Breaking Down Barriers: Languages & Culture in Business
Date: Monday, 16th November 2026
Location: CasaLingua Language School Consett
Cost: Free
An interactive, professional masterclass designed to build practical language skills, confidence in international networking, and cross-cultural business awareness.
About the event
This workshop is an interactive, professional masterclass designed to build practical language skills, confidence in international networking, and cross-cultural business awareness.
The session will be led by Kim Davis, an experienced educator who has taught languages for over 15 years and is founder of the CasaLingua Language School. During this interactive workshop you will explore the business value of language skills and cultural understanding. Through discussion, guided language practice and realistic business scenarios, participants will develop practical techniques to communicate more confidently and build stronger international relationships.
What the workshop will cover
· How language capabilities and cultural awareness can support international business relationships
· Common barriers to working across languages and cultures, and practical ways to overcome them
· Business etiquette, and the impact of greetings, gestures and behaviours
· Core vocabulary and useful phrases for introductions, networking and arranging meetings
· Techniques for improving pronunciation and using simple “rescue phrases” when communication becomes difficult
What you’ll gain
· Greater confidence when networking and communicating across cultures
· Practical language skills that can be adapted for Spanish, French or multilingual contexts
· A stronger understanding of cultural behaviours that can influence business relationships
· Useful phrases and strategies to support real-world international conversations
· A clear personal action plan for continuing to develop your language and intercultural skills
About Kim Davis
Kim graduated from Warwick University in 2002 with a BA (Hons) in French and Italian. She has now been teaching Modern Foreign Languages for 16 years.
At CasaLingua Language School, with around 150 students currently attending classes, Kim and her team deliver a wide range of classes, both in person and online, in a number of languages but with a focus on French, Spanish and Italian. Kim is passionate about making learners feel comfortable and relaxed and believes there is a lot to be said for making learning fun for everyone!
Agenda
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM - Arrival & Networking
09:30 AM - 10:30 AM - The Business Value of Languages & Cultural Nuance
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Comfort Break
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM - Practical Business Language & Confidence Building
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM - Comfort Break
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM - Immersive business language and culture
12:45 PM - 01:30 PM - Action Planning, Q&A & Wrap-Up
Places are limited and Durham Business Growth workshops fill up quickly. Register your interest today!
PLEASE NOTE: businesses need to be registered with the Durham Growth Programme prior to attending. A link is below for registration, therefore ONLY businesses based in County Durham are able to attend this fully funded workshop.