International trade English · One-to-one classes

English for International Trade: Online Course for Import-Export Teams

Break Into English offers an online English for international trade course, taught one-to-one over video by a native teacher assigned to you. You practice the English of import-export: dealing with foreign customers and suppliers, explaining Incoterms, handling trade documents, following customs clearance, chasing payments, and negotiating contracts. Classes run 7 days a week on Zoom, Teams, or Meet, from €14.38 per class. Your first 30-minute class is free.

  • Your own native teacher
  • Incoterms, documents, customs
  • Built around your operations
  • Classes across time zones
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4.9/5· 39 Google reviews

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Free international trade English trial class

30 minutes to assess your level, talk about your job and your markets, and try our method. No commitment and no credit card.

  • We contact you within 24 hours to schedule your class.
  • We assign you a native teacher based on your level and goals.
  • The class takes place on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, with nothing to install.

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350,000+
Hours taught
150
Native teachers
17,000+
Satisfied students
64
Corporate clients
Cambridge Assessment English · Authorised Exam Centre ETS TOEIC · Authorized Test Provider
English for import-export

Online English for international trade with a native teacher

The Break Into English international trade course is taught one-to-one over video, with a native teacher you keep from start to finish. It starts from your job and your real operations: an order from a Canadian customer to confirm, a supplier in Asia to chase, goods held at customs, a letter of credit to check.

In import-export, every word counts. A misunderstood Incoterm, a wrong entry on an invoice, or an unclear deadline can delay a shipment or lead to penalties. You also need to negotiate and keep good relations with partners from different cultures.

That is why the classes start from your own documents and exchanges: you do most of the talking, through role-plays, and your teacher corrects what matters in your job. For shipping and warehousing, see also our English for logistics course.

The Break Into English method

How the international trade English classes work

Classes follow a dynamic method focused on speaking and listening. Your teacher combines several activities based on your goal and, if useful, uses our General English and Business English textbooks.

  • Oral presentations

    You present your company, an offer, or an export file to your teacher.

  • Listening activity

    You summarize a short audio clip, then summarize it again using the new vocabulary, and get used to different accents.

  • Picture description

    You comment on a document, a price table, or a trade flow map, then comment on it again using 3 to 7 new words.

  • Grammar in practice

    Grammar is practiced out loud, based on your own mistakes, with no fill-in-the-blank drills.

Sample 45-minute class

10 min · Your operation

You present a current export order as you would to a new colleague.

15 min · Listening and summary

You work on comprehension and vocabulary with an audio clip.

20 min · Role-play

You explain to a foreign customer, played by your teacher, why the goods are held at customs, then go over your mistakes.

Course length and schedule across time zones

Course length depends on your starting level and your goal. To make fast progress, we recommend at least 2 hours of class per week, with a little practice between classes.

Classes last 30, 45, or 60 minutes and are booked in packs of 5 to 40 sessions.

Classes run 7 days a week and can be canceled for free up to 6 hours before, so you can fit them around calls with partners in other time zones.

English for import-export, by role

The course adapts to your role, whether you handle exports, imports, or both.

Import-export coordinators

Confirm an order, issue a pro forma invoice, and follow a file until delivery.

International buyers

Source from foreign suppliers, compare offers, and negotiate price, lead time, and terms.

Customs and trade compliance officers

Talk to brokers and foreign authorities about classification, origin, and export controls.

Export managers and business owners

Negotiate contracts, answer tenders, and build a network of distributors abroad.

English level needed in international trade, by role

The CEFR measures language level in 6 steps, from A1 to C2. Here are benchmarks by role, with the TOEIC Listening & Reading score that matches each level according to ETS.

RoleRecommended CEFR levelTOEIC score (out of 990)
Import-export assistant, order administratorB1From 550
Customs specialist, buyerB1 to B2550 to 785
Export sales manager, international buyerB2From 785
Export director, head of purchasingB2 to C1785 to 945

B2 is a common requirement for export roles. The TOEIC does not measure C2.

English for international trade course content

Your teacher builds each class around your operations. Every situation is practiced in role-play, out loud and in writing.

  1. Inquiries, quotes, and orders

    Answer a price inquiry, write a quote, and confirm an order.

  2. Incoterms and terms of sale

    Explain an Incoterm, the transfer of risk, and who pays for what.

  3. Trade documents

    Read and discuss a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading, or a certificate of origin.

