English for Financial Journalists | LSFL | London School of Finance and Law

What you will study

1. CEFR levels: B2-C1 (Upper-Intermediate/Advanced)
2. Developing English language skills: grammar, reading, listening and writing
3. Improving the style and content of writing before starting on Business and Financial Journalism: analysing news texts and textual practices; analysing genres in political and business communications for financial reporting; developing practical news-writing skills and language skills for financial reporting: news structure, the components of a news story; use of concise, plain language to convey meaning; paraphrasing sentences to clarify the message; use of syntax; use of the passive voice; use of reported speech and modality to encode point of view and attitude; the most common grammar mistakes; accurate use of foreign words within the context to avoid miscomprehension; dealing with “isms” to challenge stereotypes; exploiting the expressive power of words
4. Expanding specialist business vocabulary: general management and administration, customer service, purchasing, production and operations, distribution, finance, legal, marketing and sales, human resources, research and development, quality management, strategic management, business economics
5. Expanding specialist finance vocabulary: accounting, banking, corporate finance, insurance, business economics and trade
6. Improving personal and professional skills: leadership and management, time management, stress management, education and training, interpersonal communication skills, cross-cultural communication skills, business ethics
7. Developing business skills: applying for a job, interviewing, telephoning, business correspondence writing, presentations, negotiations

Key features of the course

- Flexibility to suit your needs – allowing you to study anytime, anywhere
- An emphasis on personal and professional development through independent learning
- Relevance of topics, terminology and language skills to the context of business communications and journalism
- Online practice tests and tutor-marked assignments to reinforce learning
- Certificate of completion from London School of Finance and Law

We offer a wide range of English language courses for tax, accounting and finance professionals planning to move to an English-speaking country for work or further studies in their professional fields. All our English language courses have been accredited by Oxford TESOL Accreditation Centre (Accreditation Number: 6172186221).

English for Financial Journalists has been specifically designed for journalists planning to work in finance settings and effectively communicate with business leaders and the international finance community. It is also suitable for experienced business and financial journalists who would like to improve their written English skills and journalistic style.

This intensive English language course can be taken alongside your degree or professional qualification studies elsewhere or as part of your informal career development programme. It will be of particular value to prospective students applying to study at a university abroad or to undergraduate, postgraduate or professional students of journalism, investor relations and public relations, marketing, business management, finance or tax law.

Learning outcomes

- Language skills
- Key skills
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Transferable skills

Career relevance

- Journalism
- Investor relations (IR) and public relations (PR)
- Sales and marketing
- Business administration
- General management
- Accounting professions
- Financial management
- Tax advisory
- Investment analysis and management
- Risk management
- Management consultancy
- Professional bodies
- Professional training
- Further education
- Educational management
- English for Specific Purpose (ESP) teaching
- Coaching, mentoring and counselling in finance, tax advisory and business management
- Government offices and NGOs

Study method

Online learning with tutor guidance and support

How long it takes

4 months (128 hours)

You need to be able to spend approximately 8 hours per week on studying this module.

Teaching and assessment

A tutor will guide you throughout the study process and mark and comment on your written work. You and your tutor will primarily communicate with each other through email.

The course work includes online practice tests, tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessment. You must use the online VLE-system to submit your tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessment.

The Pass mark for the module is 50%. Upon successful completion, students are issued a certificate of completion from London School of Finance and Law.

Study materials

All study materials are provided on the module website.

Microsoft Office presentations and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of study material are available.

A computer with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Functionality may be limited on mobile or tablet devices.

If you have a disability or particular study requirements, please tell us as soon as possible.

Fees and funding

Course fees for the 2024/2025 academic year: £880

Course fees cover registration, course materials, tuition and assessment.

LSFL course fees depend on the level and duration of courses: check all tuition fee rates for the current academic year here.

You may be eligible for tuition funding.

Registration

Next term start date: 20 January 2025

The module website will be available to registered students three days in advance of the module start. Module sessions will be opened every week or every two weeks to enable tutor-led, gradual progression through the study materials and continuous assessment.

Course registration is open, but please be aware that due to the increased demand it may take us longer to respond than usual.

Registration closes 10 January 2025 (places subject to availability)

Registration for current students:

ENROL

Registration for new students:

You have to register as an LSFL student to study this course.