At Wits Language School, we are very aware that potential students ‘shop around’ carefully before choosing a school. We aim to attract students by having the highest standards of any language school in South Africa, thereby guaranteeing quality courses. We also constantly revise and update our teaching methods, course material and types of courses offered so that we remain ahead of the game – and way in front of the opposition.
We’ve created a new range of EFL courses for 2012.
EFL Courses on offer for 2012
General English (9am – 1pm)
The average student attending WLS attends a General English class for 4 hours per day. General English classes have a maximum of 16 students, although the average class size is usually much smaller, at 10 to 12 students per class. General English is offered at six different levels, structured to align with the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF or CEFR).
Classes for all six levels are run during each course, from Level 1 (for beginners) to Level 6 (for advanced students). Each level takes seven weeks (35 days/140 hours) to complete. Based on careful assessment of students’ progress at regular intervals throughout the course, it is sometimes recommended that a student repeat a level. We alternate course books, so that repeating students are not faced with the same material again the second time round. For example, if we use New Headway in January and February, we would use New English File in the course over March and April.
To ensure that the classes are always interesting and relevant, our teachers regularly add to and / or adapt the content in the course books with materials from other published EFL resources. The aim at the higher levels in particular is to make the learning environment as authentic as possible.
Extension classes - afternoon English (2pm – 3pm)
Students who wish to make the most of their limited time at the school have the option of following a more intensive study programme. Students who elect to take these classes increase their contact hours to 5 hours per day (Monday to Thursday), attending the extension classes after the lunch break. Students have the opportunity to build on the grammar and vocabulary learnt in the General English classes, with lots of opportunities to apply what they’ve learnt in context.
At the start of each course, teachers conduct a needs analysis of the students in their classes. The information obtained regarding students’ interests, learning styles and language learning goals / priorities is used to assist the teacher in creating lessons that are engaging, conducive to learning and relevant to the students’ needs and preferences.
Intensive Option (3pm – 4pm)
In some cases, a student may want to enhance their learning programme with lessons very closely linked to his / her particular, individual language needs. These students can choose to add another hour to their day. This lesson takes place after the general afternoon extension class. With a low teacher-to-student ratio, learners are guaranteed of individual attention. The selection of classes being offered changes each course, subject to student numbers.
Some options for 2012 include:
- Pronunciation Special
- Intermediate Writing Skills
- Grammar Special
- Intermediate Business Communication
- Advanced Business Communication
- Vocabulary Special
- Basic Computer Skills
- Advanced Computer Skills
- Internet Skills
