15 lessons of 60 minutes per week, information pack, writing materials, loan of books, welfare and advisory service, course certificate and recommendations for future study, use of self access language laboratory, access to social programme. General English 15 courses concentrate primarily on speaking and listening, although homework is given to develop writing and reading skills. These courses are most popular during the summer months but are also offered all year round. As with all our courses, the self-access room is always available after classes (15.30) for private study. 

 

As the name implies, they are less intensive courses, which leave your afternoons free to play sport, visit the region or just relax! These courses allow you to take best advantage of our extensive all year-round activity programme. 

Intensive courses are for students who want to devote as much time as possible to their English studies and maximize their progress during their time in England. Students are placed in classes after an Entrance Test and a brief interview with the Director of Studies. Homework is given daily and students’ progress is tested weekly. At the end of the course they receive a course certificate and also recommendations for future study. 

Course includes 

 

* 23 Lessons of 60 minutes each, Monday to Friday 

* Classes from 09:00 - 12:30 and 13:30 - 15:30 

* Access to full social programme 

* Loan of all books and materials 

* Use of self-access room and library 

* Folder and writing materials 

* Regular tutorials 

* End of course certificate plus recommendations for future study 

* Comprehensive library of local guides/maps available for loan 

* Administrative service to help you organise travel, car hire etc in England and in London 

* Weekly on-course testing 

* Regular homework; 3 written per week, 2 preparation 

 

Maximum class size is 12 students but outside the summer months the average class size is 8. Courses can be started on any Monday throughout the year. Lessons are from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 13.30 to 15.30. There are no lessons on Wednesday afternoon when a half-day excursion is organized. Please note that we close on all UK Bank Holidays, and lessons missed are made up on the other 4 days of the week. Optional trips can be booked on these “holidays”. When afternoon lessons are over, students wishing to do further private study can use the self-access facilities. Students can also take advantage of the free internet service (ADSL line) in breaks and after classes. 

 

This course consists of General English classes in the mornings and Business English in the afternoons. At the end of the course, the student will receive a special Business Certificate detailing the areas covered in the Business Class in addition to the standard Devon School of English course certificate. 

 

We attempt to ensure that our Business English provision is always client-centred. We agree and follow a programme that matches the needs of the members of the group as closely as possible. 

 

Our Business English teaching philosophy is based on the premise that English is the language of international business communication, most frequently between non-native speakers. We aim to ensure that our students are comfortable with the language, able to express themselves and able to impart their message as accurately and as fluently as possible. 

 

We combine functional Business English, the language used in the situations in which our students most commonly find themselves, with specialist language and vocabulary where appropriate. We always try to relate what happens in the classroom to real life. 

 

Our teachers are chosen for their ability to base their input on both teaching skill and practical experience of business. We believe that the ability to truly understand a student’s business is crucial to meaningful language provision. 

 

Areas that can be covered include: 

 

* The Language of Meetings 

* Negotiating 

* Making Presentations 

* Company Organisation, Structure and Culture 

* Corporate Strategy 

* Describing Trends and Graphs 

* Human Resources Sales and Marketing 

* Management Accounts (Balance Sheets and Profit &Loss Accounts) 

* International Trade & Finance 

* The Stock Market 

* Telephoning 

* Formal Business Letter Writing and Emails 

* Socialising & Small Talk 

 

Courses can also be tailored to the needs of closed groups with common objectives such as Tourism Management or Business English exam preparation. These may include visits to local organisations and businesses.  

The flexibility of these courses is particularly suited to clients who wish to maximise their progress in General English in a short time, whilst also devoting time to specific language areas. The one-to-one element of a General English combination course may be used for exam preparation, a specific language function, to reinforce certain grammar points or simply to boost fluency and conversation skills. The one-to-one element of a Business English combination course (minimum age 20) might include technical or vocation-specific language, mechanical or electrical engineering terminology or the language of banking and finance for example, or it might afford the student the perfect opportunity to prepare, refine and rehearse a specific presentation. 

 

We will send you a needs analysis document in advance of your course, for you to tell us your specific objectives and to help us plan your course and select the teacher with the most appropriate expertise and experience. Your teacher will work closely with you to ensure that you derive the maximum benefit from these sessions. 

 

A combination course offers a balance of study which allows students to learn and practise their English communication skills in a class environment and yet at the same time, to focus on individual needs and objectives in a more personalised and intensive setting. 

Our V.I.P. One-to-One courses are the most client-centred, intensive and effective language courses we offer. We will send you a needs analysis document for you to complete in advance of your course. This will ensure that we are able to tailor the content to your very specific requirements and select the teacher with the most appropriate expertise and experience. 

 

Our teachers are chosen for their ability to base their input on both teaching skill and practical experience of business. We believe that the ability to truly understand a client’s business is crucial to meaningful language provision. 

 

Courses may be based on the need to acquire a higher level of competency in English, focussing on functional business language. The objective here is for clients to leave the school confident in their language ability and better able to express themselves in the business situations they regularly encounter. These situations might include meetings with international clients, international negotiations, giving presentations in English or making and receiving telephone calls in English. 

