English for Speakers of Other Languages

What is special about this course?

UHI Perth is the largest ESOL provider in Perth and Kinross. We work alongside other ESOL providers in the region to create learning pathways for ESOL learners to enhance their prospects for work and further study. The British Council accredit all our college-based courses for the teaching of English in the UK.

This course is for people whose first language is not English and who already have an intermediate level of English. This course will prepare you to study other courses at UHI Perth, help you progress into employment, and assist in integrating into Scottish life.

• Class sizes are between 15 and 20 students per class. The maximum class size is 20.
• The minimum enrolment age is 16. There is no upper age limit.
• All students aged 16 or 17 on entry are given a 24-hour emergency number.
• Students are supervised in class and during trips and activities. 16- and 17-year-old students need parental consent for these. Outside of these times there is no supervision of students.

This is a 34-week course and there are 18 hours and 20 minutes of classroom lessons per week.

Each week you will be on college for 3.5 days. You are also expected to do half an hour's self-study per day.  

Entry requirements

All students will be level tested before the course starts and placed in an appropriately levelled class.

Find out more information about Language School interviews here.

The course is split into various elements:

Essential English: Coursebook
You will cover one level of coursebook throughout the academic year.  A series of units based on different themes will gradually build up your knowledge of English. You will increase your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills while working in pairs, groups, or individually.

Essential English: Grammar
This will run alongside the coursebook unit. You will explore the grammar appropriate for your language level in more depth. You will use your knowledge of new grammar in various situations and track your own progress as you go through the course.

Projects
There are four projects for you to complete over the course of the academic year. These will stretch all four of your language skills and you will work towards a final piece of work for each project. The topics are Sustainability, Society, Technology, and Culture. You will work as part of a group to explore these themes and use your newly acquired language to complete each project.

Exam preparation
Starting in Semester 1 and increasing in frequency in Semester 2, you will cover the exam skills needed for the Cambridge ESOL exams at the end of the course.
For students with a lower level of language ability, this will be replaced by units on Literacy and Information Communication Technology

Personal Development Plan
You will do two units of personal development in regular lesson time to monitor your personal progress and discuss it with one of your teachers, typically this will be your Personal Academic Tutor. These lessons will focus on study and employability skills. This includes at least three one-to-one tutorials during the year.

Assessment 
These course elements are assessed through written and spoken assignments.
Your class teachers will tell you about your assessments. You can find your assessment schedule on Brightspace.

Fees

Most full-time students will have their fees paid.

Students on part-time courses may also be eligible to have their course fees waived.

Additional costs

£125 for books and materials