Self-study guide
Some of the activities need a little preparation before the lessons. These are marked with this icon: . Do these activities in the time leading up to the course, and then quickly re-do them just before each lesson. This will help greatly in ensuring that you get the most from the course.
Presenting skills
The first minute or two of your presentation will be when your audience of classmates will be most receptive to what you have to say to them. It’s important, therefore, to make good use of this window of opportunity by starting your presentation in a way that engages their interest, primes them for what they will hear and suggests how they will benefit from what you will tell and show them.
To practice beginning a presentation, working in your presentation groups do the following:
- Consider these methods of starting a presentation:
- Telling an engaging story
- Asking a rhetorical question that provokes thought
- Asking for audience response to a question
- Making a surprising statement or giving a startling statistic
- Using a quotation
- Showing a captivating image
- Using a prop or visual aid (an object of some kind)
- Playing a short video
- Discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Choose the method (or combination of methods) that you believe best suits your choice of topic.
- Get together (in person or online) and prepare the first minute (or two) of your presentation using your chosen technique(s).
- Get together (in person or online, e.g., Skype) to practise the start you’ve prepared.
- Record your presentation opening (using a smartphone camera) and send it to your tutor at this address: carldowse@gmail.com. Remember, you need to prepare ONLY the first one or two minutes or your presentation.
- Your tutor will upload the recordings to this page: Presentation recordings. This page is password protected so that only your group members can view the recordings. The password is bCs-Siem-wS19
Vocabulary
To continue your acquisition of new business and general vocabulary, do the following:
- Start making a list of new vocabulary from Unit 6. Use the word list at the back of your coursebook Career Express (B2) 2nd Edition (page 134).
- Use your preferred method for learning the new vocabulary (e.g. the Quizlet app, a vocabulary notebook or cards).
- Use this page to learn about some commonly confused words: Confusables
Grammar: Reported speech
Use this page to learn about and practise this key area of grammar: Reported speech
Reading
Use your coursebook – Career Express (B2) 2nd Edition – to do the following:
- Go to page 53, How it works: Supply chain management
- Do activity A and make brief notes (rather than discussing with a partner).
- Do activity B and add to your notes. We’ll discuss the challenges and solutions in lesson 4. So come prepared! 🙂
Online exercises
Use this link – Online exercises – to do the following Career Express online exercises:
- Unit 6: Vocabulary practice 1 – 5
- Unit 6: Work skills 1 – 4
