British Council Malaysia - Adult Handbook

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STUDYING AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL KUALA LUMPUR

contents Welcome About Us Teachers Our Approach

Administration Your Course Our Adult English Courses Lessons Your Progress

Self Study

Self Study The ELLZ

welcome Hello!

Welcome to the British Council. We are one of 86 British Council teaching centres worldwide with a commitment to offering the highest quality language programmes, guaranteed by the British Council network code of practice and a highly developed training programme.

We hope you will enjoy studying with us as you develop your English language skills and gain valuable insights into British culture.

To help you make the most of your studies with us, please take some time to read this Adult English Handbook, which has a lot of useful information about the British Council, your course and your teachers.

As you have now registered on a course you will automatically receive free membership of the English Language Learning Zone (ELLZ) for the duration of your course. We hope that you will take advantage of the resources offered there.

In Malaysia, we have Teaching Centres in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. We offer English language courses for both adults and young learners, Business English courses, corporate training programmes as well as preparation courses for IELTS, an internationally recognised English language exam.

We also hold regular exhibitions on studying for UK qualifications, both in the UK and Malaysia, offer a range of academic and professional exams and organise exciting arts events.

If you are interested in any of our other courses or activities, please ask us about them or visit our website at www.britishcouncil.org.my Alison Sriparam

Enjoy your course!

Director of English Language Services

about us Teachers Our teachers come from a variety of countries and ethnic backgrounds within the English-speaking world. They have internationally-recognised post-graduate teaching qualifications.

All teachers receive regular specialist training from British Council development programmes to make sure you get the best lessons.

They are friendly, approachable and always ready to help.

Our Approach At the British Council Kuala Lumpur we offer English courses that will help you progress by: practising all 4 language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing, using a variety of classroom activities studying grammar and vocabulary using a wide range of methods and materials assessing your progress and giving you regular feedback increasing your confidence through pair and group work providing enjoyable and interesting activities about real-life situations offering strategies and resources to help you to learn by yourself.

administration Registration receipts Your registration receipt will tell you: your student ID number

class days and times

course code

start and finish dates

The first day You must bring your receipt with you to the first lesson, and when you buy your course book.

You can buy your course book at the MPH book stall on the 1st floor of the British Council.

To find your classroom and teacher’s name, look at the plasma screen in the reception area. Please ask one of our staff if you cannot find the classroom you are looking for.

Changing classes If you want to change your class, discuss this with your teacher. It may be possible for you to move to a different class if there are places available. No changes will be allowed after the second week of a part-time course or the second lesson of a full-time course.

Refunds If you need a refund, go to a Customer Relations Executive on the ground floor. You must go at least 48 hours before the start of the course and return your original receipt.

See our refund policy on the back of your receipt for further information.

Re-registration You will receive a re-registration letter on day 6 of a full-time course. You must register on day 6 or 7 to guarantee your place. On day 8, we will invite new students to join.

For part-time courses, you will receive a re-registration letter in week 6. You must register by week 7 to guarantee your place. In week 8, we will invite new students to join.

You can pay for more than one course at a time - please speak to the customer service staff if you would like to do this.

If you take a one-year break, you will have to pay for and take the placement test again. Visa students who wish to take a short break from studying must get permission from customer services - this is because of Malaysian government regulations.

Make-up classes You will not lose any classes due to British Council or public holidays. However, we cannot make-up any classes if you are absent.

Suggestions Your opinions and questions are important to us. Please contact our Customer Relations Executives who will be happy to help you with any questions you have. There is also a suggestions box on the ground floor.

You may also contact us by e-mail: kualalumpur@britishcouncil.org.my

Change of contact details It is important that we have your up-to-date contact details so we can contact you about class changes. Please tell our Customer Relations Executives if you change your address, telephone number or email address.

Customer Relations Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 0900 to 2000 Saturday: 0900 to 1700 Sunday: 1100 to 1800

your course Our Adult English Courses Academic Reading and Writing

IELTS Preparation

English for Adults yellow purple

white

navy

English for Work

amber

Advanced (modular) blue

yellow purple

IELTS Preparation (modular) IELTS 1

Academic Reading and Writing Level 2 Pre-Intermediate 4* to Intermediate 5 Academic Reading and Writing Level 1 Elementary 4 to Pre-Intermediate 5

2

IELTS 2

3

4

green

white

navy

red amber

Upper Intermediate (modular) blue

Lower IELTS Preparation (modular) 1

orange

5

5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1

orange

green

English for Work Upper Internediate (modular) blue

red D

Intermediate

B

D

Pre Intermediate

C B A

green

red

English for Work Internediate (modular)

C

A

orange

blue

orange

green

red

English for Work Pre-Internediate (modular) blue

orange

green

red

D

Elementary

C B A

* Pre-Intermediate 4,5 students may go into either Academic Writing Level 1 or 2, depending on their teacher’s recommendation.

Students who wish to study an IELTS preparation course need to be Intermediate level or higher. We strongly recommend that you are at least Intermediate 2 or 3 before starting the course. ELT experts say that it requires between180 and 200 hours of study to improve 1 band in the IELTS exam. We recommend you attend at least 5 levels before taking the exam. Don’t forget, you can take the exam here at the British Council Kuala Lumpur.

Lessons Teachers On most courses, you will have one or two regular teachers. When a course has two teachers, they meet regularly to plan lessons and discuss your progress.

Attendance To get the most out of the course, you should arrive on time for class and attend every lesson. You must attend 80% of full-time courses and 70% of part-time courses to qualify for your certificate of attendance.

Class size To give you the attention and time you need, the maximum class size is 20 students.

Course materials We use only the best language course books and materials, designed to make your lessons active, interesting, motivating and fun. We also use video, audio and IT-based activities. We design course materials to meet your specific needs. You will read and hear natural English, and learn to communicate effectively.

Homework and review Homework is important as it gives you practice and encourages you to take responsibility for your own learning.

Your teacher will give you homework regularly.

Full-time students should do at least two hours of homework per day, and part-time students should do at least three hours per week.

You can make notes in the British Council notebook you receive when you register for a course, organise your worksheets in your portfolio, and regularly review the work you do in class. You can also use the record of work to help you think about and plan homework.

Our English Language Learning Zone (ELLZ) and websites offer you a variety of ways to review and improve your English by yourself.

See the section in this handbook on self-study, ask your teacher, or visit the ELLZ for more information.

Your Progress In order to maintain and improve your English, it is better to study regularly over a longer period of time. It is not a good idea to keep stopping and restarting your study.

Assessment and Counselling During your course, we will measure your progress through regular assessment of your speaking and an assessed writing task. This helps you to see what you’re doing well and where you need to improve. We call this continuous assessment, and you will not have an end-of-course exam.

We will give you regular feedback and advice on how to study by yourself outside of class. We believe you should assess your own work and help yourself be a better learner.

Your teacher will advise you about your next course. If they feel that you are not making enough progress, they will give you counselling on what you need to do so that you can progress to the next level.

Certificates You will receive a British Council certificate at the end of each course you successfully complete. To qualify for a certificate, students on full-time courses must attend 80% of classes, and students on part-time courses must attend 70% of classes. If you need a letter to confirm that you are a student at the British Council Malaysia, contact a Customer Relations Executive.

Evaluations If your company sponsors you, your teacher will write an evaluation with a grade for attendance, class participation and language skills. Your teacher will also write some comments about your strengths, areas to work on, and recommendations for further study. These will be sent directly to your employer.

Campus Your teacher will enter grades and attendance in our student information system, Campus. In the future, you will be able to access this information online. Teachers and students can use this system to monitor progress.

self study The British Council wants to help you get the most out of your course and become a good language learner. To learn English well, your teacher, course and course book are important, but the most important person is you.

Being a good language learner We believe a good student is someone who: takes notes and writes new words down has good motivation understands what they are good at and what they need to improve sets targets takes risks and isn’t afraid of making mistakes uses English inside and outside the classroom.

Which of these things do you already do? Which should you start to do?

Learning English outside the classroom You can use a wide range of free resources in our self-access centre, the English Language Learning Zone or ELLZ. You can also use the Internet. The British Council has its own websites and other products and services to help you to learn English more quickly in a fun and motivating way. There are many other excellent resources available. Outside of the British Council, try watching English movies at home or in the cinema.

Record of Work You can get a record of work from the ELLZ. Use this to think about and plan what you need to do to improve your English. Then keep a record of your work.

The English Language Learning Zone (ELLZ) When you register for a British Council course, you receive free membership to our self-access centre, the ELLZ. Speak to our Customer Services or ELLZ staff to find out how to join.

Free resources There is a wide variety of self-study resources you can use to improve your English, including simplified readers and accompanying audio, grammar and vocabulary practice books, novels, comics, magazines, DVDs, IELTS practice tests, the most up-to-date English language learning software and much more!

We also have a range of self-study packs to practise your vocabulary, grammar and skills, bookmarks to help you track your progress and give suggestions on extra study, and study tips to give you advice on how to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing.

On each ELLZ computer, in the ‘favorites’ folder, there is a list of recommended websites. Have a look for these fun and interesting ways to improve your English online.

The Podcast PC For extra listening practice you can plug your mp3 or thumb drive into the Podcast PC in the ELLZ and download podcasts for your level – or take a copy of the handout to download at home.

Student Liaison Coordinator You can speak to our “Student Liaison Coordinator”, Christine Higginbotham. Christine is a highly-qualified British Council teacher, and is available to provide support and counselling in the work you do in the ELLZ. She is available to take you on a tour of ELLZ. The tour will show you how to use the computer software and the self-study packs and books you can borrow to help you improve your English.

Christine can also help you with individual study needs and questions. If you need any academic help or have any problems with your study, you can make an appointment at the ELLZ counter.

The ELLZ Active Desktop The computers in the ELLZ can help you learn more. You can use the ‘Active Desktop’ to help you find the software and resources you need.

1

Start by choosing your level.

2 You have two choices on this page: ‘I WANT EXTRA PRACTISE FOR MY MODULE’ Click here if you want to find software and websites to practise something that you did in class.

‘I NEED HELP WITH….’

Click here to get help with your language skills

You can also listen to the recordings from your student’s book and workbook.

3

If you click on ‘I WANT EXTRA PRACTISE FOR MY MODULE’, you can choose any module from New Cutting Edge Click on these links to practise what you have studied in class.

4

If you click on ‘I NEED HELP WITH…’ , you can get help with your speaking, writing, listening, reading, grammar and pronunciation.

You will find some advice for improving your skills.

There are also more links to websites and software such as the phonemic chart to help you.

Ask your teacher or a member of the ELLZ staff if you need any help.

ELLZ Opening Hours: (Every day except public holidays) Monday to Friday: 0900 to 2000 Saturday: 0830 to 1800

Sunday: 1045 to 1800

How can I find out more about the ELLZ? Ask at the ELLZ information counter, or contact them by email, or phone.

E: kualalumpur.ellz@britishcouncil.org.my T: +60 (0)12 203 7910

KUALA LUMPUR Ground Floor, West Block Wisma Selangor Dredging, 142C Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur T: +60 (0)3 2723 7900 F: +60 (0)3 2713 6599 E: kualalumpur@britishcouncil.org.my

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