You’ll have 8 lessons per week in Special Interest Groups.
If you are at a lower level, you will continue with General English lessons with special emphasis on speaking and listening.
As you progress, you can choose further General English or a selection of special interest groups. Subjects vary at each college.
Sample Special Interest Groups:
For up to Pre-intermediate level
For Intermediate level and above
Additional special interest groups
Special Interest Groups up to Pre-intermediate level (Kings Levels 1-3)
Lower level students take Special Interest Groups in both Fluency and Discussion and Listening and Pronunciation.
1. Fluency and discussion
A special interest group focusing on speaking, speaking and more
speaking! It will improve your fluency, pronunciation and vocabulary and help you gain in confidence.
Main focus:
- Contributing to discussions
- Using role play to communicate
- Developing mini-presentations
- Taking part in drama activities.
2. Listening and pronunciation
A special interest group to improve your spoken performance in English.
Main focus:
- Concentrating on sounds, stress, rhythm and intonation
- Working with sound units (phonemes)
- Articulating sounds
- Using primary and secondary stress
- Understanding sentence rhythm - intonation, emotion and meaning.
Special Interest Groups for Intermediate level and above
1. Academic Reading and Writing
Special interest classes to improve your reading, writing and presentation skills to the standard required for effective degree level study at UK universities.
Main focus:
- Developing presentation skills
- Learning how to plan and write an essay
- Learning how to research a subject effectively
- Improving your reading strategies.
2. IELTS Preparation
Specialist IELTS preparation lessons which cover the essential grammar, vocabulary and language skills required for success in the IELTS examination. Also covers exam techniques and self-correction techniques. Regular practice exams are included.
Main focus:
- Studying exam techniques and strategies
- Developing skills to read more quickly and effectively
- Picking out important information as you listen
- Answering different types of questions
- Organising your writing.
You can also take a specialist course which prepares you for IELTS, FCE and CAE exams.
3. Business English/ English for Work (Kings Level 5)
Covers the essential areas of business English and develops the language you need for business in English. Topics include: communication, meetings, entertaining the client, brand power, reports, cash flow and public relations.
Main focus:
- Enhancing vocabulary for business and commerce
- Conducting negotiations and meetings
- Improving presentations and written reports
- Gaining skills in business correspondence
- Being effective in business socialising.
Additional Special Interest Groups
Depending on your choice of location, these might include:
- Media and Film Studies
- Art & Design
- Reading Club
- British Life and Culture
