Presentation

This is the teaching material corresponding to course M06 ADM, which comprises the studies of Administració i finances (AFI) and Assistència a la direcció (ADI). The learning material is especially addressed to students and professionals in the fields of Administration and Finance and Secretarial Studies so the contents try to reflect some situations that you may come across in the course of your working life.

The material is divided into four units, and each unit is further divided into 5 to 6 lessons which in turn are divided into different sections. The contents are based on the official curriculum of the course Anglès in the CFGS d’Administració i finances and the CFGS d’Assistència a la direcció. The official curriculum has five learning objectives that cover the four skills of the language (speaking, listening, reading and writing) as well as the recognition of the English language as an essential aspect in a worker’s formal education. In the current educational system, the Higher Vocational Training (CFGS) is situated after the compulsory education. This means that students taking a course in a Cicle formatiu de grau superior should ideally have a B1 (intermediate) level of English. According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), a student at B1 level should be able to:

• Understand the main points of clear texts in standard language if they are about topics with which they are familiar, whether in work, study or leisure contexts.
• Deal with most of the situations that might arise on a trip to areas where the language is used.
• Produce simple, coherent texts about topics with which they are familiar or in which they have a personal interest.
• Describe experiences, events, wishes and aspirations, as well as briefly justifying opinions or explaining plans.

In order to follow the course appropriately, you are therefore recommended to have a B1/B2 level of English. However, this doesn’t mean that if you have a lower level, you can’t follow the course. You certainly can, but you will need to make an extra effort to stay updated.

The main objective of this course is to offer you the tools that you need to communicate in English effectively so the material will give you the theoretical knowledge that you need to practise the four skills of the language. Each unit focuses on different aspects:

1. Unit 1 is called ‘People’. It is an introductory unit composed of six lessons that will prepare you for undertaking your English course. You will learn some tips for practising the four skills as well as some important information about the characteristics of the English pronunciation, the varieties of English, or the difference between formal and informal language. In this unit you will be also introduced to some skills that you will need to use throughout the course, like writing a text or writing a summary, as well as some tips for preparing a speech in English. There is also a vocabulary lesson where you will learn the necessary words to describe your company in English.
2. Unit 2, ‘At Work’, has six lessons that deal with different situation that you may very likely find in your job. For example, you will learn a few things about the recruiting process, in case you ever need to find workers for your company or for your own business. You will also learn things about the types of markets, the company’s accounts, and the selling and buying process, which are essential activities in all the companies. You will also learn some tips for dealing with people: what to do in case of conflicts at your workplace or how to deal with customers’ complaints.
3. Unit 3 is called ‘Arrangements’. It is composed of five lessons that deal with some common activities in the business world. These activities include attending and organizing a trade fair, booking flights, hotels and restaurants, preparing meetings and organizing business meals. It also includes a lesson devoted to the language required to speak about the data reflected in charts, including graphs and SWOT analysis charts.
4. Unit 4 is called ‘Looking for a job’ because it is focused on various aspects of the job search process, starting with the possibility of applying for a job in another country, which may be a good option if you can’t find a job in your country or you simply wish to live a new and exciting experience. The lesson then follow the three steps in the job search process: looking for information about available jobs, writing your curriculum and cover letter, and going to a job interview. In the final lesson you will learn the necessary vocabulary for speaking about the future.

You can find a more detailed description of the contents in the introductions to each unit. In general, the lessons contain the following elements.

• One or two reading texts with tips and information about a specific topic.
• A vocabulary list with the technical words and expressions used in the texts.
• One or more sections with information about specific aspects of the language
• A model dialogue that illustrates the words and structures explained in the lesson and set them in a context.

The relevant grammar needed at a specific moment is pointed out, but it is not explained in detail. All the grammar is included in the Grammar Reference section that is available in your classroom, and it is there where you must go if you need to revise a specific grammar point. The material puts special emphasis on the use of the language in a variety of communicative functions like giving advice, making requests, taking notes, writing a summary, speaking about habits and skills, expressing possibility, etc.

As we have mentioned before, this material gives the theoretical knowledge (the tools) that you need to improve your English. But these tools are useless if you don’t know how to use them. You need to take those tools and practise with them in order to improve your skills. The practice that you need is provided by the exercises that you will find in the classroom. These exercises are optional and have no mark because their only purpose is to put all the theory into practise and check how well you can do in English.

Here are some instructions for using this material effectively:

• In your classroom, unfold a lesson and click on the section that you wish to study. In the link ‘Reading’, you will find the corresponding section from the course material. Read the contents.
• Next, click on the link ‘Test’ or ‘Activity’: you can do the activities to check if you have understood the contents of the reading section. Remember that these activities are optional: you may want to do only the ones that you find more relevant for you.
• When you have read the information and practised the contents of the unit (the five/six lessons), you should do the EAC (Exercici d’Avaluació Contínua). The EAC is optional, but it has a mark that counts for the AC (Avaluació Contínua), so it is very important that you do all the EAC activities.
• If necessary, use the Grammar Reference and other learning resources that may be available for you in the classroom.

If you follow these guidelines, do the required activities, and ask your teacher if you have any problems or any questions, you will be successful in your English course, even if your level of English is low. If you work hard and follow the requirements for this course, I guarantee that you will pass without any problems.

Good luck!