Audience · Office Staff

English for Secretaries & Assistants

Communicate professionally at reception, on the phone, and via email – in English. Practical 1:1 training with native-speaking trainers for secretaries, assistants, and office managers.

Online 1:1: €95–105 / 90 min · VAT-exempt

Learn more +49 511 4739339

Live 1:1 via Zoom, Teams or Meet – not a self-study courseLessons can be moved up to 24 hours aheadNo minimum term

AI notice: narrator voice and some scenes AI-generated

English for Secretaries & Assistants: Office English

Six office scenarios, vocabulary, James in his own words – in 94 seconds.

Transcript

Will we look forward to hear from you, or will we look forward to hearing from you? What feels right? English for secretaries and assistants.

Reception, phone and email. Live training with native-speaking trainers, online, since 2004. Hi, my name is James Simmonds and I'm an English teacher based in Germany with over 20 years of experience.

Phone call handling, visitor reception, email correspondence, meeting organisation, scheduling, business travel. Practise real scenarios from your working day, using your own email templates. Appointment.

Agenda. Itinerary. Ask someone to wait politely.

Offer a visitor a coffee. Confirm your meeting by email, with the right tone. Practical one-to-one training, online or in person.

Group training is available on request. Find a time before work, at lunchtime or after work. So to start with, we need to differentiate between passive understanding and active learning.

Remember, the brain is not a sponge, it's a muscle, and it needs exercising. Practise welcoming visitors and writing professional emails. Your own templates and reception procedures become part of your training.

Start with your free needs analysis at Simmonds.

English testsHow good is your English?

Why Office English

Office English – Your Company's Calling Card

The office is the first point of contact for international business partners, clients, and visitors. Whether on the phone, via email, or during personal reception – your communication in English leaves the first and often decisive impression. Professional English in the office is therefore far more than an additional qualification: it is a core competency that shapes the international image of your entire company. Our English for Secretaries was developed specifically for this key role.

15+Years

10+Trainers

50+Corporate clients

Real scenarios, not textbooks

At Simmonds Language Services, we understand the special demands placed on secretaries, assistants, and office managers. You need to answer and transfer calls from international clients professionally, compose business emails in English that are both polite and precise, and welcome and look after foreign visitors – often with very little preparation time. These are exactly the practical situations we train in our Office English programme. We do not work with generic textbooks, but with real scenarios from your daily work: your actual email templates, your company's telephone scripts, and your reception procedures.

Trainers plus AI avatars

Our native-speaking trainers bring years of experience in corporate communications and know the typical pitfalls: How do you politely transfer a call when the desired contact is unavailable? How do you phrase a friendly decline in English? How do you welcome an international delegation and make small talk until the management arrives? In addition to live training sessions, our AI avatars offer unlimited practice around the clock – ideal for rehearsing phone calls or reception situations in a safe environment. The training integrates flexibly into your working day: before work, during lunch, or after hours, online or on-site in Hannover and Berlin.

Confident in daily work

Whether you need to compose English correspondence, organise meetings for international teams, or coordinate travel plans for executives – after our training you will handle all these tasks confidently in English. Many of our participants report feeling noticeably more confident on the phone and in written communication after just a few weeks. The investment in Office English pays off not only for your personal career but also strengthens the professional image of your entire company.

What You Will Learn

Handle phone calls professionally in English. Compose business emails and letters in English.

Welcome and look after international visitors. Organise meetings and conferences in English.

Coordinate appointments with international partners. Master small talk and polite phrases with confidence.

In Detail

Office English in Practice

Click on a section for more details

Phone Call Handling

Every phase of a business call

Answer, transfer, and take messages on calls – in English. From greeting to follow-up questions to polite goodbyes, we train every phase of a business phone call with the right phrases and appropriate tone.

Phone Calls in English

Visitor Reception

Welcome guests with confidence

Welcome international guests and business partners at reception, offer refreshments, and engage in small talk until contacts are available. We train polite phrases, cultural nuances, and confident conduct – even in unexpected situations.

Request a consultation

Email Correspondence

Always the right tone

Compose professional emails in English – from appointment confirmations and enquiries to polite declines. We practise common phrases, the right degree of formality, and typical structures of business correspondence so your emails always strike the right tone.

Emails in English

Meeting Organisation

From invitation to minutes

Organise meetings with international participants: send invitations in English, prepare agendas, coordinate rooms and technology, and write minutes in English. This includes communicating with hotels and travel agencies for business trip planning.

Request a consultation

Locations

In person or online

Hannover

Office English training in Hannover – practical and central.

Berlin

Office English training in Berlin – Kurfürstendamm 30.

Online

Office English training online – flexible and convenient.

How much does it cost?

Format	Duration	Price (approx.)	Notes
Online private lessons	60 min	€65–70	1:1, Zoom / Teams / Meet
Online private lessons	90 min	€95–105	1:1, Zoom / Teams / Meet
In person, Hanover	90 min	€110	At our Hanover office
In person, Berlin	90 min	€120	At our Berlin office
In-house at your company	by arrangement	on request	Travel included in the quote
Groups / corporate courses	by arrangement	on request	Priced per group, not per person

Prices depend on format, frequency, and requirements. Language instruction is VAT-exempt (§4 Nr.21 UStG).

Who we work with

NORD Holding
DHL
Toyota
Media Markt
Deutsche Pop

Frequently asked questions

Why do secretaries and assistants need specialised English training?+

The office is the central communication hub of any company. Phone calls with international partners, English email correspondence, and welcoming foreign visitors are part of daily life. Our Office English Training focuses on the communication situations that actually occur in the office.

What English level do I need for office work?+

For professional communication in the office, we recommend at least B1 level. Most participants start at A2 or B1 and reach a solid B2 level within a few months. Our training begins with an individual assessment.

Can I complete the training alongside my full-time job?+

Yes, our training is specifically designed for working professionals. We offer flexible scheduling – early morning, during lunch, or after work. Online tuition saves commuting time, and our AI avatars are available around the clock for practice.

What exactly will I learn in Office English Training?+

You will learn professional phone handling in English, business email correspondence, visitor reception and care, scheduling with international partners, and organising meetings and business trips in English.

What does English training for secretaries and assistants cost?+

Online 1:1: €65–70 / 60 min or €95–105 / 90 min. In person at our office: Hanover €110 / 90 min, Berlin €120 / 90 min. In-house: on request (travel included in the quote). Groups / corporate courses: priced per group, not per person — on request. Package: 10 × 60 min for €650. All prices are net; language lessons are VAT-exempt under §4 Nr. 21 UStG.

Improve your English for free

Free online lessons twice a week, vocabulary trainer with 600 words, and a placement test – all without signing up.

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Get in touch

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.

Hannover: +49 511 4739339 Berlin: +49 30 5770 3118 ✉ james@englisch-lehrer.com 💬 WhatsApp : +49 511 4739339

What we practise

✓ Meetings
✓ Presentations
✓ Negotiations
✓ Emails and calls