  4. Customs, classification, and compliance

    Follow customs clearance, discuss an HS code, rules of origin, and export licenses.

  5. International payments

    Talk about payment terms, letters of credit, and chase an overdue payment politely.

  6. Contracts, tenders, and trade agreements

    Understand key contract clauses, respond to a tender, and explain the impact of a free trade agreement.

  7. Cross-cultural negotiation

    Adapt your tone and arguments to British, American, or Asian partners.

  8. Disputes and claims

    Handle a delay, non-conforming goods, or a claim, and propose a solution.

Training your whole export team? See our English classes for companies.

Essential international trade vocabulary

A few import-export terms and acronyms used every day, each with a sample sentence you will practice in class.

TermMeaningSample sentence
Incoterms®Rules on costs and risks between buyer and seller“We usually sell on FCA terms from our warehouse.”
Pro forma invoicePreliminary invoice before shipment“Please find attached the pro forma invoice for your order.”
Commercial invoiceFinal invoice used for customs“The commercial invoice must show the country of origin.”
Packing listList of the contents of a shipment“The packing list does not match the number of cartons.”
Certificate of originDocument proving where goods were made“The customer needs a certificate of origin for the preferential rate.”
Customs brokerAgent who handles customs formalities“Our customs broker is filing the entry today.”
HS codeCustoms classification number“Could you confirm the HS code for this product?”
Letter of credit (L/C)Bank guarantee of payment“Payment will be made by irrevocable letter of credit.”
Export licenseAuthorization to export controlled goods“This item requires an export license.”
TenderFormal invitation to bid“We have decided to submit a bid for the tender.”

Not sure where to start? Book a free trial class and your teacher will assess your level.

Prove your Business English with an official certificate

A certificate proves your level to employers and recruiters. Break Into English is an authorized Cambridge English exam center and is accredited by ETS for the TOEIC.

  1. Assess your level

    In the free trial class, your teacher assesses your level on the CEFR scale.

  2. Choose the exam

    Cambridge English or TOEIC, depending on what your employer asks for.

  3. Prepare in class

    You combine international trade English with practice on the exam format.

  4. Take the exam

    You sit the exam with the level you need to prove.

Cambridge English exam centerETS TOEIC accreditationOne-to-one video classes

English for international trade course pricing

from €14.38

per class, in packs of 5 to 40 sessions. Your first 30-minute class is free.

One-to-one classes, self-paced course, or live group?

FormatHow it worksBuilt around your operations
Self-paced online courseVideos and quizzes on your own, with no live teacherNo, and no speaking practice
Live group courseFixed sessions with the same program for everyonePartly
One-to-one classes with Break Into EnglishA live native teacher, 7 days a week, free cancellation up to 6 hours beforeYes, based on your documents and markets
Book my free trial class

English for international trade training for teams

We train export, purchasing, and customs teams with one-to-one classes: one native teacher per person and schedules that fit each calendar. 64 companies already trust Break Into English.

See training for companies Request a quote

Reviews of our online English classes

Break Into English

4.9Out of 5 stars

Overall rating out of 39 Google reviews

Verified by Google Reviews WordPress Plugin

Selma LEMDEWAR
a week ago

Giuliana Dall'Antonia
a month ago

Ich bin sehr zufrieden mit meiner Englischschule und insbesondere mit meiner Lehrerin Bakara. Sie gestaltet die Lektionen interessant, lernfördernd und abwechslungsreich – es macht richtig Spass, Englisch zu lernen! Man merkt, dass sie mit Herz bei der Sache ist und auf individuelle Bedürfnisse eingeht. Break Into English ist absolut empfehlenswert für alle, die ihre Englischkenntnisse effektiv und mit Freude verbessern möchten.

Gregory Benabu
a month ago

Un grand merci à Carmen, qui est vraiment géniale : très patiente, à l’écoute et toujours motivante. Les leçons sont ludiques, interactives et parfaitement adaptées au niveau de notre fils. Il progresse rapidement, tout en prenant plaisir à apprendre. Nous recommandons fortement Break Into English — c’est l’idéal pour progresser en anglais facilement et dans la bonne humeur !

Svetlana Kupriyanchik
a month ago

I've had a wonderful experience learning English at this school! The program is well-structured, engaging, and truly helps you improve naturally and confidently. All the teachers are highly professional and supportive, always creating a welcoming and motivating atmosphere. I want to give special thanks to Gabu Ithier – she is an outstanding teacher! Her energy, patience, and ability to explain even the most complex things in a clear and fun way made every class a joy. I’m incredibly grateful for the progress I’ve made with her help. Thank you to the entire team – I’m so glad I chose this school!

