This edition is brought

to you by:

  

     
English Conversation for Business

Pitman Business College

3rd Floor, 688 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1P1 CANADA

  

CLASSES IN 1996/1997

Our program is designed to provide ESL students with the necessary background and conversational skills for successful study at Pitman Business College. Students study for a full day, attending a half-day of dedicated study in English for Special Purposes. The remainder of the day is spent on computer literacy and keyboarding. To learn more about our program lick on the following words: Course Information. Please feel free to scroll down and meet some of our students now.
 .   ..
   

Chie Ishikawa

   My name is Chie. I've been staying in Vancouver for about one year. I'm from Japan. I'm attending Pitman Business College now. I enjoy meeting people. Vancouver has a lot of different ethnic groups. So, I'm happy to meet with different people.
   

 Fen Fen Chang

   My name is Fen Fen. Now I'm staying in Canada to learn English. I go to school from Mondays to Fridays. I miss the members of my family, who are staying in my country, very much. But I have to finish my classes. This is my only problem staying here, otherwise, Vancouver is a good place. I think it is worthwhile to stay here longer because not only can I learn English, but I can have some different experiences during my stay.
   

Majy Tang

   Hi there! My name is Majy. I've been in Vancouver many years. I like travelling and like to see new and different things. At the present time, I am attending a school called Pitman Business College. I enjoy the environment of the school and the people that I have met. I hope that I will find a job that I like and enjoy --- after I finish school. Wish me good luck!
   

 Sophy Lay

   Hi, my name is Sophy. I have been in Vancouver since 1990. Although I am new at Pitman, I like the environment here with my teacher and classmates very much. They are so kind to me. I always feel that "time is short" during class. I hope you can join us someday. See you!
   

Takayuki Otsuta

    My name is Takayuki Otsuta. I've been in Vancouver for one year and six months. In fact, I'm an international student from Japan. Now I'm attending Pitman Business College to study business. I don't have any job experience yet. I hope to get a job that is related to the NBA, because I've been crazy about the NBA since I was ten years old. I always go to GM Place to watch games nowadays.

   

 Takeo Tsujii

   My name is Takeo. I've been in Vancouver for about ten months. The main reason I came here is to improve my English. Before I came to Vancouver, I was crazy about playing golf. So, I have pretty good golf skills.
   
     
 .   ..

 

COURSE INFORMATION

Our ESL component includes three modules, each lasting four weeks. The modules may be taken in any order. The emphasis of the course deals with conversational North American English as used in the business environment. Therefore, the listening and speaking components are emphasized with relevant discussions based on "authentic" materials from newspapers and other media. Selected use of text book material supplements the learning process. Vocabulary expansion and usage is of prime importance during the classes. Grammar study, when included during class time, is selected by relevancy to the topic under investigation. Correct pronunciation is reinforced through classroom discussion, assigned "language experience and immersion" tasks, and taped exercises. In addition, a weekly assignment tracks the students' written skills.

The use of discussion topics forms the basic shape of the course. Each module has an overall topic and contains four weekly sub-topic areas. Further, each week is broken into four daily topics that relate to that week's theme. These discussion topics are designed for maximum student involvement and to meet the needs of differing ability groups. Speaking and listening skills are improved through class, small group, and one-on-one individual practice.

The teacher acts as a catalyst, helping the students determine their own learning outcomes. Targeted areas of weakness receive special attention. Students are expected to use "outside resources" such as personal interviews and telephone assignments, to complete relevant tasks. Students are required to make use of personal cassette recorders as a part of the curriculum.

THE END
     
  [Return to Opening Page] Click here for Dennis Hurd's Web Pages.