ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMME Southgate Campus
HANDBOOK
2013 - 2014 Contents Introduction/Welcome
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About the College
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Aims of the Course
6-7
Staff List
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During your Course
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College Library and Progression Centre
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Examinations
11-12
Social Programme Information
13-14
College Calendar & Term Dates
16-18
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Welcome to Barnet and Southgate College The EFL Courses have been designed to improve all aspects of your English and to prepare you for a Cambridge exam appropriate for your level. You will be based in L block on the main site and will have access to all study and leisure facilities in the college. The courses attract students from all over the world and you will have the chance to meet people from different countries and cultures. The college also offers a range of sporting and social activities and we hope that, even if your time is limited, you will take a full and active part in college life. We are delighted that you have decided to study with us and we hope you find this handbook useful during the course.
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Please visit us on Facebook at efl at southgate college
Enjoy your time at Southgate Campus ABOUT THE COLLEGE Your classes will be held on the main site, where you will find: Admissions, Central Administration, the Progression Centre, the library (LRC), the gym and other college facilities.
ADMISSIONS CENTRE The reception staff will help you with general enquiries. You will also find the International Officers Marian Donovan and Fatma Colakoglu who can help you with visa and Home Office enquiries. Other office staff deal with enrolment forms, course and exam fees, photocopying cards and college I.D.cards. You will be given a student identity card which you must show at all times. If you change your UK address, please inform the Admissions Centre in writing.
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION The Central Administration team are in Room 3 on the ground floor of the main block. Visit the team if you need a letter, a student Certificate or a timetable. You can also hand your assignments in here and check your attendance. This is the place to come for any general enquiries. Contact the team on 0208 982 5067 or your tutor if you are going to be absent.
STUDENT SERVICES Student services offer practical advice and guidance on a range of personal, social, welfare and health issues. Pick up their leaflet from Reception for further details. YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR (FULL-TIME STUDENTS ONLY)
The first person you can turn to for help or advice is your course tutor. Your tutor will support you in your study programme. There are group tutorial sessions each week which are devoted to your progress, future course and study needs, advice and personal development. Time is also made available for individual tutorials. If you have a problem, your tutor will help you or tell where to go for help. Part-time students. You should speak to your class teacher if you have any problems. Your teacher will help you or tell you where to go for help.
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LEARNING SUPPORT Numeracy and literacy support is available to all students. Please ask your teacher/tutor for details. FIRST AID The college has staff trained in First Aid procedures who can be called upon in cases of medical emergencies. COUNSELLING The Counselling Service can offer you confidential one-to-one sessions to talk about your concerns. Appointments can be made through the Progression Centre Help Desk or by phoning the Counselling Service directly on 020 8982 5071 THE STUDENT UNION: The Student Union is run by students for students. It represents students’ opinions, views and needs. You are entitled to a Student Union card and, if appropriate, an International Student card. These will get you price reductions in museums, some cinemas, nightclubs, theatres and shops. Visit the National Union of Students website: www.nus.org.uk.
SPORT AND ENRICHMENT “As a student of the College you have different types of memberships available to you.
Category Full Fitness
Period Annual Term
Sports Union
Annual
Pay and Play
Registration Sessional Fee
Choose the membership option that suits you by completing the form available from the main reception or the sports centre. Prices available on request.
WHERE TO EAT Refectory: Located on the Ground Floor of the Main Building. Everything from a quick snack to a hot meal. Vegetarian and Halal options are available Open daily from 8.30am.
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The Bistro: Located on the 2nd floor of the Main Building. The very best of European snacks and meals Opening hours: 10am –1.30 pm.
The Restaurant Sophisticated dining in our Training Restaurant.
ACCOMMODATION Accommodation with a British family can be arranged by the college at an approximate cost of £140 per week. This includes breakfast and an evening meal. A deposit is required and all payments should be made directly to the host family. Please see Sheila Maclaren in Central Administration for more information. Private accommodation i.e. flats and bedsits can be found locally through newspapers and college student services in the Students’ Common Room (ground floor, Main Building). The college does not take responsibility for accommodation lists offered by outside agencies. We can also arrange accommodation in Halls of Residence (subject to availability.)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES/DIVERSITY We work on the assumption that anyone entering the College shares our view that people have a right to an education that suits their needs in an atmosphere in which individuals are respected. We make every effort, therefore, to ensure that no one is treated unfavourably on the grounds of ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability, or is open to any kind of bullying or intimidation. Our Equal Opportunities /Diversity Policy covers all aspects of College life. As part of it we have Sexual and Racial Harassment Procedures, which you will find printed in the Student Diary and in Admissions, the LLRC and Faculty offices. If you feel uncomfortable with any experience at the College, and feel that it may be discriminatory, please have a word first of all with your personal tutor.
COMPLAINTS AND THE GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION We have a complaints procedure that asks you to begin by talking to your teacher, tutor or course manager about any difficulties. If this informal approach does not sort out the problem we ask you to put things in writing (you can ask for help with this) using the complaints form available from Reception. However, in all cases, please talk to someone as soon as possible, as things can often be sorted out in the early stages before you and your studies are upset.
