Courses
Teaching and Learning at Oxford House
Introduction by the Director of Studies, Brenda De Martino
Since joining the school in November 1983 when the first General English classes were held. I have been very fortunate to have worked with many enthusiastic and dedicated teachers, all of whom have contributed to the relaxed, friendly, yet purposeful atmosphere so characteristic of Oxford House. Several current members of staff have been with us for over 10 years, but we have also been joined more recently by younger, but equally dedicated teachers and, in all, we have a very professional and harmonious team.
Our teachers have all received appropriate training in the teaching of English, have different teaching experience and styles, but share a common philosophy, which is to develop confidence in our students and encourage them at every stage to use the English they have to the best possible advantage. We use a variety of modern teaching methods and materials and aim to provide students with a broad-based syllabus, incorporating general skills development in reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as vocabulary extension, colloquial and idiomatic English, pronunciation, intonation and stress. Our courses also include insights into the British way of life and culture. During Term courses we also offer preparation for the Cambridge and IELTS examinations as an integral, though not exclusive part of the syllabus, and the success rate for students taking these exams is very high.
As well as the General English classes, we have a lot of experience in arranging Specialist English tuition, some in the form of Combination Courses or Individual Courses and some as Closed Group Courses. Most of these courses are held at "Tudor House", the building adjoining the main school, where there are separate facilities, including classrooms, a common room and kitchen.
Our self-study resources are varied and up-to-date, with a good range of multi-media materials available during and after normal school hours. Students are encouraged to make regular use of these facilities, and their progress is closely monitored by teachers during weekly tutorials. Class teachers write a personal report on every student at the end of their course, and students who attend regularly also receive a certificate of attendance.
You may wish to come to Britain to do a full-immersion General English Language programme, perhaps with a view to passing an examination, or you may need a highly intensive specialist programme specific to your needs at work. On the other hand you may simply wish to combine some language improvement with an opportunity to extend your knowledge and enjoyment of a sport or cultural interest. Whatever your reason for the language training, we are confident that you will find a course to suit you. If you are not certain which type of course will be most effective, we will be happy to answer your questions by letter, e-mail, fax or telephone.
Courses
We offer both general and specialist English courses throughout the year to adults over 18 years of age. Students from a variety of countries enrol for courses ranging from 2 weeks to an academic year. Most students come to us as individuals, and we do not accept large monolingual groups.
On their first day, we give students grading tests, including an interview, to establish their level and language needs.
Class tuition takes place in small groups, and our teachers pay very close attention to the needs and progress of each individual, making sure that students do not feel "only a number".
Students on full-time General English courses usually have the same teacher every morning and then 2 other teachers in the afternoons. In this way they are able to experience the different personalities and teaching styles of our small but very professional staff.
Course Types
General English
- Academic year courses (36+ weeks) and Term courses (12 to 13 weeks). These are total immersion programmes including examination preparation if required e.g. CAMBRIDGE, IELTS, TOEIC, TOEFL
- Part-term courses (Short 2 to 4-week courses within a term)
- Short Summer Courses
Students doing General English can choose to replace or supplement their afternoon group programme with one-to-one tuition (at extra cost)
Specialist English
- Combination Courses (including both group and individual tuition)
- English Plus Courses (e.g. English plus golf / tennis / riding / cultural outings etc)
- Individual Courses (tailor-made one-to-one tuition)
- Closed Group Courses for e.g. Executives, Academics, Non-native teachers, Technicians (tailor-made programmes)
Common Features of our Courses
- Small classes, expert tuition
- Individual attention
- Regular monitoring of progress and performance
- Free coursebook
- A wide range of modern teaching methods and materials
- Full range of multimedia classroom and self-access facilities available all day - including weekends.
- Free 1 year subscription to a major internet English Language learning site
- Free high speed broadband internet / e-mail access, including wireless connection for students’ own laptops
- Final report / certificate of attendance, plus advice on post-course follow-up