Théophile Robertaud
a month ago

Ivan Magnusek
Edited a month ago

Marie-Jo Golovine
a month ago

L'équipe prend le temps de trouver le prof idéal qui correspond à vos souhaits, à vos besoins et votre profil. Au début, ma fille a "testé" plusieurs professeurs qui ne l'ont pas satisfait (fuseau horaire et difficulté à trouver un horaire commun, méthode du professeur qui ne correspond pas à l'enfant, etc.), mais au bout de 4 professeurs on nous a enfin trouvé la perle rare et ça fait maintenant 3 ans que nous avons toujours le même professeur pour notre fille de 14 ans, et sa sœur de 12 ans a aussi commencé avec ce professeur il y a plus de 6 mois. Les progrès en anglais des deux enfants sont incroyables. Nous sommes ravis ! De plus le fait de pouvoir s'entendre sur les horaires avec les professeurs, qu'ils soient flexibles est un plus.

Fatimazahra Hdid
a month ago

Jimena C.
a month ago

Break Into English offers excellent one-on-one online lessons with skilled native-speaking teachers who tailor each session to your needs. Their professional approach make learning both effective and enjoyable. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to improve their English confidently and efficiently.

Sam Louwman
3 months ago

I've been taking classes with Break Into English for a while now, and it's honestly one of the best learning experiences I’ve had. All the teachers I've worked with are native speakers, super professional, and really good at adapting lessons to what I need What I love most is how personalized everything feels, it's not just a generic course. The classes are structured but flexible, and I can see real progress in my speaking and confidence. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants serious, high quality English lessons with great teachers

Olena Vrublevska
a month ago

This has been the best experience I’ve ever had — I truly enjoy every lesson with Kirstyn, and we’ve been having them for the past two years already (Wow!)!

Emma
a year ago

I can recommend. Staff are attentive and supportive. Break Into English is hearing to student's needs. What's more, I'm extremely satisfied with the quality of the courses' content. It was possible to make real progress thanks to the particular course.

Karenina Alvarenga (Karen)
a year ago

I took 5 classes with Krystin and she was very kind, gentle and helpful.It was an excellent approach to the learning process.

azadeh djalili
6 years ago

Great teachers & method

FAQ about our English for international trade course

How much does an English for international trade course cost?

One-to-one classes start at €14.38 per class, in packs of 5 to 40 sessions. Your first 30-minute class is free, with no commitment and no credit card.

Who is this course for?

It is for import-export coordinators, international buyers, export sales staff, customs and trade compliance officers, freight and supply chain professionals, and business owners who deal with foreign customers or suppliers.

Do I need to know international trade already?

This is not a course on trade techniques, but on the English you need to use them. If you are new to the field, your teacher starts with simple documents and situations before going further.

What level of English do I need to start?

There is no minimum level. Your teacher assesses your level on the CEFR scale during the free trial class, then starts with what you need most: confirming an order, explaining an Incoterm, or chasing a payment.

Can I work on my own documents?

Yes. You can bring a pro forma invoice, a contract, a tender response, or emails, without confidential data. Your teacher uses them to build role-plays close to your daily work.

Does the course cover customs and compliance?

Yes. You practice talking about HS classification, rules of origin, export licenses, and customs procedures with brokers, authorities, and partners abroad.

Can I take classes across time zones?

Yes. Classes run 7 days a week on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet and can be canceled for free up to 6 hours before. You can book them early in the morning or in the evening, around calls with partners in other time zones.

Can I get a certificate at the end?

Yes. Break Into English is an authorized Cambridge English exam center and is accredited by ETS for the TOEIC. Your teacher can prepare you for the exam an employer asks for.

What is the difference with Business English for sales?

Sales English covers selling: prospecting, pitching, and closing. English for international trade covers the import-export operation itself: Incoterms, documents, customs, payments, and contracts. See also our Business English classes.

More professional English classes

Add another program to your training, with the same method.

English for logistics

Shipping, stock, delivery, and claims.

Voir le programme →

Business English

Meetings, emails, presentations, and negotiation in English.

Voir le programme →

English for finance

Results, reporting, banking, audit, and investors.

Voir le programme →

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