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English Plus


Combining General English with a variety of interesting subjects from Art to Gardening, Fashion to Drama.

About

The English ‘Plus’ Course combines our highly popular General English Course with a diverse and exciting range of cultural and educational subjects.

There’s something to suit all tastes, and while you learn you will get to practise your English with like-minded classmates. Subjects include art, gardening, fashion, drama, screen-printing, photography, environmental studies, media, British culture and creative English.

Based on active student participation, this unique programme is designed to reinforce your appreciation of the English language at a deeper cultural level. You can choose to study as many subjects as you like, and you will receive friendly support and encouragement from our qualified teachers every step of the way.

Learning hours

You can expect to spend a minimum of 21 sessions of 45 minutes each for your English studies. (15 hours and 45 minutes of learning per week) and for your English ‘Plus’ module, you will be expected attend 4 teacher-led classes of 45 minutes each week. This is a total of 18 and 45 minutes hours per week. You are also required to complete two and a half hours of self study based around a project suggested by your teacher.

There are a maximum of 16 students on each English ‘Plus’ course.

All students have a test and an interview on their first day to establish their level of English. If you are unsure of your level of English, you can take our test before you enrol. Alternatively look at the Council of Europe Language Level Scale to see what level you are. Please note that some courses require a minimum level of English in order to participate.

Please note you will be required to buy course books for your English studies.

Plus Subjects

English Plus Special Subjects

In order to create their personalised Plus course students then have Special Subjects to choose from. There are a maximum of 16 students on each course in each module. Students attend 4 teacher led classes of 45 minutes each week and are also required to do a two and a half hours of self study based around a project suggested by their teacher.

Below is a brief description of the special subjects we offer:
(please click each item for more information)

Art: Photography

After having had advice on lighting, backgrounds, composition, camera angles and expression, you will be asked to photograph someone you know with the aim of showing his/her personality. You will also be asked to photo someone in black and white. Afterwards you will discuss the results with your teacher.

A demonstration of studio portraiture using electronic flash and different lighting will end the module.

Students must be prepared to pay for their own film development and photo paper. Students must bring their own camera but it does not have to be a specialised one.

Art: Screen printing

The students will learn how to print on fabric with silk screens. The course starts with a series of sketching excercises to explore pattern making to make the students aware of design principles and elements. They will then take the resulting patterns and create stencils in paper, plastic and fabric, and use them to build up layers of colour to create complex images. The students can then if they want, print imagery on clothing, creating unique items for themselves.

Students must be prepared to pay for their own materials.

Art: Sketchbooks with a difference

You will be able to go out and create a sketchbook by drawing the life and culture of Brighton. Experiment and explore possibilities for generating drawings. Learn new things and get ideas for your own work.

Britain and the Environment

A study of the current environmental problems affecting Great Britain. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the main environmental issues involved, together with the measures, so far introduced, to help improve the situation.

Some local study trips are envisaged and there will also be opportunities for some individual investigations.

Students must be prepared to pay for transport to certain study visits.

British Culture

This course looks at some aspects of art, literature and music in Britain. The content depends in part on local events, for example exhibitions, concerts and plays that we can prepare for and then attend. Students also look at the culture on our own doorstep by making study visits or looking at the local architecture. Students also have the opportunity to follow a topic of their own interest.

Students must be prepared to pay for transport to certain study visits.

Creative English

This is a very practical course which gives students the opportunity to develop both their writing and reading skills. We will look at different styles of writing and try some of them!

We will discuss the work of some writers and students will be encouraged to dip into ‘new’ authors. Students will also research and present the life of a writer of their choice.

Drama

The aims of this course include developing self confidence, imagination, individual expression and creativity.

Students study drama through a variety of different means including exercises, improvisation, scripts and role play. They look at various characterisations and different types of script (contemporary and traditional).

Most terms the students work towards putting on a short performance to fellow students.

Fashion 1

This is a practical course looking at learning different sewing techniques, the use of different types of fabric, basic fashion, design work and pattern making.

Students must be prepared to provide all relevant materials.

Fashion 2

The course is designed to follow on from Fashion 1 and consists of experimental projects in fashion textiles and fashion design, garment construction, visual research and drawing. The conclusion of the course will be a fashion show by the participants.

