Languages - Advanced

Conversation & Culture

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): C1

Course aims

To develop the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of registers, contexts and styles, recognising points of view on complex subjects.

Course length

10 weeks - 20 hours per term

Who is this course for?

For those who have:

• Completed Post-Intermediate level
• Previously studied the language for 500 hours minimum
• Completed an B2 qualification in the language (European framework).

If you are interested in a language qualification that will improve your job prospects both in England and abroad, talk to your tutor or visit our website.

Course content

A wide range of topic areas will be covered at this advanced level, including items of current interest, which will extend learners' vocabulary and promote discussion.

For example, discussing and debating current affairs, the target language culture, history, arts, sport and leisure, traditions, food, literature, cinema etc. The tutor will negotiate this list with the group at the start of the course.

How will I be assessed?

This course has no formal qualification; however, your work in class will be assessed by your tutor in order to enhance your learning. You will be expected to take these assessments.

A certificate of achievement may be requested on completion of the course.

Will I gain any qualifications?

This course has no formal qualification; however, your work in class will be assessed by your tutor in order to enhance your learning. You will be expected to take these assessments.

A certificate of achievement may be requested on completion of the course.

What could this course lead to?

Continuation course at Advanced level*
*Please note that we cannot guarantee that this level will be offered as all courses are planned subject to sufficient demand.

How will I learn?

Using the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The emphasis at this level will be on acquiring and practising speaking and listening skills in order to get by in the country. There will be tutor input, group pair and individual work, and use of a range of audiovisual and IT resources. We aim to match the teaching to a wide range of individual learning styles and to make your learning enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. You will be given homework to complete after each session.

Some literacy, numeracy and IT skills can help you learn a language. We can give you guidance and support to acquire these.

Your commitments as a learner

• Attend every session of your course. If you need to miss a class, please let your tutor know in advance; Learners should consider their personal commitments and circumstances that may prevent attendance before enrolling on a course as missed classes will affect their learning. Missed classes cannot be taken at another time;
• Have sufficient time for self-study and completion of homework; In order to maximise your learning, we strongly recommend that you spend at least 15 minutes every day (2 hours per week) on self-study, homework, language practice, etc.
• Complete the course
• Complete all the assessments.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to bring a pen, paper, ring-binder and you may be required to purchase a course book.

Other information

If you need to purchase a course book you can do this from European Schoolbooks Ltd and get a 10% discount.

Go to www.eurobooks.co.uk - click on STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

From the "Please Select Your Establishment" dropdown menu - Click on Brasshouse Languages (Students).

A new dropdown menu will pop up titled "Please Select Your Class". Please click on the language you are taking.

A list of books will be displayed per language - Select the book advised by your tutor - Click on Buy Now
Please Note: You do not need to open an account, just click on Checkout as a guest.

Useful websites

The Birmingham Adult Education Service website www.learnbaes.ac.uk

Brasshouse Languages website: www.brasshouse.ac.uk

Languages – Post Intermediate

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): B2

Course aims

To develop the ability to communicate effectively on a range of subjects, using increasingly accurate, complex and varied language.

Course length

10 weeks (20 hours) per term

Who is this course for?

For learners who have:

• completed Intermediate level (3 Modules).
• previously studied the language for up to 400 hrs
• completed a B1 qualification in the language (European framework) or AS/A2.

Course content

A wide range of topic areas will be covered at this level, including items of current interest, which will extend learners' vocabulary and use of some high frequency idiom. For example, discussing and debating current affairs, the target language culture, history, arts, sport and leisure, traditions, food, literature, cinema, etc.

The tutor will negotiate this list with the group at the start of the course.

How will I be assessed?

This course has no formal qualification; however, your work in class will be assessed by your tutor in order to enhance your learning. You will be expected to take these assessments.

A certificate of achievement may be requested on completion of the course.

Will I gain any qualifications?

