English Preparation Courses

You will find the first semester of the MBA program to be rigorous and fast-paced. Even the most proficient speakers of English have some difficulty acclimating to the rapid speech patterns of American professors and students. Success in the classroom and in the workplace depends upon your ability to take in large amounts of information and to understand rapid-fire communication using specific business terminology and concepts.

We are pleased to offer you opportunities for you to sharpen your business English skills this summer. If you are more comfortable learning in a group setting, we recommend Georgetown University’s English Skills for Graduate Students program. If you are more comfortable with individual, customized study and coaching, we recommend B-Speak: English for MBA Students.

We are also excited to offer additional English language training courses at Georgetown University’s English Language Center for both incoming students and family members/spouses. 

• Intensive English Program (full-time and part-time courses during the day)

• Evening and Weekend English Program (part-time, evenings, & Saturday) – Enroll early for discounted registration

English Skills for Graduate Students

This full-time course is designed to fine-tune your English language abilities in:

• reading large volumes of business writing quickly and efficiently

• understanding rapid speech, unfamiliar accents, and idiomatic language

• negotiating project ideas and plans with study teams

• writing clear analyses of case studies

• researching and presenting a live case study

• delivering oral presentations, both impromptu and planned

The Georgetown School of Continuing Studies English Language Center (ELC) website provides details about the course, including fees, FAQs, a self-assessment survey, and the application. We also strongly encourage you to view the video excerpt from a typical MBA course to help you ascertain whether this pre-MBA business English course is right for you.

• Apply by: May 1, 2025  through the ELC application 

• Course dates: June 25 - July 16, 2025

• Program structure: 18+ contacts hours per week, Monday-Friday

Please note that the June 25 - July 16, 2025  program will be held in-person at the English Language Center’s downtown Washington, D.C. campus.

B-Speak: English for MBA Students

Customized, one-on-one lessons conducted online by certified language trainers, designed to increase your fluency, accuracy, writing, and comprehensibility of business English. Courses are offered 12 months a year and can help you to:

• improve your pronunciation and build your confidence when speaking English in social, professional, and academic settings

• expand your vocabulary

• perfect your grammar

• strengthen your business writing

• increase your knowledge of U.S. customs and business etiquette

Your unique language challenges are the focus; North American business is the context. Students will take an English assessment before and after completing the course providing a good measure of improvement. Learn more about the program and register for a flexible schedule.

Students who complete 30 hours of B-Speak coaching by July 25 will be reimbursed $300 upon enrollment at Georgetown McDonough.