Affiliation

British Council Accreditation & English UK Membership

Birmingham College is accredited by the British Council for English Language courses. They are satisfied with the college facilities, management, teaching and learning as well as welfare. As a result, the college is also a member of Accreditation UK, managed by the British Council in partnership with English UK.

Expertise

The course organiser has over 30 years experience of ELT and has taught on IELTS programmes since its introduction in 1989 and has nine years IELTS examiner experience. He has worked with students ranging from CEO, doctors and nurses to teens and children from all over the world.

The Team at Birmingham College have been selected, trained and are aware of the pressure students can face and we take a holistic approach. We are also familiar with the Cambridge KET, PET, FCE and CAE examination requirements. Whatever your need you can ask us, the experts will provide you with the individual guidance you need.

Support

Birmingham College promotes learner independence and respects learner voice. All students on full-time courses have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), keep a Learner Journal to develop self-reflection and are entitled to a weekly individual tutorial. The procedures we have in place for English language diagnostic assessment on your arrival enable us to support and identify students Learning Styles and establish their aims and objectives. We also conduct regular progress checks and self-assessment questionnaires, to ensure you stay focused and to encourage progress throughout the programme.

In order to monitor quality and learner satisfaction there is a first-week feedback form, a mid-course survey and an end of course survey. All students will be allocated their own Course representatives and will be given the opportunity to attend monthly focus group meetings with member of senior management, for regular feedback and to raise any issues of concern.

Course Options

General English Language Programme

Option 1: General English Language 16 hours:
Option 2: General English Language with IELTS 21 hours(majority focus on General English):

IELTS Programme

Option 3: IELTS 16 hours:
Option 4: IELTS with General English Language 21 hours: (majority focus on IELTS)
Option 5: IELTS Preparation & One-to-one Classes: (local students)

General English Language Programme

This programme covers the skill areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing as well as systematically building grammar skills and knowledge plus paying attention to pronunciation. The topic and the students are the focus of the week's work, not just one textbook, and there is a progress check every Friday. Students who are planning to stay for a short time can focus on their personal interests by following the Individual Learning Plan.

'General English' does not mean students do not have a specific reason for improving their English language skills. The teaching team will always try to focus on your interests and advise you how to continue developing. The course includes an element of Learner Independence training.

For those who want extra out of their stay, you can combine the General English Language with IELTS. This will provide you with the chance to develop some Academic English skills and become familiar with the skills and strategies required for the IELTS examination, which is evidence and a requirement of English language level for UK University admissions.

Students often work with a partner or in small groups in class, but are also expected to complete homework tasks and work individually on areas of interest outside class.

On completion of your studies you will receive a Birmingham College Certificate in General English Language Studies/ General English Language Studies with IELTS, indicating length of stay, an estimated level of English plus an individual progress report based on class performance, progress tests and tutorial records.

IELTS Programme

In IELTS there is no 'pass' or 'fail'. Students can work towards their own individual targets and everyone is welcome to participate in and benefit from the IELTS workshops. We expect students who are preparing for IELTS to be highly motivated and do a lot of independent work outside class.

This programme is designed for students who have a specific interest in improving their IELTS bands by developing examination skills and strategies while at the same time expanding their vocabulary and increasing their accuracy in grammar structures. The programme includes IELTS-specific skills classes, plus a few sessions working with General English students in order to help develop communication skills. This programme will also develop your Academic English skills which will help with higher education studies as well as IELTS.

On completion of your studies you will receive a Birmingham College Certificate in IELTS Preparation Studies, Intensive IELTS and Academic Study Skills ,indicating length of stay, an estimated level of English plus an individual progress report based on class performance, progress tests and tutorial records.

IELTS Preparation & One-to-one Classes: (local students)

In order to support local students who intend to take IELTS at local test centres, we allow candidates to attend workshops/ drop in sessions for IELTS preparation plus offer one-to-one classes. Students may take as few or as many classes as they need.

To attend workshops/ class drop in session the cost is £25 per session. For one-to-one IELTS classes it is £30 per hour. If you would like to attend these classes or the one-to-one lesson please contact does@bcol.co.uk to book your places. You will not be permitted to attend the classes or one-to-on sessions without booking in advance.

Fees Structure 2012

Duration / Programme	OPTION 1 EU Students General English Language Programme (16 hours) (£)	OPTION 1 International Students General English Language Programme (16 hours) (£)	OPTION 2 EU Students General English Language Programme + IELTS (21 hours) (£)	OPTION 2 International Students General English Language Programme + IELTS (21 hours) (£)	OPTION 3 EU & International Students IELTS Programme (16 hours) (£)	OPTION 4   EU & International Students IELTS Programme (21 hours) (£)
2 weeks	500	580	656	760	640	840
4 weeks	1000	1160	1312	1520	1280	1680
8 weeks	2000	2320	2624	4560	2560	3360
12 weeks	3000	3480	3936	4560	3840	5040
16 weeks	4000	4640	5248	6080	5120	6720
20 weeks	5000	5800	6560	7600	6400	8400
24 weeks	6000	6960	7872	9120	7680	10080
28 weeks	7000	8120	9184	8960	-	-

Course Requirements

There are no requirements. However please note we are not able to take absolute beginners on any of the programmes. Contact the college for more information if you are unsure of your level). All courses have a minimum duration of two weeks to make sure students have sufficient time to develop and use their skills (except Option 5)

Class size

At Birmingham College we allow a maximum class size of 18.

Social Life in Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK's 'second city' with a wide choice of cultural, sporting and social events and activities. Some of these are only few minutes away from the college, which is located in the Heart of the city centre. There are also major tourist attractions in nearby towns and cities which are easy to reach by train and other local transport.

At Birmingham College we shall regularly inform you in tutorials of local events, prepare you for national days and traditions and recommend places to visit in your free time. For more information please visit Birmingham (www.bcol.co.uk/birmingham_web). We also recommend and involve candidates to participate in the regular lectures and concerts held on campus. For candidates that enrol on to longer duration courses, we organise our Academic Cultural Tour, which over the years we know all students have thoroughly enjoyed!

Enrolment Dates

All programmes have been designed as continuous enrolment, so students can join in throughout the academic year. Registrations will take place every Monday from 6TH February 2012.

Accommodation

We do not provide accommodation. Hence all applicants should ensure that arrangements have been made for your accommodation and finances before your arrival in the UK.

However on request we can provide you with information of local accommodation providers/home stay groups. This needs to be done as early as possible to avoid any delay or disappointments for your stay.

If you do require this service please attach the Accommodation Enquiry Form and return with your Acceptance Form.

Apply

Send all completed applications with the relevant attachments to Birmingham College,
by email: hl@bcol.co.uk
Post to Admissions Office, 9 Margret street, Birmingham, B3 3BS
Submit Online: http://www.bcol.co.uk/online_application

Contact

For more details see the course description below or contact the college on 0121 212 0888 or email hl@bcol.co.uk