6.01/2/3 BUSINESS COMPUTING & ENGLISH STUDIES Certificate/Diploma

Programme Aim

The Business Computing and English Studies programme is designed for students who wish to improve their general English language skills and develop an understanding of a variety of Information Technology software. The focus of the programme is to provide a foundation for further study and career development so that students are equipped with the skills needed to effectively contribute to a variety of IT projects within the international business environment.

The aim is therefore to enhance individual students’ vocational knowledge and skills, and to provide a foundation for direct entry into the first year of a related degree programme, should this be required.

Programme Outcomes

By the end of the programme students will:

• have knowledge of concepts and terminology of a range of business areas.

• have developed their English language skills for the special purpose of communications within the international business environment;

• know how to use a computer for creating, managing and integrating files as the basis for planning and organising information systems, and will be able to use software packages for word processing; spreadsheet design; database management; desktop publishing; web page design; and meeting presentations.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Age — Adult

Students must have a minimum Intermediate level of English on arrival and have completed secondary education in their own country.

On arrival all students complete an English language entry test, followed by an MLS computer skills analysis and are placed in classes accordingly.

Counselling Service

A comprehensive counselling tutorial support programme is available to all students throughout their stay at MLS. All students have access to the MLS University Counsellor.

Indicative Content - Topics

The Diploma Programme is made up by 6 single and 3 double units of study, with credits awarded for successful completion of the MLS assessments. Students registered for the Certificate and Higher Certificate courses will undertake General English, Business English and Communications, and Specialist Business Computing topics in line with their period of registration.

The Programme Structure

The programme is designed on the basis of “units of study”. Each unit involves approximately 100 hours study to include class contact; directed study and self-study.

General English

All three units focus on the development of the following language skills:

• Oral Communication, Role-Play and Discussion

• Pronunciation, Stress and Intonation

• Listening and Reading Comprehension

• Written English for Various Purposes

• Preparation for various external language examinations

• Study Skills

Business English and Communications

Delivered in 3 staged units, students gain an insight into the concepts and terminology of a range of business areas and includes the skills of:

• Functional Business Language, reading and information transference;

• Telephoning;

• Curriculum vitae/resume preparation with interview techniques;

• Specialist discussions and listening competencies linked to Presentation Skills Development;

• Team leadership communications, linked to meetings, summarising, note-taking and taking minutes;

• Problem Solving, Decision Making and Negotiation;

• Report, letter, memo, fax and e-mail writing.

Computer Studies

Delivered in 3 staged units, students gain an insight into the concepts and terminology of a range of IT processes. The indicative content of the three stages is shown below:

IT Computer Studies—Stage 1

Using a Computer

• Introduction to creating, managing and integrating files, directories/folders

Word Processing

• Entering and editing text

• Formatting text

Presentations using PowerPoint

• Setting up slide layouts/templates

• Managing and printing presentation files

Spreadsheets using Excel

• Inserting information and formulae

• Formatting and presenting data

• Producing spreadsheet reports

Introduction to Databases using Access

• Inputting data

• Simple searches

• Presentation of data

• Formatting reports

• Creating databases

Desktop Publishing using Publisher

• Standard page layouts and text properties

• Manipulating text and images

• Master page templates

• Importing and manipulating text

• Preparing publication for press

Electronic Communication (e-mail and Internet)

• Searching the World Wide Web

• Sending and receiving e-mails

Web Page Design using FrontPage

• Amending and formatting web pages

• Managing and printing web pages

• Creating web pages

• Linking pages to create website

Computer Graphics

• Producing charts and graphs

• Single and comparative sets of data

• Setting parameters of graphs and charts

• Presenting data and formatting graphs and charts

• Managing and printing artwork

IT Computer Studies - Stage 2

• Advanced spreadsheet design using Excel

• Advanced database design using Access

• Computer projects in Access, Excel, and FrontPage (including web publishing)

IT Computer Studies - Stage 3

• Introduction to Visual Basic

• Systems installation

• Systems analysis

• Managing information in organisations

Book this course now ( requires Acrobat reader - download here).