Diplomats

Our work with Diplomatic Staff falls into 3 main areas. Firstly, there are what we call ‘situational skills’, ie the particular language required in specific situations. These would include:

Secondly, there are the “functional skills” needed within these situations. For diplomats some of the most important are:

Thirdly, there is the use of what is, appropriately, described as ‘diplomatic’ language:

Overall, diplomats want to achieve complete confidence, and flexibility in language register - the ability to move effortlessly from the more formal language of speeches or presentations to the less formal used when socialising, or even sharing a joke. So in our training, we are always pushing our clients to produce variation in expression, for example, re-presenting the same ideas in a more or less formal way, etc.

The most popular courses are extensive 1-1 programmes but,we also offer intensive 3 or 4-week courses. Training can also take place ‘Out & About’ in London – an approach which works particularly well with partners, for whom this provides an ideal introduction to the language, culture, and city at the same time.