Web-Based Language Courses for all UN Staff Members - 2016 – OVERVIEW
For more information, please visit the Language Programme at https://hr.un.org/page/language-programmes-unhq
or contact the Language Learning Services Unit at [email protected]
Language
Course Name and Course
Level
Availability
Course Description
Nb of
hours
Platform
Fall Term
2015
Winter Term
2016
Spring Term
2016
Fall Term
2016
Yes ✓
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Arabic
Web Regular 1
A1
Arabic for beginners
18h
WebEx + Moodle
or Schoology (TBD)
No ✗
Chinese
Chinese Grammar
A2
Improve your knowledge of
Chinese grammar
12h
LiveClass
Yes ✓
Advanced Grammar via
WebEx
B2
Improve your knowledge and
use of English grammar
12h
No ✗
Social Media and the
United Nations
C1/C2
Better understand and use
social media tools for the
work you do
20h
Yes ✓
Learn and practice how to
write clear and accurate UN
summaries
8h
Yes ✓
Take this condensed version
of our Summary Writing
intensive course
2h
Learn to write clear and
effective meeting minutes
8h
No ✗
Yes ✓
TBA
TBA
English
Summary Writing
Intensive via WebEx
Summary Writing
Webinar
C1
Minutes Writing via
WebEx
WebEx
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
No ✗
Writing for the Web via
WebEx
B2/C1
Learn how to write better for
websites and social media
14h
No ✗
Yes ✓
No ✗
No ✗
Netiquette Workshop
B2
Write more accurate and
effective e-mail for the UN
4h
No ✗
Yes ✓
TBA
TBA
LLSU Catalogue of Web-based Language Courses – 25/11/2015
Language
French
Nb of
hours
Platform
Fall Term
2015
Winter Term
2016
Spring Term
2016
Fall Term
2016
French LPE Preparation, selfVaries
paced without tutor
Claroline
No ✗
No ✗
July August ✓
No ✗
Gain understanding of the
Russian cases and
declensions
No ✗
No ✗
TBA
TBA
Skill Training: Verbs of Motion
in Russian 1
Develop a clearer
understanding of the system
of Russian motion verbs
Yes ✓
TBA
TBA
Skill Training: Verbs of Motion
in Russian 2
Develop mastery and indepth knowledge of the
Russian motion verbs
TBA
TBA
Skill Training: Verb Aspect in
Russian
Understand the 2 aspects of
Russian verbs
Yes ✓
TBA
TBA
Authentic audio-visual
material to improve listening
skills
No ✗
No ✗
TBA
TBA
No ✗
Yes ✓
TBA
TBA
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Course Name and Course Level
Préparation à l'EAL en
français
LPE
candi
dates
Skill Training: Russian
Declensions
A2
Russian
Skill Training: Listening in
Russian
A2/B1
Improve speaking skills and
expand professional
vocabulary in Russian
Professional Monologue
Training
Vocabulario y gramática
A1: Gustos y tiempo libre
Vocabulario y gramática
A1: Rutina en presente
Spanish
Vocabulario y gramática B1:
Aconsejar en presente de
subjuntivo
Comprensión Oral y
Vocabulario
Comprensión Escrita y
Gramática
6h
No ✗
12h
A1
Yes ✓
A2
Grammar and vocabulary
review, self-paced with tutor
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
4h
Schoology
Yes ✓
Yes ✓
B1
LPE
Spanish LPE Preparation, selfcandi
paced without tutor
dates
Yes ✓
WebEx
Yes ✓
Vocabulario y gramática
A2: Ser y estar
Vocabulario y gramática
A2: Pasados en historia y
biografías
Course Description
No ✗
8h
No ✗
No ✗
No ✗
July August ✓
July August ✓
No ✗
No ✗
LLSU Catalogue of Web-based Language Courses – 25/11/2015
Web-based Language Courses – Winter term 2016 ❄- 4 January to 31 March
Language
Course Name and Course Level
Course description
Nb of
hours
Platform
Schedule (NYC
time)
Registration
Dates
Inspira
code
Arabic
Web Regular 1
A1
Arabic for beginners
18h
WebEx +
Moodle/
Schoology
Tue 8am-10am,
5/01 - 22/03
23/11 - 24/12 LMS-2223-1
Chinese
Chinese Grammar
A2
Improve your knowledge of
Chinese grammar
12h
LiveClass
Tue 12pm-1pm,
5/01 - 24/03
23/11 - 24/12 LMS-2116-2
Advanced Grammar via
WebEX
B2
Improve your knowledge and use of
English grammar
12h
Wed 8am-10 am,
17/02 - 23/03
Summary Writing Intensive via
WebEX
C1/
C2
Learn how to write clear and
accurate UN summaries
8h
Fri 8am-10am,
8/01 - 29/01
Minutes Writing via WebEX
C1
Learn to write clear and effective
meeting minutes
8h
Writing for the Web via WebEX
B2/
C1
Learn about the principles of good
writing for internet readers
14h
Fri 9am-11am,
5/02 - 18/03
23/11 - 22/01 LMS-2215-1
Netiquette Workshop
B2
Improve your email style
4h
Wed 9am-11am,
3/02 or 10/02
23/11 - 20/01 LMS-2214-1
12h
Thu 1:30pm-2:30pm
7/01 - 31/03
English
Professional Monologue
Training
Skill Training: Verbs of Motion 1
A2/ Improve speaking skills and expand
B1
professional vocabulary in Russian
A2
Russian
Skill Training: Verbs of Motion 2
Skill Training: Verbal Aspect in
Russian
Vocabulario y gramática A1:
Gustos y tiempo libre
Vocabulario y gramática A1:
Rutina en presente
Spanish
Vocabulario y gramática A2:
Ser y estar
Vocabulario y gramática A2:
Pasados en historia y biografías
Vocabulario y gramática B1:
Aconsejar en presente de
subjuntivo
A2/
B1
WebEX
Develop a clearer understanding of
the system of Russian motion verbs
Develop mastery and in-depth
knowledge of the Russian motion
verbs
WebEX
6h
Understand the 2 aspects of Russian
verbs
B1
23/11 - 24/12
4h
Schoology
LMS-151514
Include one
individual
LMS-1967-2 coaching
session
LMS-2211-1
23/11 - 24/12
LMS-2119-2
