English for IT · Level A1

Use very simple English to study and start work in IT: introduce yourself, follow computer instructions, write short messages and ask for help.

16 hguided learning hours

29lessons

6modules

A1 (CEFR)exit level

About the course

Awarded by: Derstina Ltd (course certificate)
Who it is for: Students and professionals in IT (software development, networks and systems, information security, web design, IT management) who need English at work.
Entry level: Beginners: no English needed beyond the alphabet and numbers. No IT experience needed.
Delivery: Online and self-paced on phone or laptop, or as part of a class with a teacher. Most lessons follow the same steps: key words, a real work situation, grammar, practice with answers, a speaking task and a writing task.
Guided learning: 15 hours of timed lesson activities plus 1 hours of assessment (16 hours in total). Homework and extra practice are additional.
Progression: Leads to English for IT A2.

Structure and learning outcomes

By the end of each lesson the learner will be able to:

Module 1: Hello, IT! 4 lessons · 128 min
1	Hello! Names, the alphabet and spelling usernames Speaking · Listening · 32 min	Say hello and give your name. Spell your name, your username and your email address. Ask 'How do you spell it?' and answer it.
2	Numbers 0-100: phone numbers, codes and passwords Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Say and write numbers from 0 to 100. Give a phone number, a room number and a code. Ask 'What's your phone number?' and answer it.
3	My computer: this, that, a / an and plurals Vocabulary · Listening · 32 min	Name the things on your desk: laptop, screen, keyboard and more. Use this, that, these and those with a / an and plurals. Ask 'What's this?' and answer it.
4	Colours, buttons and icons on the screen Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Name colours and the buttons and icons on a screen. Put the colour before the noun: 'the green button'. Give simple instructions with 'Click...' and 'Don't click...'.
Module 2: College and work 4 lessons · 128 min
5	My timetable: days, times and subjects Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Say the days of the week and the time. Use at, on and in with times and days. Read and understand a simple class timetable.
6	People in IT: jobs with 'be' (he is / she is) Listening · Speaking · 32 min	Name common jobs in IT. Use am, is and are with a or an to say people's jobs. Introduce a colleague in simple sentences.
7	My day: routines in the present simple Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Talk about your normal day at college. Use the present simple with I, he and she. Read and understand a short text about a student's day.
8	Where is it? Rooms and places (in, on, next to) Listening · Vocabulary · 32 min	Name rooms and places at a college or office. Use in, on, next to and opposite to say where things are. Ask and answer the question "Where is...?"
Module 3: Using a computer 4 lessons · 128 min
9	Click, type, save: simple instructions Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Name simple actions on a computer: click, type, open and save. Give and follow instructions with imperatives (Click… / Don't…). Write short step-by-step instructions for a friend.
10	Log in and log out: usernames and passwords Listening · Speaking · 32 min	Use simple words for logging in: username, password, account, log in and log out. Use my, your, his, her, our and their to say whose thing it is. Help a classmate who can't log in.
11	Files and folders: create, copy and delete Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Use simple words for files and folders: create, copy, paste, move, rename and delete. Use "it" and "them" so you don't repeat a noun. Give a friend simple steps to organise files.
12	The keyboard: keys and shortcuts Vocabulary · Speaking · 32 min	Name keys on a keyboard: Enter, Shift, Ctrl and others. Ask and answer questions with "How do I…?" and "What does… do?". Tell a friend about useful keyboard shortcuts.
Module 4: Online every day 4 lessons · 128 min
13	The internet, websites and apps (there is / there are) Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Name simple things on the internet: websites, apps, links and browsers. Use there is / there are to say what is on a page or a phone. Ask and answer questions with Is there...? and Are there...?
14	Short messages and chats with the class Reading · Writing · 32 min	Read and write short messages in a class group chat. Ask simple questions with Do you...? and Are you...? Give short answers like Yes, I do and No, I'm not.
15	Profiles: what I like and don't like Reading · Writing · 32 min	Read simple online profiles of students and IT people. Use like / don't like / doesn't like to talk about interests. Write a short profile about yourself.
16	Safe online: simple rules Reading · Speaking · 32 min	Understand simple rules for staying safe online. Use imperatives with always, never and don't to give rules. Explain two or three safety rules to a friend.
Module 5: Problems and help 4 lessons · 128 min
17	It doesn't work! Simple problems (don't / doesn't) Grammar · Reading · 32 min	Name simple computer problems with short words. Use 'don't' and 'doesn't' to say what is wrong. Tell a teacher or a classmate about a problem in two or three sentences.
18	Can you help me? Polite questions Speaking · Listening · 32 min	Ask for help with 'Can you...?' and 'Can I...?'. Use polite words: please, excuse me, thank you and sorry. Answer a request with 'Yes, of course' or 'Sorry, I can't'.
19	Rules in the computer lab (please / don't) Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Read and understand simple rules in a computer lab. Use 'Please + verb' and 'Don't + verb' to give rules. Write a short list of rules for a class group chat.
20	Calling IT support: spelling and numbers on the phone Speaking · Listening · 32 min	Call IT support and say your problem in short sentences. Spell your name, username and email address on the phone. Say numbers clearly, for example ticket and room numbers.
Module 6: Me and IT 4 lessons · 128 min
21	What can you do? Skills with 'can' Speaking · Grammar · 32 min	Name simple IT skills. Use 'can' and 'can't' to talk about your skills. Ask and answer questions with 'Can you...?'.
22	Yesterday at college: was / were and simple past Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Talk about yesterday at college. Use 'was' and 'were' correctly. Use common past verbs like 'had', 'went' and 'worked'.
23	My favourite app or device: describing things Vocabulary · Writing · 32 min	Name your favourite app or device. Describe it with simple adjectives. Use 'it is' and 'it has' to give details.
24	My future in IT: 'want to' and 'would like to' Speaking · Writing · 32 min	Name some jobs in IT. Talk about your plans with 'want to' and 'would like to'. Say why you want a job.
Word banks 5 lessons · 125 min
25	Word bank: Parts of a computer Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (Parts of a computer) and use them at work.
26	Word bank: Actions on a computer Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (Actions on a computer) and use them at work.
27	Word bank: The internet, apps and messages Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (The internet, apps and messages) and use them at work.
28	Word bank: College and the classroom Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (College and the classroom) and use them at work.
29	Word bank: Jobs and people in IT Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (Jobs and people in IT) and use them at work.

