tesl 2011 making the stretch from esl to business english
DESCRIPTION
For ESL instructors and curriculum developers, here is a four-layered approach to Business English curriculum development. 1. Zero in on a workplace- relevant CONTEXT. 2. Target communication TACTICS, such as "Expressing Appreciation". 3. Integrate relevant core LANGUAGE points (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation). 4. Tease out issues of CULTURE and intercultural communication.TRANSCRIPT
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