I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
Confucius

The Work Experience Programme is an opportunity for students to observe and analyse abroad the world of work and combine at the same time a full immersion in the English language.

Three interconnected elements are met:

Study and Life Skills
Research
Visits to and tasks at places of work.

Syllabus

Work Skills

Title	Description
The world of work What do people do?	Looks at organisations, roles, jobs and human resources Students in group design and run a virtual company in groups
Your skills, abilities and aptitudes	Thorough audit and evaluation of the students’ suitability for different kinds of work Questionnaires, forms, computer simulations, role-plays
The importance of clear communication	Looks at communication at work and through public interfaces using emails, telephone, website and social media Role-plays, case studies. Students design a marketing website for a product or create a Dragon’s Den simulation
Planning and prioritising	Looks at how goal setting, planning and prioritising at work can create better performance and efficiency Deadline challenges – students go through a task based on The Apprentice tasks to analyse project management
Customer service	Studies the necessary skills of outward facing relationships at work Students work on presentation, courtesy, deportment, eye contact, voice, gesture, movement through video recording and analysis
Difficult conversations at work	Looks at interpersonal skills, assertiveness training, managing difficult conversations with superiors and colleagues, understanding diversity and ability issues Role plays, coaching, discussion of key issues like bullying at work, time off, personal issues, difficult colleagues, stress, work/life balance
Promoting yourself	Interviews, first day impressions, applying for jobs, answering questions well, public speaking, presentations Students’ presentations, coaching.

Work Sectors

Title	Description
Selling and Negotiation	Retail sector Students look at careers in the retail sector Project work – presentation on a large organisation
Services and Events	Entertainment sector Students look at careers in the services sector Project work – presentation on running a conference
Distribution and Logistics	Looks at supply chain management and logistics Students look at careers in the supply chain sector Project work – look at warehousing, import and export
Professional services	Finance / Legal Students look at careers in law, banking finance and accounting Project work – the work of the law courts and the City of London
Public Sector	Waste Management / Environment / Police / Fire / Politics Students look at careers in the public sector Project work – presentation on running Cambridge
Charity	International aid and charity organisations Students look at careers in the charity sector Project work – looking at the work of Save the Children and Wintercomfort.

Work Placement and Experience

Title	Description
Visit to a shop / Department Store	John Lewis Partnership Students visit and tour a department store and complete worksheets
Entertainment sector	Visit to Madame Toussauds – London Warwick Castle Student visit a themed attraction centre to learn about the event business and operations
Visit to a warehouse / manufacturers	Looks at supply chain management and logistics at Marshall’s Aerospace – Cambridge Looks at complexities of international trade warehousing, import and export rules, hygiene, health and safety
Day at a Law court, meeting a solicitor/Bank of England/City of London/Bank	London Students look at careers in law, banking finance and accounting Project work – the work of the law courts and the City of London, banks and financial institutions
Day at Citizens Advice Bureau	Cambridge County Council Offices Students visit one of the Council offices and observe work activities in the sector
Day at the Races
Charity	Save the Children and Wintercomfort Students visit one of the charities and observe work activities in the sector.

Work Experience Students — Work Experience