Making the Stretch from ESL to Business English
TESL Ontario ConferenceTESL Ontario ConferenceTeresa McGillTeresa McGillOctober 29, 2011October 29, 2011
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Please introduce yourself to others and ask:
“Could you tell me about the ESL settings you’ve worked in?”
Making the Stretch from ESL to Business English
Welcome!Welcome!
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From ESL to Business English: ESL and Business English Learners 4 Curriculum Layers Corporate Case Study Your Presentations Comments and Questions
Today’s Agenda
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Your Burning Questions
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The Stretch
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Where? Who? Why?
Your Learners
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Where? Who? Why?
Gandy’s Learners
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4 Curriculum Layers™
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1. Context
4 Curriculum Layers™
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1. Context
2. Tactics
4 Curriculum Layers™
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1. Context
2. Tactics
3. Language
4 Curriculum Layers™
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1. Context
2. Tactics
3. Language
4. Culture
4 Curriculum Layers™
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Sample Business English Exercise
Gandy Course: Speaking Strategies for Technical Professionals
MINI-DIALOGUES – ENCOURAGEMENT AND APPRECIATION
1. LATEST REPORT Offer encouragementExpress appreciation / thank
2. WORKING LATEExpress appreciation / thankRespond to thanks
3. PROJECT HEADACHES
Etc.
Pronunciation: “th” soundIdiom: “a headache”
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Case Study: High Tech Company
17,000 employees From all continents 600 Gandy participants Technical professionals
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Layer 1: Context
Setting
Roles
Tasks
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Context: Setting
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Context: Roles
Quality Assurance Specialist
Software Tester
Data Network Specialist
Systems Analyst
Hardware Design Engineer
Software Engineer
Technical Product Lead
Software Programmer
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Software EngineerMain dutiesSoftware engineers and designers perform some or all of the following duties:
Collect and document user's requirements and develop logical and physical specifications Research, evaluate and synthesize technical information to design, develop and test computer-based systems Develop data, process and network models to optimize architecture and to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs Plan, design and co-ordinate the development, installation, integration and operation of computer-based systems Assess, test, troubleshoot, document, upgrade and develop maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software May lead and co-ordinate teams of information systems professionals in the development of software and integrated information systems, process control software and other embedded software control systems. (Reference: National Occupation Codes)
Context: Tasks
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Discussion: What context-specific communication tasks are crucial for a Software Engineer?
Speaking/Listening Writing/Reading
Context: Tasks
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150+ communicative functions Clarifying, conceding, interrupting, etc. Business ‘soft skills’ slant
Layer 2: Tactics
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Layers 1 + 2
1. Context
2. Tactics
3. Language
4. Culture
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Layers 1 + 2
Context + Tactics Scenarios
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Layers 1 + 2
Discussion:
With your group members, dream up a practice scenario for Programmer/ Developers.
Be sure to target a context-specific communication task (e.g., discuss software test results) and relevant communication tactics (e.g., ask probing questions).
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Zero in on specific:
Grammar Pronunciation Vocabulary
Layer 3: Language
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Layers 1 + 2 + 3
1. Context
2. Tactics
3. Language
4. Culture
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Discussion:
With your group members, find language topics that dovetail with your scenario’s context-specific task and tactics.
Layers 1 + 2 + 3
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Layer 4: Culture
Cultural Dimensions
Equality Hierarchy
Directness Indirectness
Individuality Collectivism
Task Relationship
Risk Caution
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All 4 Layers
1. Context
2. Tactics
3. Language
4. Culture
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All 4 Layers
Discussion:
Think of ways culture interplays with your scenario’s particular context-specific task, tactics and language.
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1. Context
2. Tactics
3. Language
4. Culture
All 4 Layers
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4 Layers Combined
Rich and …delicious!
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Using the 4-layer method, draft an exercise, lesson plan or curriculum outline to suit a Business English audience of your choice.
Applying the 4 Layers
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Your Presentations
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Reflections, Questions and Actions
