You’ll have 8 lessons per week in Special Interest Groups, included in the price.
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. Topics vary according to college location and are subject to minimum class numbers.
Sample Special Interest Groups:
For up to Pre-intermediate level
Fluency and Discussion
Listening and Pronunciation
For Intermediate level and above
Academic Reading and Writing
IELTS Preparation
Business and Finance
Law
Introduction to Tourism
Introduction to Hospitality
Films Studies
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.
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.
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 and Finance (Kings London)
- Business terminology and communication
- Report writing, presentation skills and PowerPoint
- Business case-study project work
- Practical real-life business experience
- Visits to business / financial institutions
- Optional preparation for Cambridge ICFE and BEC exams
4. Law (Kings London)
- Criminal and civil law
- Optional preparation for Cambridge ILEC exam
- Research methods
- Legal English terminology
- Report writing and presentation skills
- Legal case-study — presentation and report
- Visit to law firms and Royal Courts of Justice / Old Bailey
5. Introduction to Tourism (Kings Bournemouth)
Set start dates
- English for Tourism
- Tourism operations: transport, accommodation, attractions, events, destinations, and tour operators
- Marketing: marketing mix, statistics and data analysis, market and competitor analysis; macro and micro economic factors
- Graded assignment and presentation
6. Introduction to Hospitality (Kings Bournemouth)
(Set start dates)
- English for Hospitality
- Hotel and restaurant operations: food, accommodation, beverages,
- facilities and classification systems
- Customer service skills and relationships
- Graded assignment and presentation
Set start dates
- Genres, trends and film history
- History of Hollywood
- Acting foundations: skills and techniques
- Acting for the camera
- Script development and creative writing
- Production/Post Production: Filming and editing
- Practical skills in making a short film
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