 

Alternatively, courses may be centred on vocation-specific language, for example Human Resources, Management Accounting, Sales and Marketing or Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Objectives might include interviewing candidates for jobs in English, presenting financial data to foreign directors, making sales presentations in English or providing international technical service and support. 

 

We also organise courses for clients with very specific objectives, for example organising and facilitating a conference in English, conducting an Assessment Centre in English or preparing and rehearsing a specific presentation in English.  

We have a long history of success in preparing students for the following Cambridge Examinations 

 

 

Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) 

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) 

 

Our courses are 9, 10 or 12 weeks depending on the time of year. It is possible to join courses for shorter periods, but strictly by arrangement with the School. 

 

 

Cambridge First Certificate in English 

 

 

This exam can be taken in March , June and December.The First Certificate Exam is a demanding high upper intermediate level examination and students starting the course should already have a high intermediate level. It is an important internationally recognised qualification with widespread recognition in commerce and industry. Students attend the course for 23 hours a week. FCE EXAM DATES 2010 - 13/03/2010,15/06/2010,07/12/2010. 

. 

 

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English 

 

 

This exam can be taken in June or December and courses are 12 weeks long. Students should already be of a high upper intermediate level when starting the course as it is a challenging examination which explores a more idiomatic use of the language in addition to a high level of accuracy. Students attend the course for 23 hours a week. ADVANCED EXAM DATES 2010 -06/03/2010,16/06/2010,08/12/2010. 

 

 

Cambridge Proficiency in English 

 

 

June and December -12 week courses . Success at this beyond advanced level exam is a requirement for many English language teachers and those wishing to work as translators. Please note that the school only prepares the Cambridge Proficiency as a joint entry exam with the Cambridge advanced (it is not prepared as a separate course) It is therefore NOT a suitable option for students who have already passed CAE exam. CPE EXAM DATES 2010-06/03/2010,17/06/2010,09/12/2010. 

 

Courses generally commence 12 weeks before the examination date. You will follow a syllabus that has been carefully designed to take you step-by-step up to the required level. You will be carefully monitored by tests and tutorials by your class teacher and the Director of Studies, and you will receive homework daily. 

 

Cambridge Courses include 

 

* 23 one-hour lessons per week 

 

* Small classes, maximum 12 students 

 

* Highly - qualified permanent staff with several years' experience in teaching Cambridge examination classes 

 

* Well-equipped pleasant classrooms 

 

* Free books and materials 

 

* Homework every evening 

 

 

Students are carefully monitored throughout their course to ensure maximum achievement. 

 

Mock interviews and plenty of examination practice 

 

Self-access centre available up to 10 hours per week after classes for extra practice in listening/speaking/reading/grammar. 

 

Daily newspapers available 

 

Student library with graded readers 

 

Courses generally commence 12 weeks before the examination date. You will follow a syllabus that has been carefully designed to take you step-by-step up to the required level. You will be carefully monitored by tests and tutorials by your class teacher and the Director of Studies, and you will receive homework daily. 

 

As the exam date approaches, you will be given mock interviews and plenty of practice using past examination papers. 

 

 

This increasingly popular exam can be taken monthly (according to demand) This is an important qualification for students who wish to study at English or American universities or colleges of Higher education. The exam results are graded from 0 to 9 and most universities usually require between 6 and 7 (equivalent to an advanced level of English). 

 

IELTS DATES 2010 - 08/02/2010 , 10/06/2010, 04/10/2010, 08/11/2010 

 

All courses last 4 weeks with the exam at the end of the course. 

Homestay Accommodation (Host family) 

Teenagers are placed in families as close as possible to the school and in any case at a maximum of 20 minutes’ walking distance (they are accompanied by their family on the first day). 

Juniors either have a single room or share a room with a student of a different nationality, unless they ask to share with a friend. 

 

Accommodation is full-board. Students have breakfast with the family and are given a picnic lunch. 

They have dinner with the family in the evening. Younger students usually stay with their host families in the evenings (apart from 2 evenings a week when the school organises activities). They do not go out unless we receive written permission, stating what time they must come home, from the student’s parents and guardians. 

 

Courses 

Courses may be in a centre in Paignton other than the main School. Courses may be alternately morning/afternoon. 

Recreational activities are closely supervised by our Activity Leaders. Students must take part in the full activity programme and are not permitted to go off on their own. All courses include Devon School pen and folder, information pack, writing materials, welfare and advisory service and course certificate. Minimum stay 2 weeks, 1 hour = 60 minute lesson. 

Courses start any Monday. Maximum Class size 12 students.  

“A relaxed, friendly atmosphere with a real sense of purpose and a passion for learning. This is a school where everyone counts” 

 

This shared vision of how a school should be run has brought together The Devon School of English, Paignton, and Queen’s College, Taunton in an exciting new venture. 

 

Queen’s College is the ideal location for our new residential study centre - only minutes away from the lively and attractive town of Taunton, in the heart of some of the most beautiful countryside in the West Country and yet less than 3 hours away from London. 

 

The Devon School has over 35 years of experience in organising teenager study holidays on the English Riviera. Queen’s College, a quintessentially English public school, was founded in 1843 and is steeped in history. 

 

The story-book setting together with spacious, state-of-the-art classrooms and the most modern recreational facilities - all help to produce an unforgettable “English” experience.