Students must be prepared to provide all relevant materials

Gardening

This is a practical course for those students interested in learning more about the British Garden. A look at growing vegetables and flowers. Students will learn about gardening for enjoyment in all four seasons with ideas about the use of plants, design and planting in different size gardens for different effects. Participants must be prepared to do some physical work as some of the course is work experience.

International Studies

The first part of the course is about how we view international/global relations. After this the students in the class select which topics they are most interested in studying.

Topics include:

  • the relationship between the state, human rights and belief
  • the extent that production and trade have an ethical dimension
  • the origins of and future of ‘Terror’
  • what we mean by ‘Globalisation’
  • can ‘Humanitarean Intervension’ be justified?
  • investigation into Trade Blocs.
  • Global poverty, how best to deal with it.

Practical Media 1

Students look at various techniques to create atmosphere in films and documentaries. This includes looking at lighting, use of music and camera angles. Students will look at a variety of different films and documentaries and present their own findings on different subjects.

Practical Media 2

In Practical Media students work in groups to write, shoot and edit a short video film, either on a suggested theme or on a subject of their own choosing. The emphasis is on learning through doing. The teacher provides some necessary input and is there to offer help when needed.

Singing

Students will be taken through various aspects of vocal techniques including warming up, producing a quality sound, tone production, exercises, extending range and diaphagmatic support. Tone, arrangement and song structure will all be broken down and analysed. Also a focus on dealing with nerves and anxiety on stage.

Students must be prepared to take part in evening practices and possibly to join a choir.

Work Experience in the UK

This module is only for students staying a minimum of 10 weeks and they must have an upper-intermediate level of English.

This is a course designed to improve students’ English by partaking in work experience in a company or organisation in Brighton. This is an opportunity for students to practise their English in a working environment.

Most placements are at cafes, restaurants, gardens, pubs, environmental projects or charity shops. Students must work when their employer needs them to so their work experience may take place outside of the timetabled programme. Students must be prepared to work on Friday or Saturday evenings. Students working with environmental projects have to work a full day each week. Although this is sometimes possible to do on a Saturday or Sunday it is mostly done midweek so these students may have to miss some of their other classes on one day per week. The placements do not involve skilled work.

Occasionally it may be possible to get work experience at nursing homes, schools or nurseries. For these placements it is essential that students have brought with them a registered police check or good conduct document. For further details of this please contact the school.

Students have to pay for their travel to and from the work experience placements themselves and sign an ‘Employee conduct’ contract if they wish to join this course.

Dates

Spring Course Dates 2010

Students choose to join one of the subjects under each Module.

Spring Module 14 January to 29 January
a) Screen printingb) Extra English
c) Practical Media 1d) British Culture
Spring Module 21 February to 26 February
a) Photography 2b) Focus on literature
c) Fashion 1d) Britain and the Environment

(ACTIVITY PROJECT WEEK - Week of 1 March)

This is an opportunity to make study visits to different parts of the UK whilst gathering material for a project of your choice. The project can be done individually or in groups of up to 4 people. There is time set aside for the planning of this trip and the proposed project research with teacher guidance in the weeks leading up to it. Two weeks after the Activity Project Week all students have to make a presentation of their project.

Spring Module 38 to 26 March
a) Fashion 2b) International Studies
c) Sketchbooksd) Drama

EASTER - 29 March

Summer Module 4:6 to 30 April
a) Screen Printing b) Practical Media 2
c) Extra Englishd) British Culture
e) HistoryFocus on Literature

Week of 3 May is Food Theme Week

Summer Module 510 May to 11 June
a) Photography 1b) Drama
c) Singingd) Creative English
e) British Culture

Autumn Course Dates 2010

Students choose to join one of the subjects under each Module.

Autumn Module 131 August to 24 September
a) Screen printingb) Extra English
c) Practical Media 1d) British Culture
e) Focus on Literature
Autumn Module 227 September to 22 October
a) Photography 1b) Extra English
c) Fashion 1d) Britain & the Government
e) Practical Media 2 

(ACTIVITY PROJECT WEEK - Week of 25 October)

Autumn Module 31 November to 26 November
a) Fashion 2b) British History
c) Sketchbooksd) Drama
e) Creative English 
Autumn Module 429 November to 17 December
a) Singingb) International Studies
c) Photography 2d) Exam Preparation

 

English Test!

Unsure of what level of English you are? Want to know what areas you need to brush up on? Take the free English test from The British Council to find out.


“Everything has been over my expectations.”

~ Karl



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