LMS-2212-1
23/11 - 4/02
Thu 4pm-5pm,
18/02 - 31/03
A1
A2
Thu 12pm-1pm,
18/02 - 31/03
Start 1/02 end 13/03
Grammar and vocabulary review,
self-paced with tutor
LMS-2213-1
Th 8am-10am,
14/01 - 18/02
Thu 12pm-1pm,
7/01 - 11/02
Additional
Information
Pre-requisite:
Verbs of
Motion 1
LMS-2120-2
23/11 - 26/02 LMS-1860-4
15/02 - 27/03
LMS-1859-5
15/02 - 27/03
LMS-1964-3
23/11 - 11/03
15/02 - 27/03
LMS-2123-2
15/02 - 27/03
LMS-2124-2
LLSU Catalogue of Web-based Language Courses – 25/11/2015
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
This document presents web-based courses for the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Updated versions will be
created regularly throughout 2016, as our course offering grows. Find more detailed information at https://hr.un.org/page/language-programmes-unhq
1. Who are these web-based languages courses designed for?
The languages courses listed in this document are currently available to UN Secretariat staff members, at UNHQ and all duty stations. Since they are all
web-based, they are accessible from all offices. However, there are some regulations about eligibility for external learners. Please contact the Language
Learning Services Unit at [email protected] for more information.
2. How can I register for one of these courses?
Once you ensure eligibility, you will need to register through http://inspira.un.org If you do not have an account, you will need to create a new one first.
Please use the Inspira codes (LMS-*) to check in Inspira any detail (requirements, last drop date, sits available, waiting list, evtl scheduled sessions) about the
courses you are interested in. If you do not have an Inspira account yet, but you are eligible for the courses, you will need to create one. Your have more
information in https://hr.un.org/page/language-learning
3. Are there any requirements for these language courses?
The courses are open to everyone but some of them have level requirements, some might require taking a placement test, etc. Please use the LMS codes and
refer to Inspira for details about level requirements. We are using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) global scale as a
general level reference for our web-based courses: for more information about the CEFR, refer to the table on p.5.
4. Do I need to pay a fee to register for a course?
There is currently no fee for these web-based courses for United Nations Secretariat staff members in all duty stations. For external learners, some fees may
apply. Please contact [email protected] or your HR officer for further information.
5. When can I register for a course?
In 2016, these courses will be offered three times: between January and March; between April and August; and between September and December. Please
refer to the 2016 Overview table on pp.1-2 for information about the courses availability per term. As a new term approaches, a new document will be
updated with the relevant information, so that you can plan ahead.
6. How can I check if I am enrolled for a course?
The number of participants for each course is limited. Registration works on a first-come, first-served basis. A few days after registering, you can check your
status on Inspira: "approval pending", "waitlisted" or "enrolled". If you realise that you cannot take the course you are enrolled in, you can drop it.
If you have any other questions, concerns or remarks, you can contact us directly at [email protected]. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
LLSU Catalogue of Web-based Language Courses – 25/11/2015
Common Reference Levels: global scale
C2
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and
accounts in a coherent presentation.
Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning
even in more complex situations.
C1
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning.
Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of
organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices
B2
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical
discussions in his/her field of specialisation.
Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers
quite possible without strain for either party.
Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue
giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
B1
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work,
school, leisure, etc.
Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and
explanations for opinions and plans.
A2
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance
(e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on
familiar and routine matters.
Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas
of immediate Basic need.
Proficient
User
Independent
User
Basic User
A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of
needs of a concrete type.
Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as
where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has.
Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Source: https://www.eui.eu/Documents/ServicesAdmin/LanguageCentre/CEF.pdf (p.24)
LLSU Catalogue of Web-based Language Courses – 25/11/2015