General English
Whether your aim is to learn a new language or to improve your English skills, this is the right course for you and will help you to build your confidence. Capital School of English in Bournemouth provides tuition covering: the use of English, listening, reading, writing and spoken English courses, so as to reach an understanding of native speakers and to be able to communicate with confidence and fluency.
School Timetable
* CLASS TIMES
o 9:00am - 10:30am (2 Lessons of 45 minutes)
Break
o 10:45am - 12:15pm (2 Lessons of 45 minutes)
Break
o 12:30pm - 1.30pm (1 Lesson of 60 minutes)
Break
o 1:45pm - 3:15pm (2 Lessons of 45 minutes)
Break
o 3:30pm - 5:00pm (2 Lessons of 45 minutes)
How are my lessons structured?
Lessons 1 & 2 focus on language awareness, pronunciation and grammatical structures relevant to your level of English. Lessons 3 & 4 concentrate on reinforcing structures through practice of the four main skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking.
How many hours a week can I study?
You can choose from 15 hours a week up to 30 hours, according to your needs and motivation.
Standard (20 lessons, 15 hours a week)
This is our core programme. This level comprises 4 lessons per day (Classes will be either morning or afternoon). This course will cover the four main language skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking (there will be emphasis on grammatical structures according to the students level). All students follow a course book which the teachers supplement throughout often bringing the language alive and allowing students to activate learnt language
Intensive (25 lessons, 20 hours a week)
This combines the standard programme with 5 additional lessons. The intensive course incorporates a one hour session from Monday to Friday focusing on different aspects of the language. These include: conversational English, grammar awareness, pronunciation, video/audio presentations and skills such as writing/reading/listening.
This approach gives you more time to interact with the language and build a more confident understanding of the languages use. In addition, General English can be combined with Examination lessons, an IELTS preparation course or Business English. (Not recommended for beginners).
The Standard + Options Course - See our special promotion to try one of these specialist Intensive Courses
This is designed for students who have specific aims for their language learning; these options are IELTS, Business, and Communication. This means you will do the normal three hours course, and in addition you will receive an hour’s tuition in your chosen option. As long as numbers permit, you are also free to change your optional course whenever you like.
1/ IELTS; this is the examination course that is expected of any UK university as proof of your level of linguistic competence in English. It therefore replicates the demands that will be placed upon you in a university situation. You will receive a thorough grounding in the demands and particular strategies of the examination, with experienced teachers who can give you help that is tailored to your specific needs, be it academic writing, note-taking, reading for specific information or giving discursive presentations. Note that we also offer help, for free, in liaising with potential universities. Please note; the minimum entry level for this course is intermediate.
2/ Business; this is for those who either have, or who are considering, a career in business. We address five various skills which will be practised on a day by day basis over an eight-week syllabus. The course comprises; telephone work, teamwork and presentation, negotiation skills, current affairs and commercial correspondence. The intention will be to give you greater confidence in any business situation, be it in conferences, communicating by email or, of course, on the telephone. At the same time, you will be learning from actual sources (the Economist, the Financial Times etc) and so you will be better able to talk about current issues in the business world. Please note; the minimum entry level for this course is intermediate.
3/ Communication; this will give you the opportunity to work with the language you have been learning on your standard course. The emphasis is on skills, particularly speaking, which will be carried out through debates, projects and team tasks. You will use newspapers, looking at current affairs, customs, history and art to learn more about English culture. You will receive in this way a thorough grounding in the origins of modern Britain. We very much hope that you will take advantage of the course to inform yourselves about places that you can then visit, both locally and further away.
Disclaimer; we reserve the right not to run any of the above intensive courses if the demand for them falls below three students wishing to take the course at any one time.
The Academic Programme will run for 36 weeks, until the 10th September. We will be preparing for the IELTS examination which will take place on the 11th September. Depending on your level, the start dates will be on the 4th of January, on the 29th of March or the 14th of June. You will be working on the general English programme until the 16th July, when the IELTS course will begin for eight weeks. You must remember that the best preparation for IELTS is to have a high level of English. That is why we expect you to do a full course of general English before the IELTS course begins.
Full Immersion (40 lessons, 30 hours a week)
This programme is designed to assist students who are only able to study for a short time and who want to maximise their exposure to the language. This is ideal if you want to concentrate on certain skills. Lessons are both in the morning and the afternoon. (Not suitable for Beginners or Elementary level).
What do I need to bring on my first day at Capital School?
You need to bring your passport, your school confirmation letter, a pen, a notebook and a desire to learn! Often students are very nervous about their first days in school but the schools family orientated staff will mean that you will feel at home from the minute you arrive.
What happens on my first day at School?
As inductions take place every Monday at 08.15am, please arrive by 08.00am and report to reception. You will then be tested in order to establish your level and assigned a class with students of similar linguistic abilities.
You will have an induction talk outlining the School rules and what happens during your stay. You will be given an induction folder containing your student card, and all the useful information you require for your stay at Capital School of English.
How can I know my level?
On the first day at Capital School of English you will take a placement test. This will ensure that you will be studying at the correct level. There are seven English levels: Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced and Proficiency.
You will follow a structured syllabus designed specifically for your level. The academic staff at school will monitor your first but very important days in class to ensure that you have adapted to the challenges of studying in a multi-lingual environment
How can I check my progress?
In addition to the daily observation and homework, there are regular evaluation tests. These will allow your teacher to check on your progress. At the end of the course you will receive a progress report that includes further recommendations to help you improve your English.
When can I change my level?
Depending on your performance in class together with your regular assessmentof term results the teacher will decide if and when you are ready to move to the next level. There is an Academic meeting held weekly where individual students are discussed and feedback is given the following day.
How long does each term last?
Each term lasts a minimum of 8 weeks. (Except for summer term, which lasts 9 weeks). Start times, however, are flexible although we advise you to try and start at the beginning of a term to gain the most benefit.
What do I receive at the end of the course?
You will receive a Capital School of English Certificate for the period that you have studied and the level you have achieved, as well as, an End of Course Report (for courses longer than two weeks) detailing your progress in the different language skills.
After course care is very important and students can leave the school happy in the knowledge that the door is always open to discuss additional courses at Capital School of English or Further Education Opportunities.
