brochure HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL

London

Hampstead School of English 553 Finchley Road, London, NW3 7BJ Phone: +44 (0)20 7794 3533 Fax: +44 (0)20 7431 2987 email: info@hampstead-english.ac.uk website: www.hampstead-english.ac.uk

Hampstead School of English

From your first contact with us we treat you as an individual, placing you in the appropriate level and monitoring you to ensure you move along as rapidly as possible, but always at your own pace.

Hampstead philosophy Working for your success: Speaking English opens up a world of opportunities in study, work and travel. The English courses at Hampstead School of English take you successfully through all stages of adult life: from academic study to career development, foreign travel and fascinating cultural experiences.

Our philosophy is simple: we aim for excellence in everything we do, so that

you make maximum progress in English during an unforgettable stay in London.

Quality first: Students come first at Hampstead and you will receive individual attention from us. We give you a complete language learning experience in London: first-class teaching, excellent accommodation, enjoyable social activities and full support and advice.

Hampstead School of English is

accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English as a foreign language.

We also meet the strict quality standards of two international associations: EAQUALS, the European Association of Quality Language Schools, and IALC, the International Association of Language Centres.

Experience: Since our foundation in 1977, we have become one of London’s premier English language schools. In that time, we have added new courses, accommodation and facilities, while maintaining the key to our original success – individual attention to each student.

Professional memberships: English UK – the Association of accredited English language schools EAQUALS – the European Association of Quality Language Schools IALC – the International Association of Language Centres Quality English – a select group of schools that put quality first.

We monitor your progress closely and look after your practical needs.

Student satisfaction Individual attention: Language learning is an individual matter and we take this into account from our first contact with you. We guide your course and accommodation choice, monitor your progress closely and look after your practical needs and questions, so that you can concentrate on learning the English

you need and enjoying London life.

Quality teaching: All members of our teaching team hold a professional qualification and have English language teaching experience. Led by an experienced and approachable Director of Studies, they are motivated and enthusiastic professionals.

Ideal location: Hampstead is London’s most famous “village”, a green haven just 25 minutes from the city centre.

We are located on a main road into the city centre with good transport connections and shops, within walking distance of the delightful Hampstead Village and Heath.

Excellent accommodation: Our homestays are a short journey by foot or bus from the school and offer a choice of three meal plans. For a more independent lifestyle, we have our own studios, as well as flatsharing and residential accommodation.

Extensive resources: Our library and computer centre contain an excellent range of resources and media for practice after lessons. In class, our teachers use the best contemporary textbooks, CDs, DVD’s, video and audiocassettes, authentic and individually developed materials.

Ideal location Hampstead is one of London's best-preserved old villages, surrounded by 800 acres of countryside known as the Heath. Many writers and intellectuals have lived and still live in Hampstead Village and around the Heath, also home to some famous celebrities.

Hampstead will enchant you. You can visit Keats House and the Freud Museum, or enjoy a summer evening open-air concert at Kenwood House, also home to a very fine art collection.

You can take a walk with friends through the narrow streets of the

Village and across the wooded Heath, or explore the cafes, pubs and speciality shops that give Hampstead its village charm.

Situated in north London, Hampstead School of English is on the borders of Hampstead and West Hampstead, with

excellent bus routes into and through London, and the West End is only a 25-minute bus ride away.

The location combines the advantages of having the centre within easy reach and varied accommodation choices very close to the School so that students have the benefit of living in a residential area and the attractions of central London within easy access.

Quality teaching Our teachers are central to your and our success.

All attend training courses and update their skills regularly. They are encouraged to develop their special

areas of interest, making the teaching lively and stimulating.

All have professional teaching qualifications and are selected for their enthusiasm as well as their

ability. Friendly and accessible, they appreciate the needs of students and take an active role in planning courses.

Teamwork: Teamwork is another aspect of our school that we feel is special. We all belong to one team: teachers, administrative staff, senior academic staff and the Principal. We work together through discussion, communication and cooperation, sharing ideas and materials on a day-to-day basis with the aim of bringing you the best and most inspiring teaching.

We work closely as a team to provide individual attention for each student.

Individual attention We monitor your progress continuously through regular one-to-one tutorials and weekly staff meetings, ensuring that you receive the correct level of instruction at all times.

We encourage you to discuss your

programme with the Director of Studies and your teachers. Depending on your needs and rate of progress, we can transfer you to a different class at any stage of your course.

If you have special areas of interest, we

can also design an individual study plan for you.

Progress: Each student progresses at a different rate. We hold weekly tests to consolidate the material covered during the classes and regular general

progress tests across all levels. These enable you and your teachers to measure your language development and evaluate your performance over a period of time.

Length of study: Many students attend the school for twentyfour weeks or more, while others study for just a few weeks.

The level of personal attention you receive is always the same.

The minimum stay is one week.

Extensive resources Library: Our library is well stocked with contemporary learning materials and media for practising and developing different language skills.

In addition to computers for self-access study, it contains interactive DVD’s, books, magazines, worksheets, audiovisual aids etc. It is open before and after

classes and a teacher or library assistant is always there to help you.

In-class materials: You can borrow your course book for a small charge. Your teacher will supplement your course book with materials from other sources, including authentic material from newspapers, TV, etc.

Television: We encourage you to watch as much TV in English as possible. This is why you will find TV's in the school's social areas, so that when you are not chatting to your classmates you can practise your listening skills in a relaxed fashion.

Classrooms: All of our classrooms have TV, DVD/Video and CD/cassette players. Your teacher makes full use of these and other resources to make the best use of your time in the classroom.

Private Study: If you want to study at home, the library lends books, CDs, cassettes and videos as well as grammar, vocabulary and business exercises.

Practise your Social English: Speak English with other students and Hampstead staff during your breaks. We have three coffee areas and two patios as well as a canteen serving hot and cold food.

Our facilities reflect the importance we place on you.

Our facilities Computer Room: Our Computer Room has 28 computers, giving fast and efficient Internet access. The computers have the facility to write in most scripts, so keeping in touch with

friends and family at home is easy.

Wireless (WiFi) Internet: You can connect to the internet via your laptop from almost anywhere in the building, including outside on the patios.

CafĂŠ Plus: One of our three coffee rooms also has Internet connection points for ten laptop computers for private work, e-mail and Internet access.

Patios: We have two patios where you can relax at break times and after classes. They are also where we hold our barbeques and other social events throughout the year.

Classes are lively and stimulating; the best learning environment.

In Class Placement: We have twelve carefully graded language levels from beginner to advanced.

On your first day at school you take a specially designed written, listening and oral placement test, so that we can place you in the appropriate class for your language level.

Classes: We accept a maximum of eight students in Premium classes and fifteen in our Standard classes. All classes are lively and stimulating – the best language learning environment. You cover all aspects of grammar, vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension, writing, compositions, discussions, idioms and

pronunciation. In addition to our intensive general English classes, we offer specialised courses and options for academic study, examinations and working life.

Homework: Your homework complements the work you do in class and is carefully corrected and returned to you.

By setting much written work as homework, we ensure that more of your class time is devoted to interactive communication with your teacher.

Levels: To make sure you progress to the best of your ability, the Director of Studies checks the level and nature of classes regularly with short observations. As individual students study for different lengths of time, we carefully coordinate levels and structure our syllabus with weekly learning modules, so that it is possible to enter a class in any week.

Our aim is to increase your confidence, consolidate your knowledge and develop your fluency.

Courses Most of our courses can be taken on their own or in different combinations, and almost all have the option of a maximum of 8 students per class (Premium) or a maximum 15 students per class (Standard).

General English: The vast majority of our students take this course, often as part of a package or combination with other courses. This course takes a global view of the English language. While different areas such as grammar, pronunciation, speaking,

writing, etc are addressed individually throughout the course, the end result is an overall improvement in the standard of English. There is a variety of timetables to choose from, and you can take this course for 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours per week.

Specialisations in Speaking, Writing and Grammar: Each of these topics is dealt with in one – hour classes making up 5, 10 and 15 hours a week. They give you the chance to concentrate on a specific area of English that you really feel you need to improve.

Packages: In addition to studying for an exam such as TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS or improving their English for Business, most students need to make progress on their level of General English at the same time as their exam preparation. The packages provide an excellent programme where general and specific language skills and acquisition help you to do even better in your chosen elective.

There is a variety of timetables to choose from, and you can take these courses for 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours per week.

Courses for Professionals: Professionals are always short of time.

When studying English, they need a course that will address their precise needs in their particular field and give them the maximum benefit in as little as one week. Our Professional English courses combine the dynamic environment of a class where they perfect their General English, with a 1:1 training programme that is devised and designed for them prior to arrival, and meets their exact individual needs.

Cambridge Examination: Offering the flexibility of 12, 10, 6 or 4 weeks and for 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours per week, the Cambridge examination courses cater for all abilities and everyone’s schedule. We can test your English before you register and then give you advice on which course is right for you. These courses prepare you for BEC, KET, PET, First Certificate, Advanced or Proficiency.

Our wide range of courses encompasses almost every aspect of language learning.

Courses TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS There are several courses that will prepare you for TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS as part of a package. If your level of English is already high enough to study specifically for this test, we recommend TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS 15, which gives you 15 hours per week of test preparation for any number of weeks. If you are really short of time, you may want to choose TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS 30, which offers you 60 hours of intensive test preparation over two weeks.

(continued) Business: This course covers business language and communication skills for working life or academic study. There are several courses that help you improve your English for Business as part of a package. If your level of English is already high enough to study only English for Business, we recommend Business 15, which gives you 15 hours per week of English for Business. If you are really short of time, you may want to choose Business 30, which offers you 60 hours of English for Business practice over two weeks.

Semester and Academic Year Programmes: Many of our programmes can be taken as fixed programmes for a period of 12 – 48 weeks. This allows us to plan a long-term strategy for your studies.

Regular appraisals and tutorials ensure motivation is kept high and your aims are achieved.

University Preparation Courses of 27 hours a week help to prepare you for entry to an English speaking university. In addition to Package 25 there are two hours a week of private tuition with a personal tutor who helps with language skills and university applications. You can vary your IELTS and/or TOEFL classes in the afternoons with other options.

Practise your English in a relaxed manner on our absorbing tours of cultural London.

Courses Work Experience and Paid Work Programmes: Combined with our General English courses, these programmes are an excellent way of meeting the linguistic and cultural challenges of incorporating yourself into an English-speaking workplace.

GMAT and MBA Preparation programmes: These courses prepare you for the rigours of a Masters in

(continued) Business Administration. As well as addressing the language and academic skills necessary to succeed at MBA level, the course also trains you to attain the required score at GMAT, with intensive GMAT preparation classes as an integral part of the programme.

Language in London: The perfect combination of a holiday and a language course. You study on the General

English course in the mornings and then you accompany us to some of London’s infinite places of historical and cultural interest. Your teacher-guides for the afternoon excursions are passionate about their subject and will bring London’s past and present to life as they show you the city they love.

Live London: A relaxed way of practising your English in the world’s greatest city. Our teacher-guides bring London’s rich history and culture to life and at the same time you are exposed to English and have the opportunity to practise with your teacher-guides. There is no course component of this programme.

Common European Framework Explanation of the Levels into Overall Ability**

Language Levels and Examination Chart* Level

Description

Common European Framework

1

BEGINNER

Pre-A1 Beginner

2

ELEMENTARY

Cambridge

IELTS

TOEIC (Approx)

TOEFL Computer based

TOEFL Internet based

A1 Basic User

3

PRE INTERMEDIATE

4

EARLY INTERMEDIATE

A2 Basic User

KET

Band 1

5

INTERMEDIATE 1

B1

PET

Band 2

6

LATE INTERMEDIATE

Independent User

BEC

Band 3/4

LEVELS

LISTENING/SPEAKING

READING

WRITING

A1 Levels 1 & 2 Basic User

CAN understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic.

CAN understand basic notices, instructions or information.

CAN complete basic forms, and write notes including times, dates and places.

A2 Levels 3 & 4 Basic User

CAN express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar context.

CAN understand straightforward information within a known area, such as on products and signs and simple textbooks or reports on familiar matters.

CAN complete forms and write short simple letters or postcards related to personal information.

B1 Levels 5, 6 & 7 Independent User

CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements.

CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of nonroutine information within a familiar area.

CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.

B2 Levels 8 & 9 Independent User

CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.

CAN scan texts for relevant information, and understand detailed instructions or advice.

CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including non-standard requests.

C1 Levels 10 & 11 Proficient User

CAN contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.

CAN read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, to read the media for information or to understand non-standard correspondence.

CAN prepare/draft professional correspondence, take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write an essay which shows an ability to communicate.

C2 Level 12 Proficient User

CAN advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with hostile questions.

CAN understand documents, correspondence and reports, including the finer points of complex texts.

CAN write letters on any subject and full notes of meetings or seminars with good expression and accuracy.

330-495

495-660

Preliminary 7

UPPER INTERMEDIATE 1

B1 + Independent User

8

UPPER INTERMEDIATE 2

B2 Independent User

FCE BEC Vantage

Band 6

9

EARLY ADVANCED

B2 + Independent User

FCE BEC Vantage

Band 6/7

10

ADVANCED 1 C1 Proficient User

CAE BEC Higher

C2 Proficient User

CPE

11

ADVANCED 2

12

PROFICIENCY

Band 5

Band 7

660-825

825-950

200-215

72-81

215-230

82-88

230-245

89-97

245-280

98-114

Band 8 Band 8/9

950-990

280-300

115-120

Levels and examinations Hampstead School of English offers a wide range of tests and examinations.

We are an examination centre for the University of Cambridge, Oxford, LCCI and TOEIC examinations. We also prepare students for TOEFL, IELTS and GMAT. If you are not sure which exam

would be the correct one for you, please let us know and we will be happy to advise you.

The table shows how the examinations relate to each other, and to the Common European Framework. The Common European Framework is an

important measure of language ability and is the basis of all formal and informal assessment at the school.

TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, BEC and GMAT courses start every Monday and the minimum stay is one week.

There are also special intensive

courses that have set start dates. All other examination courses have set start dates. * This table has been compiled using information from Cambridge and Oxford University, the Association of Language Testers in Europe and the British Council. ** This table is based on the official descriptions of ability produced by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe).

Your accommodation is crucial to your stay; we listen to you and match you with the best choice.

Accommodation Knowing how much your home life affects your happiness and your studies, we take great care in choosing and monitoring the accommodation we provide.

Studios: Our studio apartments are close to the school and ideal for independent living. All have en-suite bathrooms, with the option of en-suite

kitchen, kitchenette or shared kitchen.

Homestay: Living in a private home gives you regular contact with English speakers and an insight into English life.

Our welcoming, experienced homestays are thoroughly vetted by us. Different meal plans are available. Premium homestays have worked with us for a number of years

and have a proven record of providing excellence in every aspect. Standard homestays have been with us for less time, or are working towards gaining Premium status. All of our homestays conform to British Council, EAQUALS and IALC standards, and are chosen for the warmth, care and concern they show our students.

