ABERDEEN-BASED language school English for Everyone has launched a course for non-native speakers of English who work or aspire to work in the UK oil&gas industry.
The first 20-week course started in July at the firm’s dedicated training facilities on Union Street, the city’s main thoroughfare.
The English for the Oil & Gas Industry syllabus was developed in response to increasing demand from students undertaking general English courses at the school.
It includes oilfield technology, products and procedures, as well as focusing on health-and-safety issues, report writing and presentation skills.
School director June Johnstone said: “As the premier English-language school in the oil capital of Europe, it seems appropriate that we should offer a course that is tailored to improving the vocabulary and understanding of overseas nationals working in the UK oil industry.
“We responded to demand from students who were undertaking general language courses but required something more specific which would help them to operate within a working environment.
“We are delighted that our first course is proving such a success and we already have considerable interest in the next course, which is due to start in January 2010.”
Students from English for Everyone’s oil&gas-specific course will be trying out their skills on an organised trip to Offshore Europe 2009.
English for Everyone was accredited by the British Council for English Language Courses in January this year after just two years of operation.
It is the only language school north of Dundee to achieve this status. This endorsement means that the school is approved by the UK Borders Agency to enrol overseas students under the new Tier 4 regulations who require a UK student visa.
The school has 20 teaching staff and about 90 students at any one time. In 2008, English for Everyone taught more than 200 people from 53 different countries.
For more information, see the website at www. englishforeveryone.co.uk