General English Programme

Read about our interesting and fun General English courses at ISC. We also offer General English + Academic English and General English + Cambridge Exam Preparation courses.

General English Lessons

At ISC students receive 27 lessons/30 hours of General English, British Culture and Project lessons during the two-week programme. Our English lessons are interesting and fun and focus on improving communication skills.  We want to help our students improve in confidence and fluency when using English. 

​

Students practise all communication skills and pronunciation with a focus on spoken production.  We use our own range of interactive and interesting course materials, which are constantly updated by our creative teaching team.

​

We have an excellent team of experienced, professional and friendly teachers and we were very happy to receive strengths for teaching, course design and learning resources in our 2022 British Council inspection.

​

In General English our students acquire and practise vocabulary, grammar and learn all about a variety of subjects. We practise all skills, with a focus on improving communication. Students have lots of opportunities to practise speaking with their international classmates. We also help to prepare students for life outside of school with leadership and teamwork activities.

​

In British Culture classes, students learn about the British way of life, food and music. Students also prepare for their excursions and are able to practise their English in real-life situations on trips.

​

In Project classes, our students work with their international classmates to create a drama production which culminates in an exciting Project show at the end of the course.

Our teachers care about helping each individual student to progress and they use a variety of motivating activities, materials and technology in class. Learning is fun at ISC and we want to help our students learn and use English to the best of their abilities!

​

Helping students to perform at their best

When students arrive, they do a short level test so that we can place them in the appropriate class. The test consists of a multiple choice grammar and vocabulary test, short written task and oral test with one of our friendly teaching staff.

Our levels range from elementary to advanced. Students should have studied English for a year prior to studying at ISC. We do not offer classes for beginners.

​

Throughout the course teachers monitor the progress of students in lessons. At the end of the course students receive a written report and certificate from their teacher.

​

Our teachers care about helping each individual student to progress and they use a variety of motivating activities, materials and technology in class.

How classes are organised

We organise students at ISC into two age groups. Students in the 'Jets' group are aged 9-13 years old and students in the 'Sharks' group are 14 -17 years old. 

​

Students learn in classes according to their age and ability. We also ensure there are a good mix of nationalities in classes and houses, so that there are lots of opportunities to make international friends. When out of class, Jets and Sharks are mixed in the houses, on trips and in some evening activities.

​

There are a maximum of 16 students in General English and British Culture lessons and students learn with classmates from all around the world. In Project classes, we have international, multi-ability Project teams of up to 32 students, working together to create drama Projects, with the help of two teachers and activity monitors.

​

Students either have lessons in the morning or afternoon. If the Jets have lessons in the morning, the Sharks will be in activities. Then after lunch, Jets will have activities while the Sharks are in lessons. We alternate this every day. 

​

The first lesson of each day is General English, followed by a 20 minute break, then a British Culture lesson and Project class. Morning lessons take place from 9:00 - 12:30 and activities 09:00 - 12:15. Afternoon lessons are from 13:30 - 17:00 and activities 14:00 - 17:00.

​

Students arrive on a Tuesday and depart on a Monday on our two-week programme. Lessons take place every day apart from on arrivals day, trip days (Friday and Sunday - week 1 and Wednesday - week 2) and departures day. 

​

Our General English course includes 27 lessons/30 hours of study during the two-week programme. There are 14 hours of study in week 1 (4 x 1hr 30 General English lessons, ISC's level test 1 hr 30, 4 x 50 minute British Culture and 4 x 50 Project lessons) and 16 hours of study in week 2 (5 x 1hr 30 General English lessons, 4 x 50 minute British Culture and 6 x 50 Project lessons).

​

Download our example timetable and two-week programme to see what a typical day at ISC looks like.

British Culture Lessons

In our British Culture lessons, students have the opportunity to learn all about the British way of life, food, music, festivals and much more.

​

Students learn and practise topic specific vocabulary and all communication skills. Our supportive teaching staff encourage the students to interact with their international classmates to improve their spoken ability.

​

We also prepare our students for their excursions in British Culture lessons, where they learn all about the history, geography and cultural significance of the places they will be visiting.

​

Our students enjoy being able to practise the English they have learnt in class in real-life situations on their trips. It helps to build confidence when using spoken English. 

Project Classes

Project classes are a hugely enjoyable and creative way to improve spoken confidence and fluency.

​

Mixed ability classes work together as a team with the support of their teachers to create a drama Project. Students use their imaginations to create a story, characters, costumes and props. Their drama Project is performed to their peers in an exciting Project show at the end of the course.

​

Classes are merged for Project and are assisted by three members of staff. Students learn how to structure and write a story, write dialogue, develop acting skills, work as a team and improve their pronunciation.

​

In and out of class, students can win points for their Project class for good work, effort and behaviour. The Project with the most points is awarded the ISC cup for the best class in school.

Learning Objectives

• To practise and develop spoken communication skills, in both interactive and individual speaking tasks

• To learn and practise level appropriate vocabulary according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

• To practise and improve pronunciation skills

• To learn and practise grammatical structures according to the CEFR

• To practise and improve writing skills, such as how to structure and write a story

• To practise and improve listening skills, such as listening for gist and detail

• To learn about British culture, history and geography and practise relevant vocabulary

• To develop and practise reading skills, such as reading for gist and detail

• To raise awareness of and encourage students to use learning strategies that promote autonomous learning

• To nurture life skills, such as being independent, time management skills and working as a team

• For students to improve fluency and gain confidence when speaking