Assessment

Three assessments at the end of the level. The final test is required for the certificate. The writing and speaking assignments are marked by a Derstina assessor; when both are passed, the certificate records that writing and speaking were assessed.

Final test

20 multiple-choice questions on the level's reading, vocabulary and grammar, drawn from a larger bank and marked on the server. Pass mark 70%. Up to 3 attempts a day; each attempt expires after 2 hours.

Writing assignment: A message to your teacher

You cannot come to your computer class tomorrow. Write a short message to your teacher, Ms Madina.

Say hello and your name and group.
Say that you cannot come tomorrow and why.
Ask about the homework.
Say thank you.

30–60 words · about 20 min · marked by a Derstina assessor

Outcomes assessed: Write a short, polite message with a clear purpose. Use simple sentences to give a reason and ask a question.

Criteria (0–3 each): Task achievement, Organisation, Range, Accuracy

Speaking assignment: Hello, this is me

Record a short introduction for your new IT class.

Your name and where you study or work.
The devices you use every day.
One thing you can do on a computer, and one thing you can't do yet.
One app or website you like, and why.

1–2 minutes recorded · about 10 min · marked by a Derstina assessor

Outcomes assessed: Introduce yourself in simple sentences. Talk about your devices, skills and likes.

Criteria (0–3 each): Task achievement, Fluency and coherence, Range, Pronunciation and accuracy

Marking scale (each criterion)

0 · Not shownNot attempted, off-task, or too little to assess.

1 · Partly metSome evidence, but frequent gaps or errors stop it working at work.

2 · MetDoes the job at this level. Errors do not stop the reader or listener understanding.

3 · Fully metClear, confident and well controlled for this level.

A pass needs at least 8 of 12 and no criterion at 0. Work that does not pass is referred with written feedback, and the learner may submit a new attempt. A second member of staff samples marked work for consistency (internal quality assurance). Learners confirm each submission is their own work.

Certification

Learners who pass the final test receive a Derstina course certificate for English for IT A1, showing the level, the final test score and 16 guided learning hours, and whether the writing and speaking assignments were passed. Each certificate has a unique ID and a QR code; anyone can check it at derstina.com/verify.

This is a Derstina course certificate. It is not an official exam result such as IELTS or TOEFL.