Diploma of Intensive English
Diploma of Intensive 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 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:
- 16
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.
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.
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
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.
Academic Reading and Writing
- This SIG gives you a complete overview of the conventions of academic English - grammar, vocabulary and format.
- You will develop skills to produce and fully understand a range of academic texts.
Pre-IELTS
- This SIG introduces the format of the IELTS exam the academic language and skills you will need - both for the exam and for further academic study.
- You will benefit from practice tests and detailed feedback.
Reading and Writing
- This SIG support you in your reading and writing.
- It addresses the vital role literacy skills play in effective communication and ongoing language development.
- You will explore the conventions of written English through a variety of texts and will have ongoing feedback on your written work.
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 General English |
Progress test |
Grammar Pronunciation Professional skills |
Vocabulary Reading, listening and writing |
Listening Functional language Task-based learning (leadership and team work) |
Grammar review Video Discussion |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
|
11:00 – 12:30 General English |
Vocabulary Discussion |
Video Role-play Study skills |
Real English Grammar Vocabulary |
Writing Presentations |
Vocabulary Professional skills Discussion — |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
|
13:30 – 15:00 (Lessons 5 & 6) |
Special Interest Group (SIG) lesson |
Special Interest Group (SIG) lesson |
Special Interest Group (SIG) lesson |
Special Interest Group (SIG) lesson |
Free time |
Contact and Apply
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