Topic outline




  • There are two main types of English language support available at the college; our Pre-Sessional English Course and our In-Sessional English Support.

  • The Pre-Sessional English Course

    The Pre-Sessional English Course is offered to international students who are non-native speakers of English. This full-time on-line course runs every summer for seven weeks (July-August) at the RNCM. The course is designed for students who need additional time to develop the necessary skills for effective learning through the medium of English before they embark on a course of study at the College. The main components of the course are:

    • Grammar and vocabulary
    • Academic reading and writing
    • Listening and speaking
    • Study skills
    • Introduction to musicology

    The course aims are as follows:

    • To develop, extend and build confidence in using general English language skills through the context of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
    • To develop academic literacy necessary for students following an academic course at the RNCM
    • To prepare students for independent learning
    • To introduce aspects of British life and culture.

    The Pre-Sessional English Course is very intensive and provides students with the opportunity to practice and improve their language skills in the context of the subject areas they will study at the RNCM.

    Places on this course are limited so students are advised to apply as soon as possible.


  • In-Sessional English Support

    In-sessional support is offered to international students who are non-native speakers of English. Students are offered English language support if their placement test  taken on entry to the College, and their IELTS scores, fall below a certain level.

    The year-round provision aims to support students in their academic studies and improve their competence in English.

     

    There are two types of in-sessional language support: one-to-one tutorials in support of academic work and weekly group lessons.

     

    The aim of the tutorials is to help students express themselves fluently in spoken English when writing essays or giving presentations. The tutorials are planned around the needs of each student, their level of language and the academic work they have to do.

     

    English language lessons are organised according to the level of the students and the RNCM course they are following.

     

    Students may also attend weekly Engagement with Learning classes if their placement test and IELTS scores fall below a certain level. The classes aim to help students to  develop and extend their understanding of musicology and to speak and write about music in English.


  • Contact English Language Support

    You can contact Professor Jean Ammar by emailing Jean.Ammar@rncm.ac.uk or by visiting Room 245C on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday.



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