English for IT – an overview English for IT, currently being developed, is a fifty-hour self study course aimed at adult / young adult learners of English at an A2 / B1 level. The course aims to develop learners’ language awareness through a range of common IT tasks encountered in the workplace. The course is organised around a series of workplace contexts in which knowledge of IT plays an important role. Learners focus on a range of key IT skills and applications for solving problems, as well as grammar, vocabulary and language necessary for communicating confidently and effectively in English. The materials take a modular structure allowing for greater flexibility. The modular structure means that each unit is self-contained and can be sequenced according to the needs of the specific group of learners. Assessment is built into each unit through the end-of-unit tests. The language syllabus is non-linear and in each unit learners focus on the language forms and lexis necessary to complete specific tasks related to the use of information technology. All these features combine to make the course adaptable to a wide range of learners’ needs. The language skills syllabus The course provides input and practice in all four skills, with a particular focus on developing learning strategies and sub-skills to improve confidence with using English for work. Texts are between 150 and 250 words in length and include common written and spoken text-types relevant to working life. Productive skills work mainly focuses on noticing features of written and spoken interaction, such as meetings, phone calls and emails.
Functional skills syllabus This course provides step-by-step guidance for developing key skills in IT for work. The skills are drawn from the UK Key skills for IT framework for adults / young adults Levels 2 and 3, as established by the Qualifications and Curriculum development Agency (QCDA). Skills include word processing, efficient use of the internet, working with numerical data and creating databases.
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The ‘learning to learn’ syllabus This is a self-access course and many learners may need support to plan and organise their time and learning. The course tackles this by providing a specific strand which focuses on introducing participants to ways in which they can make the most of the course, including:
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resources offering advice and information, before and during the course, to help learners plan their work through each unit including clear reference to the learning objectives and suggested timing of tasks input on a range of learning strategies and practice in applying them tasks which encourage participants to reflect on their progress and identify areas for review and development.
Assessment Course participants are assessed in two main ways on this course. Firstly, through the endof-unit checks which provide learners with formative feedback on how well they have met the learning aims of the unit. In each of the four review units, there is a more formal end-of-module test of grammar and vocabulary. This mark contributes to the overall assessment of the course. Successful participants are awarded a certificate which details their achievements according to results of their end of module tests. The review unit could also include other assessment components, such as a VOIP speaking tutorial option. The assessment structure is flexible and tests can be included or excluded from the final score as appropriate.
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Content and structure of the course The course compromises 20 modules overall, including 4 revision modules. Modules are designed to take around 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. Revision modules are intended to take up to an hour including time for the send of section test. Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Topic Learning with IT How people use technology for learning. Skills for e-learning Working with IT How people use a range of technology in the workplace. Review of key IT skills for work A digital life How IT plays an vital part in everyday life. How computers work. Working online How the internet works. Features of browsers and web pages Review 1 Working with words Using word processing applications Dealing with data Using spreadsheet applications Creating databases How people create and use database applications Making presentations Using presentation applications. What makes a good presentation. Effective communications Features of electronic communications, email and text messages. Basic netiquette. Review 2 Multimedia Types of multimedia, applications and file formats Staying in touch Social networking and VoIP technologies Working on the go Technologies for remote and mobile working Review 3 Safety first Computer data and security. Health and safety in the workplace. How it all began the development of computers Troubleshooting What can go wrong, why it happens and what to do about it. Getting help Into the future Think about how technology will develop in the future Review 4
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How the courses will be delivered The course is adaptable to a variety of delivery modes, such as online self-study via a LMS such as Moodle, or through a packaged CD-ROM. There are options for using the materials for blended learning modes with some parts of the course delivered online or through CD-ROM and some face-to-face. An online version of the course is being developed using the Moodle platform. Sections of the course will be available for viewing and piloting from mid-April 2010.
For more details, contact Simon.Gillow@britishcouncil.org.hk March 2010
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