Courses to suit you Studying English is a big commitment for students. Each person has a different goal (work, further education or pleasure) but the aim for everyone is to improve their knowledge and ability to use the English language. We test our students on arrival and place them in a class which will be the best for their English language development across all key areas (speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation).

Whatever your current level of language ability, we can provide you with the right course to meet your needs.

Guide to levels
Each level works towards CEF (Common European Framework) descriptors.

Beginner

• Can communicate very basic needs and understand very simple conversational language
• Has a limited vocabulary for everyday situations
• Can read and produce short, simple pieces of writing

Elementary (A1)

• Can communicate basic needs and speak about personal topics
• Has sufficient vocabulary for everyday routines
• Can recognise main grammatical structures
• Can write short personal texts and notes

Pre-intermediate (A2)

• Can communicate in everyday situations and hold short conversations
• Can use main grammatical structures
• Can write texts which include details

Intermediate (B1)

• Can communicate with some confidence in a reasonable number of situations
• Has good control of main grammatical structures
• Can write longer texts using paragraphs with reasonable accuracy

Upper-intermediate (B2)

• Can communicate effectively and express ideas/opinions in most situations
• Can discuss a range of topical issues
• Can use a wide range of structures, with reasonable accuracy
• Can produce a range of written texts using the correct register

Advanced (C1)

• Can express feelings, opinions and ideas accurately and precisely using a wide range of vocabulary
• Can produce the full range of texts with unnoticeable, natural cohesion
• Can understand authentic texts with little difficulty
• Has a very good degree of grammatical control

Your first day
To welcome you to the school, on the first day you will:

• Receive a welcome talk by the Academic Principal
• Take a placement test
• Be introduced to all the school facilities
• Be given information on the area and facilities around the school

All students take a placement test on the first day of their course to determine their English language level. From the result of the placement test students are then placed in an English class best-suited to their ability.

Student progress
Throughout the course, your progress is monitored through regular assessments. Tutorials (short oneto- one individual interviews with the teacher) are held every 4 weeks between September and June. In addition, students should always feel able to discuss their individual progress with their teachers. A weekly teachers’ meeting enables us to carefully monitor each student and decide on any necessary changes. Additionally, for long-term students, formal monthly progress reports can be provided.

Course certificate
At the end of your course, you will receive a course certificate. This provides you with a record of your personal achievements at Southbourne School of English and details your level of proficiency in the English language.

Adult and junior courses
This page contains details of courses suitable for students over 16 years of age. We also offer junior courses, both homestay and residential, for young people aged 8 -16 years during the summer months (mid-June - end of August) and for closed groups all year round.

These courses run at Southbourne School as well as at other locations in the South of England. Download a copy of our junior brochure.

General English/General Intensive
These are both general English courses tailored to meet differing student needs. They are suitable for students studying English either as part of their education or for a specific purpose.

• Courses run all year round
• Minimum course length is just 1 week
• Beginner courses start on the first Monday of every second month but, during June, July and August beginners can start any Monday
• All levels of English are catered for, from beginner to advanced

Course includes:

• 15 hours tuition per week on the General English Course
• 21 hours tuition per week on the Intensive English Course
• All teaching materials
• Structured course programme covering grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, as well as the four basic language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing
• Regular progress assessments
• Monthly tutorials (not mid-June to end August)
• Weekly evening social programme (not mid-June to end August)
• Optional weekend excursions
• Access to self-study facilities (computer room, language laboratory and library)

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Intensive Course Plus This intensive course is ideal for business or professional people and mature students with limited time available to improve their English for work and study. The course content is the same as the Intensive English Course, with the addition of 6 hours of private tuition per week that are designed around the student’s individual needs.

Course includes:

• Everything listed above, including 21 hours group tuition per week
• 6 hours of private one-to-one tuition per week
• Extensive conversation, pronunciation and specific English to meet the student’s needs

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Academic Year
These courses are ideal for students who wish to have a long-term study programme to perfect their English, and to introduce them to higher education possibilities in the UK. Students can also choose to take a range of internationally recognised examinations.