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We hope to avoid the need for complaints by having a set of College rules that are there to ensure that everyone gets the same chance to learn and succeed. You will find these in the Student Folder. There are obviously sanctions for when rules are broken, as in any organisation where lots of people work together. There is also a system of Appeals, so that if you feel that the College has not treated you fairly, you can put your view. Between the Rules and the Complaints procedures we hope to keep things flowing smoothly with a fair deal for all students and staff.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS Southgate College has many Health & Safety Policies and Procedures. For all relevant information and guidance you can either Go on-line Go to the Resources Centre Enquire in Department Offices.
YOUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE All courses are designed to increase your language fluency and accuracy. The classes focus on collaborative learning which means that learners often work together in pairs and groups sharing information and ideas.
AIMS
• to improve all English language skills • to develop confidence in your ability to communicate with native and non-native speakers of English • to develop language learning techniques and strategies • to prepare you for Cambridge ESOL exams, IELTS and other university entrance tests.
COURSE CONTENT • • • •
Developing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills Consolidation and practice of grammatical structures and functions Extending and developing vocabulary, improving pronunciation Examination skills practice
MAIN COURSE LANGUAGE SKILLS The areas below will be covered and developed through the following activities: Reading
Practice in reading a variety of texts - from newspapers, journals, reference books and so on. Reading skills such
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as skimming, scanning, and predicting content will be focused on. Writing
Practice in various styles, such as formal and informal letter writing, report writing, discursive writing and exam compositions. The skills of note-taking, planning and organisation of material for compositions.
Speaking
Practice in a range of speaking tasks, such as asking for information/clarification, expressing opinion, giving short talks/presentations through role-play, simulations and discussions.
Listening
Practice in listening for gist or for detail, listening to a variety of accents and styles of speech, understanding the organisation and development of lectures/talks, predicting and guessing meaning, differentiating fact from opinion.
ADDITIONAL CLASSES In addition to the main course classes, we offer a range of supplementary and skills classes which are designed to complement the main course Cambridge examination programme. They are: IELTS/ EAP Preparation
This 5, 6 or 9 hour per week programme provides a focus on exam technique for IELTS and prepares students for the skills they will need in college or university. It focuses on the four parts of the test and gives strategies for students to develop effectively. Specific topic vocabulary and study skills techniques are also included in the course. We also prepare students for the Pearson Test of Academic English
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Communication Skills
This class focuses on listening and speaking skills through a range of varied topics and themes. It gives students the opportunity to improve their pronunciation and also the chance to develop presentation and public speaking skills. It is a great way to develop confidence.
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Reading and Writing
This class focuses on reading and writing techniques. It gives students the opportunity to analyse written English and develop reading skills for study and for pleasure. It gives students the chance to develop skills for writing, from emails and essays to longer projects and assignments. It also develops IT skills and focuses on Office applications to enhance study and work presentations.
EFL STAFF LIST 2012 - 2013
Stella McManus
Head of EFL / ESOL
Kathryn Jacob Parkes
EFL / International Curriculum Manager
Greg Broad
EFL Lecturer / Course Co-ordinator
Anna Ferdenzi
EFL Lecturer / Full time students tutor Social Programme Coordinator
Imogen Seward Evans
EFL Lecturer / Full Time students tutor
Magda Loch
EFL Lecturer / Evening co-ordinator
Chystalleny Zisimou
EFL Lecturer
Angella Harris
EFL Lecturer
Shenise Adams
EFL Lecturer
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Lisa Viner
EFL Lecturer
If you want to leave a message for your teacher, please leave it with staff in Central Administration (Room 3) or ask your teacher for contact details. The staff in Central Administration (Room 3) will be happy to help with all general enquiries.
DURING YOUR COURSE During the course you will develop and improve all four language skills and the study skills necessary for you to take responsibility for organising your own study time and work. You may find that teaching methods are different from those in your country. For example, a lot of class time is devoted to group and pair activities but do not worry, you will soon get used to it!
YOU WILL NEED: • A course book for your classes. It is essential that you buy one as soon as you start your course. Course books usually cost between £20 and £30 • Ring binder files and A4 file paper. This is important as your course work will be assessed regularly. • A notebook for recording vocabulary. • An English Language dictionary. (English-English) • Some students like to buy a grammar reference book. Ask your teacher for advice.
ATTENDANCE
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You are expected to attend all your classes regularly and be punctual. Absences will be reported and have to be justified. If you have to be absent please contact your tutors. **Please note:
You will be withdrawn from the course if your attendance falls below 85%.
HOMEWORK and ASSESSMENT You are expected to do at least one piece of homework a week. All written homework is to be handed in on time. Keep your corrected work in your file as this will be needed to assess your progress. Homework will be marked by your teacher who will explain the marking scheme to you in class.
