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Business language
Aim: To practise the language and skills of presenting and decision-making
Task: To roleplay consultants and choose the best language providers for a client.
Time: 1 hour
For teachers:
Overview
Students roleplay working for a consultancy. They prepare and deliver presentations on the pros and cons of different language training providers. Students then hold a meeting to choose the school they wish to recommend.
Preparation
One copy of the worksheet for each student. Cut the worksheet into four.
Procedure
1) Ask students which language course they would prefer: three hours a week all year, five courses of three days in a year or two weeks studying in the country of the target language. Ask them to give reasons for their choices.
2) Hand out the role card and client information to each student and ask them to read the details. Check students understand the scenario.
3) Divide the class into three groups, A, B and C. Hand out copies of the correct advert to each group. Have students read the information and check vocabulary as necessary.
Ask each group to prepare a detailed presentation on their language provider. They should outline the pros and cons of recommending their school/programme to the client. Ask them to support their arguments with costs if appropriate. Allow about 15 minutes for this stage and monitor the activity. (With larger classes, the three groups can be sub-divided with one group of students presenting the pros, the other the cons.)
4) Students give their presentations. Set a time limit for each one of about 10 minutes.
5) Students then hold a general meeting to decide which school/programme to recommend to their client. This should last about 15 minutes.
For students:
Read the role card and client information.
Role: You work for a consultancy, advising corporate clients on effective language learning programmes. Your client has asked for help in planning next year’s programme. You have short-listed three major providers interested in tendering for the contract.
Client information: a large bank in Germany based in Frankfurt with branches worldwide. They have alarge budget for training, but want tangible results. Potential students around 300: mid-level management (about 140), sales force (about 160). Range of levels from elementary to upper intermediate. Previous problems encountered:
‘We used a CD-ROM program but it was boring.’
‘The students went to lessons early in the morning or after work and they were tired.’
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