English Language Online Courses

English Language Online Courses

UWS offers English Language Online Courses (ELOC) as well as on-campus courses for students who have been unable to take the IELTS (or equivalent) during the application period.

ELOCs are intensive English language courses for students who need to improve their English language and study skills prior to enrolling on their chosen degree programme at UWS. The courses are designed to help you achieve the University's English language entry requirement for degree level study (IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5).

About the courses

The ELOCs are designed to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the English language to help prepare you for full-time studies at UWS. The courses have a number of key features including:

• teaching in small groups of up to 20
• 60% live interaction with classmates and teacher
• 1:1 live interaction with a teacher
• guided learning tasks for you to complete in your own time
• regular opportunities for personalised feedback on your work from your teacher and classmates
• intended learning outcomes and assessments are the same

5 or 10 Weeks' Duration

There are two versions of ELOC running this summer; 5 week and 10 week duration. Entry to these depends upon your level of English language competence when applying.

ELOC - 5 Week duration

• Entry requirements: IELTS 5.5 with only one component at 5.0 / or by receiving an offer after taking the UWS English Language Test
• Start Date: 17/02 
• End Date: 21/03
• Deadline for application: 07/02

ELOC - 10 Week duration

• Entry requirements: IELTS 5.0 with no component below 4.5 / or by receiving an offer after taking the UWS English Language Test
• Start Date: 13/01 
• End Date: 21/03
• Deadline for application: 23/12/23

Course outline

We provide a full-time programme of tuition and language practice to help you prepare for your studies at UWS. The course covers:

• Academic English skills: academic writing, academic reading, academic listening and academic speaking
• Authentic and interactive everyday English: interesting topics including current affairs and your specific main course of study
• Presentation and Seminar Skills: you will be assisted with the preparation of short presentations on topics you are interested in. Presentations are followed by group discussion
• Extended Writing: you will research a topic of your choice and will be guided with the writing of a report on your findings
• 1-1 tutorials and live workshops: regular meetings with your class tutor and class mates providing you with the opportunity to discuss your work and progress

Our online teaching software platforms and technologies (Microsoft Teams, Zoom and interactive ebooks) will enable you to join a virtual classroom for the live sessions. You will be able to send messages and files, interact via audio and video link, and work in groups on shared notebooks. We have taken different time zones into account when planning the schedule for the live sessions.

Provisional Timetable

Each version of the course involves a combination of number of hours direct teaching and self-study per week covering a total of 25 hours effort hours. These are estimated as follows:

• Direct teaching: 3 x 5 = 15 hours per week
• Self-study: 2 x 5 = 10 hours per week

Whilst some minor alterations are possible, the following table outline the expected daily breakdown and activity timetable for each course:

Assessment

During the courses, you will develop a portfolio of work, including assignments and project work, to evidence your progression. You will also be assessed through regular English language tests in all language skills. To pass the course, and to proceed to your main degree programme, you must achieve a level comparable to IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any skill.