English Language Courses
We offer full-time General English courses designed to improve students’ overall level of English, whilst learning about British culture. Students can choose to take one of 2 routes:
- IELTS route – to prepare for further study in the UK.
- Business English route – for those who would prefer to focus on developing their English language with a business focus to enhance their career prospects.
General English – IELTS
Students will study the General English programme (21 hours per week), with IELTS incorporated as follows depending on level:
- Pre-intermediate level - 6 hours IELTS
- Intermediate level – 11 hours IELTS
- Upper-intermediate level – 9½ hours IELTS plus 3 hours’ English for Academic Purposes
For those who would like to include more IELTS preparation in their timetable, an extra course of IELTS Exam Preparation is also available to study alongside General English (additional fee payable).
Entry requirements for General English – IELTS
Students intending to come with a Tier 4 General Student Visa must have a minimum of IELTS 4.0 with no less than 4.0 in all elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Students are accepted at a lower level if coming on a Student Visitor Visa, but must already have some ability in English language.
Student Profile: Chun Li (Maggie) from Hubei Province, China
Chun Li (Maggie) is studying English as a Foreign Language at the College, with the aim of progressing to the Pre-Masters in Management Studies
"I am currently studying English language at Castle College and I hope to progress to the Pre-Masters programme in September. I think this will help with my future career - I’d like to become a senior manager in a top company, or maybe set up my own business with friends or family. The library at the College is good, because it has lots of resources to help prepare for exams. I like the fact that the teachers make the classes interesting by talking about culture and giving us tasks like keeping a journal to improve our writing skills.” "
General English – Business English
Students will study the General English programme (21 hours per week), with Business English incorporated into the timetable for 6 hours per week. A small amount of IELTS is also included.
The Business English courses use the techniques of management training in addition to English language training. This will include simulation, case studies, team-building, problem-solving, coaching and mentoring. It will also include use of authentic material, such as articles from the internet or newspapers and magazines.
A needs analysis will be carried out with each student who joins the course to allow content to be tailored to meet individual needs.
The course will prepare students for the BEC Vantage exam, which is recognised and used by international companies such as Sony Ericsson, Shell, Vodafone, Bayer, Coca Cola and HSBC. Courses are from 6 to 42 weeks – study for a full-year, 1 or 2 terms, or choose your own start and finish dates through one of our flexible programmes.
Entry requirements for General English – Business English
Students must already have a minimum of IELTS 5.0 or equivalent to take the Business English course.
Additional information
All English language classes are taught from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.00 and 4.30.
Classes are available mainly at our Beeston Centre (High Road, Chilwell, Beeston), but can also be offered at the City Centre (Maid Marian Way, Nottingham). Please specify which Centre you would prefer to study at on the English Language Course Application Form.
The College holds 2 external IELTS examinations per year in February and May and students will be entered as appropriate. Students can make their own arrangements for testing at other times at any of the recognised IELTS Testing Centres.
