Islington Centre For English

In every lesson, students study reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar. They also receive regular tests to monitor progress. Afternoon English classes are cheaper than mornings. Lessons are communicative, so we encourage lots of speaking to the teacher and other students in the class. We want you to communicate confidently and effectively in English, so tutors include fun language games and videos as well as using the course book.

At the end of the course, students receive an ICE certificate of study.

ICE provides 6 levels of General English language tuition. On enrolment, students take a test to find which class is best for them. These are:

• Beginners;
• Elementary;
• Pre-Intermediate;
• Intermediate;
• Upper-Intermediate;
• Advanced .

You communicate well in English and may or may not work in London. You speak fluently & confidently with a few occasional errors that do not generally interfere with communication. However, for both career and social reasons, you recognise the importance of softening your accent and you want to work towards sounding like a native speaker. This is the course for you!

Within a variety of simulated working & social situations, and using role-plays & fun speaking exercises, students will be encouraged to talk. An experienced, native-speaking tutor will correct you with a focus on your specific pronunciation & intonation issues.

On this course:

• Students will be exposed to a range of international English accents (native speakers) although the clear focus will be standard British pronunciation/ accents.
• Students can expect to engage in considerable error identification, analysis and correction in speech.
• Students can expect to participate in class group and pair discussions on a range of topics focusing on accent and clarity.
• Students can expect to refer to the phonetic table for guidance in accurate and clear pronunciation.

Islington Centre for English are fortunate to have a 10 levels of English language running in the morning and the afternoons. This allows students to study a fantastic 30 hours or even 34 hours (including breaks) to make the fastest possible progress in the shortest possible time. This English course is very popular with serious students who are being sponsored by a company or on a short break hoping to maximise their time rather than those looking for a touristic London experience. It is also popular with students looking to improve their General English before taking an IELTS exam. Whichever kind of person you are, this is the course to improve your English quickly.

Students will study all skills areas in multinational classes with an experienced native-speaking teacher. This course is designed for you to feel really immersed in the language.

Our Full-immersion General English course runs the same with the additional 6.30 to 8.30pm Tuesday and Thursdays.

Come in for a free level test and a consultation. You can even take a free trial lesson.

Many schools in London do not provide courses at CEFR A1 level. Islington Centre for English is different! The course currently runs every afternoon from 12.30 to 3.30 and welcomes those students who are able to say little more than ‘hello’.

Beginners classes will have a super-friendly tutor who is aware of the fears and insecurities of many low-level students. It is just as important to build your confidence in a language as it is your grammar and vocabulary!

Common topics at this A1 level include:

• Numbers & letters;
• Pronouncing English vowel sounds;
• Simple functional English (‘At the Post Office’, ‘Saying hello to your neighbour’ and introducing yourself);
• Simple vocabulary areas such as common everyday objects, parts of the body;
• Use of the present simple tense;
• The next step is the Elementary English Course for the more confident beginner. There is always something to aim for!

Objectives of our IELTS Exam Preperation Courses:

• To achieve desired IELTS band;
• To familiarise students with the exam format;
• To introduce and practice essential IELTS exam techniques;
• To learn academic vocabulary specific to the IELTS exam;
• To practice all skill areas under timed, exam conditions;
• To assess students progress according to IELTS exam marking criteria.

Course Options:

• Evening courses: 4 hours of tuition per week without breaks;
• Full-time course: 15 hours of tuition per week with breaks, 12 1/2 hours without;
• Full-time PLUS! Course: 17 1/2 hours of tuition with breaks, 15 hours without including additional Writing & Speaking
• Language Skills Workshops*;
• Super-Intensive course: 30 hours of tuition per week with breaks, 25 hours without*;
• IELTS exam Experience Saturday course: a full day of a formal, simulated, mock IELTS exam with all papers. Students receive an IELTS score at the end along with a full report on their areas of development;
  *suitable for Short Term Study Visas.

Prepare for entry to UK Universities or a visa to live and work in the UK with IELTS, the world’s most popular exam. Our tutors are experienced in preparing worried students by focusing on the specific skills needed to get the IELTS score they are aiming for.

ICE run 34 hours of IELTS preparation every week (including break times) so students who want an IELTS Super Intensive or IELTS Full-Immersion Course can make really fast progress. As a ‘rule of thumb’ a student requires around 6 weeks of 15 hours per week tuition to increase their current IELTS score by 0.5. We half this estimate for those studying 30 lessons per week.