This course has no formal qualification; however, your work in class will be assessed by your tutor in order to enhance your learning. You will be expected to take these assessments.

A certificate of achievement may be requested on completion of the course.

What could this course lead to?

Next level: Advanced Conversation & Culture*
*Please note that we cannot guarantee that this level will be offered as all courses are planned subject to sufficient demand.

How will I learn?

Using the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The emphasis at this level will be on acquiring and practising speaking and listening skills in order to get by in the country. There will be tutor input, group pair and individual work, and use of a range of audiovisual and IT resources. We aim to match the teaching to a wide range of individual learning styles and to make your learning enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. You will be given homework to complete after each session.

Some literacy, numeracy and IT skills can help you learn a language. We can give you guidance and support to acquire these.

Your commitments as a learner

• Attend every session of your course. If you need to miss a class, please let your tutor know in advance; Learners should consider their personal commitments and circumstances that may prevent attendance before enrolling on a course as missed classes will affect their learning. Missed classes cannot be taken at another time;
• Have sufficient time for self-study and completion of homework; In order to maximise your learning, we strongly recommend that you spend at least 15 minutes every day (2 hours per week) on self-study, homework, language practice, etc.
• Complete the course
• Complete all the assessments.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to bring a pen, paper, ring-binder and you may be required to purchase a course book.

Other information

If you need to purchase a course book you can do this from European Schoolbooks Ltd and get a 10% discount.

Go to www.eurobooks.co.uk - click on STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

From the "Please Select Your Establishment" dropdown menu - Click on Brasshouse Languages (Students).

A new dropdown menu will pop up titled "Please Select Your Class". Please click on the language you are taking.

A list of books will be displayed per language - Select the book advised by your tutor - Click on Buy Now
Please Note: You do not need to open an account, just click on Checkout as a guest.

Useful websites

The Birmingham Adult Education Service website www.learnbaes.ac.uk

Brasshouse Languages website: www.brasshouse.ac.uk

Languages – Lower Intermediate 1

Modules 1, 2 & 3

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): A2

Course aims

To develop the ability to deal with routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. To be able to handle social exchanges in standard written and spoken language.

Course length

Module 1: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Module 2: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Module 3: 10 weeks (20 hours).

Who is this course for?

For learners who:

• have completed an Improvers Plus course (3 modules)
• previously studied the language for up to 140 hours.
• completed GCSE recently (grade A-C).

Course content

Extension of topics covered at Improvers Plus level

• Meeting people
• Professional life
• House & Home
• Free time and entertainment
• Past and future events
• Giving an opinion
• Expressing emotions
• Agreeing/disagreeing
• Comparatives

• Connectors (e.g. therefore), prepositions
• Adjectives / adverbs to create descriptions
• Modal verbs (e.g. can, may, must, would like)
• Basic knowledge of simple structures to express past, present and future tenses/timeframes where appropriate
• Cultural aspect.

Please note that the above topics and language functions may vary according to the needs of the learners.

How will I be assessed?

This course has no formal qualification; however, your work in class will be assessed by your tutor in order to enhance your learning. You will be expected to take these assessments.

Throughout your course, you will be required to complete your Individual Learning Plan (or Personal Action Plan) which includes your learning objectives, long and short term goals.

You will have opportunities to review your own progress and reflect on how you can further improve your language skills. You will set up your own personal targets (task, project, etc.) which will be reviewed with your tutor via tutorials on a one-to-one basis.

A certificate of achievement may be requested on completion of the course.

What could this course lead to?

A course at Lower Intermediate 2*
*Please note that we cannot guarantee that this level will be offered as all courses are planned subject to sufficient demand.

How will I learn?

Using the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The emphasis at this level will be on acquiring and practising speaking and listening skills in order to get by in the country. There will be tutor input, group pair and individual work, and use of a range of audiovisual and IT resources. We aim to match the teaching to a wide range of individual learning styles and to make your learning enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. You will be given homework to complete after each session.

