JISC

Introduction

The project aims to create a collection of standards compliant, reading and writing learning objects based around the theme of Business English. The writing objects will focus on the construction of letters, memos, reports, articles, lists, notices and leaflets for general business purposes. These will consist of stand-alone objects focussing on planning and drafting, paragraphing and general principles of layout, task achievement, appropriate register and proofreading. The writing objects will be based on re-purposed activities that have been previously created by staff at Henley College Coventry. These are presently linear activities in paper format, designed to be used in a face-to-face session. Where appropriate, writing tasks will use Bized sources as input. 

The reading objects will focus on developing appropriate reading strategies such as skimming and scanning, understanding gist and main points, identifying the purpose of a text, inferring meaning and understanding structure through cohesive devices. The reading activities will consist of re-purposed texts taken from the Bized site. The completed objects will be available for students to use on a self-access basis or as part of a taught course utilizing email links to a named teacher. The project will be managed by the college’s ILT Manager and supported by one of the college’s Advanced Practitioners. The project is designed to start in October 2002 and be completed with full evaluation and dissemination by July 2004.

Aims and Objectives

The project aims to create 30 learning objects consisting of:

• Level 1: 7 writing objects
• Level 1: 8 reading objects
• Level 2: 7 writing objects
• Level 2: 8 reading objects

We envisage the completed learning objects to be appropriate for a wide range of users (see below), During first few months of project we will ensure compliance with IPR regulations by contacting Bized for permission to reproduce materials. Should this prove problematic, in order not to delay the project, the team intends to create reading objects in-house. 

The target audience for the completed objects are native speakers, ESOL and EFL learners. These materials will be appropriate for the following:

• National Curriculum Level 4 and 5
• Literacy Level 1 and 2
• National Qualifications Framework Level 1 and 2
• Council of Europe ALTE Level 3

Materials will be appropriate for learners aiming to achieve the following qualifications:

• Key Skills Level 1 and 2 Communication
• GCSE English
• LCCI English for Business
• UCLES First Certificate in English (EFL & ESOL)
• UCLES BEC Vantage (EFL & ESOL)
• UCLES CELS Vantage (EFL & ESOL)
• NVQ English Units Level 2 and 3 (EFL and ESOL)

The final report for this project is appended to this page as a WORD file.