Free English Courses 2013

Once again in 2013 Aberystwyth University will run the famous Free English Courses in July and August. 

These courses are very popular, and we wish to thank all the people who have applied in previous years. 

The application form for the 2013 courses will be available on this website from Monday 28 January 2013. 

Unfortunately we are not able to offer any places on the courses before that date.

Application Procedure

  1. Please complete the application form and send it to us by email at tesol@aber.ac.uk (We can also accept it by fax or mail, but of course this may be slower).
  2. When we approve an application we will make a conditional offer of a place on the course.
  3. You will then be given a deadline (about four weeks) to pay the deposit.
  4. When we receive the deposit we will issue an unconditional offer letter.  If we do not receive the deposit by the deadline date we will offer your place to another applicant.

Selection Criteria

All applications are dealt with on a first-come first-served basis, but we also take into account the following two points:

  1. As these courses are run as teaching practice for our trainee teachers, we must make sure that we have classes at different levels: Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate.  We must consider this when offering places on the course.
  2. We must also make sure that all classes have students from different language backgrounds, and for this reason we may have to put a limit on the number of students that we can accept from any country. 

We trust that you will understand this.

Course Information

These 3-week intensive English language courses are taught by trainee teachers on our Cert TESOL Courses.  

The language classes take place in the mornings, from Monday to Friday. 

Those who complete the language course will receive an Aberystwyth University Certificate of Attendance.

The language course is  free. We only ask that students attend their language classes regularly and participate in the lesson activities.

Students on the Free English Course may also join the Social Programme for a small charge.

You can download information about the Free English courses here in PDF format: AU Free English Information 2012

The Classes

  1. Students’ language skills are tested and they are placed in a class appropriate to their level.
  2. There are three different levels: Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper Intermediate.
  3. The classes will comprise no more than 15 students.
  4. There will be a guaranteed minimum number of 15 hours input per week. This is usually in the form of three hours of input each day during the period between 09.00 and 14.00.

The Teachers

Most of the lessons will be delivered by trainee teachers who are studying for the Trinity Certificate in TESOL and Aberystwyth University Certificate in TESOL.

The trainees’ lessons are supervised and assessed by experienced teacher trainers of English. The trainees tend to be well-presented, extremely conscientious in designing and delivering their classes and have a professional attitude towards their teaching responsibilities.
Students will have classes with a number of different trainee teachers. Occasionally, our experienced teachers and the teacher training staff may teach lessons.

The Lessons

Trainees prepare their lessons with guidance and advice from experienced teacher trainers. The trainees tend to be thorough and thoughtful in preparing their lessons. The lesson materials are very often self-developed and tailored to the needs of the class profiles. There is a high instance of authentic materials used in the classes. Self-developed and adapted materials are usually very well presented.

The Syllabus

The short syllabus is largely needs-driven and will include language input and tasks that are suitable to the needs of each class profile. The syllabus will also include a good balance of:

  • The four skills; reading, writing, speaking, listening.
  • Language presentation classes: grammar, vocabulary and functional phrases.
  • Fluency and conversation classes.
  • Pronunciation practice and grammar review
  • Tasks and activities to develop skills in everyday English use.
  • Authentic listening and reading materials.

Social programme

All students are invited to participate in the social programme. Each 3-week course will have 2 full day Saturday excursions  and 3 half day excursions on Wednesdays, plus several evening activities. The cost of this is £15 for each Saturday excursion and £10 for Wednesday, plus entry fees to optional visitor attractions.

Facilities

All students have access to the university computing and sports facilities, including swimming pool (there may be a small charge for use of sports and swimming facilities). There is an Arts Centre on campus with theatre, cinema, concert hall, bookshop, bars, coffee shops and restaurants.

Accommodation

Self-Catering Accommodation is available at a rate of £330 (for 21 nights). This is a single study room in a self catering student hall of residence, with shared kitchen and bathroom.

Accommodation will be available from 15.00 on the Saturday before the course starts until 10.00 on the Saturday that the course finishes.

Entry requirements

  • Minimum age 18.
  • English language level between pre-intermediate and upper-intermediate.
  • All students must agree to attend and participate in all lessons and abide by the rules of the University.

Registration and Deposit

  1. Please complete an application form to apply for a place.  Do not make any payment at this stage.
  2. If you are offered a place, we will ask you to pay the accommodation fee (within about 4 weeks from the date of offer).  If you do not need accommodation, we will ask for a deposit of £330, which will be refunded to you at the end of the course.
  3. We cannot guarantee your place until we receive the accommodation fee or £330 deposit.

Further Information

If you would like more information, please contact our friendly staff on tesol@aber.ac.uk