Teaching, Language & Reference
Business Update
a SCORM-compliant course of Business English
by Hans Mol, Joanne Collie
Key features: Business English for adults and teens English-language communication in authentic company settings based on Business update published by Garnet Publishing Ltd 2 levels: pre-intermediate and intermediate 1 level = 12 units; 4 lessons per unit; 3 progress checks approximately 1000 screens providing 240 learning hours enriched with videos, animations, slideshows and photographs WCAG standard AI-aided personal and dynamic learning paths gaming environment for vocabulary enforcement intelligent reporting and feedback system, motivating and guiding students supported with professional training hints on what to do in specific business situations; collections of essential language; grammar topics; pronunciation activities; vocabulary glossary and audio transcription Method Business Update is an introduction to the English-speaking business world. It uses a procedural approach to put students at ease with English-language communication in authentic company settings. Business Update provides students with the English skills that they need for business, using a carefully planned combination of task-based and multi-functional practice. It teaches specialist vocabulary and provides authentic business scenarios in which skills can be practiced. The approach to learning prepares students in dealing with everyday office life, such as making calls, working with facts and figures, taking orders and dealing with customer enquiries. A skills section accompanies each unit, including authentic reading passages, vocabulary building and writing and research projects. Business Update is enriched with hundreds of videos, animations, slideshows and photographs. It adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It comes supplied with the following AI-aided components: dynamic learning paths, with a choice of easy or difficult activities, based on the self-assessment quiz present in every unit personal learning path feedback based on results in the progress check lesson (after Units 5, 10 and 15 in Level 1 and 4, 8, 12 in Level 2) smart and fun vocabulary tool helping to remember new words in a gaming environment Lessons are supported with: professional training hints on what to do in specific business situations collections of essential language useful for speaking tasks specific grammar points extended in the Grammar section with full explanations pronunciation activities that deal with aspects of pronunciation that occur in the listening or speaking activities (enriched with the Audio Text module, where students can read and listen; the text is synchronized with the audio making it much easier to follow each line) a glossary of all essential vocabulary topic word lists containing useful vocabulary transcripts from the dialogues There is an intelligent reporting and feedback system, motivating and guiding students. Every activity completed correctly is rewarded with an animation. This motivational approach is strengthened with instant and specific feedback which is displayed for incorrect answers. Textual hints help weaker students to solve difficult activities. Most often these are quotes from listening or reading texts. They guide students to the right solution instead of giving them a straightforward answer. Students can also view which of their answers were wrong or correct. Each lesson ends with a report screen displaying results presented in %, number of hints used and number of errors made.
