Module 1 - The Importance of Good Communication

• Communication as a vital business and management “tool”, availability and accuracy, technology
• Communication internally, vertical and horizontal, two-way, information, external communication
• The principles of effective communication, sender, recipient, channels, interpretation, barriers
• Oral, unspoken, written, telephone, email and other communication methods, advantages and dangers

Module 2 - Forms and Business Documents

• Forms as “tools” in business, the many and varied uses of forms, manual and computerised forms
• Factors to consider in designing a form, sizes, sequence, standardisation, filing, presentation
• Accuracy in completing forms, codes, references, copies, serial numbering and indexes of forms
• Illustrations and descriptions of common business documents, and when they might be used

Module 3 - Business Letters

• Why business letters are written, business letters compared to informal/social letters, needed features
• Good English in business letters, subjects, punctuation, verbs, nouns, pronouns
• Sentences as complete statements, continuity, logical sequence of sentences and paragraphs
• Planning, drafting and checking letters, research which may be necessary

Module 4 - Improving Written Composition and Style

• Variety in the use of words, vocabulary, attracting favourable attention, persuading readers to read on
• Adjectives, cardinal and ordinal numbers, verb tenses, the range of adverbs and their uses
• The confusion of words, similar of different meanings, spellings and pronunciations
• Abbreviations, types, when to use or not use them, slang, colloquialisms, technical words and terms

Module 5 - Communications Concerning Employment and Promotion

• Use and preparation of job descriptions and employee specifications, advertisements for vacancies
• Application letters, layout, contents, attachments, testimonials, certificates and awards, curriculum vitae
• Employment interviews, importance, preparation, conducting interviews, election tests, appointments
• Letters regarding promotion, communications from employers to candidates, employees, others

Module 6 - Sales Letters and Literature

• Objectives, layout, appearance and contents of sales letters, the wording, styles of writing
• Attracting favourable attention, arousing the reader’s interest, persuading the reader to buy
• Follow-up letters, purposes, contents, offering something extra or new, circulars, personalising circulars
• Catalogues, brochures, pamphlets and leaflets, price lists and prices

Module 7 - Enquiries, Quotations, Orders and Payments

• Written and other enquiries, covering letters, quotations, terms and conditions of supply, estimates
• Orders, pro-forma invoices, acknowledgement, documents for despatches, advice and delivery notes
• Documents for payments for goods/services, imports/exports, invoices, statements, bills of exchange
• Common terms for accounting and finance matters, profit and loss, final accounts and their purpose

Module 8 - Communications Between Employees

• Oral communication, conversations, training, counselling, consultation, formal and informal meetings
• Work-related letters to subordinates, memoranda, circulars and other printed literature
• Visual and audiovisual communication, organisation charts, linear and bar graphs, pie charts
• Reports and report writing, purposes and preparation, audiovisual equipment

Module 9 - Letters of Complaint: from Customers or Clients, to Suppliers

• When and why letters of complaint or replies to them might be necessary, objectives, tones
• Justified complaints, explaining cause of problem, putting matters right, complainant at fault, remedy Satisfying complainants, maintaining goodwill, politeness, tact, psychology, reminders, warning letters
• Creating and using references on letters, what to avoid, writing to professionals, partnerships and firms

Module 10 - Drafting, Dictating, Checking and Despatching Letters

• Benefits of drafting letters, clarity, avoiding errors, stock sentences and paragraphs, indexes, notes
• Shorthand, dictation, stenographers, assisting with layout and spelling, special instructions, typists
• Checking typed letters and documents, responsibility for errors, corrections, checklist before signing
• Packing, folding the letter/document, enclosures, despatch methods, selecting the right one

Module 11 - Records and Filing

• Information sources, records and data management, collating, analysing, arranging formatting
• Filing systems, selecting a system, centralised filing, filing schemes, cross referencing, indexing
• Record retention policy, filing equipment, vertical and lateral filing, card filing systems, types of records
• Maintaining records by computer, database packages, security of computer data, backups, passwords

Module 12 - Telecommunications, Word Processing and Desktop Publishing

• Technological developments, speed and ease of transmission, need for clarity and accuracy
• Communication by computer, ADS and broadband, remote access, VPN connection, firewalls
• The Internet, internet service providers, websites, email, computer viruses and antivirus software
• Bar codes, magnetic strips, smart cards, OCR and scanning, word-processing, desktop publishing

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MODEST CIC FEE

 Your CIC Fee includes:-

• Your enrolment/registration with Cambridge International College, and your own high-quality, professionally produced and illustrated comprehensive International CIC Study & Training Publications.
• A detailed, professional ‘Study & Training Guide’ with full instructions on how to study to achieve success and gain top results.  The Guide includes detailed advice on how to answer Self-Assessment Tests, Training Tests and Examinations.
• Self-Assessment Tests and Recommended Answers for them, and a Progress Chart.
• Two Progress/Training Tests (which can be used as ‘Past Papers/Questions’) with an optional Tutorial Support Service.
• The Final Examination** sat under Invigilation/Supervision in your own area - full details, guidance and explanation of how your Examination will be arranged and how Invigilation is conducted will be provided when you register.  Note, CIC arranges Examinations in over a hundred countries worldwide for thousands of Members every year; it is a flexible, straightforward process and will be arranged when YOU are ready to write your Examination.  **An Assignment Option is available instead of an Exam for the ‘Covid-19’ (Corona) virus period.
• The prestigious Cambridge International College Diploma on successful completion of your Study & Training and on passing the Final Examination.
• Your personal page on CIC’s Member Services website with access to results, despatch details, advice and guidance, and more: www.cambridgeinternationalcollege.co.uk
• Regular information and news including: Newsletters with details of special offers and new Programs and much more; and Competition Forms; by email and post.

Everything needed for your Study & Training success is included in the CIC Fee.

Additionally:

• Further Study and Training Advice, and Assistance is available before, during and after CIC Study & Training; Members may ask CIC’s team of experienced Consultants for advice on further study and Programmes to improve career prospects and advancement. 
• CIC’s experienced and helpful staff can assist with numerous special requests, such as reference/recommendation letters and transcripts, and more, by post and email.

• Professional English (Everyday & Business Use) Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• EXECUTIVE & SECRETARIAL ASSISTANCE Honours (Higher) Diploma 21 months (flexible)
• Administrative, Personal Assistant & Secretarial Duties Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• Office Management & Administration Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• English & Administration (BEA) Baccalaureate 2 years (flexible)

Good communications is essential in every type of job - administrative, managerial, personnel, HR and any other - and so this Program is important to anybody who works with others or needs to communicate with others - internal or external to the organisation.  The Program therefore can lead to a wide and enjoyable range of possible careers and positions.

Further and related studies are available, whether complementary Diploma Programs like Secretarial Duties, Office Management, and others; or Honours Diploma and Baccalaureate programmes of study, all designed to increase ability, knowledge, confidence and the likelihood of a very successful career.

There is a wide range of options for further study - see the "Related Courses" section for suggestions - which include Honours Diplomas, ABA & Baccalaureate Programmes, and the 'Double Award' EBA & BBA Bachelor degree Programme.  You are welcome to ask the College for advice, and of course you can see details of these Programmes on this website.