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Rebecca Payne-Passmore and Dr. Katharine Nielson

In this course, you will learn important language for asking for help, giving and understanding directions, and sharing your opinions. Learning activities in this course will take place on Voxy, an engaging language learning platform that automatically adapts to your current level and your performance across reading, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills so that every lesson is optimized for rapid improvement.

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In this course, you will learn important language for asking for help, giving and understanding directions, and sharing your opinions. Learning activities in this course will take place on Voxy, an engaging language learning platform that automatically adapts to your current level and your performance across reading, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills so that every lesson is optimized for rapid improvement.

Each week is made up of engaging, short, task-based lessons that can be done anywhere, anytime. Lessons include content from the real world, so you will learn from real conversations and emails between friends and colleagues exchanging information and assistance. By the end of the course, you will be able to seek and find answers to just about any question you may have!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction & Voxy Orientation
This week, you will learn about this course and understand how to use Voxy's innovative platform.
Asking for Directions
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Ideal for beginners to English language learning
Designed for individuals who need to communicate in English for work or study
Lessons are designed to be engaging and interactive, using real-world scenarios
Topics covered include asking for directions, expressing opinions, and making requests
Emphasizes essential language skills for effective communication
Taught by experienced instructors with expertise in English language teaching

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Reviews summary

Practical english for daily communication

According to learners, this course is a highly practical resource for improving low-intermediate English skills, focusing on real-world communication. Students frequently highlight the effectiveness of the Voxy platform, which offers engaging, adaptive, and bite-sized lessons, making it convenient for busy schedules. Many found the content relevant for daily life and professional interactions, such as asking for help, giving directions, and making requests via email. While the course provides a strong foundation, some note the limited opportunities for live speaking practice, suggesting additional supplementary activities may be beneficial for fluency.
The end-of-course project allows learners to focus on a topic of their choice.
"The independent study project was a great way to apply what I learned to something relevant to my personal interests."
"I appreciated the flexibility to choose my own topic for the final project, it made it much more engaging."
"It really helped solidify my understanding of the course material in a personalized and meaningful way."
Content is well-suited for learners at the low intermediate English level.
"As a low-intermediate speaker, I felt the pace and content were just right for me, not too easy or too hard."
"The material was perfectly aligned with my current English proficiency, building confidence without feeling rushed."
"I found the topics covered to be challenging enough to learn new things, but still accessible."
Short, task-based lessons make learning manageable and fun.
"The short, task-based lessons made it easy to fit learning into my busy schedule without feeling overwhelmed."
"I found the lessons to be very engaging, not boring or monotonous like some other language courses I've tried."
"The real-world content kept me motivated and interested throughout each week's material."
Utilizes the Voxy platform for personalized and engaging lessons.
"Voxy's adaptive lessons truly helped me improve, it felt personalized to my weaknesses and learning style."
"The Voxy platform was generally engaging, making the learning process less daunting and more interactive."
"It was great how the platform adjusted to my level, ensuring every lesson was optimized for my improvement."
Focuses on immediately applicable communication in daily life and work.
"I really appreciated learning phrases for asking directions and giving opinions, it's very practical for daily life."
"The examples of emails and phone calls for requests were so helpful; I can use them right away at work."
"This course taught me language I could use in real conversations with friends and colleagues, which was my main goal."
Reliance on an automated platform limits live speaking and interaction.
"I missed having live conversations to practice my speaking skills directly with others, as the platform is self-paced."
"While the Voxy platform is good for other skills, it doesn't fully replace the need for real-time human interaction for fluency."
"I felt I had to seek out additional speaking practice outside the course to truly enhance my conversational abilities."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Low Intermediate English: Help & Information with these activities:
Review vocabulary related to travel
Enhance your travel experience by familiarizing yourself with vocabulary related to common travel situations.
Show steps
  • Identify common travel situations, such as asking for directions, making reservations, or ordering food.
  • Learn and practice vocabulary related to these situations.
Review different question types
Start this course with a strong knowledge of possible question types so that you're better prepared for the course curriculum.
Browse courses on Question Types
Show steps
  • Review common question types and structures found in language learning courses.
  • Practice identifying different question types from sample questions.
Explore online language learning apps
Enhance your language learning experience by experimenting with different online language learning apps to find ones that suit your learning style.
Show steps
  • Research and identify different online language learning apps.
  • Explore the features and content offered by each app.
  • Select one or more apps to use as supplementary learning tools.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Complete grammar exercises
Practice grammar exercises to reinforce the grammar concepts covered in this course.
Show steps
  • Identify grammar concepts covered in each lesson.
  • Complete grammar exercises related to the identified concepts.
  • Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.
Write short stories or dialogues
Enhance your writing skills and expand your vocabulary by writing short stories or dialogues that incorporate the language you are learning.
Browse courses on Creative Writing
Show steps
  • Choose a topic or theme that interests you and aligns with your language learning goals.
  • Brainstorm ideas and develop an outline for your story or dialogue.
  • Write a draft of your story or dialogue, focusing on using the target language accurately and creatively.
  • Review your draft, check for errors, and make necessary revisions.

