NUI GALWAY GENERAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES

The University's English Language Centre offers a two and three-week general English
courses at Intermediate, Advanced and Proficiency levels. Students intending to enrol for
these courses should be over 18 years of age, and have reached at least Lower Intermediate
level. There will be a maximum of 12 students in each group. Final level placement will be
determined by performance in the pre-course test.
APPROACH.
Each course is based on different daily topics, designed to illustrate different styles of the
English language. All levels follow the same broad outline. Student tasks, course materials,
activities and timing will differ according to the group level. The emphasis in all courses is
on the communication skills; speaking, listening, reading and writing. Each course also
provides useful preparation for those students intending to sit the University of Cambridge
English examinations.
Although the class teacher has responsibility for course delivery, course content is flexible
and will permit some student input. For example, if there is sufficient interest the courses
might include more than one day on a particular topic, or topics outside those listed, such as
Legal English.
In a course of this nature and duration it is not possible to provide a comprehensive grammar
programme. The grammar component within each course is therefore based on the needs of
individual students, and where appropriate, those of the group. Teachers will be happy to
provide extra grammar work if required by students.
AIMS.
1. To provide a varied, stimulating, enjoyable and worthwhile English language course which
will improve performance in all four language skills; speaking, listening, reading and writing.
2. To provide students with suitable preparation for the University of Cambridge English
examinations at Intermediate, Advanced and Proficiency levels.
3. To provide an interesting and enjoyable social programme which will include a trip to the
Aran Islands, pub visits to hear traditional Irish music, a theatre visit and a cruise on the River
Corrib.
PROPOSED DAILY TOPICS.
Each topic will provide students with a range of relevant vocabulary, tasks, activities and
authentic course materials to promote the use of all four language skills.
SPEAKING: Pair, small group and class discussion; debating; interviews; role play; project
work; pronunciation exercises and responding to audio and visual stimuli.
LISTENING: Today's radio news; pair, small group and class discussion; listening
comprehension tasks; watching film, TV, video and theatre; debates and teacher led
discussion and exposition.

READING: Newspapers and magazines; articles and extracts; reading comprehension tasks;
maps; text books; poetry; prose and lexical sets.
WRITING: Letters; reports; descriptive, factual and discursive writing tasks; vocabulary; note
taking and note making; spelling and punctuation.
DAY 1.

Pre-course placement test (09.30 - 11.00).

Pre-course student needs questionnaire.
WELCOME TO IRELAND.

DAYS 2 - 15. Topics will be selected from the following list:

IRISH HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND CONTEMPORARY POLITICS.

NORTHERN IRELAND FROM PARTITION TO THE PRESENT DAY.

CURRENT AFFAIRS - IRELAND.

CURRENT AFFAIRS - THE WORLD.

THE PRINT MEDIA - NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES.

THE AUDIO-VISUAL MEDIA - RADIO, TV AND FILM.

ADVERTISING.

SCIENCE.

BUSINESS ENGLISH.

FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH - letters of application, interviews AND CVs.

SPORT.

MODERN SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

LITERATURE.

THE DRAMATIC ARTS.

POETRY.

MUSIC.

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES.

THE VISUAL ARTS.

ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES.

STUDENT REQUESTS.

BUSINESS ENGLISH COURSE

The University also offers a two week Business English Course. This two-week course held
in June and August is intended for people with a business background or students of business
and commerce. Morning sessions concentrate on language functions and vocabulary relevant
to business life/business communications.