The STEP coach program offers unlimited one-on-one phone interactions with a coach.Learners will not only receive useful tips and techniques on how to improve their speaking skills but will also receive personalised input, based on their strengths and weaknesses, to develop their vocabulary, grammar, and other aspects of language. The calls can focus on either speaking/writing skills based on the learner’s preference. Each call will be followed with an assignment, which will consolidate learning and provide speaking/writing practice based on the topic. Assignments will need to be completed and uploaded before the next call can be booked.
COACH CALL OUTLINE
The calls comprise of various components, each of which serves specific functions.
Free talk
The aim of this part of the call is to put the learner at ease by giving him/her the chance to talk about things they are familiar with.
Feedback on assignments
The aim of this part of the call is to provide:
- Feedback on the assignment submitted: on fluency aspects such as cohesion, coherence etc.
- Error correction: on accuracy aspects such as grammar, vocabulary, punctuation etc.
Mini teach
This part of the call focuses on the areas/topics that learners need improvement in, based on their assignments and performance in previous calls. The aims are to:
- Improve fluency by providing input on fluency factors such as cohesion, coherence, intonation etc.
- Improve accuracy by providing input on accuracy factors such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation etc.
Input on functional language
Each call provides input for a particular aspect of language such as grammar, speaking skills, writing skills, workplace skills etc. The aim of this part of the call is to improve the learners’ understanding of that particular language aspect as well as their ability to use the same when they communicate.
The topics covered are
This is the ultimate online prep course for English in the civil services and bank exams. Each webisode focuses on language and skills required to tackle the commonly occurring question types in most competitive exams including the objective, written, and spoken aspects. Reading contexts/resources are taken directly from ‘The Hindu newspaper’ which is the gold standard for competitive exams. Topics have been chosen with care to address general knowledge aspects too.
The course offers 66 lessons and progresses from the Objective, Written and finally to the Speaking elements of competitive examinations.
The course offers the following types of lessons:
The Objective Exams units will have:
- 6 Read Better lessons
- 6 Write Better: “Para-jumbles” lessons
- 6 Write Better: Word re-ordering lesson
- 6 Grammar: Idioms and Phrases lessons
- 6 Grammar: Advanced grammar elements lessons
- 6 Vocabulary: Advanced words lessons
- 6 Vocabulary: Words from the Articles of the Indian Constitution lessons
The Written Exams units will have:
- 6 Write Better: Precis and essay-writing lessons
- 6 Grammar: Subject-verb agreement lessons
The Speaking exams units will have:
Read Better: (6 lessons)
Reading comprehension activity where the user first answers questions. This is followed by a feedback session where a trainer will take them through the steps to arrive at the correct answer. The Read Better module will contain passages related to contemporary issues, such as:
- Environmental conventions and agreements
- International groupings
- Achievements by Indians in space
- New Acts or Bills passed by Parliament or pending recommendation reports
- Advances in biotechnology/agriculture
- Freedom movement activities from 1930 to 1947
Write Better: Parajumbles (6 lessons)
Learn how to solve the parajumbles by watching these webisodes. Users will first have to complete a parajumble activity. Then watch a feedback/review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer.
Write Better: Word Reordering (6 lessons)
Learn how to solve the word reordering questions by watching these webisodes. Users will have to complete a word-ordering activity and watch a feedback/review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer.
Grammar: Idioms and Phrases (6 lessons)
These modules focus on the idioms and phrases needed for upper-intermediate level language learners. These lessons will show a situation where the idiom or phrase is used in a real-life situation, followed by a video where an instructor will clarify the meaning of the idiom or phrase and explain how best to use it.
Grammar: Advanced Grammar Elements (6 lessons)
These modules focus on the core grammar competencies needed for upper-intermediate level language learners. Additionally, the users will have a feedback/review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer. The topics covered include:
- Adjectives made from nouns and verbs by adding prefixes and suffixes
- Active voice
- Passive voice
- Converting active from passive voice and passive from active voice
- Reported speech
- Converting direct from reported speech and reported from direct speech
Grammar: Subject-verb Agreement (6 lessons)
These modules focus on the concept and rules of subject-verb agreement needed for upper-intermediate level language learners. Additionally, the users will have a feedback/review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer.
Vocabulary (6 lessons)
These lessons focus on the core vocabulary to be acquired by intermediate level language learners. These lessons introduce the learner to the meaning and usage of advanced vocabulary through a series of questions that the user will be required to answer.
Vocabulary from the Indian Constitution (6 lessons)
These lessons focus on the core vocabulary to be acquired by intermediate level language learners. These lessons introduce the learner to the meaning and usage of key words that are a part of the Indian Constitution through a series of questions that the user will be required to answer.
Write Better: Precis and Essay writing (6 lessons)
Hone your precis and essay writing skills by watching these webisodes. Users will get to see a writing sample, after which they will watch a video with an instructor who will take them through the process of creating the model essay.
Topics covered include:
- Paraphrasing
- Summarising
- Precis writing
- Expository and argumentative essay writing
- How to use linking words in essays
- The appropriate language to be used in essays
Speak Better: Interview Skills (6 lessons)
These modules focus on specific spoken language used in interviews. These modules will enable learners to develop their speaking skills, specifically in interview situations. Topics covered include:
- How to answer the, “Tell us about yourself” question
- How to answer the, “What are your strengths and weaknesses” question
- How to answer questions related to your background in an interview such as, “What qualities of yours make you a good fit for this role?”
- How to express your opinions clearly
- How to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topical issue in an interview
- How to build a clear presentation by highlighting significant points and relevant supporting detail
Listen Better (6 lessons)
Immersive lessons that will help the user to not only improve listening skills but also develop knowledge about various socioeconomic issues.
Practice modules
Provide practice for various language components such as reading, listening, grammar etc.
This course includes unlimited access to two live class series: the General English live class and the Email Writing series. In the live classes, a trainer will teach you English grammar and vocabulary concepts, or email writing. You will be able to interact with the trainer, ask and answer questions through chat and polls. You will also complete a practice exercise to ensure that you know how to use what you learnt.
The topics are
Live classes
This series of live online classes are focused on handpicked grammar and vocabulary topics which are often the source of incorrect usage for Indian learners.
- Phrasal Verbs
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Modals
- Reported Speech
- Learning through context
- Collocations
- Commonly mispronounced words
- Root words
- Present Perfect
- Prefix-Suffix
- Past Continuous
- Intensity of adjectives
Email Writing series
This series of live online classes will help you improve your email writing skills such as tone and language to be used, writing based on audiences etc.
- Email Introduction & best practices: An introduction to email, its functionality and best practices
- Email structure: How to organize and structure your email for effective communication
- Email for different audiences: Understanding language and tone for emails to different audiences
- Email phrases for different situations: Learn handy email phrases to use in standard workplace situations
- Emails for different purposes I - Informing: A detailed look at language and format to be used for emails used to provide information
- Emails for different purposes II - Reporting: A detailed look at language and format to be used for emails used to report past events
- Workplace Emails I - How to say No politely and giving feedback
- Workplace Email II - Requesting a meeting across teams And asking for clarification
- Workplace Email III - Allocating work & Accepting mistakes
