The teaching

We use Task-Based Learning. The emphasis in lessons is to help develop the students’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through a topic and task-based approach. This involves working with students on a variety of activities centred on a particular topic and helping them with the language needed to complete the activities. For example, creating a film script; using the script as a basis for language-study; filming the script; editing the film; creating a film uploaded to Shutterfly which can be viewed at home. The students will be using English as a working language. We try to give students materials and activities that are different from those in their own countries. Oral and written English are taught and there is an emphasis on conversation practice. A prize is awarded on each Course for academic excellence.

‘Bringing English to Life’

Filmed & produced by ‘MW’ with additional filmed material by Ian Mucklejohn

A staff of qualified teachers with experience of the teaching of English, give 4 lessons, each of 45 minutes, every day except Sunday and excursion days = 15 hours per week. In addition, there is a 30 minute ‘homework’ period each afternoon. Classes are graded according to ag and ability in English. Students are placed first in an ‘assessment group’ and complete a range of oral and written tasks, including a formal placement test. The combined results of these tasks together with the teacher’s opinion eventually determine placement in a class. Class placements are constantly reviewed and students may be moved to more or less advanced classes, according to their performance. The teacher:student ratio is approximately 1:12. Maximum class size is 16. We provide all books and teaching materials. Course books used include ‘Cutting Edge’, ‘Over to You’, ‘Reward’, ‘Matters’, ‘Energy 2′, ‘Smart’ and ‘Total English’.

A Certificate of Attendance is sent at the end of the Course. This Certificate is accepted in some countries as justification for a state bursary. For example, the Italian Ministry of Education has decreed that a Certificate issued by a British Council Accredited School counts towards the Italian School Leaving Certificate. In Monaco, a bursary can be applied for.

Letter of Recommendation

To ensure that all our students are well-motivated and keen to participate, we ask that a brief letter of recommendation from the school accompanies all applications from new students. This should mention behaviour and attitude to study and need be only one sentence:- ‘X is well-behaved and has a positive attitude towards study.’ No such letter is needed for students we already know or, exceptionally, when this might cause conflict with educational authorities.