General Aim of the Course
The general aim is to provide foreign students an English Language proficiency level so that they can enter into English medium higher education programmes.
General Objectives of the Course
The general objectives are to improve the students English Language proficiency in the English Language general and academic skills which are reading, writing, listening and speaking from level 1 to level 4; and develop the students confidence in English Language usage.
Course Structure, Level Learning Outcomes, Duration and Delivery
The structure of the course consists of four language levels, 1, 2, 3 and 4. At the lower language levels 1 and 2, the emphasis is almost entirely on General English, although both the selection of course materials and the elaboration of the syllabus will enable you to make a smooth transition to the subsequent EAP (English for Academic Purposes) component. When you have satisfactorily completed levels 1 and 2, you may proceed to the more Academic English components of levels 3 and 4. In reality, your transition will be smooth rather than abrupt; and you will find a gradual shift in emphasis from General English at level 1 to Academic English at level 4. The revision of General English will remain consistent throughout the course.
General English follows a syllabus of grammatical, lexical, phonological, textual and functional/contextual language features in an integrated and carefully planned sequence. Through student-centred tasks and projects of increasing complexity, this leads into the Academic English unit. Learner Training aims to teach students to be aware of their learning styles and to complement these with alternative well-tried strategies; it also prepares students to become independent and self-directed learners.
Academic English covers a range of language skills and activities specific to academic contexts, including reading for gist, summarising, listening to lectures, essay and report-writing, and making presentations. Study skills includes note-taking, getting and transferring information from text, tables and diagrams, summarising arguments, planning papers and dissertations and where appropriate IT skills.
Level | Learning Outcomes | Emphasis | Duration | IELTS on Entry |
IELTS at Exit |
UCLES | TOEFL |
Level 1 Elementary to Lower Intermediate |
On completion of level 1, students will be able to develop control and understanding of basic grammar and structure in order to provide a firm foundation for the extension of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills for the next level. | General English and Learner Training | 12 weeks | - | - | - |
Up to 400 |
Level 2 Lower Intermediate to Intermediate |
On completion of level 2, students will be able to:
|
General English and Learner Training | 12 weeks | - | 5.0 | PET | 425-475 |
Level 3 Intermediate to Upper Intermediate |
On completion of level 3, students will be able to:
|
Academic English and Study Skills | 12 weeks | 5.0 | 5.5 | FCE | 500-525 |
Level 4 Upper Intermediate to Advanced |
On completion of level 4, students will be able to:
|
Academic English and Study Skills | 12 weeks | 5.5 | 6.0 | CAE | 550-575 |
The comparison being made here is between the language level of the course work at each level and the course work typically found on courses preparing for the IELTS, UCLES, and TOEFL examinations. |
Level | Examination |
Level 1 |
Final Examination: Use of English 20%, Reading 20%, Writing 20%, Listening 20%, and Speaking 20%. Total Marks = 100% |
Level 2 |
Final Examination: Use of English 20%, Reading 20%, Writing 20%, Listening 20%, and Speaking 20%. Total Marks = 100% |
Level 3 |
Final Examination: Use of English 20%, Reading 20%, Writing 20%, Listening 20%, and Speaking 20%. Total Marks = 100% |
Level 4 |
Final Examination: Use of English 20%, Reading 20%, Writing 20%, Listening 20%, and Speaking 20%. Total Marks = 100% |