USING THE LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTRE Books, magazines, newspapers, audio cassettes and DVDs, photocopying and computer facilities are available. Students are encouraged to use the library to develop their research skills and strategies for independent study. You will find English Language books in the library in The Language Zone. Speak to Jo Turner if you need help with anything in the library. Term time - open from: Monday – Thursday Friday Holiday time - open from: Monday – Friday
9.00 am – 6pm 9.00am – 4pm Times vary
The library has stations with free Internet access, CD-ROMs and a variety of software. You can set up a @barnetsouthgate.ac.uk address or get details of a Hotmail account.
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All students have access to free photocopying to the value of ÂŁ5.00 Please ask in the library for more information.
EXAMINATIONS As an EFL student, you will have the opportunity take a range of examinations during your course. The exams take place in December, March and June. (*CPE exam in December and June only.) Other dates may be available you will be informed by your teacher.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY (UCLES) offers a range of ESOL exams: 12
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KET (Key English Test) Elementary/Pre-Intermediate
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PET (Preliminary English Test) Intermediate
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FCE (First Certificate in English) Upper-Intermediate
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CAE (Certificate of Advanced English)
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CPE (Proficiency)
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IELTS
£135 (2013)
You should expect to pay between £50 and £100 for the Cambridge ESOL exams depending on the level. Mock exams take place each term to assess students’ suitability for an exam. You are expected to achieve 70% in your KET and PET, and 60% in your FCE and CAE. Your teacher will advise you if you are ready to take the exam at Barnet and Southgate College or not based on the result of the mock. There are a number of external centres in London where you can take the exam if you do not meet the requirements.
GENERAL ENGLISH CAMBRIDGE MAIN SUITE EXAMS Exam
KET
What is the exam? Tests basic communication skills in English and is the first of the 5 level Cambridge Main Suite examinations. There are 3 components: reading/writing, listening and speaking. CEF A2 (Entry 2) 13
PET
FCE
CAE
CPE
IELTS
Tests the language skills needed to survive in social and work situations in an English-speaking environment. There are 4 components: reading, writing, listening and speaking. CEF B1 (Entry 3) This is an upper intermediate level examination, requiring competence in all 4 language skills. It is widely recognised in commerce and industry. FCE has 5 components: reading, writing, use of English, listening and speaking. CEF B2 (Level 1) This is an advanced level examination and is suitable for people who require English for professional or study purposes. CAE has 5 components: reading, writing, English in use, listening and speaking. CEF C1 (Level 2) This is the highest level and is aimed at learners who are approaching the linguistic competence of an educated native speaker. It is recognised by most British universities for English language requirements. CPE has 5 components: reading, writing, use of English, listening and speaking. CEF C2 This is a course in academic reading and writing for students preparing to go to university in the UK. From upper intermediate level.
EFL STUDENTS’ SOCIAL PROGRAMME The Social Programme offers you the chance to meet informally as a group and visit various places of interest in and out of London. It is an excellent way to meet and make new friends! To find out more information, check the notice boards in your classrooms. Please make suggestions for things you’d like to do on our Facebook page. Remember – it’s your Social Programme!
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Join us on EFL at Southgate College Events include: London walks, visits to museums, cinema trips, seeing live music, celebration meals and barbecues and much more.
Houses of Parliament London
The London Eye
The Tower of
Trips outside London to:
Brighton
Oxford
Cambridge
Why not arrange something with your classmates – look in the local and free newspapers as well as Time Out magazine. The following websites may also give you some ideas: www.londonnet.com www.LondonPass.co.uk www.viewlondon.co.uk www.londontourist.org/free
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www.timeout.com/london
Do as much as you can. It’s a great city!!! Check the noticeboard for regular updates
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CALENDAR Spring Term 2014 06.01.14 – 04.04.14 (12 weeks)
Week
Events
beginning 17
1 Jan 6th 2 Jan 13th 3 Jan 20th 4 Jan 27th 5 Feb 3rd
Classes start
Saturday 25th January British Museum trip and Covent Garden Walk Mock exam week KET, PET, FCE Tuesday 2nd February Chinese New Year Lunch in the Bistro
6 Feb 10th
KET, PET, FCE Exam Entry Deadline 12.02.14
7 Feb 24th 8 Mar 3rd
Mock exam week CAE
HALF TERM
9 Mar 10th
KET,PET,FCE exams Wednesday 12th March Film Night
10 Mar 17th 11 Mar 24th 12 March 31st
CAE Exam 5.04.2013
Tuesday 1st April Easter Lunch in the Bistro
Term Dates Most of these match the term dates for schools in the area. Independent schools may have different dates.
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Spring term 2014 Term Dates Monday 6 January - Friday 14 February Half term Monday 17 February - Friday 21 February Monday 24 February - Friday 4 April Summer term 2014 Term Dates Tuesday 22 April - Friday 23 May Holiday Monday 5 May Half term Monday 26 May - Friday 30 May Monday 2 June – Friday 4th July
Summer School daytime classes are available during July/ August, starting 7th July 2014. Please ask tutors or the office for details and prices.
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