English Language Academy

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACADEMY (ELA)

At ELA Canterbury, we believe in expertise, professionalism and diversity. You will be taught by highly qualified, internationally trained, native speakers  in small intimate classes. We focus on the needs of the individual learner and support their educational pathway to success, employing a cultural, communicative and innovative approach to teaching and learning.

The lessons cover grammar , vocabulary development, and essential academic key skills including  reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students are assessed and placed according to their ability upon arrival. The ELA programme also offers a wide range of cultural and social activities such as  trips, excursions, international evenings and more, in and around the historic and vibrant city of Canterbury. At ELA there are no boundaries to learning.

The ELA English Programme provides intensive courses in English for International students who wish to learn in a native speaker environment. Studying at ELA will improve their general and work based language skills. Students will  work towards a globally recognised qualification for University and  employment purposes.  Students receive  25 hours of tuition per week.This includes  15 hours of general English at the appropriate level, 6 hours of exam technique, English For Specific Purposes, or additional general language classes,  and 4 hours of creative project work.

About the Programmes

English Programmes

• General English Programme – ( 15 hours of general English  + 6 hours of options* +4 hours of creative English weekly)
• English for Specific Purposes – (15 of General English + 6 hours of ESP, for example Business English + 4hours of creative English weekly)
• Cambridge ESOL Exam Preparation Programme – (15 hours of general English + 6 hours of exam technique training + 4 hours of creative English weekly )

*Options

Conversation and social English

Local culture and history

Study skills and making presentations

Language through the media

Typical weekly timetableTypical timetable

English for Specific Purposes- Business Support Programme

At ELA we also offer a range of courses for the business sector. We can tailor-make programmes and design them to your specifications and requirements. We also offer courses for Cambridge Business Exams,and  basic communication skills in Business English for beginners.

 Cambridge ESOL Exam Preparation . IELTS and TOEFL  exam preparation is also provided  subject to demand.

 Cambridge Key English Test (KET). 

Cambridge Preliminary English Exam (PET).

Cambridge First Certificate in English Exam (FCE)

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

Cambridge Proficiency English (CPE)

ELA Canterbury is a registered Cambridge University Exam preparation centre

Why do we offer CAMBRIDGE EXAMS?

Cambridge English exams are known and recognised globally, and are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – the international system for describing language ability.The University of Cambridge ESOL exams have long been recognized as one of the industry leaders in English assessment, beneficial for those who wish to attend university, improve their job prospects or simply measure their level of English, as an alternative to TOEFL or IELTS.

Cambridge English exams give colleges and universities reliable proof of your ability to use English in demanding academic settings.

A Cambridge English certificate helps you stand out from the crowd as a high-achieving candidate with the language skills to succeed.

Preparing for your Cambridge English exam teaches you everyday language skills for living and studying in an English-speaking environment.

A wide range of support and preparation materials is available to help you get the most out of your Cambridge English exam.

A Certificate awarded by Cambridge is valid for life.

• Beginner Programme

The beginner programme is a basic level course that teaches students how to use English to communicate in simple situations and achieve a good foundation in the language. Learners grow in confidence and are encouraged to use their skills in everyday situations. This programme is designed for students with little or no knowledge of English.

• Elementary Programme

The Elementary programme teaches students how to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. Also how to express themselves orally in the past and present tenses, answering and asking simple questions. It develops greater skills in listening and speaking for basic communication in the classroom, outside the classroom and at work. It also expands reading and writing skills.

• Pre -Intermediate Programme

Refines the skills needed in conversations beyond survival needs. The course enables learners to function independently in most familiar situations and use appropriate language in routine social situations. This programme is for students who can speak English at an elementary level. It also prepares students in the exam techniques required for the Cambridge Key English Test (KET).

• Intermediate Programme

This course enables intermediate English proficiency level students to further develop in their understanding of form, meaning and usage of grammatical structures including passive voice, noun clauses, adjective clauses and adverbial clauses. The course aims to help students to apply grammatical complexity and accuracy to their writing and speaking. It is also designed to develop the oral and aural skills of intermediate level English proficiency students, including giving in-class presentations and participating in class discussion. This course builds on the reading skills and writing skills and students continue to expand their academic vocabulary and learn how to organize, paraphrase and summarize academic written English. The writing component focuses on essay writing and its organization. It also focuses on exam techniques required for the Cambridge Preliminary English Exam (PET).

