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.
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
The aim of this part of the call is to:
- Improve fluency by providing input on the specific aspects of English that the learners appear to need support with
- Improve accuracy by providing guidance about aspects of language such as grammar, vocabulary 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 teach various concepts so as to improve the learners’ understanding of that particular language aspect as well as their ability to use the same into their day-to-day communication.
The topics are
The online course offers 96 modules which are split into 6 units of 16 modules as outlined below:
- 1 presentation-skill module
- 1 Meetings and Discussions module
- 1 Write Better: Emails module
- 1 Read Better: Emails and Reports module
- 1 Listen Better module
- 5 Placement modules
- 2 Grammar modules
- 1 Vocabulary module
- 1 Speak Better: Series (9-5 with Aryan)
- 1 Speak Better: Series (Ananya @ Work)
- 1 practice test
Speak Better: Presentation (6 lessons)
These modules cover the step-by-step process for the essential workplace requirement of creating presentations.
Speak better: Meetings and Discussions (6 lessons)
These modules focus on functional language and enable learners to develop their speaking skills.
Write Better: Emails (6 lessons)
Hone email writing skills in the workplace by watching these webisodes. Additionally, the users will have a review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer.
Read Better: Emails and Reports (6 lessons)
Wholly immersive lessons where the user answers the questions and then goes to the review video that will take them through the steps to the correct answer.
Listen Better (6 lessons)
Immersive lessons depicting everyday workplace interactions that will help the user learn key listening skills.
Grammar (12 lessons)
These modules focus on core grammar competencies needed for intermediate level language learners. Additionally, the users will have a review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer.
Vocabulary (6 lessons)
These lessons focus on core vocabulary to be acquired by intermediate level language learners. Additionally, the users will have a review video (as a part of the lesson) that will go through the questions that they answer.
Speak Better: Series (Ananya@Work)
Follow the workplace adventures of Ananya and her friends while learning functional language phrases for workplace communication.
Speak Better: Series (9-5 with Aryan)
Follow the workplace adventures of Aryan and his colleagues while learning functional language phrases for workplace communication.
Placement series (30 lessons)
These modules cover an array of topics useful for:
- placement process on campus, for e.g., screening process, group discussion
- finding jobs outside of campus placement, for e.g., understanding advertisements, applying to jobs, follow-up to job applications
- Interviews – body language, phone interviews, dos and don’ts during interviews
- Skills for job readiness - presentation, collaboration, and business etiquette
Speak Better (12 lessons)
Improve speaking skills by learning functional language phrases for workplace communication.
Practice (6 sets)
Provide practice for various language components such as reading, listening, grammar etc.
Detailed online course outline
Unit 1
| Segment |
Topic |
Description |
| Speak Better: Presentations |
Presentation - 1 |
Involving the audience |
| Speak Better: Meetings and Discussions |
Giving reasons and explanations |
Phrases to use while giving reasons and explanations |
| Write Better: Emails |
Common phrases for emails |
Common phrases used in emails |
| Read Better: Emails and Reports |
Email: Appointment/Meetings |
Learn how to read an email that is all about appointments/meetings |
| Listen Better |
Being assertive about workload |
Watch a workplace interaction between a team member who wants to talk to her boss about her excessive workload |
| Grammar |
Reported speech |
Learn more about reported speech |
| Vocabulary |
Commonly mispronounced terms in the workplace |
What are the most commonly mispronounced terms in the workplace? |
| Speak Better: Series |
Ananya 1 |
Follow Ananya in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while expressing agreement and disagreement |
| Learn Strategies |
Campus placement processes |
The screening process done during campus placement |
| Learn Strategies |
How to find jobs outside of campus placement |
Other avenues to look for job advertisements |
| Learn Strategies |
Decoding a job posting |
How to understand a job advertisement |
| Learn Strategies |
How to research employers and industry |
Different ways to know more about the company |
