Language Education
We have experience in carrying out major educational projects as well as small-size and special-focus concepts. We are happy to help you with training as well as the related administration. We believe that more than 100 clients, whom we provide with training and 40 000 in-company hours we teach every year, give us due credit.
- What do your employees need to know?
- What does your company expect from language training?
- Is language training regarded as a benefit or an important professional tool?
- What levels do you want to be taught?
- How long should the project last?
We try to find answers to all the questions along with you and then use the answers to design an educational programme that meets your requirements.
Your company is allocated a contact person who coordinates the organization, from dealing with the terms and conditions of the contract through running the entrance tests, agreeing the schedule and start dates of teaching, to progress test management.
Training is a project. After identifying the suitable candidates, we measure the entrance levels of your employees. We do it by running (1.) the entrance language audit and place the students in levels as described by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Having regard to the entrance test results we recommend a suitable focus and select the educational material. We form (2.) efficient groups, which can start learning as soon as the teacher is allocated.
The essential preconditions of efficient language training are:
- the correct language level placement
- appropriately selected educational material
- a carefully chosen teacher
- well-conducted lessons
- students´ regular attendance at the lessons
- interim tests
- progress tests
Each project must have an output, therefore we regularly measure the training progress by doing (3.) progress tests. After the results are evaluated, we return to the beginning of the cycle , when another educational goal is set.
add 1. The entrance language audit
- Defines the entrance language level of students in order to measure progress during the training divides the students in groups.
- Helps choose appropriate educational material.
- The entrance test consists of two parts: the written part and the oral part.
The written test – is done on our website.
It consists of 150 multiple choice questions. The questions are divided in three parts so as to guarantee the most accurate assessment of students´ knowledge and eliminate random guesses of the correct answers.
Focus: vocabulary, English syntax and morphology, common phrases and language functions.
The oral part – is done at the first lesson
The test examines the general range of expressing oneself in English, the range of vocabulary, grammar as well as pronunciation
The goal is to verify the written resultsof the written part and to define the overall language level of a particular student as a summary of the written and oral test results.
add 2. Forming efficient groups
- For the A1 and A2 levels general English is recommended, the class frequency 2x90 min.
- For the B1, B2, and C1 levels English for Work is recommended, frequency 2x90 min.
- For the C1 and C2 levels special-focus courses or all-day seminars are recommended.
Deciding between a qualified Slovak teacher and a foreign teacher (native speaker)
For the A1, A2, and B1 levels we recommend a qualified Slovak teacher, who minimizes the use of the Slovak language in the classes; however, if necessary, he/she can use it. The idea is to set up the conditions in order to make progress to higher levels possible.
For the B2, C1, and C2 levels, we recommend a qualified native speaker, or an experienced Slovak teacher. They can teach you how to overcome communication inhibitions as in the classes you are made to deal with all the situations and respond in the target language only.
add 3. Progress testing – measuring the training progress
The form: achievement / progress test (focused on the areas covered during the course)
The test consists of:
The goal: to check the knowledge and the skills acquired during the previous part of the course (term), to recap the particular part of the course, giving the students feedback
Testing frequency: after 80 classes (1 class = 45 min), always in June at the end of the first term
The test result: The test is designed so that 65 % represents a passing rate at the basic level.
The standardized part guarantees valid assessment and focuses on grammar as well as vocabulary, English language functions, practical usage, and the essential linguistic skills (writing, reading and listening) within the range of tasks reflecting the student´s needs. The question types provide objective assessment. The written test represents 75 % of the total mark of the final test.
The additional oral test verifies the linguistic skills of the students acquired in the areas of speaking covered (e.g. presentations, negotiations) and partial skills i.e. micro skills, such as expressing opinions, polite requests etc.
The task types provide subjective assessment. The practical part of the test represents 25 % of the total mark of the final test.
After each term the progress of individual students as well as groups must be assessed. At this time new students can be added to the groups or groups can be merged – if the number of the students is reduced due to poor attendance or students having failed tests.
The ideal number of students per group is 4 – 8 students.
The test consists of:
- The standard parts of the test designed for a particular level (the written test)
- The additional oral part of the test
The goal: to check the knowledge and the skills acquired during the previous part of the course (term), to recap the particular part of the course, giving the students feedback
Testing frequency: after 80 classes (1 class = 45 min), always in June at the end of the first term
The test result: The test is designed so that 65 % represents a passing rate at the basic level.
The standardized part guarantees valid assessment and focuses on grammar as well as vocabulary, English language functions, practical usage, and the essential linguistic skills (writing, reading and listening) within the range of tasks reflecting the student´s needs. The question types provide objective assessment. The written test represents 75 % of the total mark of the final test.
The additional oral test verifies the linguistic skills of the students acquired in the areas of speaking covered (e.g. presentations, negotiations) and partial skills i.e. micro skills, such as expressing opinions, polite requests etc.
The task types provide subjective assessment. The practical part of the test represents 25 % of the total mark of the final test.
After each term the progress of individual students as well as groups must be assessed. At this time new students can be added to the groups or groups can be merged – if the number of the students is reduced due to poor attendance or students having failed tests.
The ideal number of students per group is 4 – 8 students.