Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!!!

 

Level 2 Research Project

Read the following guidelines to find out how to carry out your research project in this level and suggest possible topics you could work on. Post your proposals, justify your choice and mention who you intend to team up with.

You must study an existing tourism product such as a hotel, a theme park, a holiday package, an airline, etc. You can access http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ or a similar website and choose a product that may be improved taking into account the customer reviews.

The presentation of your project must include the following sections:

·         Introduction: The topic and approach must be stated.

·         Description: The selected product must be specified and described.

·         Methodology: Report on how this project has been conducted.

·         Analysis: A statistical analysis of customer reviews with graphs must be included, as well as a SWOT analysis pointing out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

·         Improvement plan: Improvement proposals must be made regarding the quality system and from the point of view of sustainability.

A new level 2 course starts

Feeling tired of wearing a mask and not seeing your classmates' faces? Online presentations are an excellent opportunity to get to know your new classmates better... and to improve your English, of course!

Listen to everybody's presentation and at the end of each one of them post your feedback. Write one strength and one weakness for each presentation so that next time they're even better.

Focus on the following aspects:

-Were the grammar and/or the vocabulary accurate enough? Did you spot any inaccuracies?

-Did the presenter use a wide range of vocabulary and/or structures?

-Were the grammar and/or the vocabulary adequate? Did the presenter use a formal register?

-Were the task and the communicative purpose fully achieved? Why/why not?

-Was the content relevant? Was the topic interesting? Why did/didn't you like it?

-Was the presentation long enough? Was it too short?

-Was the presenter's speech fluent? Were there too many pauses or was the flow ok? Did the presenter speak too fast?

-Was the presenter intelligible? Did the presenter's pronunciation cause any interference? Were the intonation, stress and/or rhythm ok?

-Did the presenter employ adequate communicative resources? How were the presenter's body language and attitude? 

-Did the presenter use suitable materials to support the presentation?

Help your classmates with your comments!

Final project. Stage 4

You've finally reached the last stage of your project. Once you've portrayed the product's features, examined customers' views, and analysed the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, you must make specific improvement proposals based on your findings, to conclude. It is not necessary to tackle absolutely all the problems that derive from the analysis, but the most relevant ones should certainly be addressed.

Present your improvement plan in a structured way, cross-referring to data from previous stages and referencing your information sources. Your suggestions may draw on multiple perspectives, e.g. sustainable development goals and environmentally-friendly policies, quality standards, experience design, human resources and corporate social responsibility, revenue management, etc. Finally, as well as posting your conclusions on this blog, present them orally and upload your video on Flipgrid.

Here you are some resources that may inspire you:

-5 ways to lead in an era of constant change

https://www.ted.com/talks/jim_hemerling_5_ways_to_lead_in_an_era_of_constant_change?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

-Two reasons companies fail - and how to avoid them

https://www.ted.com/talks/knut_haanaes_two_reasons_companies_fail_and_how_to_avoid_them?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

-Interactive risk assessment tool

https://www.innotour.com/innovation-tools/interactive-risk-assessment-tool/

-Innovation checklists

https://www.innotour.com/innovation-tools/innovation-checklists/

-Innovation ability test

https://www.innotour.com/innovation-tools/innovation-ability-test/

Thus, we've come full circle... congratulations!

Final project. Stage 3

It's time to undertake your SWOT analysis! As you know, SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It is an essential component of the project and you can turn to the following links to find out more about how to do it:

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm

http://esl-educate-school-learn.blogspot.com/2012/02/swot-analysis.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNXYI10Po6A

The data you collected in Part 2 will help to design this part of the project. The analysis can derive from customer reviews, opinions or information from press articles, where both internal aspects (strengths and weaknesses) and external aspects (opportunities and threats) will be drawn from. Remember to mention your information sources.

Last but not least, after videorecording your SWOT and uploading it on Flipgrid, you should post the text on this blog, as in the previous stages.

Final project. Stage 2

Now that you've chosen your product, you must find 80-100 customer reviews from one or several sources -preferably the more recent, the better. It is very important to discard irrelevant comments.

Next, you ought to represent the customer reviews through at least two graphs, one of which must necessarily be a line graph or a bar chart. The reasons underlying those opinions must be analysed statistically. You'll refer to these data in subsequent stages of your project and need to mention your information sources.

