This course is designed for intermediate students (B1 or B2) who want to improve their English to a more advanced level (C1) or for advanced students who want to maintain their level. The time in the class is dedicated to speaking to improve fluency and learning new vocabulary. In addition, the course includes activities to improve writing, listening, reading and grammar.
The classes are private (either for individuals or small groups) which means you will have more time to practice your speaking, as opposed to group classes at language institutes, which tend to focus on activities students can do at the same time such as reading, writing, and listening.
STRUCTURE
Each lesson focuses on a different theme chosen by the student. You can see the list of lesson topics here. In the class, you will speak about the theme of the lesson and learn new vocabulary. This helps to improve fluency and confidence. Before the class as homework, you will read an article and complete a listening activity on the theme to boost these skills as well as giving you the opportunity to learn new vocabulary. After the class, you will write about the topic for homework, giving you the opportunity to improve your writing and grammar skills.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The course structure ensures that you receive the best value for money from your English classes. You don’t need to pay a teacher to watch you while you write, read or watch a video – so you won’t. These activities are left for homework meaning you only pay for what you need a teacher to be present for – engaging in conversation and providing feedback on what you say and write. No more paying for “movie classes” or for a teacher to spend time in the class checking their Facebook!
METHODOLOGIES
A teaching methodology is a way for the teacher to pass on their knowledge to their students. Qualified English teachers learn a variety of different methodologies and when it is appropriate to apply them. Many language institutes that talk about “our methodology” in the singular clearly haven’t had this training, and often their “methodology” is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. Some even list “native teachers”, which is a recruitment policy and nothing to do with teaching methods.
A number of methodologies are used in this course, including: the direct method (all instructions are given in English to create an immersive environment), communicative language teaching (real life conversation practice to improve fluency), focus on form (a live evaluation to eliminate errors), and focus on forms (to introduce new grammar) amongst others. These methods ensure that students simultaneously improve their fluency when speaking as well as their accuracy in what they say (and write).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Each course is flexible and unique to the student depending on their objectives and current level. The personal circumstances of the student is also a determining factor. It takes Mandarin and Arabic speakers longer to learn English than Spanish or French speakers because of the differences or similarities between their first languages and English. Someone living, working or studying in an English-speaking environment will also improve quicker than someone who does not have this opportunity. You will also advance more rapidly if you practice English in your free time (such as watching TV shows or by reading news articles in English).
Research from Cambridge English suggests it takes approximately 150 to 200 guided learning hours (time spent in the classroom or working on activities set by a teacher) to advance from one CEFR level to the next (e.g., B1 to B2, or B2 to C1). Each class typically lasts 90 minutes, and for each hour in the classroom, there is approximately one hour of homework. So, if you take two classes per week and compete your homework, you can expect to advance a level in approximately six to seven months.
Many language institutes and other individuals take advantage of people’s urgency to learn English and make bold promises of rapid advancement without providing any evidence of their ability to achieve this (other than a certificate of “completion” at the end of the course). Indeed, Cambridge English have found no evidence that these programmes actually do help students advance more rapidly than the times suggested above.
To check your progress, you will be provided with constant feedback from your teacher, as well as a quarterly exam based on an international level test.
ARRANGE YOUR FREE TRIAL CLASS
Before starting the course, you are invited to take a free trial class to assess your current speaking level, to explain more about the course, and to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have. You can request your trial class on the contact page.
PRICES & TERMS
Click here to see the prices and terms for the course.
