Aims of this module:

We are committed to the delivery of high-quality programmes and the achievement of their outcomes, delivered by experienced, qualified, professional teachers, using a variety of materials, interactions and teaching methodologies.
The course lasts for two months (128 class contact hours) and is aimed at students who are currently at the Common European Framework B2 level (Upper-Intermediate) and who need to improve their study skills before embarking on a longer course of study in English. It is particularly suitable for business students or for those who may be interested in studying business.

Class contact:

Classes will be held on Mon, Tues & Fri. There will be 16 class contact hours in total - six hours on Mondays and Tuesdays and four hours on Fridays, excluding a 15-minute break during your lesson and one hour for lunch. The course is highly intensive and lasts for two months.

You are also expected to carry out self-study outside the classroom. This involves:

♦  Preparing for the class (e.g. homework, reading, listening to the radio / podcasts etc)

♦  Following up on work done in class (e.g. homework, revision, improving notes, learning vocabulary)

♦  Completing assessments

♦  Computer lab-based learning (e.g. improving essays, research, language learning websites)

♦  Researching areas of weakness (online and in the library)

♦  Going to public lectures at Gresham College

Homework will be set from the syllabus, and will come from either the New Headway Academic Skills course book or other materials the teacher may give you. Homework is given to help you, to judge your progress and prepare you for the end of term assessments, so should be done.

Attendance requirements:

You must attend at least 85% of classes. Failure to do so will affect both your visa and studies.
If you are more than five minutes late, you will not be allowed into the class until after the break.
Further details and procedures regarding what action the college will take in the case of persistent lateness and / or absence can be found in the GLC Student Handbook p.3

Key text:

Philpot, S. (2010). New Headway Academic Skills: Reading, Writing, and Study Skills. Level 3 Student’s Book. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
You are expected to buy this book from GLC. Please bring it to class every day. Your teacher may not use it every day, but will cover the areas included on the syllabus, either from New Headway or another business or EAP source. (e.g. Grammar for Business, Academic Vocabulary in Use or Introduction to Academic Writing). In addition, your teacher will prepare self-made materials, sometimes from real sources (i.e. internet, newspapers, leaflets etc).

Assessments:

There will be regular homework and formative assessments, based on what you have studied in class. Both of these will be used to judge your progress (in addition to your class participation and homework), and will be referred to in the tutorials (once a month).
The written tasks should be typed, with spaces between each line for the teacher to indicate where your errors are, what kind of errors they are, and write comments. In the ICT classes (usually once a week), you can then bring your USB to save work and make corrections to your second draft based on your teacher’s suggestions.
In order to demonstrate you have reached the required level, there will be an argumentative essay (with citations and references) and a short presentation after two months. Clearly, if you satisfy college attendance requirements, do all your homework and tests, participate well in class and listen to your teacher’s suggestions / advice, your chances of passing the exam will increase.

EAP Intermediate Syllabus:

HWK = Homework
PFR refers to the Practical Faster Reading book. You will complete two passages per week, either in class or for homework
The “Notes” sections are for teachers, but also remind YOU what needs to be done.