I’ve now finished the first week of a 5-week presessional at Imperial College London Business School and I thought readers might appreciate some insight into this type of course. Do bear in mind that the specifics of presessionals differ from institution to institution, but that their essence is the same: they’re courses of a pre-defined length designed to prepare international students for the demands of term-time study. They aim to improve students’ language and skills and to ensure they are familiar with the academic expectations and teaching and learning style of British universities.
Imperial College Business School runs two back to back 5-week sessions for pre-Master’s students, the first for Finance and the second for Management. The course is mandatory for students with a conditional offer, i.e. students who have not met the minimum 6.5 score for all components of the IELTS exam. This results in a mixed profile: I have students who have scored the maximum of 9.0 in Reading, for example, but only 6.0 in Writing. In addition, we have a few students who have an unconditional offer, but who have chosen to do the presessional anyway in order to ensure they are prepared for their course in September.
Students are kept quite busy: each week, they attend 3 Academic Writing classes, 1 Intro to Britain class, 1 Presentation class, and 2 optional classes – they can choose from Pronunciation, Accuracy in Writing or Current Affairs. Detailed feedback is provided on all pieces of writing, many of which are completed in class. In addition, they attend a 90-minute lecture + a 90-minute seminar delivered by a subject specialist, and there are two sessions a week to prepare them for these. They also attend a 30-minute tutorial, and there is an optional trip, for example tours of the Bank of England and the Houses of Parliament, an afternoon in Greenwich and a chance to see War Horse.
There are 4 assessment components:
1. a 1500-word essay
2. a 30-minute timed essay
3. a 20-minute group discussion task
4. a 15-minute group presentation task
This year the total cohort is 37 students divided amongst 4 teachers, which means 12-13 students per class, a very manageable number that guarantees plenty of individual attention for each student.
Hi Sonja
I found your post very inspiring. I myself did a BA and an MA in English literature and taught English for a few years.
I am currently working as an administrator at the university but I would love to get back on tracks with my language qualifications and improve on my skills and knowledge to be a tutor in English for Academic Puproses. If you could provide my any information on your progress, what is required in order to become EAP tutor, what kind of courses you completed, this would be highly appreciated.
I just really think that I should be in a different place, as much as I love this academic environment. I thought that contacting you might help me to make the right decision.
I am not sure how this wesbite operated and do hope that you will get my message. I would love to get in touch with you via email to discuss your career options.
I am so inspired by your achievements. You defintiely should do PhD. This is what I wanted to do next after completing my MA degree, but I met my boyfirend then and things changed for me.
I would be delighted if I got a chance to discuss with you your progress.
I would like to leave my email address, if you are willing to get in touch.
Please let me know.
Wishing you all best and fingers crossed for you PhD!
Aneta
Dear Aneta,
Thanks so much for your comment, which most unfortunately I’ve only just seen! (long story) I would be happy to discuss career options with you – srtack@gmail.com. Sorry for the long, long delay in replying!
Thank you for the blog, Sonja. It’s been very interesting reading so far. I share your commitment to lifelong learning although my CV is a little different from yours – BSc Astrophysics, MSc Computer Science, {lots of work in Computing and Finance followed by extended travel!}, CELTA and now I’m studying for an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at the University of Leicester. I didn’t do the DELTA because the cost is pretty high and I figured I was going to end up doing the MA anyway.
I’m looking at getting into EAP teaching in the future so what you’ve written in your blog so far is very informative.
Looking forward to hearing more from you!