CLaCT Brochure

Learn English. Teach English at the Centre for Language and Communication Training

1 CONTENTS

Contents 2

Contents 3

About the Centre

5

Pre-sessional intensive route

7

English Plus Pre-sessional Award (EPPA)

9

Pre-sessional routes

10

English testing

11

Short courses

13

In-sessional language support and development

14

Teacher training and development

15

Study year abroad

17

Discover Wolverhampton

13

5

7

10

15

17

3 The Centre for Language and Communication Training (CLaCT)

The Centre for Language and Communication Training (CLaCT) The Centre is part of the University of Wolverhampton and accredited by the leading language teaching association, English UK, having gained British Council recognition for the quality of its English Language provision.

We deliver language and communication training for the academic, regional and international community.

About us: • our friendly staff are highly qualified and experienced in delivering courses in English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Linguistics. We are proud of our excellent standards in teaching and research. • we design and deliver language development and communication courses for existing University students.

The Centre for Language and Communication Training (CLaCT) 4

• we are accredited by the British Council to provide the English language Pre-sessional and In-sessional courses at the University of Wolverhampton.

• the Centre is a British Council preferred supplier for their General Teacher Training Programme in China, and runs refresher/improvement courses throughout the year for English teachers from all over the world, including Ajou University in South Korea, the British College of Applied Studies in Sri Lanka and Zhengzhou Education Bureau, China.

The Centre provides: • pre-sessional courses to improve language skills to the level required for entry to University courses. Entry routes range from CEFR level A1-B2 • teacher development programmes for existing teachers of English as a Foreign Language to advance their classroom skills and knowledge • language support and development opportunities for all international students, designed to help existing students improve and develop their language competence

• credit bearing modules in English as a Foreign Language at A2-C2 levels of competence • language competence testing. We have our own entry test (Wolverhampton English Proficiency Exam) that has been developed to assess the language level and training needs of international applicants. It is not accepted by UKBA for Tier 4 Student Visa purposes unless a score of 5.5 is achieved in all elements. We run regular testing sessions in our partner institutions and monthly drop-in tests in Wolverhampton • summer programmes offering courses in English as a Foreign Language at all levels, plus subject-based specialist courses such as English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), as well as the chance to learn a new subject/skill through the medium of English (CLIL) • bespoke short courses by arrangement, delivered in the UK or overseas.

For further information, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/clact

5 Intensive pre-sessional route

Intensive Pre-sessional route The intensive course is offered at various entry levels, all of which are designed to help students improve their academic language to the level required by the University of Wolverhampton for entry onto its degree programmes.

The intensive route is demanding and students must be motivated and fully committed. Academic staff will do everything they can to help students achieve their aims; encourage them to work hard and feedback regularly about their progress.

Progress is measured by continuous assessment. Class activities and tasks will be developed independently, submitted, marked and returned for redrafting and correction.

Course requirements – students must:

• demonstrate consistent effort and progress throughout the course • attend at least 80% of classes to be successful • attend regular one-to-one tutorials with University lecturers • hear and read lectures and papers by academic staff from the University • undertake original research and produce an extended essay on an academic subject of their choice.

For further information, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/presessional

Start levels Beginner This course introduces you to all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and begins to build your vocabulary and grammar knowledge. You need to have studied some English before you are accepted on to this course.

Elementary This part of the course consolidates and extends your language skills, with a strong emphasis on increasing your vocabulary and grammar knowledge.

Intermediate 1 This level begins to introduce academic language skills, focusing on building fluency in the four skills through a project undertaken in small groups.

Intermediate 2 and Advanced This part of the intensive course prepares students for academic study at University. By the time of completion students will be able to: • comprehend meaning from a range of complex texts, for example: news items, interviews, lectures, academic articles, talks and presentations • contribute effectively via discussion, forums, seminars and presentations on a range of technical issues with a degree of fluency and spontaneous interaction • produce clear, well-argued written work on a wide range of topics including reports, arguments, and data analysis.

For entry requirements and course duration please see pre-sessional routes chart on page 9.

Intensive pre-sessional route 6

7 English Plus Pre-Sessional Award (EPPA)

English Plus Pre-sessional Award (EPPA) This course prepares students whose first language is not English for University study. It is designed for students who do not meet the University’s English Language entry requirements. The course develops English competence in all four core skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to the level required to study a degree course (CEFR B2 or equivalent).

