English & Communicative Skills

Course length

You can start on any of the enrolment dates, and take a course of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 weeks.

Course structure

• 15 hours per week of English in the mornings
•   5 hours per week of special interest classes and related activities
•   social programme

Who is the course for?

Adults from many different countries who already know some English but wish to improve their skills through an intensive course in a relaxed and friendly environment.

What do I get?

• small classes (maximum 14 students) at all levels except   beginner
• fully equipped multimedia language laboratory
• communicative curriculum
• 20 hours of tuition per week
• convenient university accommodation on campus
• access to University library, sports facilities, computer workstations and Students’ Union
• full, lively social programme

What does the course contain?

The aim of the course is to develop language skills by building upon existing linguistic knowledge and ability.

It is an integrated skills based programme which will:

• improve speaking and listening skills
• activate and develop vocabulary
• encourage conversation and discussion
• improve pronunciation
• develop and consolidate grammar
• improve accuracy and fluency of writing (e.g. letters, reports, summaries, essays etc.)
• explore interesting issues and topical themes
• develop reading skills
• encourage skills of independent learning

Morning Classes

In the morning classes you will be placed with students at the same language level as you.  This is so that you can study at the appropriate level and make as much progress as possible.  All students have a short Placement Test on the first day, and there will be several classes, so you can be sure that you will be placed in the right class.

Special Interest Classes

In the afternoons students are divided in a different way, and you will be able to choose a Special Interest class that you would like to join.

Some recent examples of Special Interest classes are:

• British Culture
• Pre-academic English
• Language through Literature
• Making a Film

Social programme

Your tuition fee includes a free social programme.  The only extras you will pay are entrance fees for some of the places that you choose to visit.

The British Council said about our Summer 2009 programme:  "The leisure programme offered in the summer months is of a high standard, being informed by and developed through student input, and is thus well suited to student needs and interests." 

They also said that "... the innovative and creative use of Facebook to provide information, a space for students to upload pictures and feedback about the social programme, and to effectively engage students in the leisure programme is excellent, and was warmly welcomed by the student focus group."

The social programme includes

• a half-day trip each Wednesday
• a full day trip each Saturday
• a variety of afternoon and evening events

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in single rooms in shared apartments, in self-catering student halls of residence on campus.
In summer 2012 the cost is £100 per week, from Saturday afternoon to the following Saturday morning.

Facilities

You will live and have your classes on our attractive self-contained 400 acre campus.

You have access to university sports amenities, computer facilities, Students' Union facilities, Arts Centre, and University library by arrangement.

The award-winning Arts Centre has cafes, bars, restaurants, theatre, cinema, and entertainment throughout the summer.

Aberystwyth is a small, friendly and safe seaside resort on the West coast of Wales.

The University was established in 1872 as the first University in Wales.

Syllabus

Our summer syllabus includes all of the major language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. 

Grammar is taught both explicitly and implicitly.  Some lessons will focus on teaching grammar, and all lessons will include error-correction and development of grammar through use.

Our teachers use a variety of teaching materials.  We do not follow one coursebook throughout the course.  We have a well-stocked Resources Centre, and we use a variety of materials to give you the best course that we can.

The syllabus is structured, but it is also responsive to students' needs.  Our teachers have the flexibility to adapt the week's work according to the students that are in their class.  This is YOUR course.

Sample Timetable

All classes have use of the multi-media Language Resource Centre ("language laboratory").

Different timetables will be used for different levels.