Turning Point Education’s General English course is for learners who want to learn how to communicate quickly and effectively in an English-speaking environment. There is a strong emphasis on speaking and listening throughout the course with plenty of practice activities to provide frequent opportunities for realistic, every day interactions.
48 weeks (20 hours/week)
There are 5 components: Beginner, Elementary, Pre Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper Intermediate. The levels are aligned to the Proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference of Languages: learning, teaching, assessment. (CEF) and cover the 4 main skill areas of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Learners are given a Placement test to recognise prior leaning and then placed into the correct level for learning. The exception is the Beginner level which has no entry requirements.
The following is a guide to the Language Skills Levels:
This is designed for absolute beginners. Learners should have no prior knowledge at all of the language they want to learn or very little knowledge.
This is designed for learners who have a basic beginner knowledge of the language, for example students who have met most of the CEF A1 level goals and although would benefit from revision, are ready to progress to CEF A2 level.
This is designed for learners who have some knowledge of the language at an Elementary level, for example students who have are beyond the CEF A2 level.
This is designed for students whose knowledge of the language is at an Intermediate level, for example students who have met most of the CEF B1 level goals, and although would benefit from revision, are ready to progress to CEF B2.
This is designed for students whose knowledge of the language has progressed to be competent users but would benefit from cementing further their knowledge at the CEF B2 level.
The main resource is the course book series Face2face by the Cambridge University Press.
There is no formal qualification at the end of the course but learners will be given a Certificate recording their level of achievement.
Once the course has been completed Learners will be well equipped, to use all the main skills areas to a level where they can function in an English speaking community, feel a part of their community and contribute to it’s growth both socially and economically.
| Level 1 | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 weeks |
| Hours per week | 20 contact hours 2 hours self directed learning |
| Level | Based on Common European Framework (CEF) Level A1 |
| Delivery | On site. |
| Pre Requisite | No prior knowledge needed. |
| Assessments |
Review Assessments every week.
Progress Assessment at the end of the level.
|
| Standard of Performance | Learner has achieved 80% of the learning outcomes. |
| Content | 4 skill areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing as follows: |
| Listening | The learner will learn to use familiar words and very basic phrases concerning themselves, their family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly. |
| Reading | The learner will learn to use familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues. |
| Speaking | The learner will learn to interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help them formulate what they are trying to say. The learner will learn to ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics. The learner will learn to use simple phrases and sentences to describe where they live and people they know. |
| Writing | The learner will learn to write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. They will learn to fill in forms with personal details, for example entering their name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form. |
| Level 2 | Elementary |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 weeks |
| Hours per week | 20 contact hours 2 hours self directed learning |
| Level | Based on Common European Framework (CEF) Level A1 and A2 |
| Delivery | On site. |
| Pre Requisite | Successful completion of Beginner level |
| Assessments |
Review Assessments every week.
Progress Assessment at the end of the level.
|
| Standard of Performance | Learner has achieved 80% of the learning outcomes. |
| Content | 4 skill areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing as follows: |
| Listening | The learner will learn to recognise familiar words and very basic phrases concerning themselves, their family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly. The learner will learn to understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance, (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). The learner will learn to catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements. |
| Reading | The learner will learn to understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues. The learner will learn to read very short, simple texts. Find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and understand short simple personal letters. |
| Speaking | The learner will learn to interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help them formulate what they are trying to say. The learner will learn to ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics. The learner will learn to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. The learner will learn to handle very short social exchanges, even though they can’t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself. The learner will learn to use simple phrases and sentences to describe where they live and people they know. The learner will learn to use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms their family and other people, living conditions, their educational background and their present or most recent job. |
| Writing | The learner will learn to write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. The learner will learn to fill in forms with personal details, for example entering their name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form. The learner will learn to write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need. The learner will learn to write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something. |
| Level 3 | Pre Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 weeks |
| Hours per week | 20 contact hours 2 hours self directed learning |
| Level | Based on Common European Framework (CEF) Level B1 |
| Delivery | On site. |
| Pre Requisite | Successful completion of Elementary level |
| Assessments |
Review Assessments every week.
Progress Assessment at the end of the level.
|
| Standard of Performance | Learner has achieved 80% of the learning outcomes. |
| Content | 4 skill areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing as follows: |
| Listening | The learner will learn to understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. The learner will learn to understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear. |
| Reading | The learner will learn to understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. The learner will learn to understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters. |
| Speaking | The learner will learn to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. The learner will learn to enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events). The learner will learn to connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions. The learner will learn to briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. The learner will learn to narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions. |
| Writing | The learner will learn to write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. The learner will learn to write personal letters describing experiences and impressions. |
| Level 4 | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 weeks |
| Hours per week | 20 contact hours 2 hours self directed learning |
| Level | Based on Common European Framework (CEF) Level B1 & B2 |
| Delivery | On site. |
| Pre Requisite | Successful completion of Pre Intermediate level. |
| Assessments |
Review Assessments every week.
Progress Assessment at the end of the level.
|
| Standard of Performance | Learner has achieved 80% of the learning outcomes. |
| Content | 4 skill areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing as follows: |
| Listening | The learner will learn to understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. The learner will learn to understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear. |
| Reading | The learner will learn to understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. The learner will learner to understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters. |
| Speaking | The learner will learn to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. The learner will learn to enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events). The learner will learn to connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions. The learner will learn to briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. The learner will learn to narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions. |
| Writing | The learner will learn to write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. The learner will learn to write personal letters describing experiences and impressions. |
| Level 5 | Upper Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 weeks |
| Hours per week | 20 contact hours 2 hours self directed learning |
| Level | Based on Common European Framework (CEF) Level B2 |
| Delivery | On site. |
| Pre Requisite | Successful completion of Intermediate level. |
| Assessments |
Review Assessments every week.
Progress Assessment at the end of the level.
|
| Standard of Performance | Learner has achieved 80% of the learning outcomes. |
| Content | 4 skill areas of listening, reading, speaking, writing as follows: |
| Listening | The learner will learn to understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. The learner will learn to understand most TV news and current affairs programmes The learner will learn to understand the majority of films in standard dialect. |
| Reading | The learner will learn to read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. The learner will learn to understand contemporary literary prose. |
| Speaking | The learner will learn to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. The learner will learn to take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views. The learner will learn to present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. The learner will learn to explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. |
| Writing | The learner will learn to write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my interest. The learner will learn to write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. The learner will learn to write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences. |
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