General English Courses

OUR COURSES

SPOKEN ENGLISH
Intended for complete beginners or near beginners, this course provides a thorough grounding in the basics of English grammar. By the end of the course students will have acquired the "survival" communication skills necessary for living and travelling.This course offer a range of exciting and innovative courses for people who need English for professional development or social purposes.Emphasis is placed on the development of speaking skills.

Course Length: 3 Months

English for Academic Purposes (University Students)
This course has an entry requirement of Upper-Intermediate level proficiency in English and aims to prepare students for tertiary/university studies in undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Students undergo a highly intensive program of study, which includes: Academic Writing, Presentation and Seminar Skills, Note-taking, Library and Research Skills, Study Skills and Computer Competency. The program also prepares students for the international tests - IELTS, Course Length: Study English in Australia from 1-48 weeks (as required).

O’level and A’Level preparation/Tuition
This course is recognised as the most effective of its type and is designed to provide students with the English language and study skills necessary to succeed in O’level and A’level examinations in Sri lanka..

English for Young Learners/KIDS

At RND We realize that you will be in a better position if you have a good understanding and skills in English from an early age. So we want to give your kids the skills in English necessary to make them do well at school.
This course is for young learners aged six to twelve (6-12 years). It helps to prepare young children for the future in a happy, loving and secure environment. Attention is given to individual development in a multi-national class to ensure each child will not only acquire skills in English language but will develop a love of language-learning which will last throughout life. Young Learners gain a competitive edge.

IELTS
The courses provide intensive training for the 4 parts of the ielts test, although the skills taught are equally relevant to the General Training Module. Particular attention is given to examination technique, study of question types & topics and time management.The course is designed to prepare candidates in a very short time to achieve an optimum score in the test. The course is taught by specially trained examination tutors

English for Business Communication/WORK

Business English Program - Detailed Information

Topics covered in this course description are:

· Aims of Business English

· Business English course structure

· Methodology of Business English

· Business English course assessment

· Business English Syllabus

· Required materials for Business English

· Business English Course Outline

1. Aims of Business English:

· To improve students’ English language and communicative skills within the context of work and business. The Business Course covers the four main language skills, using business contexts.

· To teach and train employability skills such as teamwork, problem solving, taking the initiative, planning and organizing, self-management and leadership.

· To increase ‘language confidence’ and ‘unblock’ areas of doubt and insecurity.

· To develop an awareness of language improvement and build the skills needed to continue that improvement into the future.

2. Business English course structure:

The Business Course consists of four 3-week modules, comprising 12 weeks in total. The Modules are called:

· The World of Work – preparing CVs, applying for jobs, interviewing, starting work

· Money and Finance – Banking, Insurance and Investing

· Business and Social Affairs – cultural differences, discrimination and the environment

· Sales and Marketing – production, development, sales, marketing

Students can attend for one, two, three or four modules.

Each module contains a variety of tasks, such as two student-led meetings per week, two telephone sessions per week, two listening exercises and a weekly ‘performance session’ where the students perform a presentation, negotiation or other speaking task and are recorded or videoed. Students also watch an episode of ‘The Apprentice’ each day and this is used as a basis for vocabulary, discussion or writing tasks.

Each module also contains a ‘super task’, which takes up two whole days. This involves the class split into two teams, and they compete against each other.

3. Methodology of Business English

The Business Course is designed to take students outside their linguistic ‘comfort zone’ so as to effect a breakthrough in language production. To do this, students take the primary role in tasks, leading meetings, making decisions, organizing teams and appraising achievements. The methodology is task-based, with the teacher acting as motivator, coach and guide. Maintaining a high energy level is paramount, as is altering the students’ perceptions from ‘school’ to ‘work’ as much as possible.In addition, students regularly do relevant practice exercises from the BEC Vantage Test (B2) to sharpen their skills.

4. Business English course assessment

Students are appraised weekly on all four skills. Each Friday they take a BEC Vantage Reading and Writing Test. Listening is appraised during the week, while speaking is evaluated primarily at their ‘performance session’ but also on their weekly participation. Students are appraised as much for the impact of their communication as for its accuracy.

5. Business English Syllabus

As the curriculum covers a large area, the syllabus has been put together using a variety of books and other material. Each week the students receive a ‘booklet’ which gives them relevant vocabulary, a timetable for the week, meeting agendas, material from books and original material. Copies of these books are attached.

The booklets are self-explanatory and chronological. They are constantly being updated and improved upon for relevancy and interest. They are designed to be simple to teach from.

Effective teaching

Built into every student’s course are the following:
Placement test.
Needs analysis.
Skills development.
Task-based activities.
Systems work.
Learner skills development.
Progress tests.
Tutorials.
Homework.
Academic counselling.
Supportive error correction and constructive feedback.

English for Business

Aims of the Course

To enable students to communicate effectively in a range of business situations and have the linguistic resources available for the study of a business-based degree course. To give students the skills necessary for them to perform effectively in English in a business context. Students are encouraged to apply any business knowledge and experience that they might have as they work through the course material. Course books will be supplemented with material taken from other sources
Typical Course Content
Face to face meetings.
Letters, faxes and memos.
On the phone.
Reports and summaries.
The work place.
Import and export.
Money matters.
Delivery and after-sales.
Visits and travel.
Marketing and sales.
Meetings.
Operations and processes.
A new job.
Working together.
A special project.

Testing and Progress Monitoring
There will be an initial placement test for entry to this ETC course, coupled with a needs analysis session for student-teacher orientation. There will subsequently be:
* continuous assessment on performance and progress.
* monthly progress assessment tests.
* one Final Assessment Test.

Students will have the opportunity to discuss their progress with their tutor following each assessment. The Centre's academic staff will be happy to provide any additional counselling that might be necessary.