EPPA helps students to:

• develop vocabulary and knowledge of the subject area they will study • acquire and develop the skills and knowledge needed for academic success • prepare for, and undertake assessments • learn from, and with, fellow students • receive feedback and progress reports from teachers • participate in practical and group work • develop communication skills and work in a multicultural context.

Course requirements:

• The award lasts either one, two or three semesters, depending on a student’s level of English on entry.

• Students should expect to work for at least 10 hours per module, per week in addition to their scheduled classes.

• To complete the award students must pass every module and attend 80% of classes.

For further information, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/eppa

Start levels Elementary This part of the course consolidates and extends your language skills, placing a strong emphasis on increasing your vocabulary and grammar knowledge.

Students will study the following modules: Language skills (3EG001), Communication skills (3EG002) and Introduction to life in the UK (3EG003).

Intermediate In addition to improving your language skills and accuracy, this section of the course will introduce you to the basic academic skills you will need for university study.

Students will study the following modules: Learning through text and discourse (3EG004), Grammar and writing (3EG005) and Communicating in context (3EG006).

Advanced The Advanced section of the course will give students the academic skills and strategies they need for their degree programme and prepares them for the demands of studying for a degree in the UK. The course also allows students to study one module from their chosen academic subject.

Students will study two core modules: Language production skills (3EG007) and Engaging with texts (3EG008).

They will also choose one module from: Language and culture in community (3EG009), English for Business Studies (3EG0010) or Exploring an academic discipline (3EG004).

For entry requirements please see pre-sessional routes chart on page 9.

English Plus Pre-Sessional Award (EPPA) 8

9 Pre-sessional routes

Intensive Pre-sessional route

English Plus Pre-sessional Award (EPPA) route

BEGINNER Start level: IELTS 3.5 or CEFR A1 (or equivalent)

ELEMENTARY

Course duration: Six weeks, 20 teaching hours per week

Start level: IELTS 4.0, CEFR A2 (or equivalent) or appropriate school leaving certificate Course duration: 12 weeks, 15 teaching hours per week

INTERMEDIATE 1 Start level: IELTS 4.5 or CEFR B1 Course duration: Four weeks, 20 teaching hours per week

INTERMEDIATE Start level: IELTS 4.5 (or equivalent) or a Pass at Elementary Course duration: 12 weeks, 15 teaching hours per week

INTERMEDIATE 2 Start level: IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent in all elements), or CEFR B1 Course duration: Four weeks, 20 teaching hours per week

ADVANCED Start level: IELTS 5.5 or Pass at Intermediate level Course duration: 12 weeks, 15 teaching hours per week

ADVANCED Start level: IELTS 5.5 in all elements or CEFR B2 Course duration: Four weeks, 20 teaching hours per week

ENGLISH TESTING 10

English testing We offer two types of English tests at the University.

2. Wolverhampton Placement Test (WPT)

1. The Wolverhampton English Proficiency Exam (WEPE)

You may want to take a module in English during your studies at the University. The University offers all international students the opportunity to improve their English language skills. To assess the appropriate level of support, we run placement testing sessions at the beginning of every semester.

WEPE has been developed to assess applicants’ language skills and is similar to IELTS or other academic language exams. The test is graded in a similar way to IELTS (Level 1-9).

The Centre runs exam sessions in partner institutions overseas and in the UK. The Centre also runs a drop-in test on the second Wednesday of every month. To book a place on the next test, email: j.mcdonald@wlv.ac.uk Please note: In order to study for a degree at the University a student must achieve a 6.0 in WEPE. A student who scores a 5.5 in all elements can join an intensive Presessional course and be issued with a joint CAS letter.

Students scoring with CEFR B1 level qualifications or below and wishing to come to the UK to study will need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in order to receive a CAS letter.

Please visit the School Office for the School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications, located on Wolverhampton City Campus, Millennium City Building, room MC125; or tel: +44 (0)1902 322 484 for details of the next sessions.

For further information, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/englishtesting

11 Short courses

SHORT COURSES 12

English as a foreign language short courses We have designed our short courses to make them attractive, flexible and enjoyable.

Are you keen to improve your English language skills, learn more about British culture, and take part in a special interest programme?

We offer a two or four week programme, based at our campus in the heart of Wolverhampton. You can improve your English skills, enhance your knowledge of a subject of special interest (see below) and visit some of the UK’s major tourist attractions in guided weekly excursions.

Want to work in TV, radio or newspapers?