| Learn Strategies |
Email - 1 |
Introduction to emails |
| Grammar |
Verbs |
An introduction to verbs |
| Speak Better |
Discussing habits and routines |
Phrases used while discussing habits and routines |
| Speak Better - Series |
9-5 with Aryan - Travel Experience |
Follow Aryan in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use to describe places |
Unit 2
| Segment |
Topic |
Description |
| Speak Better: Presentations |
Presentation - 2 |
Off to a good start |
| Speak Better: Meetings and Discussions |
Expressing opinions |
Phrases to use while expressing opinions |
| Write Better: Emails |
Email structure |
Learn to structure your emails more effectively |
| Read Better: Emails and Reports |
Email: Giving instructions |
Learn how to read an email that is all about giving instructions |
| Listen Better |
Commiserating with colleague after being yelled at by boss |
Watch a workplace interaction between two colleagues who discuss the actions of their boss who told off one of them for not informing about taking sick leave |
| Grammar |
Subject-verb agreement |
Rules of subject-verb agreement: Using indefinite pronouns |
| Vocabulary |
Starting a business |
Phrases used while starting a business |
| Speak Better: Series |
Ananya 2 |
Follow Ananya in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while discussing plans |
| Learn Strategies |
Email - 2 |
Applying for a job/following up with a prospective employer |
| Learn Strategies |
Email - 3 |
Accepting/rejecting a job offer |
| Learn Strategies |
Interview - 1 |
Understanding the various directions |
| Learn Strategies |
Interview - 2 |
How to present - Learning |
| Learn Strategies |
Interview - 3 |
How to present - Achievement |
| Grammar |
Verb - to be |
An introduction to the verb – to be |
| Speak Better |
Giving advice to a friend who keeps quitting job |
Phrases used while giving advice |
| Speak Better - Series |
9-5 with Aryan - Office Gossip |
Follow Aryan in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while describing past experiences |
Unit 3
| Segment |
Topic |
Description |
| Speak Better: Presentations |
Presentation - 4 |
Using visuals |
| Speak Better: Meetings and Discussions |
How to say no politely and effectively |
Phrases to use when saying ‘no’ politely, but effectively |
| Write Better: Emails |
Email - tone |
What is the correct tone to use in emails? |
| Read Better: Emails and Reports |
Report: Employee performance review |
Learn how to read an employee performance review |
| Listen Better |
Talking to boss about unreasonable manager |
Watch a workplace interaction where a team member is in an uncomfortable position of having to talk about her team leader to her boss |
| Grammar |
Subject-verb agreement |
Rules of subject-verb agreement: · Percentages, fractions, and indefinite qualifiers · Using the words ‘majority’ or ‘minority’ · Nouns such as ‘jeans’, ‘scissors’, ‘shorts’, ‘pants’, ‘tweezers’ etc. |
| Vocabulary |
Business Jargon |
Business jargon |
| Speak Better: Series |
Ananya 4 |
Follow Ananya in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while expressing attitudes and feelings precisely |
| Learn Strategies |
Body language |
Dos and don'ts during an interview |
| Learn Strategies |
Phone interviews |
Dos and don’ts during a phone interview |
| Learn Strategies |
Upskilling yourself |
How to develop new skills that you require for the job |
| Learn Strategies |
Argumentative essay writing |
Structure and connectors to be used in an argumentative essay |
| Learn Strategies |
Descriptive essay writing |
How to structure a descriptive essay |
| Grammar |
Prepositions |
An introduction to prepositions |
| Speak Better |
Inviting a friend to a dance performance |
Phrases to use when we extend an invitation |
| Speak Better - Series |
9-5 with Aryan - Colleague's dismissal |
Follow Aryan in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while expressing opinions |
Unit 4
| Segment |
Topic |
Description |
| Speak Better: Presentations |
Presentation - 4 |
Using visuals |
| Speak Better: Meetings and Discussions |
How to say no politely and effectively |
Phrases to use when saying ‘no’ politely, but effectively |
| Write Better: Emails |
Email - tone |
What is the correct tone to use in emails? |
| Read Better: Emails and Reports |
Report: Employee performance review |
Learn how to read an employee performance review |
| Listen Better |
Talking to boss about unreasonable manager |
Watch a workplace interaction where a team member is in an uncomfortable position of having to talk about her team leader to her boss |
| Grammar |
Subject-verb agreement |
Rules of subject-verb agreement: · Percentages, fractions, and indefinite qualifiers · Using the words ‘majority’ or ‘minority’ · Nouns such as ‘jeans’, ‘scissors’, ‘shorts’, ‘pants’, ‘tweezers’ etc. |
