Introduction

This is the course Anglès corresponding to the studies of CFGS Comerç internacional. It is composed of two parts: the written material and the web material. The written material includes the basic grammatical and lexical contents, as well as texts related to business and trade. As it is designed as a distance learning course, it also includes tips and suggestions to help you learn the language on your own. On the other hand, the web material is composed of online activities and exercises to practise the contents of each unit.

The course contents are divided into four units, and each unit is sub-divided into three sections, which together cover different aspects of the English language. At the beginning of all the sections, you will find some texts that will offer you the possibility of checking and practising your reading comprehension and picking up some specific words and expressions which are frequently used in the professional field of international commerce.

Each unit is composed of three separate sections. Each section includes some reading texts about a relevant topic, a “Language in use” section which includes explanations about oral and written language and multiple examples, such as emails, letters or conversations, a “Communication” section, which covers different aspects related to the practical use of the language and, finally, a grammar reference with an explanation of the different grammar topics of the English language.

Apart from grammar, the material includes information about the four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). You can practise the contents of the written material with a variety of interactive exercices and activities in the course website and in the web material. However, you should be aware that the characteristics of a distance course make it very difficult to get enough practice of the oral skills (listening and speaking), so you will need some extra practice on your own.

It is very important to understand that the written material is conceived as a manual. The course and the material are organized in units, but you do not have to read and study the first unit, and then go on to the second, and then to the third, as if you were reading a novel. You only need to look up the information that you need to do a specific task.

Here are some tips to help you use the present course:

• Check and write down the deadlines for submitting the activities (you will find the course schedule in the ‘Pla de Treball’).
• Look at the contents page in the written material to see what you are going to study and which topics you will practise.
• Go to the course website and check the activities that you will have to submit. As a rule, you will find two oral activities (speaking and listening), an interactive grammar quizz and some written exercises in a text file, which you will have to download and submit for correction.
• Use all or some of the resources available for you: written material, web material, complementary material, websites, reference books, etc., and then do the exercises. You can start doing the activities in the order that you prefer, but do not leave everything for the last day.
• Submit your activities before the deadline.

You can use a dictionary if you have problems with the language, but you should also make an effort to understand the main ideas of a text without knowing all the words. As for automatic translators, they are very useful to understand short written texts (like the instructions of an exercise), but do not use them to translate the whole material or to write a text in English. The idea of presenting the written material in English is that you can learn the language by using it, so it makes no sense to use an automatic translator to do the work for you. Also remember that you can ask your teacher or your classmates whenever you need their help.

Apart from all these technical resources, it is very important that you adopt a specific attitude to be successful in this course. We understand how difficult English is for many of you, but we can assure you that if you work hard, you do all the activities and you are patient, you will have no problems with English.