FAST TRACK ACADEMIC ENGLISH (INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS)
An intensive preparation course (reading, listening, speaking and writing for academic purposes) for those planning to study abroad.
A series of sessions prior to departure, designed to enable students to integrate swiftly when entering an academic program in a British or American university.
SCOTLAND STUDY TOURS
Intensive language and cultural studies courses for universities, schools, companies and individuals.
A THREE WEEK SUMMER RESIDENTIAL COURSE
(Upper intermediate or advanced level recommended).
Scotland’s extraordinary cultural heritage and its great tradition in scholarship and the humanities make the country an ideal setting for our courses. The nation’s contribution to the creation of the modern world is well known. James Hutton is remembered as ‘the father of geology’. James Watt’s work on the power of steam was just one of many Scottish contributions to Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Adam Smith’s work at Glasgow transformed economic thought, while the philosophers of the Scottish Enlightenment did much to shape American college education and inspire the American Revolution. As is well known, Scotsmen invented the telephone, television, penicillin and insulin. In literature, the world has been enthralled by characters like Rob Roy, Peter Pan, Dr. Jekyll (and Mr. Hyde), Sherlock Holmes and James Bond, all born in the imagination of Scotsmen.
As regards education, Scotland is said to have been be the first nation to introduce compulsory schooling and for centuries had four universities when England had only two.
The oldest of these Scottish centres of learning was founded in 1413 in the ancient city of St. Andrews, home to Scotland’s oldest university, founded in 1413.
St. Andrews, on the East Coast of Scotland is only an hour away from Edinburgh airport (two from Glasgow’s). There are regular flights to Scotland from London, Europe and other international airports. Arrangements will be made to meet students on arrival in Edinburgh.
OUR COURSES
Our Academic Foundations programme welcomes students from schools and universities all over the world. Experienced language learning experts have developed strategies to enable overseas students to acquire the academic skills needed to experience success in an increasingly competitive world. Our students currently studying for their first degree at university have benefited greatly in their courses requiring English language skills. We also prepare students to meet the English language requirements for enrolment in post- graduate courses.
Cultural studies lectures are included in the courses. These offer valuable insights into the heritage of the host country and its contemporary development. This part of the programme strengthens independent research skills, enhances critical thinking abilities and helps students adapt quickly to different challenging environments in their futures. We believe that developing inter- cultural awareness is a vital part of the learning experience in a study trip abroad, which should be more than a language improvement course.
UNIVERSITY AND CONTINUING STUDENTS
University students, in an intensive four week program, focus on what is needed to enhance their academic performance. The morning sessions concentrate on the following:
Oral communication skills, including presentations, roleplay and debate.
Discussion and critcal analysis.
Writing skills; academic essays and reports: commenting on data and expressing opinions.
Listening and effective note taking.
Improving reading and research skills.
Writing longer essays and an introduction to thesis writing.
An important feature of our programme is that each student is allocated a weekly individual tutorial to discuss progress and have guidance in self study.