Objectives of our Cambridge Exam Preperation Courses:

• To achieve desired Cambridge exam grade;
• To familiarise students with exam format;
• To introduce and practice essential exam techniques;
• To learn General English vocabulary specific to the Cambridge exams;
• To practice all skill areas under timed, exam conditions;
• To assess students progress according to Cambridge exam marking criteria;
• To improve Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing skills in English;
• To stretch students at CEFR B2 or C1 levels;

Course Options:

• Evening course: 4 hours of tuition per week without breaks;
• Part-time course: from 6 to 12 hours of tuition per week with breaks, 5 to 10 hours without;
• Full-time course: 15 hours of tuition per week with breaks, 12 1/2 hours without;
• Full-time PLUS! Course: 17 1/2 hours of tuition with breaks, 15 hours without including additional Writing & Speaking
• Language Skills Workshops*;
• Super-Intensive course: 30 hours of tuition per week with breaks, 25 hours without*;
  *suitable for Short Term Study Visas.

There is no better way to improve your General English and to get an internationally-recognised English language exam than to take a Cambridge Exam Preparation Course such as the First Certificate (FCE) or the Advanced English Exam (CAE). These are General English exams that really lift your level of English proficiency while also giving you the chance to prove your English skills and pass an exam. It will look great on your CV and impress your next employer. Indeed, an FCE pass is the level at which someone can ‘function well in an English-speaking office environment.’ And, the CAE is now accepted for entrance in nearly as many universities as IELTS.

This course is aimed at:
Experienced working people who are looking to improve their language skills for business purposes;
Students who aim to enter the business world and would like an introduction through English language lessons;
Businessmen or women who have a specific trip to an English speaking country in mind and who wish to hone their language skills;

Perfect your Business English with experienced, specialist tutors in Islington, zone 1, central London. Students practice Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening in a wide variety of simulated business situations such as:

• Presentations;
• Meetings;
• Phone conversations;
• Negotiations;
• Interviews;
• Networking.

Students will also increase their UK & US cultural awareness developing their understanding of cross-cultural business environments.

The course runs all year-round & enrolment takes place every week.

5 Good Reasons to enrol in the ICE Business English evening course

1. Take it after work. Courses run from 6.30 to 8.30pm Tuesday and Thursdays.
2. Suitable for students wishing to take the BEC Higher exam, though not exclusively. All students will improve their high level business English on this course.
3. Maximum class size is 10 students only, for maximum, focused time with a tutor.
4. Costs less than the vast majority of Business English Evening courses in London.
5. Taught by native-speaking tutors who are University graduates, CELTA (or equivalent) qualified and additionally CERT ibet (Specific Business English qualification) qualified.

This course is aimed at:

• Experienced working people who are looking to improve their language skills for business purposes;
• Students who aim to enter the business world and would like an introduction through English language lessons;
• Businessmen or women who have a specific trip to an English speaking country in mind and who wish to hone their language skills.

Perfect your Business English with experienced, specialist tutors in Islington, zone 1, central London. Students practice Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening in a wide variety of simulated business situations such as:

• Presentations;
• Meetings;
• Phone conversations;
• Negotiations;
• Interviews;
• Networking.

Students will also increase their UK & US cultural awareness developing their understanding of cross-cultural business environments.

The course runs all year-round & enrolment takes place every 4 weeks. It is based on 3 x 4 week units which can be completed in any sequence.

PLUS! courses include additional, specific, Business English Skills classes for one hour per day as follows:

• Monday: Business Writing;
• Tuesday: Business Vocabulary;
• Wednesday: Business Conversation;
• Thursday: Pronunciation;
• Friday: Cultural Awareness.

Course Objectives:

• To achieve desired ILEC exam grade;
• To familiarise students with exam format;
• To introduce and practice essential ILEC exam techniques;
• To learn legal English vocabulary specific to the ILEC exam;
• To practice all skill areas under timed, exam conditions;
• To assess students progress according to ILEC exam marking criteria;
• To improve Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing skills in Legal English.

This 12 week evening course includes preparation for the Cambridge ILEC exam, an overview of the English legal system and a full range of English language writing, listening, reading, speaking & grammar activities – all of which specifically focus on the key aspects of UK law.

This course is suitable for all who have a specific interest in law and speak English as a second language; from overseas law students to experienced practicing lawyers. Course tutors are qualified to a minimum of CELTA (English teaching) and law degree level.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course consists of five sections:

• Induction programme/development of personal competencies;
• Introduction to law – Identification of Arguments, Issues and potential Remedies;
• Preparation for successfully passing ILEC – Practical exercises in Reading General and Legal Texts;
• Study Skills, Research Methods, Précis of Texts;
• Practice testing.

Your tutor will give you a Course Outline week by week. This will enable him/her to include specific language needs that you encounter during the development of this course.

1. Induction programme/development of personal competencies:
This section is designed to allow you to develop your skills, in managing your own learning by becoming more aware of your existing skills, understanding the course you are taking and encouraging you to engage successfully in independent and interpersonal work.

