English for Specific Purposes

We currently offer the following test preparation courses:


 

English for IT

English for IT prepares learners for the everyday use of computers for work, study and leisure.

Available as either a Blended Learning programme or Study Card resource, English for IT provides 150 hours of Online Learning plus supplementary face-to-face classroom sessions for teachers.

This course is recommended for:

  • Learners wanting to develop their English skills and learn strategies for tertiary study in the IT field
  • Those employed in or seeking high-level jobs involving IT, either in their own home country or abroad
  • Anyone wanting to improve their general English proficiency.
Level Hours of learning
Intermediate to Advanced 150 hours online + 50 hours face to face, across 4 levels

Level 1 - 10 hours

For learners with very basic or no computer knowledge and limited English language skills.

At the end of this module, learners are expected to be able to:

  • Use the computer toolbars, keyboard and navigation bar
  • Use the interactions used to present the courseware
  • Have developed their receptive (listening & reading) skills
  • Have developed their productive (writing & speaking) skills.

Level 2 - 40 hours

For learners with basic computer knowledge and limited English language skills.

At the end of this module, learners are expected to be able to:

  • Read texts
  • Listen to discussions on IT topics.

Level 3 - 50 hours

For learners with a reasonable level of computer skills and with intermediate English language skills.

At the end of this module, learners are expected to be able to:

  • Be technically proficient in terms of understanding the navigation bar and completing online materials
  • Have a range of general and specialist vocabulary.

Level 4 - 50 hours

For learners with a good level of computer skills and quite advanced English language skills. The goal of this level is to develop the proficiency and confidence necessary for learners to engage effectively in the IT field.

At the end of this module, learners are expected to be able to:

  • Have the English language proficiency and confidence necessary to engage effectively in the IT field.

English for Hospitality

English for Hospitality is designed specifically for people working or hoping to work in the hospitality industry. It provides interactive learning material for learners to practise their language skills at an Elementary level.

Level Hours of learning
Beginner to Lower Intermediate 30 hours

Outcomes:

Module 1

At the end of this module, learners are expected to be able to take telephone calls for purposes such as:

  • Taking phone messages
  • Taking reservations
  • Giving information
  • Answering questions.

Module 2

At the end of this module learners are expected to be able to:

  • Receive guests at the Front Desk or restaurant reception
  • Ask for information
  • Explain services and facilities
  • Politely respond to guests when unable to help.

Module 3

At the end of this module learners are expected to be able to:

  • Give directions inside and outside the hotel
  • Respond to room service and housekeeping requests
  • Take orders in a restaurant, café or bar.

Module 4

At the end of this module learners are expected to be able to:

  • Deal with complaints
  • Process bills
  • Deal with payment problems.

English for Health

This course aims at developing the listening and speaking skills necessary to communicate in a health-related context. There is an emphasis on vocabulary, both academic and specific health terminology.

Level Hours of learning
Intermediate to High Advanced 100 hours across 4 levels

Level 1

A focus on general communication. At the end of this level, learners are expected to have the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Introduce themselves and a 3rd person
  • Use the telephone
  • Ask for and give directions
  • Express likes and dislikes
  • Ask for personal information.

Level 2

A focus on taking a patient’s history. At the end of this level, learners are expected to have the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Express certainty and ask for clarification
  • Ask questions to find out about a patient’s complaint
  • Ask about pain and discuss the type and intensity of it
  • Ask about family and social behaviours.

Level 3

A focus on examination and diagnosis. At the end of this level, learners are expected to have the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Give reassurance
  • Explain the consequence of an action
  • Express degree of possibility
  • Give instructions
  • Use language and abbreviations associated with prescribing medication.

Level 4

A focus on procedures and treatments. At the end of this level, learners are expected to have the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Ask for and give an opinion
  • Discuss an opinion to make a decision
  • Ask for more detailed information.

English for Nursing

English for Nursing is aimed at internationally educated nurses studying or intending to study in an English speaking country who require language support at the postsecondary level.

It consists of 40 hours of English for Nursing focused instruction, with the emphasis on listening and reading. It is intended for students at the high-intermediate to advanced English proficiency levels (IELTS 6).

English for Living Abroad

This course is designed specifically for learners planning to live and study abroad in an English-speaking country. There is an emphasis on meeting the immediate social and psychological needs of individuals from NESB (Non English Speaking Backgrounds), who are preparing to live, or who are in the process of adapting to everyday life, in an English-speaking environment.

It provides cultural knowledge and introduces learners to ‘survival’ English language. The interactive exercises enable learners to practise their language skills using the models provided.

Level Hours of learning
Non specific (learners at all levels)* 36 hours

Outcomes:

At the end of this course, learners are expected to have the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Introduce themselves and a 3rd person
  • Begin and end a conversation
  • Ask for clarification and keep a conversation going
  • Make small talk through expressing likes and dislikes and preference
  • Ask about and respond to house rules
  • Make an appropriate polite request
  • Offer to help
  • Find out about daily routines
  • Share information about their family, school, city and country
  • Discuss family relationships
  • Understand service encounters (the language of shopping)
  • Deal with minor health issues or items lost
  • Talk about future plans
  • Recognise and accept cultural difference.

* Learners of all levels will benefit from this course. Learners of Intermediate level and below are likely to have some difficulty with some exercises. Conversely, learners at High Advanced level are unlikely to find this course linguistically challenging. Yet, more competent learners will find the content enlightening and stimulating.

English for Business

The course provides learners with the opportunity to improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while also building their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary specific to a business context.

Level Hours of learning
High Intermediate to High Advanced 50 hours

Outcomes:

At the end of this courseware, learners are expected to be able to:

  • Produce cohesive and grammatically correct writing
  • Use the correct format and language for reports, letters and so on
  • Produce speech that is cohesive, coherent, grammatically correct and appropriate to the situation.