What is the aim of our teaching?

We will teach you as much useful English as possible in a professional and caring manner whatever your length of stay.

This enables you to move successfully towards your own learning targets. Our Study Chart shows the progress through the various levels which you can expect to make – progress is dependent upon the number of hours studied each week and upon personal aptitude and motivation. You can choose to study for 15, 20 or 25 hours per week.

The chart shows your current level, your examination opportunities, your main learning objectives and the work, study and life possibilities your new language skills will offer you.

At Churchill House we will:

• Assess your level prior to the course starting
• Consult with you on which course to take and how long to study
• Continually monitor and advise you on your progress.

ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL

We offer General English classes at 12 different levels ranging from complete beginner to very advanced, so you’ll always be in a class with people of a similar level. Each level or module is a self contained course with sufficient work for an average learner to cover in 4 weeks.

Successive modules interlock to form a continuous pathway through the English language – The Churchill House Module system.

Our experienced Course Consultants will discuss the course options available and advise on the appropriate study path for you. The learning targets of our students vary – you may wish to improve your general fluency or take an examination course, to enter

university or improve your career prospects. You may only be able to study for a few weeks or you may have a longer time available. We offer a wide range of courses with many starting dates and whatever your personal situation Churchill House will have a course for you.  At Churchill House we will:

At this stage you complete an English Ability Questionnaire (part of the Enrolment Form), this decides which of the Churchill House Entrance Tests you should next complete – Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate or Advanced. These tests can be sent to you by post or you can download them from our website. If you complete an online test you can fill in the attached English Ability Questionnaire.  When you arrive at Churchill House the results of the test and a personal interview will be used to confirm your first module level.

MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS

Module courses start at the beginning of each month and are designed to last 4 weeks (2 and 3 week courses are possible). During a 4-week module course your teacher will display the syllabus and learning targets in the classroom and go through these with the class on a regular basis. Your progress will be checked in a number of ways and you will receive guidance and counselling.

Progress Tests

Progress Test 1 at the end of the first week to inform the teacher about the skill levels of all students in the class and which will enable the teacher to adjust teaching material or style of teaching as appropriate.

Progress Test 2 highlights any areas of the syllabus that the teacher needs to revise or re-teach and identifies any problems individual students might have.

The End of Module Test (this can be the final test for those students leaving us at he end of the module) takes place on the last Thursday of the month and covers everything studied in the module. It is used along with the teacher’s recommendation in determining your level for the next module.

Class Opinion Questionnaires

You will be asked at the end of the first week or start of the second week of each module to complete a questionnaire giving your opinion on the different aspects of the class – pace of learning, balance of skills and others. The results of these questionnaires are viewed anonymously and discussed in class. Advice and guidance will be given on a one to one basis as required.

Individual Tutorials

There are programmed individual progress tutorials with your teacher and are in addition to any other individual advice that might be offered as a result of tests and daily homework. The teacher will talk through your progress and give you a written record of your performance and achievements

Teacher Recommendations

At the end of each 4-week module your teacher will discuss your progress with your Course Director and will make recommendations for your class level for the following month.

This clear and open system of recording your progress enables us, and you, to achieve your learning targets most effectively.