• Upper Intermediate Programme

The aim of the Upper-intermediate course is to provide learners with a high level of pronunciation, fluency, accuracy, idioms and natural expressions and a wide variety of vocabulary on a range of different topics, including illness and treatment, clothes and fashion, crime and punishment, feelings, music, towns and cities, and much more. It is a higher level version of the Intermediate course and prepares learners thoroughly for the Cambridge First Certificate in English Exam (FCE). Students will feel more confident in spoken communication, more accurate in written communication and have greater success in listening. They will also develop learner training skills and confidence to analyse and develop their English language ability independently.

• Advanced Programme

The purpose of this course is to support advanced academic writing, by developing and refining the grammar and editing skills necessary to detect and remedy common ESL writing problems. While the focus will be on accuracy, this course will also include logical analysis of the components of a composition, and editing for improved clarity and effectiveness. The student will practice strategies for speaking clear and appropriate English in a variety of academic situations. Attention to fluency, pronunciation and intonation will also be emphasized. Advanced Reading and Study Skills are also taught focussing on a wide range of fictional and nonfictional reading. Emphasis is on the analysis and evaluation of both form and content as well as on pre-reading strategies and vocabulary development. Study skills include note-taking, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

Preparation for the Cambridge Proficiency and Advanced Exams (CPE and CAE), for learners who have achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language, is also thoroughly focussed upon.

Business Support Programme:

At ELA we also offer a range of courses for the business sector. We can tailor-make programmes and design them to your specifications and requirements. We also offer courses for Cambridge Business Exams, as well as basic communication skills in Business English for beginners.

About the Cambridge Business English Exams

In many areas of international commerce, English is used as the common language. If you can show you have an internationally recognised business qualification in English, you will have a greater advantage in the jobs market, and increased flexibility if you want to work abroad.

Employers value and rely on Cambridge English for Work exams because they thoroughly test all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in a business context. There is a wide choice of certificates at different levels. Developed in consultation with industry experts, they give a comprehensive assessment of business language skills.

Business English Certificate (BEC) Preliminary, is an intermediate-level qualification that gives you the practical everyday skills you need to succeed in an English-speaking working environment and in international business. BEC Preliminary is a qualification that shows employers that you have knowledge of business English sufficient for practical, everyday use in a business environment. On completion of this course, you would be able to carry out basic office tasks such as:

• reading short messages
• interpreting charts
• writing a short email
• following short telephone conversations and discussions
• talking about business-related matters.

The content in Cambridge English: Business Preliminary reflects everyday work and business tasks. Preparing for your exam will give you skills that will make you an asset to your employer.

Proving your business English abilities can open the door to career opportunities with a new employer, or can make your ambitions for promotion or career development within your current organisation a reality.

Cambridge English: Business Vantage, also known as Business English Certificate (BEC) Vantage, is an upper-intermediate level qualification that shows you can use English with confidence in a business environment. The course teaches you how to deal confidently with different types of text, such as business publications and correspondence writing, and be able to produce written letters, reports, emails and proposals. You will also learn how to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, discussions and presentations, and be able to communicate effectively in face to face situations.

Cambridge English: Business Higher, also known as Business English Certificate (BEC) Higher, is a high-level exam, taken all over the world by people who need to prove that they have a high level of English for business purposes.

Specialised Cambridge Exam Courses

Cambridge English: Financial, also known as International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE), is a high-level qualification that will help you demonstrate that you have the language skills for a successful career in international accountancy and finance.

Cambridge English: Legal, also known as International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) is a high-level qualification that will help you demonstrate that you have the language skills for a successful career in international law.

Duration & Fees

Students can enter the ELA Programmes for a minimum of two weeks, choosing their preferred start date. There is no obligation for students to be in the UK for the Cambridge Exam dates as we can arrange for the exam to be taken in their home country. Please contact us for examination details.

2012 INTAKES

• APRIL 16, 30
• MAY 14
• JUNE 18
• JULY 2, 16, 30
• SEPTEMBER 24
• OCTOBER 8, 22
• NOVEMBER 5, 19
• DECEMBER 3

(ELA will be closed  for lessons between 27th August and 21st September, and from 21st December)

Accommodation

Self catering accommodation is offered in shared housing, usually located within walking distance of the ELA  campus and the city centre.

Accommodation Fee:  £  225 ( 2 weeks) This includes all utilities.