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School

Location

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and an excellent place to stay. It has everything that you would expect from a capital city, but it is also one of the least expensive and safest places in the UK. It has a high student population and the standard of living is excellent. Cardiff is famous for its waterfront views, arts and drama, and its fantastic nightlife.

Since the 1990s Cardiff has seen significant development, with a new waterfront area at Cardiff Bay which contains the Senedd building, home to the Welsh Assembly (the parliament in Wales) and the Wales Millennium Centre arts complex. Current developments include the continuation of the redevelopment of the Cardiff Bay and city centre areas with projects such as the International Sports Village, a BBC drama village, and a new business district in the city centre. Cardiff is also the largest media centre in the UK outside of London.

In Wales, Welsh is an official language alongside English. While a significant majority of Welsh residents are either bilingual (Welsh/English) or, particularly in the south-east of Wales, monolingual (English), be prepared for plenty of road-signs and advertisements in both English and Welsh.

School

Our partner organisation has 2 schools in the centre of Cardiff, and is accredited by the British Council as well as being a member of English UK, ABLS and Learn English in Wales. Students can expect to receive quality tuition from teachers they know and trust. All the teachers are qualified, experienced and friendly. They work with a curriculum and students' progress is monitored throughout. Every student is provided with their own copy of the course book. In addition to quality teachers, the school also has caring support staff. They help create a friendly atmosphere and make you feel like part of the family.

Both schools are just 5 minutes walk from the city centre, and boast a variety of facilities: a computer room, a student lounge, a self study area, free Wi-Fi access, a free mineral water machine, and a free hot drinks machine.

Courses

On your first day you will take a test assessing your level of English. You will then be placed in a class that is suitable for your level and your needs.

General English

The General English course will help you to improve your all-round ability in English. It aims to increase your confidence in your day-to-day use and understanding of the language and focuses on the key skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The teachers regularly talk to every student about their progress. There are weekly tests, a half term test and an end of term test. A formal course report is written at the end of your course.

• Standard English: 20 lessons of 45 minutes = 15 hours
  English lessons available to all levels, morning classes.
• Intensive English: 28 lessons of 45 minutes = 21 hours
  English lessons available to all levels, morning and afternoon classes.
• Extra-Intensive English: 32 lessons of 45 minutes = 24 hours
  English lessons available to all levels, morning and afternoon classes.
• General English Afternoon: 20 lessons of 25 minutes = 15 hours
  The afternoon English course offers a cheaper alternative to studying in the mornings, whilst still offering 15 hours of quality tuition per week
• One-on-one tuition
  Private lessons of one hour (60 minute) sessions.

Business English - 28 lessons of 45 minutes per week

The Business English course provides students with the necessary language skills and vocabulary to survive in the workplace. The Business English course leads to the Cambridge BEC Exams. The Business English Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that show employers your skills for using English in the workplace. The minimum duration of the course is 2 weeks, up to 12. We recommend you attend the Business English course for at least 4 weeks.

You will study General English in the morning, and 8 lessons (6 hours) of business-focused English in the afternoon between 3:15pm and 4:45pm.

Exam Preparation

The school also caters for IELTS exam preparation.

• IELTS Exam Preparation
  The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) course combines language development with examination techniques, study skills and examination practice. This course introduces all aspects of the examination and provides strategies for dealing with each of the IELTS exam papers.
  
  Students may join the course at intermediate level but the ideal entry level for the class is upper intermediate. We recommend you attend the IELTS course for at least 12 weeks and you are encouraged to study for 21 or 24 hours per week. You will take regular IELTS practice tests and we can also assist you with booking your IELTS examination at various test centres.
  
  Our IELTS programme runs every morning. Students studying 21 and 24 hours per week will study General English in the afternoons.

• • IELTS Preparation 20: 20 lessons of 45 minutes = 15 hours
  • IELTS Preparation 28: 28 lessons of 45 minutes = 21 hours
  • IELTS Preparation 32: 32 lessons of 45 minutes = 24 hours

The minimum length of the exam preparation course is 4 weeks.

Academic Preparation Programme (APP)

Our partner school also runs an Academic Preparation Programme. This is designed for students who want to go to university in the UK. It prepares them for academic study, improving their knowledge of academic English and developing the skills and strategies that they require in order to succeed at university. At levels 2 and 3 students will also focus on IELTS as part of this course. Offered as a 3 to 9 month (12 - 36 weeks) programme, this is an excellent option for students who wish to progress to a UK university.

The Academic Preparation Programme consists of 3 levels and students study 24 hours per week at each level. At level one, students study 5 mornings of Academic English and General English in their afternoon classes. Level two follows the same format as level one, but with an IELTS focus included. At level three, students study 5 mornings of IELTS and General English in the afternoons.

The program is available for a minimum of 12 weeks and a maximum of 36 weeks.

Accommodation

Our partner school offers two types of accommodation: staying with a host family or staying in a student residence.

• Host Family

Homestay is one of the best ways to experience the British way of life. Living in a British home will help you to use your English skills in everyday situations with native speakers. Your host family will provide you with a private bedroom, and half board (breakfast and an evening meal). You can also choose full-board (for an additional fee) which also includes a packed lunch each school day.

Bed linen is provided by the host. Your host will clean your room, but you should keep it neat and tidy too by making your own bed and putting your clothes away.

Our host familiesare all subject to strict criteria and have regularly inspected homes. Most homestays are on average 15 minutes’ travelling time from the school.

• Student Residence

The self-catered student residence accommodation provides students with excellent quality, city centre accommodation in a highly secure and comfortable environment. A lot of long term students will stay with a host family at the beginning of their trip and move to residential accommodation after a few months.

At the residence you will be provided with an en-suite single bedroom, and have access to the modern buildings' facilities, such as the spacious communal living area with digital TV and vending machines, the fully equipped shared kitchen, and the on-site laundry facility and bike storage. For your safety there is 24-hour security and a manned reception. Bed linen is provided but towels are not.

Prices and Dates

Prices include:

• Chosen course
• Accommodation in host family with half-board (2 meals a day) or in student/executive accommodation
• All administrative and enrolment fees
• Academic material

They do not include

• Transportation to and within Cardiff
• Optional exam fees (Cambridge, IELTS)

Dates 2012

Courses begin every Monday.

Internship placements begin the first Monday of each month, and must be booked 8 weeks before the start date.

School terms run between: 19/09 - 16/12/2011, 03/01 - 05/04/2012, 10/04 - 29/06/2012, 02/07 - 21/09/2012 (summer), 24/12/2012 - 21/12/2012.

National holidays 2012 (school is closed): 02/01, 06/04, 09/04, 07/05, 04/06, 05/06, 27/08, 25 & 26/12. Christmas holiday 2012: 22/12/2012 - 06/01/2013.

APP and Business English courses begin 03/01/2012, 10/04/2012, 2/07/2012

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport: Cardiff
• Transfer possible upon request (see price table)

VISA Information

For non-EU residents, you can apply for a Student Visitor Visa to enter the UK. It is valid for 6 months, even if you intend to stay for less time. It does not entitle you to work. We do not include any VISA application fees in our prices.

For more information, either inquire at your local British Embassy or consult the following website:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk