English as a Second Language Courses for Beginners to Advanced

Wits Language School in Johannesburg South Africa offers a range of English Improvement lessons for people who speak English as a second language.

This section will give you more information on:

• the tuition options available;
• the courses that make up the English Improvement programme;
• the content and outcomes of each course;
• course duration and lesson times; and
• general information such as admission requirements.

English Improvement - Tuition Options

• Public courses are offered at Wits Language School in a group setting. Students come from a variety of backgrounds but all with a shared interest in improving their English.  The Courses are run throughout the year, beginning in February. A schedule of our courses is available on request. Contact Us for any other information you require.
• Corporate courses are aimed at organisations and companies in the private and public sector who recognise that specific-skills training is not always the answer for employees. Some employees require improved knowledge of the English language ‘tools’ in order to perform to the level of their potential. These courses are offered at the clients’ premises or at Wits Language School. Corporate courses are offered on a demand basis. (see English Improvement Courses for Corporates)
• Private tuition classes can be arranged for students unable to join regular public or corporate classes or who have specific language needs not easily accommodated in the scheduled courses.

English Improvement Programme

The English Improvement programme is made up of 8 modules.There are 2 modules at each level, module A and module B.

Each module run over 10 weeks, with 40 contact hours, assessment on progress throughout the course and an additional session for the summative examination at the end of the level.

English Improvement courses are aligned with the SAQA Unit Standards National Qualifications Framework (NQF) of South Africa. You will progress from NQF level 2 to NQF level 5 according to your ability.

1. English Improvement 1 (NQF 2)
   Module A
   Module B
2. English Improvement 2 (NQF 3)
   Module A
   Module B 
3. English Improvement 3 (NQF 4)
   Module A
   Module B
4. English Improvement 4 (NQF 5)
   Module A
   Module B

If you are interested in doing one of the courses in our English Improvement Programme, then click here to Register with the Wits Language School. If you have any questions about these English Courses then don't hesitate to Contact Us.

English Improvement 1 Module A (NQF 2)

You will be able to write short texts of about 50 - 80 words or 5 - 8 lines. The text will be made up of short sentences, learnt words and phrases and simple statements, questions and commands. All learning is in the context of familiar, routine topics such as family, friends and hobbies. You will be able to produce different types of text – postcards, e-mails, messages, personal notes, lists, descriptions. You will easily understand how to formulate simple questions and tasks.

English Improvement 1 Module B (NQF 2)

This course will teach you to produce a range of different text types for different purposes, audiences and situations. You will be able to write reasonably clearly in order to communicate meaning, and show some control of grammar and style. You will be familiar with a range of structuring devices and conventions that help convey meaning. You will develop competence in writing through reflecting on and correcting your own written work. You will use language appropriate to the socio-cultural, learning, or workplace environments as required.

English Improvement 2 Module A (NQF 3)

At the end of this course you will be able to produce texts of about 80 to 120 words on topics relevant to your social, cultural, geographical and professional environment. You will use expressions, vocabulary and language structures appropriate to this level and produce texts for written communication. You will easily understand how to formulate compound questions and tasks.

English Improvement 2 Module B (NQF 3)

At this level you will be able to use appropriate language in familiar and unfamiliar situations in your writing narratives and in your written observations and responses based on texts you encounter. You will use language appropriate to your social, cultural, geographical and professional environment. You will be able to write for a specific audience and situation, using grammatical structures and writing conventions to produce coherent and cohesive texts. You will also be able to adapt language to suit the context and you will be able to draft and edit your own writing.

English Improvement 3 Module A (NQF 3)

This course will enable you to acquire skills in English to communicate or express your own ideas in writing. You will be able to prepare to write texts, write original texts and review and redraft written texts. The communication skills provided in this course will be useful for the workplace. You will learn to interpret Visual information such as those you would use in presentations and at meetings.