English Courses for Teens
Our teenage English courses have a strong international focus and prepare studentsĀ for success at university and beyond.
Shane English School courses for teenagers focus onĀ real-world topics in English with an emphasis on the four language skills: speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Group activities encourage collaborative work, while study groups help create a productive and social environment.
English course books are used along with authentic texts to provide additional contexts for the language. The combination of textbooks with real-world examples expands what the students know. There is an emphasis on freer-writing, which will help the more seniorĀ students when taking international standardised English examinations (such as IELTS). Graded readers (fictional and non-fictional storybooks) are used to further motivate students and improve their rate of English learning in other areas.
The Excel series of textbooks consists of four textbooks with accompanying audio and workbooks. They are designed to be used by children from the age of 10 onwards and they use high-interest topics to help engage our students in their English language learning experience.
In contrast to the Rising Stars and SPEC series that we use with younger students, the Excel series is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) which provides standards for language learners at all level of proficiency. When children finish their study with SPEC books they are A1/A2 equivalent level on the CEFR. Excel books are designed to take students to B1/B1+ level.
At SPEC level (A1/A2/beginner) students can typically:
- express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar context.
- understand straightforward information within a known area, such as on products and signs and simple textbooks or reports on familiar matters.
- complete forms and write short simple letters or postcards related to personal information.
At Excel (B1/B1+/ intermediate) level students can typically:
- express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements.
- understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.
- write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.
Encouraging Progress
As well as providing students with the opportunity to practice their known language, the increasingly complex interactions necessitate students using more advanced conversational skills such as turn-taking or asking for repetition or clarification.
The Next Step in Language Development
As well as enhancing studentsā ability to use known language, the Excel books cover all verb tenses and aspects that are considered standard for B1 level language learners on the CEFR. These are introduced and practised with an emphasis on usage in communication. To this end, students are exposed to functional language such as inviting, predicting, hypothesizing or obligation.
Students are also introduced to increasingly complex vocabulary, enabling to express themselves more precisely. For example, at beginner level students will typically learn the verb ācookā. At intermediate level students will learn verbs such as ābakeā, āboilā, or āsteamā in addition to the generic word. The ability that students develop to use language communicatively across all 4 skills makes the Excel books ideal preparation for language tests such as B1 Preliminary (formerly know as the Cambridge PET test). This will show the progress your child has made by passing prestigious internationally recognized exams.
