative Communication Practice
- Coordinating a manager’s schedule and visitor appointments
- Managing calls, emails, and competing office requests
- Preparing a meeting and documenting its outcomes
- Receiving structured feedback on clarity, accuracy, and tone
Module 24
Final Assessment and Personal Development Plan
- Role-play assessment of calls and office interactions
- Written assessment of emails and meeting notes
- Individual feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and fluency
- Personal improvement goals and continued language practice
Registration is now open.
Morning and evening classes are available. CompuBase Training Center, Abu Dhabi.
