Business Literacy

Speaking and Reading Course Description

Our impressive AI app allows participants to listen to an extract being read aloud with the correct pronunciation and expression. Participants can practise their reading skills and then read aloud for a minute for assessment. There are also speak aloud topics and pictures that participants are required to respond to. This app is empowering as it gives immediate feedback, on both read aloud and speak aloud exercises, allowing participants to refine their pronunciation and even improve their grammatical structures and sentence construction. These are excellent exercises for developing verbal and communication skills.

To accommodate students who might not have a firm grasp of basic English skills, Boston Business Language begins with a Literacy Course. This comprehensive course includes punctuation, parts of speech, literal and figurative language, and even visual literacy. In designing this course, the goal was to ensure a firm foundation for all Business Language students so that they would benefit from the complexities of the more advanced courses, for example, Effective Writing for Business 1 and 2, and Business Reading.

Crossword puzzles

Not only do crossword puzzles improve logic and reasoning, but they boost executive brain functioning in terms of recollection of words and improving vocabulary. Finding a specific six letter word can be frustrating but reaching for a dictionary for assistance is beneficial as this also enhances reading and deciphering abilities. There is a sense of satisfaction when a crossword puzzle is completed which leads to improved self confidence and being ready to begin the next one!

Drag and drop

Drag and drop exercises are a fun way to improve vocabulary and grammar skills. Words or groups of words have to fit into sentences or phrases in such a way that they are correct within specific semantic contexts but also in terms of grammatical structures. This enhances memory and vocabulary skills but choosing the correct word or words to drag and drop also stimulates sorting, ordering and organising pre-listed items.

Word recognition

Trying to find words within a maze of letters improves word recognition which is a vital skill in reading fluency. Proficient readers do not decode words in terms of letters but recognise words with ease which enhances language abilities. These games also improve memory recall and vocabulary.

Complete the sentences

These exercises challenge participants in that they need to find the correct words that fit into sentences in terms of semantic contexts but also correct grammatical structures. These are fun activities that stimulate sorting, ordering and organising pre-listed items, thus improving memory and vocabulary.

Reading for Results

Reading rate is the number of words a person can read accurately in a minute. It is important for people to be able to read correctly and at a consistent rate as this improves their reading fluency. If people are unable to read fluently, their progress will be compromised.

Learning to read starts with the sounds of different letters (decoding words). A fluent reader has moved beyond the sounds in each individual word to recognition and the meaning of each word. This then extends to the understanding of sentences. If people are still decoding words, they may reach the end of the sentence and have no recollection of what they read at the beginning of the sentence. Clearly this compromises progress.

The Reading for Results course has been designed to improve people’s reading skills and fluency. There are several reading extracts, each having been written in an accessible and academic style to give people practice in reading beyond decoding to word recognition and meaning. The extracts are followed by questions to test recall of facts that have been read. This is to encourage focused reading for meaning as opposed to merely decoding words.

It is anticipated that people will start at a relatively slower reading pace, but this will improve with practice. People are able to monitor their own reading rate as the reading of the extract will be timed. Following this, they will be required to answer the questions from memory without access to the extract. This will allow the people to assess themselves in terms of reading for meaning which translates into comprehending what they read.

There are numerous benefits to this course including:

·         Developing reading skills and fluency

·         Moving beyond decoding of individual words

·         Improving memory skills

·         Progressing at an individual pace

·         Monitoring personal progress

·         Improving comprehension and understanding of extracts

·         Assessing different styles and registers

·         Awareness of facts and opinions in writing