courses - Alpha School of English

The Adult General English course covers general English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and language structure as well as important everyday English expressions and phrases. Our international student culture in classes also ensures that students will continue to practise their English outside the school throughout their stay in Malta. The course timetable is organised so that the students receive a balance of different types of lessons which include general conversation activities such as debates, discussions and role-play, as well as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises.

The Adult General English course covers general English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and language structure as well as important everyday English expressions and phrases. Our international student culture in classes also ensures that students will continue to practise their English outside the school throughout their stay in Malta. The course timetable is organised so that the students receive a balance of different types of lessons which include general conversation activities such as debates, discussions and role-play, as well as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises.

This Adult General English Combo course aims to develop all students’ general English skills and give students plenty of opportunity to practise reading, writing, listening and speaking in English in class. The Adult General English Combo course covers general English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and language structure as well as important everyday English expressions and phrases. Our international student culture in classes also ensures that students will continue to practise their English outside the school throughout their stay in Malta.The course timetable is organised so that the students receive a balance of different types of lessons which include general conversation activities such as debates, discussions and role-play, as well as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises.

This Adult General English Combo course aims to develop all students’ general English skills and give students plenty of opportunities to practise reading, writing, listening and speaking in English in class. The Adult General English Combo course covers general English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and language structure as well as important everyday English expressions and phrases. Our international student culture in classes also ensures that students will continue to practise their English outside the school throughout their stay in Malta. The course timetable is organised so that the students receive a balance of different types of lessons which include general conversation activities such as debates, discussions and role-play, as well as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises.

This study course is an ideal option for young adult students seeking to enter the working world. The English and Work Experience Course combines English lessons with a work placement allowing students to study and practise their English skills in a real working environment (20 hours). This course is not only an excellent initiation into the business world but will also provide students with invaluable work experience that will enhance their CV and future career prospects. Students combine English lessons with Work Experience sessions for a minimum period of 6 weeks. Work Experience programmes are tailored to students’ individual requirements in their field of specialisation according to their level of English. The Course is flexible - students may opt to take a General English, One-to-One or Business English Course or a combination of our most suitable courses as advised by our Director of Studies. We aim to place students in a suitable work placement before their arrival in Malta. Positions will be found in the required field according to the student’s qualifications, work experience, level of English, age and length of stay. Following a student’s enrolment in our course, he/she will be interviewed by the school or a company representative. After being placed in a suitable position, students will receive a list of their prospective duties in their place of work before their arrival in Malta. All work experience is unpaid. Students who wish to undertake an internship with no English course may avail of our Internship Placement Service. Following applications, we will place students with the most suitable company that matches your requirements.

Exam Preparation PET (GE20/EXOTO5)The exam preparation courses are designed to help you achieve the result needed in your chosen language exam. These official language exams are used as a proof of language proficiency for immigration purposes, university admissions, or for employment. In this course, you will learn and develop test-taking strategies and skills.PET - Preliminary English Test (Intermediate Level, CEFR B1)An excellent choice for a first official English qualification, the PET Exam was designed by Cambridge to prove that students can communicate effectively at an Intermediate Level of English. As such, this qualification is useful for students pursuing careers in sectors such as tourism, retail and hospitality or for administrative, clerical and secretarial work. Our Courses are designed to improve the skills on which you will be tested in the exam. Students will receive tuition in the four skills tested during the PET examination; Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. You will learn how to read a text for important information, learn how to write a short text with a good level of English and listen to conversations and announcements for information. You will also be given additional practice for the speaking section of the exam in individual and class contexts to improve your confidence and ability in this section of the PET exam.

Teacher Training - A guide to conducting classroom observations (APP-CCO5)A one week workshop which focuses on how to design and implement observational systems to assess and provide supportive, constructive feedback to teachers. Topics covered include observational methodology, peer observation, establishing goals & guidelines, reflective practice, action plans.Aimed at School Principals, Subject Department heads, teacher support / development staff, primary, secondary & tertiary-level teachers (all subjects).Day 1Why observe teachers in the classroom? What to assess when observing teachers? How is this process currently executed in your establishment?Day 2Who carries out lesson observations? When should observations be done? What should a lesson observation form look like?Day 3How should feedback be given? What language should be used? How is it best to give praise and reprimands?Day 4:How can staff set personal goals? What are the practical ways of improving teaching techniques? Why should goals be SMART?Day 5:What can be done to offer further CPD support to staff? How has this week helped me? What next?

Teacher Training - Creative use of Technology in the classroom (APP - CT10)This course is a hands-on approach to using modern technologies in the classroom such as Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs), audio & video resources, wikis, blogs, podcasts and social media.This course is one of our successful teaching training packages offering practitioners an interesting programme of activities centred on the creative use of technology. Participants will gain theoretical and practical knowledge from our experienced staff for the duration of the course and it is hoped that you will be able to bring your own wealth of ideas to share in our friendly and informal discussions.It is strongly recommended that you bring a laptop and a handheld device, such as a small tablet or mobile phone, to the course so that you can participate fully in the practical elements of the programme.The 10 day course covers the following topics and give one day of theory and and one day of practice for each topic. Practice uses these ideas to plan, resource and deliver a creative teaching experience using technology. This idea is a unique concept and Alpha School is proud of its practical teaching programmes.The broad topics covered in this course include: Interactive Whiteboards and Presenting, Paper-Based Resources, APPs and Online Resources and Vlogging.

Teacher Training - Creative Methodology (APP-CM10)This immersive and interesting Advancing your Professional Practice (creative methodology) 10-day course will allow participants to develop their English skills and personal classroom practice through 5 teacher-led lectures and 5 practical-based sessions. Having the opportunity to share your ideas with others and then actually deliver them in ‘mini-lessons’ makes our course something unique and extremely appealing to the can-do teacher.Working with our enthusiastic and professional practitioners, a wide range of stimulating ideas will be considered to produce engaging and relevant lesson content for Secondary School aged students.Course content will include the main topic areas:Creative ClassroomsA plethora of ideas will be explored, including games, drama, music and art-based activities, to turn dry coursebook content into kinaesthetic, fun and memorable learning experiences.Future FocusStaying in the creative mould, the key focus here centres around using modern technology and techno-themed ideas to appeal to young English learners brought up in a modern and social media-centric world.The World of EnglishLanguages don’t stagnate - they are constantly changing and evolving so an opportunity to bring your own English skills up-to-date will be included. Additionally, a number of cultural aspects will be tackled to help you keep your finger on the pulse of the English-speaking world.Throughout the course you will also:evaluate and develop your own teaching techniques and personal practicebe actively involved in your own lifelong learning journeydiscuss and critique your own ideas with other professionals in your fieldTheory and practical lessons include: My Teaching, Active Teaching, Techno-Teaching, Dramatic Teaching, Creative Teaching.

Following the success of our Playschool which we introduced in 2010, we opened our Kids English Club (KC) in 2013 and it was an instant hit with parents and children alike.Designed for our younger students the Kids English Club provides informal classes where children between the ages of 5 and 8, who are keen to learn English like their older siblings, can now discover English through fun-based activities and practise their new-found skills with other children from all over the globe. No written or grammar-based lessons are incorporated.Kids English Club sessions are held between 09:00 and 12:30 and the children are also supervised during the daily half-hour break.