Study, use and the importance of appropriate language and law related skills are integrated throughout the course. There will also be an audit of student’s skills, which will then form part of the course. This will enable you to asses with your tutor what you believe your skills levels are, and what areas need improvement and further work. Be realistic and recognise that your biggest challenge will be to manage your time. You will be able to spend two sessions of the course in individual and group tutorials consolidating and reflecting on the development of your studies. Part of this process will involve completing a PORTFOLIO for presentation for assessment at the end of the course. This will include your:

• Assessed course work Self assessment sheets for course work;
• A Student Profile as a record of progression.

2. Introduction to Law and the Language of Law
You will be introduced to concepts and debates concerning:

• The power of language;
• The use of Language;
• Critical Thinking and Analysis.
• The nature and role of law – how it is expressed;
• The relationship between law and society – Changes – Language and expression Law as a mechanism of social control
• The structure of the English legal system – Does this affect us?
• Classifications of English Iaw – Jurisdictions
• Current issues in the language of law. We will be asking questions such as who makes the law and who decides how it is implemented and why is it the case that some groups are under represented in the law making institutions and processes?
• Why are there words used in Law that have special meaning that’s sometimes different from everyday meaning?

3. Preparation for Successfully Passing ILEC
Using a range of legal and non-legal texts, this section will involve reading, analyzing and discussing examples of each kind of text to enable you to:

• Understand the nature and function of the texts and appreciate their limit and uses. e.g. tracing the written historical development of a topic or studying the style and approach of different judges or a particular judge;
• Increase understanding and competence in reading, writing and basic fact management and evaluation of texts;

4. Study Skills, Research Methods, Précis of Texts.
Teaching Methods;

You will be encouraged to learn using a variety of methods including individual and group work, speaking, listening, observing and writing, use of visual materials, debates and discussions.
You must learn to scan read and paraphrase – précis case law and statute.
Everyone studies at different rates. However, you should aim to set aside at least seven to ten hours a week for the exercises and the course work you will be expected to complete in your own time.
We will therefore examine and build upon your current competencies. The ability to do independent research is an acquired skill and takes time and effort. Your tutor will assist you in obtaining and building the techniques required. Please be aware that good work is achieved by diligent application and practice.

Homework is set EVERY week and provides the core for each class, and MUST be completed if you are to progress successfully to taking the ILEC and higher educational qualifications.

5. Practice testing.
Assessment;

To gain credit for the Certificate, you must successfully complete an exam that is set by Cambridge University. For your tutors to give accurate assessment of your skills you will be expected to submit four pieces of course work during the course of about 1,500 words each.

Your ultimate assessment will be the ILEC Exam. There are four parts to this exam with a total maximum award of 200 points. The paper is divided equally between Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. A candidate’s overall ILEC grade is based on their total score. This means failing to achieve a good pass in all four papers does not mean an automatic fail overall. Poor performance in one paper can be compensated for by good performance in the other papers.

Take time when you are reading texts, obtain a small notebook and write down verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, person identification. In addition you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of sentence structure, word formation and word families, (nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs). You can also take notes on correct verb endings, words that may have prefixes or suffixes.

To prepare you for the ILEC exam your tutor will set you a series of sample test paper questions covering all core areas. Exam dates are in May and November each year.

Caveat, To achieve this goal you must attend all classes and submit all work on time and to an appropriate standard. Any work submitted late will receive a 10% reduction in marks. Failure to submit work will result in your tutor recommending that you do not enter the next available ILEC exam.

Improve all areas of your writing in this 30 minutes, weekly skills workshop. Students focus on spelling, punctuation, register, style & different areas of vocabulary. Areas covered include: CVs, job application cover letters, creative writing, informal note writing…

Skills workshops have a maximum class size of 20 students & all other English classes, 15.

Improve your conversational fluency in this 75-minute, weekly workshop. In this class, students focus on fluency, pronunciation and the common, everyday language you will hear English people speak to friends. Skills workshops have a maximum class size of 20 students & all other English classes, 15.

This course is usually booked in addition to our General English courses however, students can also enrol for individual conversation classes at our centre in central London.

for speakers of other languages

• Hours per week: 2.
• Number of weeks: 12.
• Evenings: Tuesdays.
• Times: 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
• Cost: £349 plus £50 registration fee.
• Maximum class size: 15 students.

Learn the language of newspaper, online and TV journalism in this 12-week evening course in Islington, zone 1, central London. Study journalistic language with an experienced, native speaking tutor on the following areas and much more:

• The Headline;
• Collocations: What words go well together? Tom bitterly regretted stealing the money. Julie shed few tears over the incident;
• Adjectives and Adverbs: vocabulary building;
• Efficiency: Write less and say more;
• Inversions: Not only, but also…
• Participle Clauses: Given the current situation, many believe…;
• Journalistic Styles: A Comparison of Broadsheets and
• Tabloids;
• The language of Blogs;
• TV & Video News Presentation;
• Focus on Political language;
  Focus on Sports language;
  Focus on the language of disaster.

