General English

Course Description

This course is designed to develop overall English language skills, with specific focuses on Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, hence it will develop skills at your pace enabling you to reach your goals.

Whether you want to just learn the language, prepare for tertiary education in New Zealand or prepare for an English language test, this is the right course for you.

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Certification: NZQA Approved Training Schemes: English as a Second Language and English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL)

Duration: 1 week +
Tuition Hours: 20 hours teaching + 10 hours self-directed study per week
Intakes: Weekly

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Entry Requirements

A minimum age of 16 years is required. Students will be tested to check their level of English so that the correct level is assigned. The test used is designed by the Zealive Institute of New Zealand to test English proficiency. 

International students must also possess an appropriate visa with a valid study condition.

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Course Structure

The course consists of 5 levels in total. You will be initially assigned your entry level according to how well you perform on the placement test. Each level is designed to provide 12 weeks of English language study. On successful completion of a 12-week course, you should have acquired at least one level higher than your current level.

 

The levels are as follows: ​

• Elementary

• Pre Intermediate

• Intermediate

• Upper-Intermediate

• Advanced

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The courses are delivered as full-time study. The full-time study comprises 20 hours of contact classroom time over four mornings or afternoons each week, and 10 hours of self-directed study. The curriculum is based around the four macro skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) with outcomes for each macro skill over the four class levels.

Generally, there is the more practical application of speaking and listening modules, as it is your oral English that needs developing for you to be able to communicate effectively.

The first half of the sessions, as a rule, will concentrate on language over the four macro skills while the second half of the class will integrate the skills through more practical activities.

 

The higher class levels (Upper Intermediate and Advanced) will also seek to develop higher-level reading and writing skills in order to prepare you for further study destinations.

 

The generic language skills you will learn over a range of topics will help you more easily access pathways and destinations of your choice. These may be in this country or in your country of residence and may include further study, employment and personal interest.

The development of generic language skills is consistent with the course aim to improve your ability to communicate more effectively and confidently in a variety of settings. 

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The course does not include any optional modules or electives and is wholly classroom-based.

 

Assessment is carried out at all levels at scheduled intervals. If you pass the level assessment you can proceed to the next level up. You need to achieve at least 80% of the outcomes across the four macro skills before you can proceed to the next level up. In addition, if you are at the intermediate level you have the option of taking the IELTS exam if you wish.

The IELTS exam, which is externally assessed, reports levels of performance across the four macro skills

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