Web-Based Language Courses for all UN Staff Members OVERVIEW

Transcription

1 Web-Based Language Courses for all UN Staff Members - OVERVIEW For more information, please visit the Language Programme at or contact the Language Learning Services Unit at llsu@un.org Language Course Name and Course Level Course Description 2015 Winter Term Availability Spring Term Arabic Web Regular 1 Arabic for beginners 1 + Moodle or Schoology (TBD) Chinese Chinese Grammar Improve your knowledge of Chinese grammar LiveClass Advanced Grammar via Improve your knowledge and use of English grammar Social Media and the United Nations /C2 Better understand and use social media tools for the work you do 20h English Summary Writing Intensive via Learn and practice how to write clear and accurate UN summaries Summary Writing Webinar Take this condensed version of our Summary Writing intensive course 2h Minutes Writing via Learn to write clear and effective meeting minutes Writing for the Web via / Learn how to write better for websites and social media 14h Netiquette Workshop Write more accurate and effective for the UN 4h

2 Language Course Name and Course Level French Spanish Préparation à l'eal en français Skill Training: Declensions Skill Training: Verbs of Motion in 1 Skill Training: Verbs of Motion in 2 Skill Training: Verb Aspect in Skill Training: Listening in Professional Monologue Training : Gustos y tiempo libre : Rutina en presente : Ser y estar : Pasados en historia y biografías : Aconsejar en presente de subjuntivo Comprensión Oral y Vocabulario Comprensión Escrita y Gramática LPE candi dates / LPE candi dates Course Description French LPE Preparation, selfpaced without tutor Gain understanding of the cases and declensions Develop a clearer understanding of the system of motion verbs Develop mastery and indepth knowledge of the motion verbs Understand the 2 aspects of verbs Authentic audio-visual material to improve listening skills Improve speaking skills and expand professional vocabulary in Grammar and vocabulary review, self-paced with tutor Spanish LPE Preparation, selfpaced without tutor 2015 Winter Term Spring Term Varies Claroline July August 6h 4h Schoology July August July August

3 Web-based Language Courses Winter term - 4 January to 31 March Language Course Name and Course Level Course description Arabic Web Regular 1 Arabic for beginners 1 Chinese Chinese Grammar English Spanish Advanced Grammar via Summary Writing Intensive via Minutes Writing via Writing for the Web via / C2 / Improve your knowledge of Chinese grammar Improve your knowledge and use of English grammar Learn how to write clear and accurate UN summaries Learn to write clear and effective meeting minutes Learn about the principles of good writing for internet readers Netiquette Workshop Improve your style 4h Professional Monologue Training / Skill Training: Verbs of Motion 1 Skill Training: Verbs of Motion 2 Skill Training: Verbal Aspect in : Gustos y tiempo libre : Rutina en presente : Ser y estar : Pasados en historia y biografías : Aconsejar en presente de subjuntivo / Improve speaking skills and expand professional vocabulary in Develop a clearer understanding of the system of motion verbs Develop mastery and in-depth knowledge of the motion verbs Understand the 2 aspects of verbs Grammar and vocabulary review, self-paced with tutor + Moodle/ Schoology LiveClass 14h 6h 4h Schoology Schedule (NYC time) Tue 8am-10am, 5/01-22/03 Tue 12pm-1pm, 5/01-24/03 Wed 8am-10 am, 17/02-23/03 Fri 8am-10am, 8/01-29/01 Th 8am-10am, 14/01-18/02 Fri 9am-11am, 5/02-18/03 Wed 9am-11am, 3/02 or 10/02 Thu 1:30pm-2:30pm 7/01-31/03 Thu 12pm-1pm, 7/01-11/02 Thu 12pm-1pm, 18/02-31/03 Thu 4pm-5pm, 18/02-31/03 Start 1/02 - end 13/03 15/02-27/03 Registration Dates Inspira code 23/11-24/12 LMS /11-24/12 LMS /11-24/12 LMS /11-22/01 LMS /11-20/01 LMS /11-24/12 23/11-4/02 Additional Information LMS Include one individual LMS coaching session LMS LMS LMS LMS /11-26/02 LMS LMS /02-27/03 LMS /11-11/03 15/02-27/03 LMS /02-27/03 LMS Pre-requisite: Verbs of Motion 1

4 Frequently Asked Questions General Information This document presents web-based courses for the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, and Spanish. Updated versions will be created regularly throughout, as our course offering grows. Find more detailed information at 1. Who are these web-based languages courses designed for? The languages courses listed in this document are currently available to UN Secretariat staff members, at UNHQ and all duty stations. Since they are all web-based, they are accessible from all offices. However, there are some regulations about eligibility for external learners. Please contact the Language Learning Services Unit at for more information. 2. How can I register for one of these courses? Once you ensure eligibility, you will need to register through If you do not have an account, you will need to create a new one first. Please use the Inspira codes (LMS-*) to check in Inspira any detail (requirements, last drop date, sits available, waiting list, evtl scheduled sessions) about the courses you are interested in. If you do not have an Inspira account yet, but you are eligible for the courses, you will need to create one. Your have more information in 3. Are there any requirements for these language courses? The courses are open to everyone but some of them have level requirements, some might require taking a placement test, etc. Please use the LMS codes and refer to Inspira for details about level requirements. We are using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) global scale as a general level reference for our web-based courses: for more information about the CEFR, refer to the table on p Do I need to pay a fee to register for a course? There is currently no fee for these web-based courses for United Nations Secretariat staff members in all duty stations. For external learners, some fees may apply. Please contact llsu@un.org or your HR officer for further information. 5. When can I register for a course? In, these courses will be offered three times: between January and March; between April and August; and between September and December. Please refer to the Overview table on pp.1-2 for information about the courses availability per term. As a new term approaches, a new document will be updated with the relevant information, so that you can plan ahead. 6. How can I check if I am enrolled for a course? The number of participants for each course is limited. Registration works on a first-come, first-served basis. A few days after registering, you can check your status on Inspira: "approval pending", "waitlisted" or "enrolled". If you realise that you cannot take the course you are enrolled in, you can drop it. If you have any other questions, concerns or remarks, you can contact us directly at llsu@un.org. We will get back to you as soon as possible!

5 Common Reference Levels: global scale Proficient User Independent User Basic User C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate Basic need. Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. Source: (p.24)