English for Specific Purposes (Specialist Topics) Courses
We offer a wide range of Specialist Topics courses and most of these are usually taken in combination with a GE15 General English course. Courses are held for 20 lessons per week (including the GE15 course) and are offered subject to demand and sufficient advance notification.
S20A – English Language for Teachers
20 lessons per week
(15 lessons of General English plus 5 lessons of English for Teachers)
Levels: Upper-Intermediate and above.
This course is for non-native English speakers only.
This course combines GE15 with 5 lessons of one-to-one or small group tuition on Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Students will improve their own language skills and learn about the latest theories in EFL learning and teaching, and practical suggestions for the classroom. The course includes a detailed needs analysis of each student and then covers topics including phonology, grammar, improving classroom dynamics, using technology in the classroom and utilising authentic materials. There is no teaching practice component on this course.
BE20B – Medical English
20 lessons per week
(15 lessons of General English plus 5 lessons of Medical English)
Levels: Upper-Intermediate and above
This course is primarily designed for medical professionals. It is addressed to doctors, nurses, and medical students who want to improve their command of medical terminology used in the English-speaking medical community. The syllabus is negotiated with the students to allow the course to be tailored to meet an individual student’s needs. The course focuses on developing students' presentation skills, as well as reading medical texts and writing reports. This course is a popular option for students seeking English instruction to support their future career objectives.
AYP20 – English for Academic Purposes
(15 lessons of General English plus 5 lessons of English for Academic Purposes)
Levels: Upper-Intermediate and above
This course consists of 15 lessons per week of General English and 5 lessons of specialised university preparation and students are expected to spend considerable extra time on research and homework tasks. Students will learn about first-year academic programmes at British universities and develop their academic and self-directed study techniques. Students will also upgrade their language skills to a level of proficiency that will enable them to participate effectively in undergraduate studies in the UK. The course includes English language training, cross-cultural studies, learner training, and is made up of 3 12-week modules which increase in complexity. Students also spend time preparing for the IELTS exam, which is necessary for entry into a British university. This is a particularly intensive course, suited to serious students who wish to go onto higher education in the UK.
CSC20 – Cultural Studies
(15 lessons of General English plus 5 lessons of Cultural Studies)
Levels: Advanced or Proficiency
The aim of this course is for students to develop their language skills through the study of subjects in which they have a particular interest while gaining an understanding of the social, cultural and historical context of the English language. The course will sometimes include excursions to places of interest relevant to the area of study (students cover the cost of these excursions but they are kept to a minimum).
The course consists of three modules. The three modules are:
Life and Literature
Students study major British authors, dramatists and poets, from Shakespeare to the modern age.
Taking Issue
Students gain a deeper understanding of social and political issues that shape Modern Britain, including the Monarchy, relations with Europe and Northern Ireland.
Britain Now
Students study works of modern British writers such as Dylan Thomas, Philip Larkin, as well as films and song writers from the Seventies to modern times. Students will examine and debate the content and themes of these works and what they reveal about British people.
Business / Special Topic One to One Tutorials
Levels: All
Our One to One General English Courses are for students requiring intensive tuition over a short period. Students can also arrange Special Topic One to One courses suited to their own professional or academic requirements.