| Vocabulary |
Business Jargon |
Business jargon |
| Speak Better: Series |
Ananya 4 |
Follow Ananya in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while expressing attitudes and feelings precisely |
| Learn Strategies |
Body language |
Dos and don'ts during an interview |
| Learn Strategies |
Phone interviews |
Dos and don’ts during a phone interview |
| Learn Strategies |
Upskilling yourself |
How to develop new skills that you require for the job |
| Learn Strategies |
Argumentative essay writing |
Structure and connectors to be used in an argumentative essay |
| Learn Strategies |
Descriptive essay writing |
How to structure a descriptive essay |
| Grammar |
Prepositions |
An introduction to prepositions |
| Speak Better |
Inviting a friend to a dance performance |
Phrases to use when we extend an invitation |
| Speak Better - Series |
9-5 with Aryan - Colleague's dismissal |
Follow Aryan in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while expressing opinions |
Unit 5
| Segment |
Topic |
Description |
| Speak Better: Presentations |
Presentation - 5 |
Delivery: Eye contact and voice |
| Speak Better: Meetings and Discussions |
Negotiation |
Phrases to use while negotiating |
| Write Better: Emails |
Email - audience |
Do different recipients require different emails? Learn more |
| Read Better: Emails and Reports |
Report: Project proposal |
Learn how to read a project proposal |
| Listen Better |
Telling trainee to do better, work-wise |
Watch a workplace interaction where a team member talks to a trainee about showing initiative for projects that she likes in the workplace |
| Grammar |
Mixed conditionals |
An introduction to the modals ‘may’ and ‘might’ |
| Vocabulary |
Financial terms |
Financial terms |
| Speak Better: Series |
Ananya 5 |
Follow Ananya in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use to express certainty, probability and doubt |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 1 |
Pre-planning |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 2 |
Planning |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 3 |
Off to a good start |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 4 |
Using texts |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 5 |
Using visuals |
| Grammar |
Modals - May, might |
An introduction to the modals ‘may’ and ‘might’ |
| Speak Better |
Making suggestions about choosing an elective |
Phrases to use while making suggestions |
| Speak Better - Series |
9-5 with Aryan - People Management |
Follow Aryan in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while expressing agreement/ disagreement |
Unit 6
| Segment |
Topic |
Description |
| Speak Better: Presentations |
Presentation - 6 |
Delivery: Posture |
| Speak Better: Meetings and Discussions |
Giving feedback |
Phrases to use while giving feedback |
| Write Better: Emails |
Email Conduct |
The dos and don’ts in email writing |
| Read Better: Emails and Reports |
Report: Annual performance report |
Read Better: Emails and Reports Report: Annual performance report Learn how to read an annual performance report |
| Listen Better |
Expressing frustration with boss without going overboard |
Watch a workplace interaction between two colleagues who discuss why their boss lost his temper with one of them |
| Grammar |
Negative adverbials |
How do we construct simple sentences |
| Vocabulary |
Prefix/Suffix |
What are prefixes and suffixes? |
| Speak Better: Series |
Ananya 6 |
Follow Ananya in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while speculating and hypothesising about causes, consequences and responding to counterarguments |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 6 |
Involving the audience |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 7 |
Delivery: eye contact and voice |
| Learn Strategies |
Presentation - 8 |
Delivery: posture |
| Learn Strategies |
Business Etiquette I |
Behavioral Patterns |
| Learn Strategies |
Business Etiquette II |
Interaction Patterns |
| Grammar |
Simple Sentences |
How do we construct simple sentences |
| Speak Better |
Requesting the professor for permission |
Phrases to use while making requests/requesting |
| Speak Better - Series |
9-5 with Aryan - Movie Day |
Follow Aryan in an episode where we learn more about the phrases to use while talking about films and books |
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, and 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
General English
This series of live online classes are focused on handpicked grammar and vocabulary topics which are often the source of incorrect usage.
- 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
