General English
Rightword Learner Pathway
Rightword Offers General English classes from Beginner level (A0) to Advanced level (C1) based on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). The aim of these courses is to develop our students’ confidence and skills in using the English language.
Our students will have the opportunity to practise and develop the four major skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking), while also focussing on grammar and pronunciation.
Rightword follows a communicative-based teaching approach with an emphasis on building the students’ confidence in order to successfully use English in their daily lives, whether it be for work, study or travel.
Our classes also allow for flexibility as we value the individual needs of all our students. Students can track their progress through our weekly tests and record this in their individual learner journals.
The learner journal allows our students to take ownership of their learning and to monitor their own performance over the course of their learning experience.
The TIE exam is a learner-centred exam which is designed to recognise and accommodate the needs and interests of each learner whatever their level of English, age, cultural or educational background.
Preparation for the TIE exam is built into the syllabus over a 6-week period.
Rightword aims to promote cultural awareness during the TIE sessions by using authentic Irish materials, such as newspapers and books and speaking about the students’ personal experiences in Ireland.
Class Size
14 students max
Times (Monday to Friday)
9am to 12.15pm – Morning Classes
1.30pm to 4.45pm – Afternoon Classes
Hours per Week
15 hours
Starting Date
Every Monday
Levels
Beginner (A0 – A1 on the CEFR*)
Elementary (A1 – A2 on the CEFR)
Pre-Intermediate (A2+ – B1 on the CEFR)
Intermediate (B1 – B1+ on the CEFR)
Intermediate Plus (B1+ – B2 on the CEFR)
Upper-intermediate (B2 – B2+ on the CEFR)
Advanced (B2+ – C1 on the CEFR)
Exam Preparation
TIE
Levels
Before commencing classes, students will take a level test and an oral test to check their level of English and then will be placed in an appropriate class according to their level test results.
The “A” Levels – Basic User
Beginner (A0 – A1 on the CEFR) – Learners who have little or no previous experience of English
Elementary (A1 – A2 on the CEFR) – Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Can make introductions and can ask and answer questions about personal details. Can interact in a simple way.
Pre-Intermediate (A2+ – B1 on the CEFR) – Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance. Can communicate in simple and routine tasks. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
The “B” Levels – Independent User
Intermediate (B1 – B1+ on the CEFR) – Can maintain interaction and get across what you want to in familiar contexts. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Intermediate Plus (B1+ – B2 on the CEFR) – Can maintain interaction in a broader range of contexts and interact with a degree of spontaneity. Can understand some more complex language.
Upper-Intermediate (B2 – B2+ on the CEFR) – Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects.
The “C” Levels – Proficient User
Advanced (B2+ – C1 on the CEFR) – Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously. Can use language flexibility and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects.
Learner Pathway
All students will take a written and oral placement test before being placed at a suitable level. The teachers and academic team work with students to help them achieve their personal study goal.
Weekly class tests allow both teachers and students to monitor progress and our learner journals empower students to take control of their own learning and self-monitor their development and achievements along the way.
Rightword’s 12 Week Curriculum
- Week 1: Begin class and meet SSO
- Week 2: Classes and assessment
- Week 3: Speaking assessment
- Week 4: One-to-one feedback session with the class teacher
- Week 5: Practice level test
- Week 6: Level change test
- Week 7: Classes and assessment
- Week 8: Classes and assessment
- Week 9: Speaking assessment
- Week 10: One-to-one feedback session
- Week 11: Practice level test
- Week 12: Level change test
