Contact Us

Knowledge Hub
Putteridge Bury
Hitchin Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU2 8LE

Global Communication for Micro-Businesses

Global Communication for Micro-Businesses

Broadening business horizons with language training

Global Communication for Micro-Businesses

The year-long project assisted undergraduate students and micro-businesses to improve their business language skills, by drawing on its expertise in foreign language programmes and its work with businesses, aiming to increase their international competitiveness.

From October 2006 four languages were taught at beginner’s level:

  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Chinese (Mandarin)

Through participating in the programme business delegates and students benefited from each others’ learning styles and experiences. Particularly, students benefited from exposure to business culture and practices while business delegates welcomed the enthusiastic and creative experience of learning with undergraduates.

Company employees and students trained alongside each other in a range of business languages.

The key benefits of this programme included:

  • Free or subsidised training
  • Development and updating of key business language skills to take advantage of the opportunities provided by global trade
  • University certificate on successful completion of the programme for employees
  • Achievement of a double module (30 credits) for students
  • Students and businesses learning together in a dynamic environment

Click here to view GCM case studies
Click here to download the GCM Final Report [PDF 8.11 Mb]
Click here to find out more about our new project - Learning in Partnership


ESF and ARU

Photo above: In 2003, the University of Luton’s LCB was National Winner of the DTI ‘Languages for Export Award’ in the category “Best Language Trainer”. Click on the photo to view at a higher resolution.

Bedfordshire University

Business services» Training & Development» Languages & Culture for Business» Global Communication for Micro-Businesses