After recording your statistical analysis and uploading your videos, you should post the text (excluding graphs) on this blog. Don't forget to use the specific vocabulary for describing graphs and charts you learned at the beginning of the academic period! You can also check this website: 

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/advanced-c1-writing/describing-graph-trends-over-time

Final project. Stage 1

This project is an improvement plan based on a study of an existing tourist product which is close enough for you to investigate first hand: a hotel, a theme park, a holiday package, etc. Continuous assessment students must carry it out in pairs, while final assessment students must do it individually.

You must study the product, draw its real downsides and, using these downsides as a starting point, design an improvement plan.

The presentation must be 10-13 minutes long and will be followed by a few questions from the  panel of examiners, adding up to a total of 15 minutes. Visual support is compulsory and it can be PowerPoint, Prezi etc.

Given the nature of this final project, you should choose a product that isn't too successful, so this way designing an improvement plan will be easier and more realistic. You can check out http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ or similar websites and pick a product which, in sight of the users' opinions, shows a need for improvement. Take into account that you'll need to look for 80-100 customer reviews. You can also choose a product based on your own experience (e.g. a hotel where you work or have stayed). However, you can't analyse Port Aventura, Hotel W, Ryanair, Horta maze, Carmel bunkers, park Güell or Tibidabo amusement park. Improvement plans for transport infrastructures aren't advisable either, since they're highly complex. Products shouldn't be repeated.

To start with, once you've prepared and uploaded a video describing your product briefly, you'll need to post your description on this blog. All the sources of information that you've used must be mentioned.

Let's get down to work!

Oxfordcett Project. Final task

Job interview simulations

Get ready for a job interview step by step.

1. Watch the feedback comments recorded by your American peers on the CV and the covering email you wrote and look also at the corrections provided by your teacher.

2. Go through the following questions and think about your possible answers. What other questions could you be asked at a job interview?

§  Tell me about yourself.

§  What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?

§  We have many applicants, why should we appoint you?

§  Which is more important to you: status or money?

§  How long do you think you'd stay with us if you were appointed?

§  Why do you want to leave your present job?

§  What would you like to be doing ten years from now?

§  What are you most proud of having done recently?

§  What is your worst fault and what is your best quality?

§  Don't you think you're a little young/old for this job?

§  What are your long-range goals?

§  What excites you about the job you're doing now?

§  How would you rate your present boss?

3. Take turns to be interviewers and interviewees. All of you must apply individually for the post of Events Manager using the profile you created.

4. Comment on your job interviews. What are the main strengths of each candidate? How could they improve their performance? Were their answers to the questions suitable? Do you think they would get the post? Why/why not? And what about the interviewers' questions... were they pertinent? Did the interviewers do a good job? Provide the interviewees/interviewers with feedback relating to the following assessment criteria:

§  Linguistic use: grammar/vocabulary accuracy, range and adequacy.

§  Task achievement: efficient achievement of communicative purpose, content relevance and extent.

§  Fluency and pronunciation: speech flow, intonation, stress and rhythm.

§  Communicative resources: use of linguistic and non-linguistic resources, support materials and attitude.

5. Vote for the best candidate... there's a prize for him/her!

Oxfordcett Project. Task 4

Follow the instructions below to take part in this activity.

1.   Watch the videos recorded by your American peers on Valentine’s Day.

2.   Think about Valentine's Day. You will have to talk about the following aspects for 1-2 minutes:

§How is Valentine's Day celebrated in your country?

§Do all people celebrate it or only those who have a boy/girlfriend?

§What do stores sell to celebrate Valentine's Day in your country?

§Do you like Valentine's Day? Why/why not?

§Do you think it's very commercial/romantic?

§How would you recommend to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

3.   As this is the last task of the Oxfordcett Project, you can also send your American peers a goodbye message. You can:

§Value the Flipgrid experience.

§Talk about the rest of the academic period.

§Recommend what to do/visit in your home city.

4.   Record and upload your videos in English on Flipgrid. They should last up to 5 minutes and you can use any Flipgrid link you wish.

Oxfordcett Project. Task 3

Follow the instructions below to take part in this activity.