Sign up to our Broadcasting and Media option, which gives you 10 hours of instruction in the language and vocabulary of the media, and also offers you the chance to visit a real local radio or TV station.

Interested in the culture of the United Kingdom?

Our guided and accompanied cultural excursions offer you a weekly visit to one of our cultural landmarks: Warwick Castle, Westminster, and Shakespeare’s Stratford-on-Avon are all within easy travelling distance of Wolverhampton.

Required English level: CEFR B1 or equivalent.

1) You will receive 10 hours a week of study in an interactive group setting, covering all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

In addition, you may choose to: 2) Go on an organised and accompanied weekly trip to some of the UK’s major tourist and cultural attractions. or 3) Undertake 10 hours of study in your choice of interest, which includes specialist tours and visits: • • • • • • •

Art and design Animation Broadcasting and the media Environmental ideas Culture in the community Introduction to law in the UK English for business success

Planning a career in business?

We offer a special Business English lesson every week, in which you will learn the specialist vocabulary for doing business in English, learn about company structure and practice, and pay a visit to a local business to see business in action.

Teaching hours: 10 hours a week for the study of English as a Foreign Language.

PLUS 10 hours of study in your choice of specialist interest (as above), or one full day’s accompanied cultural excursion.

Accommodation Accommodation is available on campus, in student Halls of Residence or flats, or you can choose to stay with a host family, to get a little closer to the British way of life. When applying, please state which you would prefer.

Executive English Total Immersion courses also available on request.

For further information, please tel: +44 (0) 1902 322 464, email: clact@wlv.ac.uk or visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/englishshortcourses

13 language support

Language support for international students All international students have the opportunity to improve their English by signing up for a course during the normal academic semester. These courses aim to raise levels of language competence, help students achieve the best grades possible and enhance their employment prospects.

Undergraduate courses We offer two courses as follows: • Academic English for International Students This will help students prepare for assignments and other University study. Classes run from weeks 2-13 of the semester or mid-semester in the evenings.

Module codes for this course are: 5EG009 and 6EG014.

• English in Context – Advanced This will help students to build competence in English inside and outside the University.

Module codes for this course are: Semester one: 4EG001, 5EG006, 6EG010, GEG009 Semester two: 4EG002, 5EG007

Postgraduate courses

Language support for Postgraduate students is coordinated through the University’s individual Academic Schools. Our specialist teaching staff deliver tailor-made support and development courses designed to address the specific needs of the subject area, usually in the form of workshops and tutorials.

For further information, please email: clact@wlv.ac.uk or visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/languagesupport

teacher training and development 14

Teacher development courses We run teacher development training courses for practising teachers of English as a Foreign Language or for those who teach their subject in English.

Our approach is founded on the belief that teacher education should enable teachers to develop the confidence and skills to be creative, critical and reflective practitioners. Therefore, all sessions are participatory in nature, with the content relating to the everyday experiences of the participants.

We encourage participants to openly question and critique their own teaching approaches as well as the practices of others – enabling participants to explore more effective ways of teaching in their classrooms.

Our course methods: • use a task-based and communicative approach • integrate the use of ICT • examine texts which discuss best practice in education and teaching English as a second language • provide opportunities for peer teaching with video supported post-reflection • facilitate reflection on all aspects of our teaching, peer teaching sessions and external classroom observations • facilitate participants to carry out an Action Research project which requires reflection and action planning.

A range of presentational, participatory and task-based approaches will be employed throughout the course in order to enhance the learning experience for participants, including: • action research • case studies • experiential learning activities • observation and feedback tasks • group discussion • participant-led presentations • facilitator-led presentations • structured reflection.

Furthermore, we address the professional development of all participants by building awareness and skills to deal with the challenging change process they face on returning to their schools. They will be prepared for their role as agents of change in raising the expectations of students, colleagues, management and parents.

For further information, please email: clact@wlv.ac.uk or visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/tefl

15 study year abroad

Study Year Abroad Our Study Year Abroad programme allows international students to follow a programme of study at the University of Wolverhampton which includes English as a Foreign Language classes and your choice of specialist subject.

You will have the opportunity to develop your English language and academic skills initially, and then you can choose to study modules from a wide range of courses with any of our Academic Schools.

Choose up to four subjects (known as modules) or courses during the semester.

In recent years, popular courses have included: • In Law, Social Sciences and Communications - English Language (EFL), American Studies, Film Studies, Media and Communication, British Sign Language (BSL).