Career center

Learners who complete Low Intermediate English: Help & Information will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistants provide support to their teams by managing schedules, preparing presentations, answering phones, processing paperwork, and more. A deep understanding of the English language is necessary for the tasks required in this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for directions, understanding instructions, and giving opinions are particularly useful for Administrative Assistants, as their day-to-day work involves following instructions and giving guidance to others.
Legal Assistant
Legal Assistants provide administrative and legal support to lawyers and law firms. They may draft documents, manage schedules, and conduct research. A deep understanding of the English language is necessary for the tasks required in this role. Voxy's lessons on following procedures, asking for help, and making requests are particularly useful for this work.
Recruiter
Recruiters find and hire new employees for companies. They may also develop and implement recruiting strategies. A deep understanding of the English language is necessary for the tasks required in this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for directions, giving preferences, and understanding instructions are particularly useful for Recruiters.
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants perform a variety of tasks to support doctors and other healthcare professionals. This can include tasks such as taking vital signs, scheduling appointments, and preparing patients for exams. A deep understanding of the English language is necessary for the tasks required in this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for help, following procedures, and making requests are particularly useful for Medical Assistants.
Marketing Assistant
Marketing Assistants help marketing teams with a variety of tasks, such as social media marketing, email marketing, and event planning. A strong understanding of the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on giving directions, understanding instructions, and making requests are particularly useful for Marketing Assistants.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for software, hardware, and other products. They may also write training materials and articles. A strong command of the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on making requests, giving directions, and understanding instructions are particularly useful for Technical Writers.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives help customers to understand and utilize products and services. They do this through a deep understanding of a product or service. In this role, you will need to field questions and requests via phone and email. Voxy's lessons on asking for directions, understanding instructions, and giving opinions can help one to succeed in this role.
Developmental Editor
Developmental Editors review and edit documents for clarity, accuracy, and quality. They work to create a consistent voice for a brand or publication. A strong foundation in the English language is essential. Voxy's lessons on giving opinions, sharing preferences, and making requests are particularly useful for Developmental Editors.
Journalist
Journalists investigate and report on stories for newspapers, magazines, and other publications. A strong command of the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for help, giving directions, and understanding instructions are particularly useful for Journalists, who often need to interview sources and navigate complex situations.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations. They may write press releases, organize events, and manage social media. A strong command of the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for help, giving directions, and understanding instructions are particularly useful for Public Relations Specialists.
Sales Representative
Sales Representatives sell products or services to customers. They may also provide customer service and support. A strong command of the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for help, giving directions, and understanding instructions are particularly useful for Sales Representatives.
Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers manage the social media accounts of companies and organizations. They may create content, engage with followers, and run social media campaigns. A strong command of the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on asking for help, giving directions, and understanding instructions are particularly useful for Social Media Managers.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with a team of people to achieve a common goal. A strong foundation in the English language is essential for this role. Voxy's lessons on giving directions, understanding instructions, and making requests are particularly useful for Project Managers.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts interpret data in order to find trends, solve problems, and discover insights to improve business decisions. This course can help to build a foundation in the English language for this role. Voxy's lessons on understanding instructions, making requests, and following procedures can help one to succeed in this role.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalists manage the day-to-day operations of a human resources department. This can include tasks such as hiring, benefits administration, and employee training. This role requires a deep understanding of the English language, both to communicate effectively with employees and clients and to accurately interpret policies and procedures. Voxy's lessons on giving directions, understanding instructions, and asking for help are particularly useful for this work.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Low Intermediate English: Help & Information.
This course is designed to help students prepare for the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) exam. The book includes four practice tests that cover all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Comprehensive reference guide to English grammar for intermediate learners. It useful resource for students who want to improve their understanding of English grammar rules and usage. However, this text better supplement to the course than a replacement.
Comprehensive guide to English vocabulary for upper-intermediate and advanced learners. It useful resource for students who want to expand their vocabulary and improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. It is an excellent reference source to keep handy and consult regularly.
Guide to academic writing for graduate students. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to write a research paper, how to cite sources, and how to avoid plagiarism. It useful resource for students who want to improve their academic writing skills.
Classic guide to writing style. It useful resource for students who want to improve their writing skills in any context.
Guide to writing in plain English. It useful resource for students who want to improve their writing skills in any context.
Style guide for academic writing. It useful resource for students who want to learn how to cite sources and format their papers correctly. This book is more valuable as a reference tool than as assigned reading.
Dictionary of the English language. It useful resource for students who want to look up the meaning of words.
Comprehensive dictionary of the English language. It useful resource for students who want to learn more about the history and etymology of words.
Dictionary of the English language that is based on a corpus of real-world English text. It useful resource for students who want to learn how words are used in context. It more valuable resource as a reference tool than as assigned reading.

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