Rented rooms: Renting a room is an independent, inexpensive option, available with or without meals. While you will still be sharing a Londoner's home, your hosts will probably be leading busy lives and not be able to spend time with you.

Residence: Staying in a residence with other mainly young adults gives you independence and freedom. Our all-female residence offers half-board all year round. We also have a summer residence for both sexes.

Studio Accommodation Hampstead Studios are the perfect accommodation choice if your priority is independence combined with comfort and convenience. Situated 5 minutes from the school by bus, they are exclusively for Hampstead School

of English students and are managed by us.

Every studio has its own private en-suite bathroom. Each studio also has a desk, wardrobe, drawers, TV, and internet connection (free of charge).

Bed linen and towels are also provided. For cooking facilities you have a choice from three types of studio: en-suite kitchen, kitchenette and shared kitchen.

Whatever your option of studio, you are

provided with everything you could need to prepare meals.

The Studios are furnished and equipped to the highest standards.

They offer an excellent alternative to homestay accommodation for those students who need to have complete independence while still being taken care of by us.

Social programme Studying at Hampstead will keep your social calendar full. There is always something happening in London and you’ll have new friends to enjoy it with.

At the school: The school cafeteria is the place to relax between classes, chatting over coffee with students from all over the world.

The cafe opens onto two sunny patio areas - the scene of our popular summer barbecues and parties.

Out and about: Our weekly social programme has something for everyone.

There are visits to museums, tours in and around London, sports, parties, walks, pub tours, discos and more. Throughout the year, we organise video afternoons, karaoke evenings and theatre trips.

Weekend excursions: Every weekend, we offer at least two excursions to other cities and places of interest outside

London. Favourites include Oxford, Stonehenge and Bath.

Your visit to London is not only a great way to improve your English in the home of the English language, it is your chance to get to know an eternally popular city and the culture of its people.

Life in London: Everyone should visit London at least once. London is a music, theatre and fashion capital where you will

find everything from avant-garde to classical, street style to haute couture. London is a city immensely rich in history and culture with some of the best museums and art collections in the world. Night and day, London buzzes with life and atmosphere. Yet this cosmopolitan metropolis, the business and financial hub of Europe, is also a city of beautiful parks and palaces. London will surprise you with its sheer variety.

From London it is very easy to explore Britain. The cities of Oxford and Cambridge, the Cotswolds, Brighton and the South Coast are a day trip away.

Our Office Team is always happy to advise you and answer any questions you have before you decide on your course.

Our commitment to you We understand that going abroad to study a language can be a big step. Nearly every member of the Hampstead team has lived or studied abroad, so we find it easy to put ourselves in your place, and to do

everything we possibly can to make your stay with us as profitable and enjoyable as possible.

You can contact us both before and after your stay and we will be more than happy

to give you as much information as you need on anything that we can help you with. There is no question or request that can be too small or unimportant.

Our many years' experience allows us to

predict many of the questions you may have and we provide you with a lot of information before you arrive and on your first day. However, we are always pleased to hear from you, and to see you around the school as much as possible, so please remember, you are the reason we are here and it is always our pleasure to help you.

Nothing compares with the experience of studying abroad.

Your memories of Hampstead will last a lifetime.

Destination Hampstead Getting to Hampstead is easy. Five airports serve London with rail and bus connections to the centre. There are also plenty of trains and ferries from continental Europe.

Stanstead

Luton

Hampstead

Heathrow

LONDON

Gatwick

London City

Local Transport: Excellent local transport links make it easy to reach other parts of London from Hampstead.

Rail and Underground: Finchley Road (Metropolitan and Jubilee Lines) West Hampstead (Jubilee Line) Golders Green (Northern Line) Finchley Road & Frognal (British Rail)

Bus routes: Numbers 13, 82 and 113 stop directly outside the school.

The 328 and 139 buses stop behind the school.

Smooth arrival: Private airport transfers can be arranged on request - worth considering after a long flight or to take London purchases home!