• In Art and Design - Fine Art (Illustration, Painting, Sculpture), 3D Design (Ceramics, Glass, Product Design), Visual Communication (Animation, Digital Media, Photography).

• In Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure - Sports Studies, Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Music.

Why choose a study year abroad programme?

• Take a semester or a year out from your studies.

• Expand your horizons after graduation.

• Study at a University conveniently situated in the centre of UK. • Improve your English skills.

• Study your specialist subject for one or two semesters.

• Opportunity to transfer credits to your home University.

• Discover a new country and a new culture.

study year abroad 16

Course details There are different modes of study, as detailed in the table below: Level

Start dates

Content

Finish

IELTS 4.5

April

14 weeks Intensive English

Half year: January

plus

Full year: June

1 or 2 semesters study in chosen specialist subject and English as a Foreign Language modules IELTS 5.0

July

8 weeks Pre-sessional English

Half year: January

plus

Full year: June

1 or 2 semesters study in chosen specialist subject and English as a Foreign Language modules IELTS 5.5

August

4 weeks Intensive English

Half year: January

plus

Full year: June

1 or 2 semesters study in chosen specialist subject and English as a Foreign Language modules September

1 semester English Plus Preparatory Award

June

plus 1 semester study in chosen specialist subject and English as a Foreign Language

Entry requirements • A minimum of one year’s study at a university or college • A minimum level of English of IELTS 4.5 or TOEFL 450 (46 IBT) for an April start.

Social programme A cultural enrichment programme enables you to experience British life and culture. It also gives you the chance to mix with British people and students from other nationalities.

As you will be studying alongside local as well as other international students, you will have plenty of opportunities to make friends and develop your intercultural skills!

Volunteering opportunities are available and can be part of a module.

For further information please email: clact@wlv.ac.uk call: +44 (0) 1902 322 474 or visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/ studyyearabroad

17 Discover wolverhampton

Discover Wolverhampton The University of Wolverhampton is a place of knowledge, innovation and enterprise. We pride ourselves on these three tenets. They underpin our strategies in learning and teaching, in research, and help us to engage with the business world.

Our vision for higher education goes beyond opening minds and widening individual horizons. We want our graduates to be valuable assets to the global economies they will come to serve; businesses come back to us because we provide them with solutions that help them to sustain their future. Our research focuses on aspects of life that affect us all.

Explore the City Wolverhampton is a vibrant city in the centre of England, a beautiful mix of historical buildings and modern developments.

You’ll find a good choice of shops, art, sport and theatre to suit everyone’s taste and its central location makes it ideal to explore the rest of the UK.

Wolverhampton is the gateway between the historic Black Country and the beautiful countryside of Shropshire and Staffordshire. London is less than a two-hour train ride and Birmingham, Britain’s second city is just 20 minutes away by train.

Tastes, sights and sounds The City of Wolverhampton has plenty to offer, with over 1,000 years of recorded history and attractions ranging from an innovative and expanding art gallery, spectacular gardens at West Park, St Peter’s Church and Bantock House. Other attractions include Bilston Craft Gallery, two National Trust properties - Wightwick Manor and Moseley Old Hall.

It is a multicultural city boasting a vibrant mix of shopping, art, theatre, sport and nightlife. The city has plenty of restaurants and cafés offering cuisine from around the world, a cinema complex showing films from Hollywood to Bollywood, ample shopping opportunities including a traditional market that dates back to the 13th century.

DISCOVER WOLVERHAMPTON 18

Wolverhampton in the centre of England By day, the city is a lively and attractive centre for shopping, culture and commerce. There are two theatres in the city that play host to national touring productions of drama, musicals, ballet and opera. By night, there numerous clubs, pubs, theatres and concert venues to keep you entertained.

A short train-ride can take you to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, where you can watch the world renowned Royal Shakespeare Company perform in their home venue.

World-class sport Sports enthusiasts can watch the local football team Wolverhampton Wanderers at their home ground next to the University.

Wolverhampton also offers one of the busiest horse racecourses in the country, as well as greyhound racing and speedway at Monmore Green stadium. Not only that, it’s an easy commute to Edgbaston Cricket Ground, an international test match venue.

For further information visit, www.wlv.ac.uk/international

Make an enquiry: Centre for Language and Communication Training University of Wolverhampton Millennium City Building City Campus South Wolverhampton WV1 1LY Email: clact@wlv.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1902 322 484

Apply to study: Visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/international Email: internationaladmissions@wlv.ac.uk