English for IT · Level A2

Use simple English for everyday tasks in an IT team: introductions, tasks and status, simple emails and messages, and basic technical reading.

16 hguided learning hours

29lessons

6modules

A2 (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: A1 English (can understand and use basic everyday expressions), or completion of English for IT A1. 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 1.5 hours of assessment (16 hours in total). Homework and extra practice are additional.
Progression: Follows English for IT A1. Leads to English for IT B1.

Structure and learning outcomes

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

Module 1: Starting in IT 4 lessons · 128 min
1	Hello, I'm a developer: introductions at work Speaking · Listening · 32 min	Introduce yourself to a new team: your name, where you are from and your job. Use 'be' (am/is/are) and the present simple to talk about your work. Answer a simple greeting like 'Nice to meet you'.
2	Computers and devices Vocabulary · Reading · 32 min	Name common computers and devices you use at work. Use 'there is / there are' and 'has' to describe your equipment. Ask IT support for a new device in a short, polite message.
3	Software, apps and files Vocabulary · Listening · 32 min	Name common types of software, apps and files. Use countable and uncountable nouns correctly (apps, files / software, information). Tell a new colleague which apps to install and where to save files.
4	Numbers, versions, dates and times in IT Listening · Speaking · 32 min	Say version numbers, sizes, percentages, dates and times clearly. Use 'at', 'on' and 'in' correctly with times, days, dates and months. Give a short update about a release date and time with a time zone.
Module 2: Everyday tasks 4 lessons · 128 min
5	A day at an IT company Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Talk about a normal working day in an IT company. Use the present simple with words like 'usually' and 'always'. Read and understand a short text about a developer's day.
6	Using a computer: following instructions Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Understand short step-by-step instructions for a computer. Use imperatives and the words first, then, next and finally. Give simple instructions to a colleague.
7	Saying what is wrong: simple problem reports Speaking · Listening · 32 min	Say clearly what is wrong with a computer, app or website. Use 'doesn't', 'can't' and the past simple to describe a problem. Write a short, simple problem report with steps.
8	Asking for help politely Speaking · Writing · 32 min	Ask a colleague for help in a polite way. Use 'Can you...?', 'Could you...?' and 'Could I...?' with 'please'. Say thank you and answer when someone asks you for help.
Module 3: Talking about technology 4 lessons · 128 min
9	Comparing devices and tools Vocabulary · Grammar · 32 min	Talk about computers, phones and tools with simple IT words. Compare two devices or tools with comparatives and superlatives. Say which device or tool you choose and why.
10	Describing a website or an app Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Name the main parts of a website or an app screen. Describe a screen with “there is / there are”, “you can” and words like “at the top” and “next to”. Write a short description of a website or app.
11	The internet and networks: the basics Listening · Vocabulary · 32 min	Use basic words about the internet and networks: router, IP address, server, bandwidth. Explain simply how a device connects to a website. Describe a connection problem with the present simple and the present continuous.
12	Staying safe online: passwords and accounts Reading · Writing · 32 min	Use key words about accounts and online safety: password manager, 2FA, phishing. Give safety advice and rules with “should”, “have to” and “don't have to”. Report a suspicious email to a security team.
Module 4: Reading in English 4 lessons · 128 min
13	Reading short instructions and screen messages Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Understand short step-by-step instructions for a computer or an app. Understand common screen messages and know what to do. Use imperatives (Click..., Don't...) to give simple instructions.
14	Understanding simple error messages Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Understand common error messages like 'Not found', 'Access denied' and 'Invalid password'. Know the first simple step to fix each problem. Use negatives (isn't, doesn't, can't, didn't) to explain what is wrong.
15	Reading short work emails and chat messages Reading · Vocabulary · 32 min	Understand short work emails and team chat messages. Understand common short forms like FYI, ASAP and EOD. Follow and link ideas with 'and', 'but', 'so', 'because' and 'also'.
16	Reading job adverts for junior roles Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Understand the main parts of a job advert: responsibilities, requirements and what the company offers. Know the difference between 'you have to' and 'you should' in adverts. Write a short email to apply for a junior role or internship.
Module 5: Writing at work 4 lessons · 128 min
17	Writing a short chat message Writing · Reading · 32 min	Write a short, clear and polite chat message to a colleague. Ask for help, and offer help with 'I'll...', 'Shall I...?' and 'Let me...'. Reply in a thread and use mentions correctly.
18	Filling in forms and online profiles Writing · Vocabulary · 32 min	Understand the usual fields in an online form. Fill in a work profile with correct personal and job information. Write a short 'About me' text in the present simple.
19	Writing a simple email: asking and replying Writing · Reading · 32 min	Write a short email with a clear subject line, a greeting and a sign-off. Ask questions with 'Do/Does/Did...?' and 'Could you...?'. Reply to an email and answer each question.
20	Writing a short task update Writing · Grammar · 32 min	Write a short update about a task: done, in progress or blocked. Use the past simple (regular and irregular verbs) for finished work. Use 'going to' for next steps.
Module 6: Your IT studies and career 4 lessons · 128 min
21	Talking about your studies and projects Speaking · Vocabulary · 32 min	Talk about your college, your course and your subjects. Describe a study project in simple sentences. Use the present simple and the present continuous correctly.
22	Skills and abilities: what you can do Reading · Grammar · 32 min	Say what you can and can't do at work. Say how well you can do something. Use 'can', 'can't' and 'good at' correctly.
23	Plans for the future Speaking · Grammar · 32 min	Talk about your study and career plans. Talk about your goals with 'want to' and 'I'd like to'. Offer help with 'I'll'.
24	Your first interview: simple answers Speaking · Listening · 32 min	Answer simple interview questions about yourself. Talk about your experience with the past simple. Ask a question at the end of an interview.
Word banks 5 lessons · 125 min
25	Word bank: Computers and devices Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (Computers and devices) and use them at work.
26	Word bank: Software, apps and files Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (Software, apps and files) and use them at work.
27	Word bank: The internet and networks Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (The internet and networks) and use them at work.
28	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.
29	Word bank: People, jobs and studies in IT Vocabulary · 25 min	Learn 30 key words for this topic (People, jobs and studies 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: An email to your team lead

You cannot finish a task today. Write an email to your team lead, Anna.

Say which task it is and why you cannot finish it today.
Say what you have already done.
Say when you will finish it.
Ask one question or offer help with something else.

60–100 words · about 30 min · marked by a Derstina assessor

Outcomes assessed: Write a short, polite work email with a clear purpose. Describe a task, its status and a deadline.

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

Speaking assignment: Introduce yourself to a new team

It is your first day in a new IT team. Record a short introduction.

Your name and where you study or work.
What you do or what you are learning (tools, languages, systems).
One thing you like about IT.
One goal for the next year.

1–2 minutes recorded · about 15 min · marked by a Derstina assessor

Outcomes assessed: Introduce yourself and your role in an IT team. Talk about your studies, skills and goals.

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 A2, 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.