 

 

• Courses run all year round
• Minimum course length is 24 weeks
• Extra weeks can be added to suit your requirements
• Levels of English from beginner to advanced can be catered for
• Transfers to examination courses can be arranged on request

Course includes:

• An option of 15 or 21 hours tuition per week
• All teaching materials
• Structured course programme covering grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, as well as the four basic language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing
• Regular progress assessments
• Monthly tutorials (not mid-June to end August)
• The option of taking Cambridge, BEC or IELTS examinations
• Access to self-study facilities (computer room, language laboratory and library)
• Weekly evening social programme (not mid-June to end August)
• Optional weekend excursions

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Summer Vacation Course An ideal course for students who wish to spend part of their summer holiday combining English language study with a good social and sports activity programme and excursions.

• Available from mid-June until the end of August
• Course duration is between 1 and 12 weeks
• Students can start any Monday
• All levels of English are catered for, from beginner to advanced

Course includes:

• An option of 15 or 21 hours tuition per week
• All teaching materials
• Structured course programme covering grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, as well as the four basic language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing
• Regular progress assessments
• Tour of town by coach following entrance test on first day
• Free excursion every Saturday to London, Oxford, Brighton or Bath
• Afternoon activity programme
• Regular optional evening activities (some only suitable for over 18s)
• Optional Sunday excursions
• Access to self-study facilities (computer room, language laboratory and library)

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One-To-One
One-to-one lessons are designed to fit the student’s own particular requirements. They may be used to solve any particular linguistic problems, or to study business English or for other specific purposes.

These lessons can be added on to all regular courses and can be booked at any time during the course.

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Provisional Timetable of Activities - Summer 2009

Week 1 Morning   Afternoon Evening Monday 08.45-10.45 Entrance Test 11.00-12.30 Town Tour 14.00 Collect books for course 18.00-21.30 Splashdown water park* Tuesday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Football / Volleyball   Wednesday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Local Visit – Bournemouth Centre   Thursday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Bowling * / various activities 19.00-22.30 New Forest Pub Crawl * Friday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Beach Volleyball or Sport competition 18.00-21.30 Saturday 08.00-20.00 Full day excursion to Bath with tour Sunday   08.00-18.00 Full day excursion to Thorpe Park* or (optional) 10.00-17.00 Half day excursion to Corfe Castle and Swanage* (optional) Week 2 Monday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Tennis * 18.00-21.30 Splashdown Water Park* Tuesday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Russell Cotes Museum   Wednesday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Local visit – Boscombe Market   Thursday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Bowling* or local visit 19.00-22.30 New Forest Pub Crawl * Friday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Beach Volleyball or Sport competition   Saturday 07.30 - 20.00 Full day excursion to London with tour Sunday 08.00-18.00 Full day excursion to Hampton Court and Windsor* or (optional) 10.00-17.00 Half day excursion to Winchester* (optional) Week 3 Monday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Swimming 18.00-21.30 Splashdown Water Park* Tuesday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Coastal Walk   Wednesday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Local Visit – Christchurch   Thursday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Bowling* or local visit 19.00-22.30 New Forest Pub Crawl * Friday 08:45-12.15 Classes 14.00-17.00 Beach Volleyball or Sport competition   Saturday 07.30-20.00 Full day excursion to Oxford with Tour Sunday 08.00-18.00 Full day excursion to Chessington World of Adventure* or (optional) 10.00-17.00 Half day excursion to New Forest and Beaulieu Motor Museum* (optional) * Extra charge is made for these activities

Notes: Sports such as football, volleyball and beach games are free of charge. All activity transfers are included plus 1 x swimming session per week Evening activities are optional. Excursions on Saturdays are free of charge. Half day excursions on Sundays £25.00 per person including entrance. Full day excursions on Sundays £25.00 per person plus entrance fee £8-£16.00 Pub Crawl * Pub Crawl £5 per person is for over 18’s only Swimming £2.50 per person, per session Bowling £3.00 per person, per game Splashdown £12.00 per person, including transport Oceanarium £8.00 per person, including transport Disco £11.00 per person, including transport THESE PROGRAMMES AND PRICES ARE PROVISIONAL AND MAY NEED TO BE CHANGED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.