Is it useful to continue taking IELTS after receiving the notice from the language class?

When it comes to language classes, many people regard them as “a scourge”.

On the one hand, I worry that taking a language class is useless, that I will not learn much knowledge, and that I will not be able to improve in the short term; on the other hand, I feel that it is very shameful to take a language class! Moreover, the high cost of taking language classes will also increase the budget for studying abroad.

So, are language classes worth taking? What kind of students are suitable for language classes? What is it like to take a language class, is it just to learn English? Let’s chat today~

What is a language class?

Language class (Pre-Sessional English Course) is for students who have received a conditional offer from the school but whose IELTS scores have not yet satisfied the school requirements. Language learning courses offered to students required by the offer. Note: Language classes are different from preparatory courses, and the two cannot be confused. Preparatory courses refer to specialized courses provided for students whose academic conditions do not meet the school's requirements.

The school’s language classes all have corresponding admission requirements, and the length of time varies. The length of the language class is related to the student's current IELTS score. The difference between the IELTS score and the IELTS score required by the university offer is 0.5 points. Generally, language classes last for 4-10 weeks, and so on. The specific length of language classes varies from school to school. Generally speaking, after passing the language class exam, students can directly progress to the main course without taking IELTS!

One thing to note is that not all students can apply for language classes depending on their IELTS score! Each school has its own admission criteria for language classes. If a student's IELTS score is lower than this standard, then even if he wants to pay the tuition, he will not have the opportunity to apply for a language class.

What do you mainly learn in language classes?

Students who take language classes in the UK basically have 2-3 classes a day, each class lasts 2 hours, and includes listening, speaking, In addition to teaching English for general life applications, language classes focus more on improving students' speaking and writing skills used in their study abroad process, such as presentation and assignment writing skills. This will be used in the future. The main course study stage is very useful. After all, after entering the course, students will face a large number of assignments and papers. It is very important to master the correct methods early.

In addition, language classes are all taught in small classes, with 10-15 students in a class, distributed in parallel, and each class is equipped with two teachers. In this way, the teacher can take care of every student, and every student will have the opportunity to be contacted and tutored by the teacher. At the same time, teachers can review the paper assignments in the language class stage in advance and give suggestions. However, in the main course learning stage, students will submit the paper assignments directly after writing them, and the professor will not read them to you in advance.

In addition, for overseas students whose native language is not English, studying with classmates from various countries is also a good opportunity to adapt to the academic environment in advance and improve their language proficiency.

What is it like to take a language class?

Let’s hear what the students who have taken the language class have to say~

@ Fun Times

Life in language class is pretty good. It will slowly get you used to it at first, and gradually increase the difficulty. It mainly teaches you how to write an essay, which is different from IELTS writing. The teacher will teach you the structure of the essay, how to write it and how to think critically, and will also tell you how to write different papers.

And Durham’s language classes are divided into majors, so the content you learn is also related to your major. Each assignment or assessment will have a corresponding schedule. Which item should be completed at what time. The teacher will check and give you feedback to let you know where you still have shortcomings. The school also organizes a large number of activities. There are trips to other cities every weekend and the return fee is only five pounds, but the time is only one day. Moreover, I will make many friends in the language class. I personally think it is worth reading.

@Chloe Wang

In fact, for most students in the UK, your best friends are definitely Chinese. Or the circle you often hang out in is still a Chinese circle. Taking a language class should be said to be the best time to make friends. Most of the friendships are established during the language class. We just arrived in the UK and didn’t understand anything, so it was natural for us to stick together. Students who attend classes later will often feel like they "can't fit in", especially if your spoken English is not particularly good, and the chance of making other International friends is not high.

@ShareList

Long before taking language classes, I had been struggling with IELTS and was ashamed of taking language classes. I don’t know why I had such an extreme idea at the time. I took the IELTS test 6 times a year and got a 5.5 in the essay. Let yourself lose confidence and take the next IELTS test. However, maybe there are rules for everything. During the language class, I was a lot less optimistic but also improved a lot. Life often gives you the most surprises when you least expect it, right?

The environment of language classes is relatively relaxed and happy.

Some teachers will talk to you about history and geography, and play interesting documentaries or local news and videos to help you integrate into the new environment faster. It's not like studying IELTS, which teaches various problem-solving techniques and sticks to the Cambridge IELTS book. You can create a certain language environment to practice listening and speaking by communicating with teachers or going out to buy things.