This course is suitable for PON C5 funding

This Course is aimed at:

• Groups of students – minimum 5;
• Minimum age: 16 years;
• Course length: 1,2,3 or 4 weeks;
• Hours per week: tailored.

Course Summary:

Join the Journalism Work Experience Course and mix real, hands-on journalistic experience with ‘English for Journalists’ Language course at the Islington Centre for English in association with British Learning Academy.

Component 1: The Language of Journalism:
Students study specific vocabulary, grammar and other stylistic elements with an experienced, native speaking tutor in the following areas:

• The Headline;
• Collocations: What words go well together? Tom bitterly regretted stealing the money. Julie shed few tears over the incident;
• Adjectives and adverbs: vocabulary building;
• Efficiency: Write less and say more;
• Inversions: Not only did…, but also…;
• Participle clauses: Given the current grave situation, many believe…;
• Journalistic Styles: A comparison of broadsheets and tabloids, printed and electronic;
• The language of blogging – internet journalism;
• TV & Video News presentation;
• Focus on the language of politics;
• Focus on the language of sports;
• Focus on the language of disaster.

Component 2: Theory:
Among other topics, students will learn how to critically examine pieces, what makes an effective article, headline writing, compare online & print journalism and tabloid/broadsheet styles. They will also receive practical advice on how to get a piece published, what editors want and how to take advantage of the social media revolution.

Component 3: In the Field:
Students will gather news, record and edit video, write and publish a blog, carry out interviews and much more.

Aims:

1. To provide English language tuition with additional speaking practice in an English charity work environment;
2. To provide students with volunteering experience;
3. To contribute to the excellent work carried out by London charities for children in need, the old and the most disadvantaged in our society.

Study a General English course, Cambridge Exam Preparation course or IELTS courses at our school in London in the morning and volunteer in a reputable charity in Islington such as Oxfam or a London farm in the afternoon. This is a great opportunity for students wishing to continue their English practice after lessons and do really valuable charity work at the same time.

Current Volunteering Options:

• Oxfam Books (minimum language level Upper Intermediate CEFR B2, minimum stay 12 weeks);
• Oxfam Charity Shop General (minimum stay 4 weeks, no minimum English language level);
• Helping at a London Farm (no minimum stay, minimum language level Pre-Intermediate CEFR B1).

What kind of activities will I take part in when I volunteer?
Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to practice your English skills in a real-life working situation after your more formal English course.

Stepney City Farm is a registered charity located in London’s East End. It’s a working farm, Rural Arts Centre and community meeting place giving children and adults a chance to meet farm animals, learn how to grow food and try out arts and crafts.

English students will have the chance to volunteer on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The kinds of tasks volunteers participate in include:

• Health-checking the small animals;
• Mucking out the larger animals;
• Sweeping, harvesting fruit and growing seeds;
• Whatever other tasks might need doing on the day!

Oxfam is an international charitable organisations working in 94 countries to find solutions to poverty around the world. They have charity shops all over the UK and two of these are situated within a couple of minutes walk of Islington Centre for English. Students will be able to volunteer in the afternoons after their English course.

Oxfam Clothes:

Depending on the students preferences and the needs of the shop at the time of the placement volunteers will do things like:

• Helping Customers;
• Working on the till;
• Sorting donations;
• Steaming clothes.

Volunteers in their clothes shops need to have a Pre-Intermediate level of English (CEFR A2/B1).

Oxfam Books:

At the Oxfam book and music shop volunteers may participate in the following activities:

• Sorting donations;
• Working on the till;
• Pricing items;
• Helping to keep the shop floor tidy;
• Using the internet to research the value of unusual or rare items.

Volunteers in the book shop will need to have an Upper Intermediate level of English (CEFR B2).

Study English and meet local employers looking to recruit students
The Islington Centre for English works with a growing number of London-based employers to bring you this free Job Club. It is open to all language students at ICE studying for a minimum of 60 hours. Our partners include:

• Honest Burgers;
• Bills Restaurants;
• Nandos.

In each class, you study the grammar, the language skills & exam techniques required to be successful at FCE. The exam consists of 5 papers: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening and ‘Use of English’ paper which are extensively rehearsed in each lesson. Our teachers are highly experienced in taking students through the Cambridge exams and will discuss your progress with you throughout the course.

You can start the course at any Tuesday evening – all year round. Students are required to pay an exam entry fee of £125 and an optional £12 ICE exam enrolment fee.