English as a Second Language
At CCSS all international students whose first language is not English are expected to participate in an ESL programme unless they can show a high level of proficiency in English and provide proof of a suitable, recognised qualification such as an IELTS score of 6.5 in each component of the IELTS examination (the minimum grade required by the majority of universities in the UK).
Exam Board:
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Theory, Practice and Tests in Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking
The aim of the ESL course is to develop students’ ability in English so that they can:
• Gain a qualification in English (usually IELTS) which is recognised by UK universities.
• Deal effectively with their AS and A2 subjects, which require a good standard of academic English.
The following study programmes are offered at CCSS:
Lower-sixth and one-year
The programme for lower-sixth and one-year students consists of:
a) General English (3½ hours)
b) Academic Writing (1½ hours)
Class teaching involves five hours of group time, and includes the study and practice of grammar and vocabulary through the four basic language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
In the General English course, the time spent on all the skills is fairly evenly distributed, in contrast to the Academic Writing course, where the proportion of time spent on writing is much greater.
The Academic Writing course is designed to familiarise students with the nature of academic writing, and to enable them to write proficiently in a manner appropriate for academic communication through both theory and practice. The course aims to help students to acquire and develop the academic writing skills needed for:
•The A-level subjects they are studying at CCSS.
• The IELTS examination.
• University studies.
In addition to their group lessons, students receive ½ hour one-to-one tuition per week (General English: ¼ hour, Academic Writing: ¼ hour), with a focus on individual language problems, and the provision of support for vocabulary building and essay writing in ESL and other subjects.
The spring term focuses on intensive revision and practice for the IELTS exam, which most students take in May.
Upper-sixth
The programme for upper-sixth students builds on the lower-sixth year. If students have not achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.5 – 7.0, they are required to take the exam some time in their upper-sixth year, usually in March or May, depending on their progress. In the upper-sixth, students receive 3½ group hours and ¼ hour of individual tuition. As with the lower-sixth, the course covers all four skill areas with a focus on grammar and vocabulary. The overall aim is to help students gain confidence in all the language areas, and to raise their level of English to a standard which will not only satisfy university requirements, as measured by IELTS, but will also meet the academic and social demands of university life.
Advanced English Support (AES)
Students who wish to improve on their current IELTS score (usually 6.5 or higher) may join an AES group, where they receive one hour of group tuition per week plus ¼ hour of one-to-one tuition. These sessions provide intensive IELTS practice.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
Students who already hold an ESL qualification which is acceptable to a UK university can further enhance their English by enrolling for EAP. The aim of EAP is to ensure a greater competency and fluency in English.
Students receive one hour of group tuition per week plus ¼ hour of one-to-one tuition. These sessions may concentrate on the study of grammar, vocabulary and essay writing, and include the discussion of articles and current affairs. Students can also receive assistance with essays in their A-level subjects, and with preparation for university interviews.
