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Welcome to one of the on-line learning tools from e@o. You are about to enter a new, interactive world where you can improve your English whenever and wherever you want.
Over the next 12 months, you will receive 20 new units of topical material on the e@o-Manager site to practise your English. You can go through each unit as many times as you like, but please only send one email submission per unit!

Each unit provides you with at least 90 minutes of self-study material, and consists of listening practice, an interactive writing link, grammar and vocabulary exercises, and pronunciation work.
The units are for intermediate to advanced level learners. A new unit appears every 18 days, but you can do the units in any order you like. Below there is advice on the best way for you to use the material.

The level of each listening exercise is indicated by stars.

	= below average difficulty,
	= average difficulty,
	= above average difficulty

Each listening has different comprehension exercises, for example true / false or gap-fills. Once you have finished the exercises, check your answers.

Procedure

1) Look at the cartoon and read the introduction
2) Roll over each key word to see a definition
3) Open the listening page
4) Study what you have to do for each exercise and then click on the player to begin listening (it takes a few seconds to start)
5) As you listen, pause the player and complete each exercise

Extra tips

• Check the meaning of the new vocabulary in a bilingual dictionary
  
• Listen as many times as you want to
  
• Pause the Real Player if it's too fast for you
  
• Listen and read the tapescript at the same time if you find the listening too difficult. (You can also print out a copy of the tapescript)
  
• Add new words to your personal vocabulary list and write a personal example in English to help you remember and use the words later. Also note how to pronounce the word
  
• Practise reading the text aloud while you listen. This will help your pronunciation

Each unit contains vocabulary based on the theme of the listening passage (marketing, finance etc.). Complete the vocabulary exercises and mark your answers.

Procedure

1) Study the definitions at the top of the page
2) Complete the answers and then check your answers

Extra tips

• Check the meaning of new vocabulary in a bilingual dictionary
  
• Add new words to your personal vocabulary list and write two sentences in English using each new word or phrase to familiarise yourself with the meaning
  
• Try incorporating the new vocabulary in your writing submission at the end of the unit
  
• Go back to the exercise a week later and do it again

Grammar exercises are mostly multiple choice. You can mark the lesson and see the correct answers when you have finished the exercise.

Procedure

1) Study the rules of use and the examples carefully
2) Complete the answers and then check your answers

Extra tips

• Practise the same point in a grammar book if you need more practice
  
• Read the explanations carefully before completing the exercises
  
• Try making some sentences of your own using the structures you have practised
  
• Go back and do the exercise again a week later

These exercises practise all features of connected speech (sentence stress, intonation etc.) A pronunciation point is taken from the listening passages and expanded on. You read words and sentences aloud and then compare your pronunciation with the recorded version. Word stress is INdicated by CAPital LETters. Individual sounds are written phonetically /fnetIklI/.

Procedure

1) Study the rules carefully
2) Practise saying the words to yourself and then click to listen and repeat
3) Make a note of your mistakes and repeat the exercise if necessary

Extra tips

• Don't be afraid of speaking aloud to the computer!
  
• Listen as many times as you like
  
• Make a note of words and sounds that are difficult for you to pronounce
  
• Record yourself on cassette to hear how you really sound!
  
• Go back to the listening passage to hear the words and phrases in context

A box is provided for you to write your comments on what you have heard. Enter your email address and press 'submit'. We will respond with correction and comments.

Procedure

1) You can answer the questions provided or write something else about the issue in general
2) Check your English carefully before you submit your comments
3) Look carefully at the corrections and make a note of them in a personal grammar list
4) Make sure you have a grammar book that we can refer to. We recommend 'English Grammar in Use' - R. Murphy (CUP)

Your comments

This is your on-line learning site. We are continually trying to improve our service and to make the exercises more interesting and useful to you. To help us do this, we would like to have your comments on all aspects of on-line learning. We are particularly interested in your suggestions for topics to be covered in future units. You can contact us by phone on + 44 (0) 1865 439662, by fax on + 44 (0) 1865 439627 or email us at: info@engatox.demon.co.uk.