1.   In pairs choose a job ad weighing up the pros and cons of applying for each post. A class consensus must be reached.

2.   Invent a suitable candidate profile and use Canva to design your CV with your classmate as a single applicant. You can find examples and templates at https://www.canva.com/es_en/.

3.   Write a covering email and send your CV as an attachment to your teacher. Tips are available at https://jobs.theguardian.com/article/how-to-write-the-perfect-email-covering-letter/. A link to your emails and CVs will be uploaded to your Flipgrid groups.

4.   Read the applications written by your American peers. Videorecord your comments in Spanish and upload them on Flipgrid using the same link. What are the main strengths of each application? Mention at least one strength and one weakness for each one. How could they be improved? Provide feedback in relation to the following aspects:

§Language use: grammar/vocabulary accuracy, range & adequacy.

§Task achievement: efficient achievement of communicative purpose, content relevance & extent.

§Topic development: structure, progression & coherence.

5.   Watch the feedback provided by your American peers on your applications. You can now produce your own CVs and covering emails!

Oxfordcett Project. Task 2

Follow the instructions below to take part in this activity.

1. Use the following links to learn how to create and deliver an elevator pitch:

Tips: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/elevator-speech-examples-and-writing-tips-2061976
Tips & example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb0Yz_5ZYzI
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH0Thez9gvA

2. Record and upload your own elevator pitch in English on Flipgrid using the link you have been provided with.

·         Group1: Hong Kong https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5937

·         Group2: Quebec https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett3292

·         Group3: Shanghai https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5030

·         Group4: Barcelona https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett0027

·         Group5: Munich https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett4843

·         Group6: Bridgetown https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett4846

·         Group7: La Habana https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5818

·         Group8: Little Rock https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett3689

·         Group9: Honolulu https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5767

·         Group10: Copenhanguen https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett3264

3.  Watch the videos recorded by your American peers and make constructive comments. Videorecord your comments in Spanish and upload them on Flipgrid using the same link. You can follow these guidelines:

·         Comment on what your partner has talked about.

How do you relate to the information he/she shared with you?

What did you find interesting?

·         Comment on your partner´s communicative skills.

Is the message clear enough?

Is the content adequate? Why/why not?

Is fluency ok? Why/why not?

What is the speaker's attitude? And what about his/her body language?

·         Comment on your partner´s language skills.

Is the language limited or rather varied?

Identify and comment on at least 3-4 grammar/vocabulary/pronunciation errors

·         Make a general comment on a strong point and a suggestion for improvement.

What is the communication aspect you like the best in this video?

What improvement suggestions would you make to enhance communication?

4. Watch the feedback provided by your American peers on your own videos. You can produce an enhanced elevator pitch, now!

Oxfordcett Project. Task 1

Welcome to Oxfordcett Project! To participate you must follow these guidelines.

1.   Record a two-minute video individually in English:

§  Introduce yourself and explain whatever you wish about your life.

§  Describe your current studies and your academic interests.

§  Outline the educational system of your country.

§  Talk about employment opportunities (including internships) and the job market in Spain.

§  State your professional ambitions and expectations.

2.   Upload your video on Flipgrid using the corresponding link:

§  Group1: Hong Kong https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5937

§  Group2: Quebec https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett3292

§  Group3: Shanghai https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5030

§  Group4: Barcelona https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett0027

§  Group5: Munich https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett4843

§  Group6: Bridgetown https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett4846

§  Group7: La Habana https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5818

§  Group8: Little Rock https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett3689

§  Group9: Honolulu https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett5767

§  Group10: Copenhanguen https://flipgrid.com/oxfordcett3264

3.   Watch the videos recorded by your American peers. Provide feedback on at least a couple of strengths and make some improvement suggestions. Videorecord your comments in Spanish and upload them on Flipgrid using the same link. You can follow these assessment criteria:

§  Language use (grammar/vocabulary accuracy, range and adequacy)

§  Task achievement (efficient achievement of communicative purpose, content relevance and extent)

§  Fluency and pronunciation (speech flow, intonation, stress and rhythm)

§  Communicative resources (use of linguistic and non-linguistic resources, supporting material and attitude)

4.   Watch the feedback provided by your American peers on your own videos.

Have fun!!!