Pre-sessional A-level Preparation

Overseas students embarking on ‘A’ level study often need substantial assistance not only to bring their level of English up to the required standard but also to learn the essential skills of analysing data in textual or statistical form and applying that to essay writing. The pre-sessional ‘A’ level foundation course helps students to adjust to the demands of ‘A’ level work quickly and ensures that they can begin their courses with confidence. Students can enrol at any time in the academic year and develop the academic and language skills they require to begin full ‘A’ level courses in September.

English for Academic Purposes

These sessions focus on developing English skills in the four fundamental areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. By the end of the course, students should be able to read lengthy academic texts using the speed scanning techniques that are essential for good examination performance. They will also learn to read more comprehensively for effective research and note-taking. The writing sessions not only work on grammar and syntax but also reveal techniques for writing effective analytical essays. Workshops on speaking and listening are aimed at providing both confidence and competence so that students can express themselves both in and beyond the classroom. Where appropriate and required, students are also prepared for the IELTS examination and are provided with mock examinations and progress tests leading up to the public IELTS examination at the end of their course. 

Subject Focus
The subject sessions concentrate on extending vocabulary and improving understanding of key terminology and issues in specific areas. Students should indicate clearly which subjects they will be taking at ‘A’ level on the registration form. Foundation studies are available in most ‘A’ level subjects although a small surcharge will be payable where individual tuition is required in uncommon subjects. Academic studies with an experienced ‘A’ level tutor will help students to reach the rigorous standards required for success at that level. Pre-sessional students will be introduced to the ‘A’ level syllabus and the format of examination papers will be explained, enabling them more readily to translate their existing subject knowledge into effective examination performance.

Academic Skills

Academic skills sessions focus more sharply on the specific skills students will require to satisfy UK examiners:

  • Study skills: diagrammatic notes, speedreading, note-taking, time-management, memory training 
  • Essay Writing: planning, fact and opinion, argument, structure  
  • Lecture and Seminar skills: understanding presentations, speed annotation, consolidation of material
  • Research methods: sourcing and reviewing material, designing research topics, analysing data, IT methods  
  • Quantitative techniques: tables and charts, interpreting statistics, mathematical analysis

Enrolment 

Students may join courses on any Monday. Fees are £550 per week, including half-board accommodation with a carefully selected host family. The 2009 courses finish 28th August. To register, please complete and return the registration form here.