For government departments

For Government Departments

Since April 2018 PLS has been the Prime Provider of language training to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. We provide the FCDO with training in more than 50+ foreign languages, and run the FCDO Language Centre in Westminster.

One HMG contract

- Valid for all Central Government Departments

Our contract with the FCDO is a One HMG contract, which can be accessed by Other Government Departments on a cost-recovery basis. This gives OGDs and Partners Across Government immediate access to a Treasury-approved language training contract, without any need to run a separate procurement process.

Customers accessing our One HMG contract include: Cabinet Office, Home Office, DIT, HMRC, DExEU and many others.

The course programmes we offer to government departments include:

Full time, intensive training
Flexible, individual courses to fit in with learners’ busy schedules
Weekly group lunchtime and evening courses
Live Online lessons using virtual classroom technology

Our popular Self-funded
Cross-Whitehall Virtual Classes

Click here to find out more!

Our ever-growing team of qualified and experienced trainers are familiar with civil servants’ language requirements. We offer a range of training workshops, observations, mentoring and ongoing CPD to fine-tune their teaching skills.

This helps our trainers keep up to date with the latest teaching methodologies, such as the flipped-classroom approach we introduced to the FCDO contract.

Fit for purpose

We have developed a true understanding of public sector language training needs and our service provision includes bespoke training, specifically tailored to the learner’s needs. Course plans are carefully tailored to the topics and skills required by civil servants and lessons focus on the requirements and professional objectives the individual will need whilst delivering the British government's goals..

Our approach

All courses start with a Needs Analysis, level assessment (if the individual has already had some language exposure) and the development of a tailored course plan. Progress is tested and reported on regularly, both informally during lessons and formal testing can be arranged. We work closely with all clients to review training programmes and align them with your needs and expectations.

Compliance and quality assurance

Independent audits

The quality of our services is frequently subject to external audit by regulatory and trade bodies, as well as our clients. Since 2017 the following organisations have audited various aspects of our services: