English Language Programs

The best way to learn a foreign language is to live in and understand the place of the target language is the mother tongue. -Bertil Hult

Why it is Important to Learn English Language?
As the communication and transportation are developing rapidly, the world we live in is getting smaller everyday. Through technology, global links are established, information-sharing are common and business is accelerating. Given the scenario, having the international language proficiency is of great advantage for everyone. English is used almost everywhere and in every situation especially in business and media. While only a quarter of the globe represents the English speaking countries, almost all of the world’s population use English to communicate with the foreigners. Moreover, many multinational companies are now required to recruit new employees with a good standard of English.

Mastering the English language is of great significance in your career. Before you could enter any institution of learning in the United Kingdom, a foreign student is required to present a certificate of his/her level of English proficiency. This is because your English proficiency greatly affects your performance in school specially in accessing information in the internet where 70% of its contents are in English

There is no better place to learn English than in England. Every year over 600,000 people all over the world are going to Britain to learn English. British universities and colleges have the most number of best English language courses in the world. Students could easily find the suitable English language course to take. Furthermore, British universities and colleges are known for high quality of teaching English. Teachers are all holders of English Teaching Certification to ensure that the most stringent requirements of the English courses are met.

Living and studying in United Kingdom gives you a lot of advantages in learning the English language. In your daily life, the English language is used everywhere. From newspaper, television, internet, radio, film to books and magazines, English is used. Every time you go shopping, watching movies or eating in restaurants, you have to speak in English. In which case, your knowledge and confidence to learn and use the English language grow everyday. If you wish, you can also go and visit a British family, thereby enhancing your ability to use English skills. You can also hire qualified teachers to teach you English at home.

Eight Categories of English Language courses:

1. General English Course
The main object of the course is to learn English to improve daily work, enabling to communicate well with other people. Courses include extensive content, such as work, health and health care, entertainment and various scenes of daily life - shopping, booking, and dine.

2. English for Academic Purposes
This course is a must for students who wish to study in a British higher learning institution. It focuses on homework, class notes, reading and writing literature and presentations. Aside from the professional course, British universities and colleges include English language as one of the elective courses. Furthermore, you need to perform well in TOEFL and IELTS for you to be admitted in the university.

3. Professional English courses (English for Specific Purposes)
Professional English courses are needed by professionals whose work implores the great need for English proficiency. These works include art design, computer engineering, electronic engineering, flight and traffic control, tourism, medical services, and business management.

4. Pre-school English course
After completing these courses, the student may apply for language teaching assistantship. Aside from that, the student, upon careful assessment of his/her qualifications, may apply for research assistantships, tutoring and many others.

5. English courses in the semester (In-session English Courses)
These courses are offered to foreign students who enrolled in professional courses. These English courses are aimed at furthering students’ English proficiency level to become more competitive in their professional courses. International students usually do not have to pay tuition fee.

6. English and additional courses (English Plus Courses)
These courses are included as one of the elective courses for students who take vocational courses. Foreign students are encouraged to enroll these English courses even if they only take vocational courses.

7. Seasonal Course
Seasonal courses are generally short courses offered usually in the summer or during Easter.

8. English Foreign Language Teaching Course and Non-Native English Teachers Training. (TESOL)
The course is designed for those who intend to have English teaching as career. The course is not only to prepare English teachers in English speaking countries but even for those who wish to teach English as a foreign language.

English language courses are offered in the following:

Private language schools

Private and private colleges

Continuing education colleges

Universities

English language courses to study vary greatly among these institutions. You may select your school to attend to through interview with the school authority. You can also design your own schedule as to whether you attend your course weekly, a month, three months, or per hour.

Fees
Tuition fee for language courses vary among universities, but generally the tuition fee could be categorized s follows:

General English: 100 pounds/week

English Plus courses: over 300 pounds/week

Academic English courses:100-200 pounds/week

The certification language schools
There are a lot of various language schools accrediting agencies and organizations. The most famous so far is the British Cultural Association. It is responsible for the accreditation of English language courses of British private language schools. The ARELS is responsible for the accreditation of public schools English language programs. Some universities may also voluntarily request for accreditation from the English Language Teaching Association (BASELT) who have more stringent requirements and procedures. There are already 370 schools who where accredited by the BASELT. In accrediting a school, the school must follow standards set by the accrediting committee. The school must have sufficient teaching facilities, high qualifications of teachers, and even schools administrators are also taken into consideration during the accreditation.

For detailed information on these schools, visit the following website: http://www.educationuk.org.cn/english

Entry requirements
There are no special requirements for taking general English courses, but applications to professional courses, some requirements are asked to be provided. Other specialized courses may even have specific requirements.

How to apply for English language courses

• Request for school application form and the curriculum you wish to take.

• Read carefully the application form and the curriculum.

• Fill out the application form completely.

• Mail the application form.

• Wait for the notification letter which also includes details of your attendance and your expected cost of study.

• Pay the deposit amount and send your confirmation of attendance.