Online English training for freight forwarders, dispatchers and supply chain managers. Practise freight enquiries, delivery updates and questions about shipping documents with your trainer. Individual or team sessions connect specialist terms with clear emails and conversations.
From €90 / 90 min · VAT-exempt
AI notice: narrator voice AI-generated
Business English for logistics: Freight, Customs & Supply Chain
Seven scenarios, specialist terms, James in his own words – in 88 seconds.
We need to talk about magical thinking because magical thinking is actually going to stop you from learning. Business English for your logistics teams, Freight Bookings, Customs and Delivery Updates, live online training with native-speaking trainers since 2004. Hi, my name is James Simmonds and I'm an English teacher based in Germany with over 20 years of experience.
Freight Booking and Shipping Coordination, Customs Documentation, Warehouse Management Communication, International Supplier Meetings, Route Planning and Dispatch, Insurance Claims, Delivery Tracking and Reporting, Bill of Lading, Freight Forwarder, Incoterms, Customs Clearance, Use Specialist Terms in Clear Emails and Conversations, Individual Coaching or Teams of 3-5, Practice Real Tasks and Improve with Your Trainer's Feedback. But osmosis or soaking in a warm bath of English dialogue with the subtitles on isn't going to help you present the latest figures to your multinational team on Monday morning. Live online from €90 for 90 minutes.
Remember, the brain is not a sponge, it's a muscle and it needs exercising. Start with your free needs analysis at Simmonds.
Classroom exercises: explain specialist terms, try useful phrases and revise them with feedback.
A freight forwarding company arranges transport; the activity is freight forwarding. A freight forwarder organises the shipment, while a carrier transports it. One company can perform both roles. In training, clarify who handles the booking and who carries the goods.
Could you confirm which carrier will collect the shipment?ETA means estimated time of arrival. In a role-play, report the delay, give the revised ETA and ask about the unloading slot. Your trainer checks whether the recipient has the information needed to plan.
The shipment is delayed. The revised ETA is 14:00 on Thursday. Can you confirm an unloading slot?A commercial invoice records the commercial transaction; a packing list describes the packed goods. Practise a short request with a shipment reference and the missing document. In training, check that your request is clear and polite.
Please send the commercial invoice and packing list for shipment AB123.Hannover
Europe's Logistics Hub
11+
Incoterms & Customs Documentation
Global
International Supply Chains
A2-C2
All Language Levels
Formulate booking inquiries to shipping lines, freight forwarders, and airlines in English. Discuss waybills and coordinate shipping schedules.
Correctly complete and discuss Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, and Customs Declaration in English. Confidently handle customs clearance conversations.
Communicate inventory reports, picking orders, and warehouse data in English. Confidently use WMS terminology.
Conduct negotiations with suppliers and partners, clarify delivery terms, and discuss framework agreements in English.
Coordinate transport routes internationally, communicate transit times, and organise special transports in English.
Report transport damage, formulate insurance claims in English, and handle claims settlement with international partners.
Create KPI reports in English, communicate delivery status, and conduct performance reviews with international clients.
Specialist Vocabulary
We train these specialist terms in realistic scenarios:
Ocean shipping document of title
Third-party logistics coordinator
International commercial trade terms
Process of clearing goods through customs
Software for warehouse operations
Time from order to delivery
End-to-end tracking of goods
Final delivery stage to end customer
Simulate phone calls with freight forwarders, customs discussions, and supplier negotiations - around the clock, without waiting. The avatar adapts to your specialist area and language level.
Location Advantage
As Germany's logistics crossroads, Hannover companies need international Business English daily. The A2 and A7 motorway junction, the Mittelland Canal, the trade fair grounds, and numerous logistics centres make Hannover the ideal hub for international goods flows.
We understand the specific requirements of the logistics industry and train your team with industry-relevant specialist vocabulary and realistic scenarios.
Schedule a free consultation and discover how we can make your logistics team linguistically ready for international supply chains. Tailored training, flexible and measurable.
More Specialist Areas
In addition to logistics, we offer specialist language training for insurance, engineering, and other industries.
james@englisch-lehrer.com
| Format | Duration | Price (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online — Private lessons | 90 minutes | €90–110 | 1:1, Zoom / Teams / Meet |
| Online — Corporate lessons | 90 minutes | €97.50–105 | Small groups, tailored curriculum |
| In-person (on your premises) | 90 minutes | €115 | On your premises |
“Die kostenlosen Online-Lektionen haben mich überzeugt. Die Qualität des Einzelunterrichts hat meine Erwartungen übertroffen.”
For most logistics positions, we recommend at least B1 level. For roles with international responsibility - e.g., supply chain managers or dispatchers with international contacts - B2 or C1 is ideal. We assess your level for free and tailor the training to your needs.
Yes, that is one of our key focus areas. We train all common Incoterms (FOB, CIF, DDP, etc.), customs documents like Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice, as well as the correct English terminology for freight documents and shipping paperwork.
Yes, we offer both individual coaching and group training for 3–5 people. Group training is particularly effective because your employees can practice realistic scenarios like freight inquiries or supplier negotiations directly with each other.
The AI avatar simulates typical logistics conversation situations: phone calls with freight forwarders, customs clearance discussions, delivery status inquiries, and complaints. You practice around the clock without waiting for an appointment - ideal before important international meetings.
Hannover is one of Europe's most important logistics hubs. With its trade fair grounds, the Mittelland Canal, the A2/A7 motorway junction, and numerous logistics centres, many companies here need daily Business English for international supply chains.
Progress depends on your starting level, practice time and tasks. For example, repeat a delivery update and revise it with feedback from your trainer. This lets you check what you can already do confidently in a specific task.
Free online lessons twice a week, vocabulary trainer with 600 words, and a placement test – all without signing up.
Tell us briefly what you need English or German for — we'll suggest the best format for your goals and schedule.
We typically respond within one working day.