Relevant? Of course!

Intermediate

Lead-in

Work with a partner. Read the statements and discuss whether you agree or disagree.

1. Face-to-face learning will soon be a thing of the past.

2. Online degree courses are generally of a lower standard than campus-based courses.

3. Online learning is much more frustrating than studying at school or university.

4. Online degree courses should be at least 50% cheaper than campus-based courses.

Reading

1. Work with a partner and discuss the following question.

• What subjects would you choose to study in an online course?

2. Quickly read the information about an English online course. Highlight or underline the key
information.

Reading strategies:
skimming for clues

Start date: ongoing Course length: 8 weeks Time: 4 The first glance at a
hours per week text helps us look for
Certificate: No clues on content.
Course provider: UK Council
Course title: An introduction to British culture Look for:
Content: Are you thinking of studying in the UK? This • illustrations
course will help you understand more about life in Britain. • titles / headings /
It explores broad topics like British history, society and sub-headings
politics, but also offers advice about how to survive daily • sidebars
life in Britain. You’ll learn about etiquette, getting around, • notes boxes
making small talk and other everyday situations.
Knowing your way
around a text will help
you answer questions
on it later.

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 Relevant? Of course!
Intermediate

3. Read the information about four more English online courses and add notes about them to
the table. Rank the courses in order, 1 = most interesting, 5 = least interesting.

Course Notes Rank

• 8 weeks, 4 hrs per week
An introduction to British Culture • no cert
• history, society, politics
• daily life, everyday situations

4. From memory, answer questions 1−10 about the courses.

1. How many of the courses last for six weeks or more?

2. How many hours a week should you study for the course about British culture?

3. How many courses mention a minimum English language requirement?

4. Which course(s) does/do not offer a certificate of completion?

5. Who is the provider for the ‘English around the world’ course?

6. How many courses offer continuous enrolment?

7. On which course(s) will you learn about politics?

8. Which course(s) offer(s) some English singing practice?

9. Is the course offered by Pat Hill Language Schools suitable for beginners?

10. Which is the shortest course?

5. Read the texts again quickly to check your answers.

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Intermediate

Listening

1. Listen to two students discussing the online courses in Reading. Answer the question.

• Which courses do they discuss?

2. Listen again and add information to the table.

Course Pros Cons

3. Do you agree with the students?

Vocabulary

1. Match the words (1–8) from Listening with their meanings (a–h).
1. practical
2. minimum
3. sufficient
4. beneficial
a. related or connected to what’s
being talked about Pronunciation: word
stress
b. helpful or useful
In English, you do not
c. as much as is necessary; stress every syllable in
enough a word. Stressing every
syllable will make you
d. the smallest amount needed sound unnatural and/or
angry!

5. suitable e. something that encourages • Underline the main

6. relevant
7. intense
people to do something stress in each of
the subject words
f. acceptable; right for someone in the Vocabulary
or something section.
• Practise saying
g. relating to real situations or them with a
actions, not ideas or thoughts partner.

8. incentive h. extreme, very strong

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Intermediate

2. Use the words in Vocabulary 1 to complete the sentences.

1. The course on British culture would probably be the most for me as I’m
thinking of doing my Masters in the UK.

2. Yes, I think it would be . Mind you, the IELTS course would be useful too.

3. I’ve already passed the IELTS test. I got a 7 – that should be to get into
University College London.

4. The requirement for MA courses in the UK is usually less than that.

5. True. Still, I find that a certificate of completion is a nice .

6. The pronunciation course is more for beginners I think. Still, it sounds

quite .

7. That British culture course sounds a bit too though. Eight weeks, four hours
per week …

3. Check your answers with a partner.

Language

1. Look at phrases 1−8 from the conversation you listened to. Put them in the correct column
in the table.

1. The course on British culture would probably be the most relevant for me.
2. That course might be worth taking.
3. It’s not worth registering for it.
4. I think it would be beneficial.
5. You probably won’t learn much from it!
6. I imagine I’d benefit from taking the IELTS online course.
7. Yeah, it might be useful for revision.
8. That British culture course sounds a bit too intense though.

Suggesting something is a good idea Suggesting something is a bad idea

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 Relevant? Of course!
Intermediate

2. Look at the profiles your teacher gives you. Choose which online course best suits each
student. Share your reasons using words/phrases from Vocabulary and Language.

Task

1. Work with a partner. Design an online course that you think will be suitable and interesting
for your classmates. Use the template to help you with the outline.

Start date: , Course length: , Time:

Certificate:
Course provider:
Course title:
Content:
•
•
•

2. Prepare a short presentation to promote your course. Think about the following.
• What makes your course relevant and suitable?
• What are the minimum requirements for those taking your course?
• Are you sure the course length is sufficient?
• Will you offer course participants an incentive?

3. Share your course outline with other pairs. Which course do you think is the most
interesting?

Reflection

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