supported self learning

supported self learning

• Combining self-learning with tutor support
• From beginner to native
• Over 60 languages available

Supported Self-learning is an excellent opportunity for HR and Training departments to offer language training, particularly when budgets are constrained. Students have all the advantages of the support of a committed business language tutor, while at the same time being given the responsibility for the greater part of their own learning.

Our students can expect all the advantages of Rainbow’s experience in business language training and commitment to high quality. All students are assigned a course director with whom to discuss and design a personal course plan and help with any problems that might arise during the course.

HR Departments can rely on Rainbow’s personal approach and attention to detail, keeping them well informed of schedules, attendance and progress where needed.

This information is intended to give you an outline of how this service can work for you and your company. For further details call Rainbow on 020 7490 5663 or e-mail info@rainbowlib.com.

When either time or budget are constrained, commercial self-learning programmes such as CDs or tapes seem an attractive solution. But nothing can replace the vitality of face-to-face classes, nor the tailoring of a language course to your business needs. With this in mind, Rainbow have introduced Supported Self-learning Programmes, bringing together the flexibility of self learning with the advantages of the personal support and care of a tutor.

As with all courses at Rainbow, your Supported Self-learning Programme are tailor made. The only difference is that the greater weight of the training lies in the self-study tasks. Students have regular touch down sessions with their tutor who selects suitable text books and tapes and if appropriate a CD ROM for the student to use as self-learning materials, as well as materials prepared specially for the individual.

Supported Self-learning Programmes generally suit companies where 4 or more students wish to follow language courses or where an individual student will require one touch down session per week and will be completing a minimum of 4 hours of self-learning tasks per week.

Rainbow recommends that students are able to commit at least 4 hours self-study to each fortnightly 1.5 hours touch down session.

Rainbow tutors are native speakers, fully qualified as language teachers with a university degree and have proven track records in teaching languages for business and general purposes.

Rainbow has a careful monitoring process in place ensuring that teaching and administrative standards are maintained.

Student progress is monitored through out the course to identify any language areas requiring particular attention. The results are shown in student personal progress charts at the end of each term.

As with all Rainbow courses your Supported Self-learning Programme will be tailor made, taking into account your business requirements, your goals and the speed with which you want to attain them.

You will be assigned a course director who will discuss with you:

1. language proficiency goals
2. number of self-study hours you propose commit to your training (min 2hrs)
3. schedule for touch down sessions
4. materials available to the student and preferences e.g. CD ROMs or Tapes
5. specialist business language areas to be covered
6. language skills for focus e.g. conversation/ letter writing

If you already have some language skills you will have a full assessment of present language proficiency with your tutor.

On the basis of the information gathered your personalised course plan will be presented to you for approval.

Your course plan will include:

• Self-learning materials including CD ROM or Tapes
• Evaluation of present language proficiency
• Your proficiency targets
• Statement of language objectives
• Schedule for self-learning required to achieve your targets
• Schedule for touch down sessions to support your progress
• Language structures and general vocabulary to be covered
• Special language requirements e.g. law, finance, technology
• Work-specific skills to be covered e.g. Telephone skills, letter writing

You will meet up with your tutor for regular Touch-down sessions, usually held once a fortnight. Touch-down Sessions are 1.5 hours long and usually arranged on a one-to–one basis due to the level of support required from the tutor for each individual. Sessions are scheduled according to need as identified in the course plan.

Touch-down Sessions are designed to advance you learning in the following ways:

   1) to guide you in your self-learning tasks

   2) to give you more opportunities to put your learning into practice

   3) to clarify grammatical points and complex areas of language use

   4) to cover key professional vocabulary areas

   5) to give feedback and encouragement with progress

   6) to introduce authentic materials

Teaching at Rainbow is student led and the emphasis is on a lively and interactive approach. The emphasis of these touch-down sessions is one of guidance and an opportunity to practice key skills and receive the feed back that is lacking in a self-learning programme.

As you progress you will be encouraged to use more and more authentic materials which will be recommended to you by your tutor. This is an important aspect to Supported Self-learning as it brings an added interest to your self-study tasks and helps you develop your business language skills as well as engaging your personal interests.

You will be expected to spend from 2 to 5 hours a week as appropriate, in developing your language skills independently.

Self learning tasks will include:

   1) daily listening comprehension

   2) reading comprehension

   3) grammar exercises

   4) pronunciation practice