Online Language Courses for Professionals Posted by meaghan on Feb 11, 2020 in For Learners, Learning Material Updates
If you’re learning a language to pick up the basics or prepare for a vacation, there are tons of options (we’ve got them too!) But what about professionals learning a language to relocate or collaborate with foreign counterparts?
Transparent Language Online and the CL-150 Platform now includes a new line of “for Professionals” courses, intended for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners looking to use the language in their personal and professional lives.
These courses are designed to help learners increase their ability to use the language effectively and appropriately in real-life situations. Each unit features a conversational scenario that facilitates specific, level-appropriate communicative goals. The digital resources in these courses help learners understand and discuss relevant, culturally-specific domains by introducing key words and phrases related to those domains, as well as conversations that exemplify the goals of the unit. The materials increase in complexity from unit to unit, keeping learners motivated while recycling and reinforcing previously learned words and phrases. These courses can be used independently or as an ideal support for classroom learning.
What languages are available?
The “for Professionals” courses are currently available in Modern Standard Arabic, German, Indonesian, and Italian, with more languages (and more levels of existing languages) expected in 2020! Materials vary by language and level, as shown in the chart below:
| Language | Course Level | Proficiency Level | Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic (Modern Standard) | Beginner | ILR 0-1, ACTFL Novice Low-Intermediate Mid, CEFR A1-A2 | 62 hours of learning materials 18 units containing a total of 2,350 vocab items (reading lessons coming in April) Covers topics including: greetings, asking questions, exchanging contact info, transporation, dos and don’ts in Arab culture, and more |
| German | Beginner | ILR 0-1, ACTFL Novice Low-Intermediate Mid, CEFR A1-A2 | 103 hours of online learning materials 12 units containing 35 reading lessons and 1,897 vocab items Covers topics including: introductions, German housing, holidays and traditions, modes of transporation, job qualifications, and more Lesson Plans and Scope and Sequence provided for each unit |
| Intermediate | ILR 1-2, ACTFL Intermediate Mid-Advanced Mid, CEFR A2-B2 | 88 hours of online learning materials 11 units containing 31 reading lessons and 1,785 vocab items Covers topics including: German fairy tales, government and politics, immigration, making comparisons, stating opinions, and more Lesson Plans and Scope and Sequence provided for each unit |
|
| Advanced | ILR 2+-3, ACTFL Advanced High-Superior, CEFR B2-C1 | 60 hours of learning materials 10 units containing 1,919 vocab items and 13 reading lessons Covers topics including: describing appearance and demeanor, public health, foreign policy, making inferences, persuasion, and more Lesson Plans and Scope and Sequence provided for each unit |
|
| Indonesian | Beginner | ILR 0-1, ACTFL Novice Low-Intermediate Mid, CEFR A1-A2 | 46 hours of online learning materials 12 units containing 1386 vocab items Covers topics including: greetings, etiquette, days and dates, characteristics of Indonesians, sending email invitations, and more Scope and Sequence provided for each unit |
| Intermediate | ILR 1-1+, ACTFL Intermediate Mid-Intermediate High, CEFR B1 | 20 hours of online learning materials 5 units containing 536 vocab items Covers topics including: setting up meetings, travel, transporation, holiday traditions in Indonesian, healthcare, and more Scope and Sequence provided for each unit |
|
| Italian | Beginner | ILR 0-1, ACTFL Novice Low-Intermediate Mid, CEFR A1-A2 | 43 hours of online learning materials 9 units, containing 1,653 vocab items (reading lessons coming in 2020) Covers topics including: greetings, family, negative and positive qualities, electronics, reflexive verbs, and more |
| Intermediate | ILR 1-2, ACTFL Intermediate Mid-Advanced Mid, CEFR A2-B2 | 90 hours of online learning materials 13 units containing 30 reading lessons and 2080 vocab items Covers topics including: health, housing, transportation, employment, environmental issues, and more |
|
| Portuguese (Brazilian) | Beginner | ILR 0-1, ACTFL Novice Low-Intermediate Mid, CEFR A1-A2 | 50 hours of online learning materials 9 units containing 1435 vocab items Covers topics including: introductions, daily routines, shopping, celebrating Carnaval, ser vs. estar, irregular verbs, and more |
| Spanish | Beginner | ILR 0-1, ACTFL Novice Low-Intermediate Mid, CEFR A1-A2 | |
| Intermediate | ILR 1-2, ACTFL Intermediate Mid-Advanced Mid, CEFR A2-B2 |
What do these courses contain?
Most levels include a mix of vocabulary and reading lessons.
- Vocabulary lessons are 30-minute vocab-focused workouts that directly support the unit’s communicative goals. Learners will practice key words and phrases in a variety of game-like activities that drive memorization.
- Reading lessons are 60-minute language workouts based around a natural conversation that models the speaking objectives and key vocabulary for each unit to facilitate comprehension.
For instructors using this course with their students, many lessons include a Scope and Sequence and a Lesson Plan.
- The Scope and Sequence is an overview of the learning materials available on Transparent Language Online, topics for further study, and learning goals aligning with each unit.
- The Lesson Plans provide a more detailed outline of each unit’s purpose, key concepts, and suggested in-class schedule, as well as communicative and task- based peer activities that incorporate and use the unit’s online components.
Interested in learning or instructing with our new “for Professionals” courses? Sign up for the free trial or log in to your Transparent Language Online account to access these courses today!
Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.
About the Author: meaghan
Meaghan is the Marketing Communications Manager at Transparent Language. She speaks enough French and Spanish to survive, and remembers enough Hausa to say "Hello my name is Meaghan, I'm studying Hausa." (But sadly that's it).
Comments:
linda:
love receiving my arabic word of the day. thank you for this program. this is a great way to maintain and refresh my arabic language skills. however, i really miss hearing a native speaker’s voice and although the speaker is proficient, it’s obvious her accent is not native.