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Language Levels
Beginners Level
(level 1)
Our English for
Beginner’s course introduces basic language points to enable students
to develop and improve their English skills and provides a sound basis
for those students wishing to progress to higher levels
The syllabus covers the following:
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Basic grammar and
vocabulary
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Pronunciation practice
-
Emphasis on
communication
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The development and
practice of the 4 main language skills
- listening
- speaking
- reading, and
- writing
- “Everyday” English, which students
may encounter or require whilst living in Britain
Elementary Level (level 2)
Our Elementary
English course builds on the knowledge students already have and is
intended to improve their language skills further. It is a general
English course, but it is also good preparation for any students who
may intend to take exams in the future, as well as for those who
simply wish to move on to the next level.
The syllabus covers the following:
- British society and culture
- Pronunciation
- Emphasis on communication
- The further development and
practice of the 4 main language skills
- listening
- speaking
- reading, and
- writing
- “Everyday” English, which students
may encounter or require whilst living in Britain
Pre-Intermediate (Level 3)
Work at this level is
aimed both at those wanting to take exams and those wanting to improve
their English further. Students at this level may take the Cambridge
Preliminary English Test.
- Grammar: - remedial work on all
aspects of grammar done so far
introduction of word formation
- simple sentence transformation
including active/passive and direct/indirect speech
- introduction to phrasal verbs and
idioms
- introduction of more complicated
aspects of tenses
- Vocabulary: - Reading
comprehension
More difficult items of vocabulary
- Vocabulary in context
- Confusing words: homographs and
homophones
Writing:
- Letters: formal, semi-formal and
informal letter writing
- Narratives: Simple construction of
a story
- Recipes: Sequencing of ingredients
and instructions; use of specific language
Speaking:
The use of appropriate language
structures to:
- Describe things, people and places
- Describe pictures
- Interpret simple maps and diagrams
Speaking activities
include debates, discussions and role-plays.
Listening: Taped conversations of dialogues, stories and instructions
with a variety of English accents
Intermediate FCE (level 4)
Students at this
level undertake work similar in structure to the Cambridge First
Certificate Examinations.
Reading:
- Reading of more complex and varied
texts for comprehension
- Appropriacy of text and paragraph
headings
- Linking passages
Writing:
- Letters: Formal, semi-formal and
informal letters of greater length
- Stories of greater length using
more complex vocabulary and grammar structures
- Reports
- Articles
Interpreting data to produce a piece
of writing in the above mediums.
Use of English:
- Remedial work on all aspects of
grammar
- More complex word formation
- Sentence transformation –
active/passive, direct/indirect speech, conditional and unreal
tenses
- Idioms
- Phrasal verbs
- Speaking:
Debates, discussions and role-plays
- Describing pictures, scenes and
people
- Interpreting data
- Discussing and solving problems
with other students using appropriate language
Listening:
Taped passages with a variety of
accents and more complex vocabulary
ADVANCED LEVEL (Level 5)
Synopsis
Stanfords School of English offers a complete, integrated course for
students at Advanced level and the opportunity to prepare for the
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English examination. This
certificate is set by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Board and is probably the world’s best known and most respected
qualification at Advanced level. Examinations are held in mid June and
mid December every year.
The syllabus
The syllabus includes use of a course book which is supplemented by
additional materials.
Key aspects of the CAE examination includes:
- an overall emphasis on the real
world with authentic tasks
- a substantial amount of reading
and the testing of specific reading skills, such as skimming and
scanning (Paper 1)
- a writing task (Paper 2, Part 1)
which incorporates a major reading element
- an English in Use paper (Paper 3)
which tests not only grammar and vocabulary but also the editing
skills of correction and rewriting
- a Listening paper (Paper 4) which
tests specific listening skills such as identifying and interpreting
context, and which includes a text which is heard once only
- a Speaking paper (Paper 5) where
candidates are examined in pairs and tested on specific oral skills
THE CAMBRIDGE
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH
While it is envisaged to open a class at Stanfords leading to this
examination, this will depend on future enrolment numbers at this
level.
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