ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 reading and writing)

What is the course about?

This is the second half of a year long course which will help you develop the English you need to participate actively and at a high level in UK life both at home, with friends and at work. You will develop your English language skills in writing, reading, speaking and listening but focus more on reading and writing ready to take an English Speaking Board Level 2 exams in July. Throughout the course, you will practise becoming fluent in exchanging views on a range of topics such as the news, culture, the media, politics, relationships and work. You will work on pronunciation of individual sounds and how to stress effectively. Your vocabulary will increase to enable you to talk and write about complex issues with a richness of meaning. You will practise identifying details in conversations and spoken narratives across a range of topics and types of discourse. You will practise writing discursively (i.e.. with arguments and evidence) across a range of topics with coherent and cogent structure. You will develop your writing of detailed formal and informal letters following appropriate conventions with appropriate grammar and accuracy as well as writing reports and leaflets with the correct/appropriate conventions, layouts and language. You will practise correct paragraphing, punctuating and spelling and completing detailed forms which require specific information. You will practise extracting necessary information and detail from a range of texts and grasping their gist. You will improve identifying the purpose, stance, and tone of articles. And you will constantly work on the grammar needed to express yourself at a high level including all the narrative tenses, use of passive, correct use of articles, and the use of infinitives and –ing form.

This course will be delivered online and in person, and will involve tutor presentation and class discussion. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged. To fully participate in this online class you will need:
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer/laptop/tablet with a fully updated browser (preferably google chrome). Your device will need a microphone, and preferably a camera.

What will we cover?

You will practise reading, writing and speaking and listening but you will focus more on reading and writing in order to prepare for the exam. Each class will focus on a certain topic such as the news, current affairs, music, sports, employment, or cultural values. You will focus on:

• becoming fluent in exchanging views on a range of topics such as the news, culture, the media, politics, relationships and work
• pronunciation of individual sounds and how to stress effectively
• increasing your vocabulary to enable you to talk and write about complex issues with a richness of meaning
• identifying details in conversations and spoken narratives across a range of topics and types of discourse
• writing discursively (i.e.. with arguments and evidence) across a range of topics with coherent and cogent structure
• developing your writing of detailed formal and informal letters following appropriate conventions with appropriate grammar and accuracy as well as writing reports and leaflets with the correct/appropriate conventions, layouts and language
• correct paragraphing, punctuating and spelling
• completing detailed forms which require specific information
• extracting necessary information and detail from a range of texts and grasping their gist
• identifying the purpose, stance, and tone of articles. And you will constantly work on the grammar needed to express yourself at a high level including all the narrative tenses, use of passive,
• developing your use of a range of tenses in both active and passive voices including distinguishing between simple and continuous forms and perfect and simple forms
• correct use of articles, and the use of infinitives and –ing form.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• use your English to participate actively and confidently and to a high level at home, in the street and at work
• pass the English Speaking Board ESOL Level 2 Reading and Writing exams
• be fluent in exchanging views on a range of topics such as the news, culture, the media, politics, relationships and work
• pronounce all individual English sounds with good accuracy and stress/unstress effectively
• talk and write about complex issues with a richness of vocabulary
• identify details in conversations and spoken narratives across a range of topics and types of discourse
• write discursively (i.e.. with arguments and evidence) across a range of topics with coherent and cogent structure
• write detailed formal and informal letters following appropriate conventions with correct grammar and accuracy
• write reports and leaflets with the correct/appropriate conventions, layouts and language
• paragraph, punctuate and spell with a high degree of accuracy
• complete detailed forms which require specific information
• extract information and detail from a range of texts and grasp their gist
• identify the purpose, stance, and tone of articles
• use of a range of tenses in both active and passive voices including distinguishing between simple and continuous forms and perfect and simple forms
• use of articles, infinitives and –ing forms correctly

By the end of this course you will also have improved your digital skills through use of Google Classroom, the internet and Microsoft Word/PowerPoint or Google docs.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is a Level 2 upper-intermediate to advanced course (C1). This course is ideal for you if you are a competent user of English but now wish to refine it and be more accurate and precise and fluent in what you say and write.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• Workplace communication skills: customer care and front of house hospitality (ESOL level 1-level 2)
• Develop your writing and language skills (level 1-level 2)
• A mile in my shoes: how to tell a story (level 1-2)
• ESOL pronunciation: stage 1 (level 1-2)
• Communication skills: read well, write well (level 1-level 2)
• Business English communication skills: from negotiating to report writing to presentations
• Business English communication skills: communicating, managing, selling (Level 2)
• English dialogue: speaking, listening, pronunciation, performance (level 1-2)
• Matters of opinion (level 2)
• Business English communication skills: finding the right word in business (advanced)
• Grammar in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
• Writing skills in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
• Grammar in practice: advanced (level 2+)
• ESOL and making podcasts: pronunciation, presentation, expression (level 1-2)
• ESOL: Develop your writing: grammar, vocabulary, expression (advanced)

You can also do classes in the maths and digital skills areas. These include:
• Maths for life and work (level 1)
• Discover the maths in the world around you: from nature to buildings (entry 3-level 1)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with numbers and calculations (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with shapes, space and measuring (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with algebra, problem-solving and equations (level 1-2)
• Becoming confident with digital skills: on your computer and online (beginner)
• Becoming confident in digital skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (beginner)
• Business administration with digital skill: how to be an administrator (foundation)

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.