Courses

Diploma of Intensive English

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 can also gain specific subject knowledge through a wide range of Special Interest Groups.
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
Check 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:

28 lessons per week total (21 hours). 20 lessons (15 hours) General English + 8 lessons (6 hours) Special Interest Groups

* 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:

28 lessons per week (21 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)
One free exam fee (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

20 lessons (15 hours) per week of General English.
8 lessons (6 hours) per week in Special Interest Groups. These offer a wide range of specialist English language topics.

General English lessons

Your 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.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

As well as your General English classes you can choose from a range of Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These are included in the course price.
These develop your specialist skills in English, or give you experience of subjects which interest you.
They will help you use English in practical situations for study, work, or cultural interest.
SIGs vary according to location and the required language level.

The SIG Guarantee

Kings guarantees that a Special Interest Group will always be available in each of the 4 key learning outcomes:

Fluency and Experience
Professional Success
Exam Success
University Success

Note: Specific SIGs vary by date and may require a minimum language level to join.

Section 3: The advantages of long-term learning

Gain recognised formal qualifications

The Diploma of Intensive 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.

Section 4: Special Interest Groups

Our Special Interest Group (SIGs) classes open up endless possibilities.

Eight lessons each week of SIG classes are included in the course price.

Use them to develop your specialist skills in English, or gain experience in specific subjects which interest you.

SIGs for Fluency and Experience

Pronunciation

This speaking skills class will help you speak more clearly and naturally.
It will guide you from controlled practice to communicative interaction
You will develop the most important parts of spoken English, such as stress, rhythm, and intonation.

Vocabulary Development

This class improves your reading skills and vocabulary
You will work with academic materials and learn valuable words from the Academic Word List.

Conversation Skills

This SIG improves your speaking.
You will learn common idioms, phrases, and modern expressions.
You will also improve your listening and speaking by acquiring conversational vocabulary.

Group Discussion

This SIG covers important topics that are debated in American or British society.
You will learn how to apply abstract ideas, think critically about what you learn, and exchange your respectfully. All in English!

Elementary Skills

On this SIG, you will focus equally on writing, reading, listening and speaking.
You are given the language training and practice you need to become a skilled and confident communicator.

British Culture and History

This SIG looks at British history, literature, philosophy, law, etiquette and the British education system.
You will visit places of interest, whilst also improving your English
There is a focus on spoken fluency and reading skills.

Survival English

This SIG is for beginners will very little English.
It provides specific support in the daily functions necessary to “survive” in the UK or US.
You will develop your everyday spoken English skills and your cultural awareness through thematic study.

Discussion Skills

This SIG focuses on English used to agree and disagree, negotiate, suggest, clarify, summarise or any other type of n discussion.
It also develops your listening skills and the accuracy and fluency of your pronunciation.
You will explore the differences between how discussions are conducted in English and in your own culture.

American Culture

This SIG looks at American views on religion, business, government, race relations, education and family
You will develop more advanced vocabulary and refine your English skills.

Drama

This SIG focuses on English in the context of drama.
Your existing dramatic knowledge in English will be expanded and you will develop your skills in play writing, acting and directing
You can work together in class to produce and perform a short dramatic piece.

Cinema and Television

This SIG improves your oral skills and your understanding of English-speaking culture by analysing films and TV shows.
You develop idiomatic language and vocabulary while understanding dialect differences and social communication.

Music

This SIG introduces the musical genres and styles of modern US or UK.
You will develop your language skills by exploring your own musical interests.

Speaking, Drama and Pronunciation

This SIG will develop the clarity and fluency of your spoken English through a range of drama-based activities.
You will focus on pronunciation - from individual sounds, to words, phrases, sentences and on to longer stretches of speech.
You will gain the knowledge, skills and practice to use spoken English in a variety of contexts and purposes. You'll learn to speak with clarity, precision and emotional expressiveness.

SIGs for Professional Success

Business Fluency

You will develop skills in reading, listening for information and note-taking
You will learn to use important words and phrases accurately when discussing business topics, and apply your knowledge in re-creations of business situations
You will also learn to recognise cultural differences.

English for Work

This SIG improve your knowledge and confidence with language in a business context.
You will develop new vocabulary related to work, learn useful spoken phrases and work on pronunciation
You will learn useful language for writing reports and emails, read and listen to business language, give presentations and role-play business meetings.

Marketing and Digital Media

This SIG focuses on the language of marketing, digital media and new technologies.
You will cover social media marketing, digital strategy, branding and advertising, as well as business and marketing terminology.

Legal English

This SIG introduces you to the essentials of legal English.
You will cover different types of law, including contract, criminal and international.
You will also develop legal vocabulary and the skills needed for the legal profession.
You can also experience the practice of law through regular educational visits.

Career guidance

This is guaranteed at all schools. It is ideal if you are on a gap year or want advice about your next steps – whether work or university.

Options vary but are likely to include:

Creating the perfect CV/resume
Interview and presentation practise
Careers talks and discussions: finance, business, education, marketing and more
University advice: Which degree, which university?
Psychometric testing: Guiding you through the globally recognised test systems

SIGs for Exam Success

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

You will have extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of the four sections in the exam.
You will have a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on your performance.

Masters Preparation

This SIG is for students intending to study a Masters degree at an English-speaking university.
It combines an intensive focus on academic English with the skills you need for graduate-level success.
You will produce a range of academic texts, including research projects and a mini dissertation.

IELTS Preparation

This SIG provides a complete overview of the IELTS exam and the requirements of each of its four parts.
You will be trained in the skills needed to fully achieve your exam potential.

TOEFL Preparation

This SIG introduces the four sections of the TOEFL exam – listening, reading, speaking and writing.
If you are not yet at the level needed you will benefit from practicing
test areas in simpler language.

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

This SIG gives extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of its four sections Cambridge English: Advanced exam
You will have a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on your performance.

Cambridge English: First (FCE)

This SIG gives extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of its four sections Cambridge English:First exam
You will have a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on your performance.

SIGs for University Success