Curriculum

1. CULTURE OF ENGLISH

Areas may include:

• listening to or reading authentic texts

• Discussing cultural differences/similarities

Culture of English modules focus on presenting (and generating discussion) of British culture through listening, reading, and speaking activities. Lessons may centre on an interesting part of British history, present new ideas about British society or culture. The lessons should be task-based or involve a communicative element that engages the students in a meaningful way.

2. SURVIVAL ENGLISH

Areas may include:

• Necessary vocabulary to describe things at Ascot (i.e. places, sports’ equipment and facilities, food)

• Pragmatic (and polite) ways of communicating with native English speakers

Survival English modules focus on ways of coping with life in England; transactional language, idiomatic language, and necessary language to negotiate the activities that take place during a course. Attention is given to fluency and communicative competence.

3. IMPROVING ENGLISH

Areas may include:

• Grammar focus (via a communicative or task-based delivery)

• Introducing new vocabulary to address gaps in students’ knowledge

Improving English modules focus on accurate use of parts of the English language. Lessons of this kind should focus on common mistakes that the students make, or typical problems associated with the students’ proficiency or first language.

4. CONFIDENCE IN ENGLISH

Areas may include:

• Speaking challenges

• Fluency practice

Confidence in English modules focus on improving the students’ confidence in their English proficiency. This means making it clear that it is ok to make mistakes, building on fluency, and creating coping strategies when language is missing.