@小鸭

For me, language class is a place where I can survive. The goal I set for myself is to survive first and then thrive. Language classes have greatly improved my English proficiency and changed my way of thinking. I am more willing to listen to opposing viewpoints, more receptive to different people, and want to try all new things, becoming open-minded and tolerant. After finishing the course, I took my resume and went to nearly 50 Guilao cafes to find part-time jobs. This kind of persistence is something I have never experienced in China. Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone I like yet...

@Manda Cui Zhong Bowen

The number of people in the language class at the University of Manchester is very large. On the first day, everyone must concentrate on the university In the lecture hall, teachers are waiting to allocate language classes. There are more than 40 classes per day. There will be corresponding teachers to claim the students in the class. There are 15 people in a class, distributed in parallel. Each class is equipped with two teachers, one is the lecturer, and the other teaches twice a week. The teacher who is the lecturer will be mainly responsible for you, tell you all relevant information, and provide guidance throughout the entire process. Responsible for the writing part, and another teacher is responsible for the listening part.

There will also be reading and listening tests in class, and they will be included in the final score. However, the writing part is the priority. After all, the University of Manchester requires an IELTS score of 6.5 for postgraduate students. Most students who take five weeks of language classes are only half a point short of writing. Even if there are students in our class who are very good at speaking (7.5) and have a total score of 7.5 and a score of 6 in writing, they still cannot escape the five weeks of language class.

So friends, are you ready to learn how to write a paper from the beginning? Let me mention here that some of the teachers during the language class are hired from outside. They will no longer be at the University of Manchester after teaching, but they will still be serious and responsible for everyone.

The above content is from Zhihu, and the copyright belongs to the original author

Notes on reading language classes

Finally, for language classes, Sister Xiaoya has another Let’s share some popular science about some issues you must pay attention to~

01 When should I apply for language courses?

If you apply for a language course, you generally need to get the university’s official course notice first. If your language does not meet the school’s requirements, you can apply for the language course. The application start time varies from school to school. Applications will be accepted as early as January.

The deadline is generally about 3 months before the start of the course. If the number of applicants is full, the deadline will be earlier. Applying for a language course does not end after you submit the application. You still have to wait for the language offer, CAS, apply for accommodation, and apply for a visa. All these processes take time.

So those who want to take language courses should make relevant preparations in advance. After all, language courses are also taught in small classes and the number of students is limited. If you don’t get a spot and your IELTS score is not good enough, your study abroad plan is likely to be delayed.

02What is the time and cost of language classes?

The tuition fee of language courses is related to the length of time. Generally, language courses range from 4-8 weeks to 20-25 weeks. The fees for language courses of the same length in different universities are also different. You can apply here Go to the school's official website to check the fees. Generally speaking, those whose IELTS scores are not up to standard will be offered 6-8 week language classes. The tuition fee is usually about 2,000-3,000 pounds, and the living expenses are about 2,000 pounds~

It is recommended that you search for Pre-sessional English Course directly on the school website Or Summer School English Course or EAP, the relevant page will display information such as the time, requirements and fees of the language course you are studying.

03 Is the failure rate of language courses high? What should I do if I fail the class?

General schools do not have a failure rate for language courses, and the situation of students taking language courses varies every year. If you fail the exam, you will need to take a make-up exam. Find out in advance the last time the school will accept language scores, and try to pass it before the deadline. Moreover, many language courses also attach great importance to students' attendance. Only by ensuring that students attend every class as much as possible can they pass the course assessment.

04 IELTS scores are enough, is it necessary to take language courses?

In fact, if conditions permit, you can choose a shorter language course. After all, taking language classes can improve your language skills and writing skills, help you develop a real sense of English, and learn some things you need in the main course level of university. Learning methods thus lays the foundation for later main courses. It is also an important way to adapt to British teaching methods and cultural socialization. It is also helpful to make new friends and adapt to the life and environment of studying abroad.

Finally, I would like to remind all you roast ducks~ Although language classes are not a "bad thing", they are a big expense after all. Everyone should try their best to prepare for the IELTS test~

But if you really encounter situations where you cannot break up many times, students should not reject language classes. You must make a decision based on your own situation, and pay attention to the application deadline and date, don’t miss it~< /p>