First stage of the research project

As you know, 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. You must study the product, draw its real downsides and, using these downsides as a starting point, design an improvement plan. Continuous assessment students must carry it out in pairs, while final assessment students must do it individually.

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.

Post your product description on this blog, mentioning all the sources of information that you've used.

Job application: Elevator pitches

 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

2. Record and upload your own elevator pitch on Flipgrid using this link: https://flipgrid.com/d8b0adca

3. Watch the videos recorded by your classmates and make constructive comments. Video record your comments and upload them on Flipgrid using the same link. You can follow these guidelines:

·         Comment on your classmate´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 classmate´s language skills.

Is the language limited or rather varied?

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

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

What is the communication aspect you like the best?

What improvement suggestions would you make to enhance communication?

4. Watch the feedback provided by your classmates on your own videos. You can produce an enhanced version of your elevator pitch if you wish.

Job application: Selling yourself

 Read the following tips for job application.

1. Each CV should be adapted to the personality and style of the candidate, and always in line with the sector/post to which it is addressed. It is recommended that it is only one page long and that you include an introductory paragraph (see examples and templates at https://www.canva.com/es_en/). Following a chronological order isn’t a must and you can highlight the most relevant information in bold.

2. It is advisable for the CV to include a Skype user, link or icon of the professional social networks in which the candidate is. In this sense, both the content of the CV and the information included in these social networks (e.g. Linkedin, Hosco or Instagram) should be detailed, relevant and carefully elaborated.

3. The covering e-mail with which you will contact the company or accompany your CV must be accurate (see tips at https://jobs.theguardian.com/article/how-to-write-the-perfect-email-covering-letter/). It’s advisable to use a gmail address with your name and surname.

4. You must attach your CV in pdf, which you should also revise in depth, and provide clear contact details without being too personal (e.g. avoid your date of birth, address, age or marital status). In Spain it’s customary to include a picture of yourself, but not when applying abroad. You can also produce a video CV (see tips at https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tips-for-creating-a-video-resume-2064219).

5. Moreover, you can practice for job interviews by means of recorded video interviews (available at https://www.hirevue.com/, for example). You can record yourself answering to questions.

6. Bearing the interview in mind, you can also work on your elevator pitch, which allows you to introduce yourself and summarise for up to 1.5 minutes some key aspects, such as who I am? what do I look for? and why am I applying? (see tips at https://www.thebalancecareers.com/elevator-speech-examples-and-writing-tips-2061976).

7. Most formal interviews nowadays take place in a relaxed atmosphere. Some interviews include unexpected code switching into English to check oral skills. During the interview you shouldn’t be vague and rather provide specific examples. Some questions you might have to reply to are what do you expect to find here? or why should we choose you instead of another candidate? You can also ask questions.

8. You should have a register of your applications. Be coherent and apply sensibly, for the right post/company. It’s important to have searched for information about the company well in advance, and to be aware of the pros and cons.

Good luck with your job hunt!

Virtual language exchange Emory University-CETT. Conversations 1 & 2

In order to continue developing your English oral skills and learn more about the American culture in a meaningful way, you will participate in a virtual language exchange with a student from Emory University (US) who is learning Spanish. You will meet your partner once a week via Zoom and you can include a recording of your conversations in your portfolios. Each weekly session will last 40 minutes, from which 20 minutes will be dedicated to Spanish conversation and 20 minutes to English. You are asked to meet your language partner at least 8 times during the semester at a time that is convenient for both of you.

Below are the suggested topics and feedback guidelines they have received for the first two conversations, which should have taken place by February 21. You can use the topic questions as a guide to engage in a conversation with your partner. At the end of the conversation, you should also give each other specific feedback in order to help you enhance your language skills by letting each other know what you did well and what you can do to improve in relation to the following aspects.

What suggestions would you make to improve your partner’s communication? Did he/she:

-speak fluently?

-use good pronunciation?

-use a lot of vocabulary?

-conjugate the verbs correctly?

-develop their ideas with details?

·       Conversation 1: Entretenimiento

Algunos temas de los que hablar:

1. ¿Qué tipo de entretenimiento es tu favorito? ¿Por qué?

2. ¿Qué te gusta o no te gusta de ir al teatro?

3. ¿Has visto películas de España o Hispanoamérica? ¿Cuáles?

4. ¿Conoces actores o actrices de España o Hispanoamérica? ¿Quiénes? ¿Qué opinas de ellos?

5. ¿Qué tipo de películas prefieres y por qué? ¿Puedes recomendar una?

6. ¿Cuál fue la última película que viste? ¿Dónde la viste? ¿Te gustó? ¿Por qué?

7. ¿Quiénes son tus cantantes favoritos? ¿Has asistido a algún concierto? ¿Cuál?

8. ¿Te gustan los circos? ¿Por qué?

·       Conversation 2: Ganarse la vida

Algunos temas de los que hablar:

1. ¿En tu país la gente paga en efectivo o con tarjeta? ¿Cómo pagas tú normalmente?

2. ¿Crees que el dinero en efectivo va a desaparecer en el futuro? ¿Por qué?

3. ¿Cuántas horas trabaja la gente a la semana en tu país? ¿Cuántas horas crees que debería trabajar la gente a la semana? ¿40 horas?

4. ¿Cómo será el mundo laboral en el futuro? ¿La gente tendrá los mismos tipos de trabajo? ¿Qué cambios habrá en la sociedad?

5. ¿Te gustaría trabajar en la misma empresa toda la vida? ¿Por qué?

6. ¿Cómo sería tu trabajo ideal? ¿Qué harías en este trabajo?

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!