Los Angeles (Hollywood) | Diploma of General English Factsheet

Section 1: Overview

Is this course for me?

This long-term course offers the best value for students who want to maximise their English fluency.
You will have a personalised study plan, regular progress tutorials, and regular language level tests.
You'll gain confidence through total immersion in English and live like a UK or US national.

Key Facts

Available in:

Boston
Los Angeles
New York
Bournemouth
Brighton
London
Oxford

Start Dates:

Every Monday (first Monday of each month for beginners)
Read our school calendar for exceptions

Level:

Beginner (Kings Level 1) *

Minimum age:

Duration:

24 – 48 weeks

Class size

In the UK: Maximum 14
In the US: Maximum 15

Lessons per week:

20 lessons per week total (15 hours)
The course includes 3 hours of additional guided study in the USA

* If a Beginners level group is not available, you can take 8 hours of one-to-one lessons before joining a suitable class.

Included in the price:

20 lessons per week (15 hours)
Welcome Information Pack
Access to multi-format course materials
Placement test on arrival, weekly assignments, group participation and progress tests
Use of Computer Learning Centre
Free Wi-fi at school
Full access to Kings social programme, with at least two free activities per week
Full access to join Kings' school clubs and societies
Optional weekly lecture programme
Guidance from specialist university advisors (if required)
End-of-course certificate (90% or higher attendance required)
Free grammar book
Access to the Kings Learning Progress Guarantee
One-to-one interview with a senior academic staff member every 6 weeks

Section 2: Course structure and content

General English lessons

Your 20 General English lessons will be designed to improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening at a consistent rate. Each week, lessons will focus on a different topic.

Key areas covered include:

Communication skills

Conversational language skills
Listening and accents
Reading and interpretation
Writing and presenting

Linguistic resources

Building your vocabulary bank
Fine tuning your pronunciation
Interpretation of texts
Grammar and syntax

Study skills

Note taking and revision
Research skills
Time management and planning
Dictionary work
Learner autonomy

Cultural and personal development

Understanding cultural difference and similarity
Team work and leadership
Presenting an argument
Discussion skills

You will be assigned to your General English class based on your current Kings Level. We have classes suitable for students at Level 1 (Beginner) right through to Level 8 (Advanced), and you will progress up through the levels as your skills improve and your confidence grows.

Section 3: The advantages of long-term learning

Gain recognised formal qualifications

The Diploma of General English is a great way to prepare for formal language exams — such as IELTS, TOEFL or the Cambridge Exams
All are recognised by universities and employers around the world.

Learning Progress Guarantee

You will reach the level we have agreed with you. Guaranteed.

If you don't, you can study for free until you do!

Note: you must have attended all classes and completed all assignments.

Progress tracking and testing

We'll agree a fluency target with you. It will be challenging but realistic and attainable.
We use our own Kings Scale, benchmarked against all main exams and assessment scales: IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge/CEFR so you can compare your progress to these other measures
You will receive progress assessments and individual tutorials every 6 weeks. These will benchmark and test your progress.
You will also be continually assessed based on your performance in class, your homework assignments, and your weekly in-class progress tests.
All students will receive an 'End of Course Report' which will include your final grade, determined by progress across all key skills areas.

Sample timetable

Please note:

Sample timetable is subject to change. General English lessons may take place in mornings or afternoons in summer.
Placement test, induction, locality walk and ice breaker activities, which take place on the students' first day at Kings, are an essential part of the teaching programme, included in the weekly hours of lessons.

	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri
09:00 – 10:30 (Lessons 1 & 2) General English	Progress test including listening and writing Individual and group feedback on test	Grammar Using 'will' and 'shall' in polite requests Pronunciation Open and closed questions (intonation) Professional skills Interviews.	Vocabulary Common idioms and phrasal verbs used to describe behaviour Reading, listening and writing Giving tips on how to behave in different situations	Listening Understanding how technology works Functional language Giving instructions Task-based learning (leadership and team work) Building a bridge	Grammar review 'Will', 'shall' and relative clauses Video Ted Talk: How to lead a conversation between people who disagree Discussion Beyond right and wrong?
10:30 – 11:00	Break	Break	Break	Break	Break
11:00 – 12:30 (Lessons 3 & 4) General English	Vocabulary Social behavior: Talking about norms and customs Discussion Understanding cultural differences	Video Phone addiction. Role-play Asking for and offering help Study skills Making effective notes	Real English People in the newspapers today Grammar Defining relative clauses Vocabulary Adjectives of character	Writing An email describing a new invention. Presentations A future without cars.	Vocabulary Diplomatic language Professional skills Giving and receiving feedback Discussion — Beyond right and wrong?
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch