Language courses that prepare you to enter University in any English speaking country focus mainly on the key skills and techniques that students need to succeed in a highly academic environment. Some of the most important aspects of academic work involve extensive research, critical analysis, making group presentations, writing essays and probably a thesis, and producing bibliographies.

Language learning also needs to particularly focus on academic vocabulary and grammar, understanding academic texts and making the most of reading, paraphrasing and hedging, style, argumenting, and reporting techniques. Don't forget academics are as interested in ideas and content as they are in your use of the language. On our courses you will also be guided on research and sources of information available to students. And don't forget, engaging with topics effectively may be what gives you that first class quality needed at this level.

It will also be important to learn the rules of plagiarism, prepare for lectures, seminars and tutorials, managing project work, and being aware of the social and cultural richness that exists when immersed in an international student body.

The demands and challenges that students encounter at University are unique and this is particularly so when studying in a language rather than one’s own. These courses are especially designed to teach you and support you on this foundation work.

 

• IELTS
• Academic Skills & Studies (Intro & Advanced)
• Academic English for Undergraduates
• Postgraduate English
• Exam Techniques
• Research & Essay writing-Format & Style
• Essay Review
• Effective Online Research
• Intro to Research Methods

Teachers with elephant Minds have proudly offered IELTS tuition to people from around the world for over 20 years, we teach out of our base in London, online, and have a proven track record of getting people the results that they need.

As the preferred language examination around the world the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses the English language proficiency of people who seek to study or work where English is the main language of communication. IELTS is an interactive and academic focused examination and is recognised by over 9.000 educational and governmental institutions worldwide as well as Corporate Business. IELTS is run by Cambridge English Language Assessment of the University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia.

The exam content is undoubtedly international in its focus. It sources material from various English speaking countries and accepts all standard varieties of English. Preparation for IELTS is straightforward and requires simple techniques. It involves working with material from daily life and practising within real life situations.

All students pass the exam as results are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). Students prepare for the level they wish to achieve depending on their individual professional or personal expectations. Our courses ensure that students are fully prepared on all skills necessary to achieve the desired score. Students are required to have a minimum A2 level of English to register with us for IELTS programmes.

How IELTS is scored-

IELTS uses a band system ranging from between 1-9 (nine being the highest and one being the lowest), scores are rounded up to the closest half band, meaning that a score of 7.25 will become a 7.5, while a score of 7.24 will become 7. The scoring system tends to value things such as grammar, fluency and the logical cohesion of your ideas, meaning that it is fairly difficult to ‘blag’.

IELTS on the Common European Framework-

IELTS does not correlate exactly with the Common European Framework, but the following will give you a rough idea of the score you should expect to get depending on level

1.     – A1 or beginner

2.     A1 or beginner

3.     A1 or beginner

4.     A2 or Pre-intermediate

5.     B1 or Intermediate

6.     B1/B2 or borderline Upper Intermediate

7.     B2/C1 or High Upper Intermediate/Low Advanced

8.     C1 or High Advanced

9.     C2 or Proficient

Countries where IELTS is accepted –

IELTS is a popular worldwide exam that is accepted by the majority of institutions, companies and universities throughout the world. It is especially big in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East and any student planning to work or study there simply must take it. It is also widely accepted in English speaking countries, although those living in America, may choose to take one of the exams set by American exam boards (most places still accept IELTS though).

Our Legal English Programmes are available for students of intermediate and advanced levels of English. For those preparing to enter University to pursue a Law degree, existing lawyers, or anyone involved in the legal field, these courses will help participants improve their legal English language and relevant skills.

 

• Legal English for University
• Legal English for Work
• Meetings & Negotiations
• Business & Law
• Communication Skills for Professionals

 

Students will improve their reading, speaking, listening and writing skills with the English language required in the legal business and legal professions. They will work with vocabulary and texts commonly used by legal professionals and practise with legal training material developed by specialists. Our programmes will train students to participate in real meetings, interviews and negotiations with a special focus on international business and agreements. Subjects include Commercial Law, Employment Law, Clients Correspondence, International Law, e-Business, Drafting Contracts, and English Law Vs Codes among others.

These days competition for jobs gets tougher and entry into University becomes more difficult. Candidates are required to show strong skills and language which are essential both in the academic and the professional arena. Students working with elephant Minds may opt to be prepared to take prestigious examinations which will provide them with international qualifications recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world. Law firms, government bodies, international organisations, universities, and many other professional associations will consequently be able to determine the proficiency of their aspiring employees and members. The exam preparation is fully practical. These are some of the options available:

 

• ILEC, International English Language Certificate
• TOLES, Test of Legal English Skills
• TOEIC, Test of English for International Communication

These courses are useful for any student of Business, Finance and Accounting, and anyone wishing to improve their professional language skills while working in any related field. There are 2 levels of English on these programmes.

Students may take the option of an internationally recognised examination, ICFE-International Certificate in Financial English-, run by the University of Cambridge. Those with an advanced level-equivalent to the Cambridge First Certificate or B2 of the European Framework may prepare for the ICFE. Note: students with a higher level-CAE or C1-may use the qualification as proof of language for entry into University for Finance related studies.

Students will practise their reading, speaking, listening and writing skills with the English language required in the Business, Accounting and Finance professions especially. They will work with vocabulary and texts commonly used by expert professionals and work with training material developed by specialists. Our programmes will train students to participate in real meetings, interviews and negotiations and be involved in an international finance environment. Subjects include Financial Reporting, Banking, Bankruptcy, Mergers and Acquisitions, Company Formation and Insurance among others.

•         ICFE, International Certificate in Financial English (last Dec 2016)

elephant Minds organises language courses for those with interests in setting up links with companies in Spanish speaking countries to start or expand their business.

Our Spanish for Business lessons extend specific business vocabulary and improve the command of the language at work. Students are encouraged to practise their practical communication skills within a business context.

 

Courses include:

 

• La Empresa (Enterprises)
• Compra y Venta (Selling & Buying)
• Cámaras de Comercio (Chambers of Commerce)
• La Banca (Banking)
• Impuestos (Taxes)
• Negociaciones (Negotiation) 

 

Spanish for Business courses are also run in London, UK, as immersion programmes (1 to 3 weeks). Participants may choose to join an existing group or travel individually. Courses take place as part of our Homestay Teaching Programmes and include Business related visits and activities in the country's major cities.

For more than 20 years our team has successfully supported students in their preparation for Cambridge ESOL Examinations and many other international exams. Some of the courses we run prepare students for Cambridge English, TOEIC, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC, and IELTS.

 

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)-Multi-level
• First Certificate of English (FCE)-B2
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)-C1
• Cambridge Proficiency English (CPE)-C2
• Preliminary English Test (PET)-B1
• Key English Test (KET)-A2
• Cambridge English (ESOL)
• Business English Certificate (BEC)-B1-B2-C1
• Business Language Testing Service (BULATS)-Multi-level
• Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)-Multi-level
• Integrated Skills in English (ISE)- Trinity B1 and Trinity B2