English for Secretaries

I.

Course Description
This syllabus aims to develop the students language skills in English, while at the same
time focusing on the central need of the secretary to receive and to transmit
information precisely and efficiently. It also aims to equip the students with the English
language skills needed to perform secretaries communicative tasks at the workplace.

II.

Course Objective
It is designed to meet the needs of the students who wish to undertake the
administrative tasks in English, both in oral and written forms. The syllabus covers
topics common to typical office activities, as well as to more personal areas related to
office work as well as to develop the students general knowledge of the social
customs and attitudes of the global world of work.

III.

Specific Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.

IV.

To help secretaries build on general and professional oral communication skills

To increase knowledge of general as well as job-related vocabulary
To raise awareness of relevant of grammar and language structure
To continue to focus on a high level of accuracy in editing work and production
of writing in professional pieces of work

Course Content
TOPIC
Chapter I Letters, Envelopes, Forms
Lesson 1 Types of Business Letters
Lesson 2 Writing Business Letters
Lesson 3 Writing a Cover Letter
Lesson IV Filling in Forms

ACTIVITIES / STRATEGIES

Power Point Presentations

Discussion
Brainstorming

Illustration
Discussion
Explanation

Individual Reporting
Note Taking
Writing Exercises

Chapter II Curriculum Vitae`s and

Applications
Lesson 1 Job Advertisements
Lesson 2 Organizing a CV or resume
Lesson 3 Letters of Application
Chapter III Report Writing
Lesson 1 Writing a Note
Lesson 2 Periodic Report
Lesson 3 Non-Prose Forms

Chapter IV Writing a Memo

Lesson 1 Language used in a Memo
Lesson 2 Phrasal verb of a Memo
Lesson 3 Writing a draft of a Memo

PowerPoint Presentation
Explanation
Writing Exercises

PowerPoint Presentation
Discussion
Brainstorming

Note Taking
Listening Activities
Question and Answer

Discussion
Role Playing
Feedback and Remedial activities

Role Playing
Feedback and Remedial activities
Questions and Answer

Discussion
Role Playing
Feedback and Remedial activities

Chapter V Reading Skills Used by

Secretaries
Lesson 1 Skimming
Lesson 2 Scanning
Lesson 3 Vocabulary Building
Chapter VI Listening
Lesson 1 Listening for Information
Lesson 2 Active Listening Technique
Lesson 3 Note Taking
Chapter VII Telephone Communication
Lesson 1 Telephone Language
Lesson 2 Taking and Giving Messages
Lesson 3 Giving and Receiving Information

Chapter VIII Receiving Visitors

Lesson 1 Formal vs. Informal Language
Lesson 2 Business Conversation
Lesson 3 Speaking with Native and NonNative Speakers
Chapter IX Interview
Lesson 1 Interview Basics
Lesson 2 Taking and Giving Messages
Lesson 3 Giving and Receiving Information