Languages - Lower Intermediate 1

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 - Lower Intermediate 2

Languages – Lower Intermediate 2

Modules 1, 2 & 3

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

Course aims

To develop the ability to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. To develop the ability to enter unprepared into conversation on 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 the Lower Intermediate 1 course (3 modules)
• Previously studied the language for up to 200 hrs
• Completed GCSE recently (grade A*)
• Completed CEFR - A2 recently.

Course content

The course builds on and extends the topics and functions covered at Lower Intermediate 1, GCSE or in CEFR A2.

The Language functions may include: repairing communication (e.g. asking for repetition, checking meaning); giving information; asking / answering questions; asking for and giving opinions; following / giving instructions; agreeing / disagreeing; talking about the present, past and future, etc.

At this level, most topics are set according to the needs of the language and the learners and include current affairs, news and culture. Your tutor will give you further details 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.

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 Intermediate 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.

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 - Beginners Plus

Languages – Beginners Plus

Parts 1 & 2

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): A1

Course aims

To enable you to understand and express simple ideas in the target language and exchange and find out basic information in familiar situations.

Course length

Part 1: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Part 2: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Who is this course for?

Part 1:

• For those who have completed a Beginners course (part 2)
• For those who previously studied the language for up to 20 hours
• For those with very basic knowledge of the language.

Part 2:

• For those who have completed a Beginners Plus course (part 1)
• For those who previously studied the language for up to 40 hours
• For those with very basic knowledge of the language. 

Course content

The course explores in more detail topics and functions covered at Beginners level:

• Personal information
• Eating and drinking
• Shopping and services
• Leisure
• Using the new alphabet (for non-Roman script languages)
• Formal and informal language if appropriate
• Negative structure
• Words used to link ideas g. and, but, also
• How to ask questions
• The basic rules of pronunciation
• Cultural aspect
• Simple structures to express like / dislike
• Present tense / timeframe with frequently used verbs / structures
• Basic numerical data.

This is not an exhaustive list. Other topics and language functions may be added or replaced according to the needs of the language and 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 Improvers 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.

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 - Improvers

Languages – Improvers

Modules 1, 2 & 3

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): A1

Course length:

Module 1: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Module 2: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Module 3: 10 weeks (20 hours)

Course aims

Learners will be able to use a limited range of simple words and sentences to form statements and questions in familiar situations. They will be able to give a short talk on a familiar topic and take part in short dialogues in familiar situations.

Who is this course for?

Module 1:

• For those who completed Beginners Plus
• For those who previously studied the language for up to 60 hours (pre-GCSE level).

Module 2:

• For those who completed Improvers Module 1
• For those who previously studied the language for up to 80 hours.

Module 3:

• For those who completed Improvers Module 2
• For those who previously studied the language for up to 100 hours.

Course content

A wide range of topic areas will be covered, including:

• Personal information, home and surroundings
• Studying/working and health
• Free time and entertainment, holidays and travelling
• Using the new alphabet (for non-Roman script languages)
• Cultural aspect
• Distinction between formal and informal language if appropriate
• Positive / negative structures
• Basic connectors (e.g. therefore), prepositions
• Adjectives / adverbs to create simple descriptions
• Modal verbs (e.g. can, must, would like), requests for information
• Permission to act (e.g. may I, can I)
• Basic knowledge of simple structures to express past, present and future tenses/timeframes where appropriate
• Simple numerical data

This is not an exhaustive list. Other topics and language functions may be added/replaced according to the needs of the language and the learners.