PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE CHILE Versión: 09

Formato
DESCRIPTOR DE ACTIVIDADES Fecha: 27/10/2021
DE EDUCACIÓN CONTINUA

UNIDAD ACADÉMICA
English UC Centro de Idiomas

English for Interactions in the Workplace - Intermediate Level

In this self-instructional course, we will learn and practice some essential lexical-grammatical structures at the
intermediate level for effective interaction strategies in the workplace.

The purpose of this course is to provide linguistic tools for effective interaction strategies in the professional
context, according to what is established for the lower-intermediate level (B1) of the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This course is intended for managers and professionals who interact with English-speaking
counterparts.

COURSE BREAKDOWN

Learning Outcomes:

1. Construct the appropriate verbal structures to relate important events in one's own work history
as well as that of the company.

2. Apply the appropriate lexical-grammatical structures to describe emotions and their

management in situations of pressure at work.

3. Apply the appropriate lexical-grammatical structures to discuss quantities at work.

4. Identify various linguistic strategies used to improve sales.

Course Contents:

WEEK 1: Introduction

WEEK 2: Module 1
a. Forms and uses of the past simple – regular verbs (3 forms: affirmative, negative, and
interrogative)
b. Forms and uses of the past simple – irregular verbs
c. Expressions for discussing a company’s history

WEEK 3: Module 2
a. Forms and uses of the present perfect tense
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DESCRIPTOR DE ACTIVIDADES Fecha: 27/10/2021
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b. Expressions related to managing stress at work

WEEK 4: Module 3
a. Forms and uses of quantifiers: much, many, lots of, etc.
b. Forms and uses of countable and uncountable nouns
c. Expressions to describe different types of food
d. Expressions to describe shopping during the pandemic

WEEK 5: Module 4
a. Zero conditional and first conditional
b. Different forms of describing plans in the future: be going to, present continuous, will and
might
c. Expressions used to describe various strageties used to improve sales

WEEK 6: Course Completion

Evaluation of learning:

Each module culminates with a test on its contents. The four module tests in total correspond to 60%
of the final grade. Finally, the MOOC concludes with a final exam to evaluate the mastery of content,
the development of language skills, and the achievement of all the objectives established for the
MOOC. This final exam is worth 40% of the final grade.

• 4 module tests (1 per module) – 60% of final grade

• 1 final exam – 40% of final grade

You must achieve a minimum score of 60% on each test to pass.

Students who meet the program requirements and pay the certification fee will receive a digital
certificate of completion issued by English UC/Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and
Coursera.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Consejo de Europa (2020), Marco común europeo de referencia para las lenguas: aprendizaje,
enseñanza, evaluación. Volumen complementario. Servicio de publicaciones del Consejo de
Europa: Estrasburgo. www.coe.intlang-cefr.
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2. Benigno, V., de Jong, J., Van Moere, A., (2017). Global Scale of English: How long does it
take to learn a language? Insights from research on language learning. Harlow: Pearson.

SUPPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Bowen, T., Rogers, M. Taylor-Knowles, J. & Taylor-Knowles, S. (2014). OpenMind Level 2.

London: Macmillan.

2. Clare, A. & Wilson, J.J. (2022). Speakout Intermediate, 3rd edition. Harlow: Pearson.

HEAD OF PROGRAM

Paula Ross
Senior Associate Director of Academic Programs, English UC Language Center.

English teacher. Bachelor’s degree in Education, and Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Diploma in Advanced Linguistic Studies from the University
of Valladolid. Her area of specialization is applied linguistics for language learning and teaching, in
which she has taught courses in the Faculty of Literature at the Catholic University for undergraduates
and practicing English teachers.

TEACHING STAFF

Alexandra Durr
Coordinator of Online Programs, English UC Language Center.

English teacher. Bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish Literature from Saint Mary's College of
California. Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language for Adults (CELTA).
She has experience as an English instructor in the faculty development department of the University
of Chile. At English UC she coordinates the design and development of online programs.

Anamarija Skoda
Head of Online Programs, English UC Language Center.

Teacher of English and English Literature. Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
from Andrés Bello University, Chile. Graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language
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to Adults from Walden University. Anamarija is interested in teaching English online, researching and
analyzing online second language learning communities, and developing content for online courses.

Constanza Andrea Peña Barahona

Academic Coordinator, English UC Language Center.

Bachelor's degree in Education, Professor of Communication in the English Language from the
Austral University of Chile. Master's degree in Advanced Applied Linguistics from The University
of Queensland, Australia. She has worked as an English teacher in pre-school, elementary and
secondary education, and has specialized in teaching English in higher and adult education. She has
experience in designing courses in general English and English for specific purposes.

James Gibbons
English teacher and content developer, English UC Language Center.

Bachelor’s degree in History from York 6th Form College, UK. Post graduate certificate in
Education from University of Leeds, UK. Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English as a Second
Language for Adults (CELTA). He has worked as an English teacher and content developer for
English UC and has experience in creating teaching content and assessment materials for virtual
learning platforms.