Some literacy, numeracy and IT skills can help you learn a language. We can give you guidance and support to acquire these.

Your commitments as a learner

• Attend every session of your course. If you need to miss a class, please let your tutor know in advance; Learners should consider their personal commitments and circumstances that may prevent attendance before enrolling on a course as missed classes will affect their learning. Missed classes cannot be taken at another time;
• Have sufficient time for self-study and completion of homework; In order to maximise your learning, we strongly recommend that you spend at least 15 minutes every day (2 hours per week) on self-study, homework, language practice, etc.
• Complete the course
• Complete all the assessments.

Our courses are funded by the government on that understanding.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to bring a pen, paper, ring-binder and you may be required to purchase a course book.

Other information

If you need to purchase a course book you can do this from European Schoolbooks Ltd and get a 10% discount.

Go to www.eurobooks.co.uk - click on STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

From the "Please Select Your Establishment" dropdown menu - Click on Brasshouse Languages (Students).

A new dropdown menu will pop up titled "Please Select Your Class". Please click on the language you are taking.

A list of books will be displayed per language - Select the book advised by your tutor - Click on Buy Now
Please Note: You do not need to open an account, just click on Checkout as a guest.

Useful websites

The Birmingham Adult Education Service website www.learnbaes.ac.uk

Brasshouse Languages website: www.brasshouse.ac.uk

Languages – Intermediate

Modules 1, 2 & 3

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): B1

Course aims

To develop the ability to confidently deal with topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).

Course length

Module 1: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Module 2: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Module 3: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Who is this course for?

For learners who have:

• Completed Lower Intermediate 2 (3 modules)
• Some good knowledge of the language
• Studied the language up to AS or equivalent (B1)
• Previously studied the language for up to 250 hours.

Course content

A broader range of topic areas will be covered at Intermediate level, allowing learners to extend their vocabulary and express opinions. Topics and language functions will be set according to the needs of the language and the learners (at B1 level).

Will I gain any qualifications?

This course has no formal qualification; however, your work in class will be assessed by your tutor in order to enhance your learning. You will be expected to take these assessments.

A certificate of achievement may be requested on completion of the course.

What could this course lead to?

Next level: Post Intermediate*
*Please note that we cannot guarantee that this level will be offered as all courses are planned subject to sufficient demand.

How will I learn?

Using the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The emphasis at this level will be on acquiring and practising speaking and listening skills in order to get by in the country. There will be tutor input, group pair and individual work, and use of a range of audiovisual and IT resources. We aim to match the teaching to a wide range of individual learning styles and to make your learning enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. You will be given homework to complete after each session.

Some literacy, numeracy and IT skills can help you learn a language. We can give you guidance and support to acquire these.

Your commitments as a learner

• Attend every session of your course. If you need to miss a class, please let your tutor know in advance; Learners should consider their personal commitments and circumstances that may prevent attendance before enrolling on a course as missed classes will affect their learning. Missed classes cannot be taken at another time;
• Have sufficient time for self-study and completion of homework; In order to maximise your learning, we strongly recommend that you spend at least 15 minutes every day (2 hours per week) on self-study, homework, language practice, etc.
• Complete the course
• Complete all the assessments.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to bring a pen, paper, ring-binder and you may be required to purchase a course book.

Other information

If you need to purchase a course book you can do this from European Schoolbooks Ltd and get a 10% discount.

Go to www.eurobooks.co.uk - click on STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

From the "Please Select Your Establishment" dropdown menu - Click on Brasshouse Languages (Students).

A new dropdown menu will pop up titled "Please Select Your Class". Please click on the language you are taking.

A list of books will be displayed per language - Select the book advised by your tutor - Click on Buy Now
Please Note: You do not need to open an account, just click on Checkout as a guest.

Useful websites

The Birmingham Adult Education Service website www.learnbaes.ac.uk

Brasshouse Languages website: www.brasshouse.ac.uk