English as a Second Language (ESL)
The ESL Department offers help in all skills required for learning and using English. It is not just about Academic English, but also helps the students in other areas, at different stages in their lives.
Welcome
Staff
Overview
Facilities
In the Classroom
Beyond the Classroom
Mrs Fran Lovett
Welcome to the ESL Department Web Page. The ESL Department at Shebbear College is a fun and lively department. Our aim is to make learning English fun and enjoyable and to prepare our students for entry into College or University. We have a number of teachers, who have taught both in Britain and abroad, who bring their own unique ideas and styles into the classroom through whom students acquire a broad perspective on the English language.
Department Staff
- Mr Ian Burnett
- Mrs Karen Purdew
- Mrs Cecilia Ohlsen
Department Overview
The ESL Department has gone from strength to strength over the past five years. We have had students from all over the world, including Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Spain, France, Thailand and Russia. We aim to tutor the students towards gaining the Cambridge EFL Exams of KET, PET and FCE. We also train the older pupils for the Academic Module of IELTS, which is required for University entrance in the UK. We also offer a GCSE English course to those more capable students.
Facilities
A range of computer programmes that help with vocabulary, grammar, spelling and reading speed.
In the Classroom
We follow the Cambridge EFL Exam courses which will help the students in all areas of life, academically, socially and in the workplace.
KET: Key English Test
Learners at this level are expected to build on their basic communication in a range of everyday situations with both native and non-native speakers of English. For example, carrying out transactions, giving and obtaining factual information and establishing and maintaining social and professional contacts.
PET: Preliminary English Test
Learners at this level are expected to communicate satisfactorily in most everyday situations with both native and non-native speakers of English. For example, understanding public notices, scanning texts for information, giving information, reporting events and describing and talking freely in order to express desires and emotions.
FCE: First Certificate in English
Learners at this level are expected to be able to handle the main structures of the language with some confidence, demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of vocabulary and use appropriate communicative strategies in a variety of social situations.
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
This course prepares you for studying English at a higher level. It is designed to assess the ability to understand and produce written and spoken language in an educational context.
GCSE English:
This course consists of three pieces of written coursework, a Speaking and Listening coursework module and two exams. Students will read short stories from different cultures, Shakespeare and poetry. They will look at analysing media texts and writing creatively.
Beyond the Classroom
We actively encourage our students to live as much of an English life as possible. In their holidays we advise that they find an English speaking guardian so that they can continue to develop their Speaking and listening skills in a natural environment.
We encourage our Form 4 students to participate fully in Work Experience. This gives direct and invaluable experience of being in an English workplace and gives another perspective of English life.
Students are taken out to local areas of interest to help them develop their practical English. Westcountry tourist spots are visited to show a different culture and environment.
We also enter students for various International Awards throughout the year, including Hobson’s International Boarder of the Year Award and the International Student Awards which is run by the British Council. We have had success in both competitions and actively encourage our students to participate.
