Our Academic Approach
At Target English International our academic programme is built on CEFR-aligned learning and communicative teaching. Our lessons are designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills alongside grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Students learn through interactive, collaborative activities while also exploring UK culture and real-world communication. Our approach ensures that students not only improve their English, but also gain confidence using the language in meaningful and practical contexts.
- CEFR-aligned curriculum from A1 to C2
- Communicative, task-based teaching approach
- Integration of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and skills
- Focus on speaking and real-life communication
- Differentiated teaching based on student needs
- Continuous assessment and feedback throughout the course
- Teachers adapt materials and activities to ensure lessons are appropriate, engaging, and effective for each group
- UK cultural content embedded into activities through our in-house digital Activity Books
Levels
Students are placed in classes according to their level, from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Proficiency).
- A1 – A2 (Beginner–Elementary): Build confidence using everyday English and basic communication.
- B1 (Intermediate): Develop independence, express opinions and communicate in familiar situations such as travel, school, and social contexts.
- B2 (Upper Intermediate): Improve fluency, participate in discussions and express ideas with greater accuracy and detail.
- C1 – C2 (Advanced–Proficiency): Use English effectively in academic, professional and complex communication contexts.
General English Course
Course objective
Our aim is to develop students’ fluency skills and build their confidence in a friendly, supportive and stimulating environment. We want our students to leave the course with improved English language skills, a better understanding of UK culture and the inspiration to become life-long learners of English.
General English: Course outline
Our General English course focuses on developing all areas of language: speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Lessons are interactive and communicative, encouraging students to actively use English through pair work, group discussions, and practical tasks. Students will learn to:
- Communicate more confidently in everyday situations
- Improve accuracy in grammar and vocabulary
- Develop listening and pronunciation skills
- Participate in discussions and collaborative tasks
- Use English to explore UK culture and compare it with their own
General English: Course information
- Available all locations
- Course length: Minimum 1 week, maximum 4 weeks
- Start dates: Arrive any Sunday during available dates
- Ages: 10 – 18
- Levels: Beginner A1 to Advanced C2
- Hours: 15 hours of General English language tuition per week. 20 lessons per week. Each lesson is 45 minutes (*Except London & Hatfield)
- Maximum 15 students per class
- Online placement test before arrival to select class level
- In-house syllabus based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages A1 – C2
- One Enterprise English workshop per week included for levels B1 and above (see details below)
- Notebook and all course materials included
- End-of-course report & attendance certificate awarded upon completion of the course
- Morning and afternoon teaching timetable operates in peak weeks. (Zig-Zag timetable.) Students alternate weekly between morning classes and afternoon classes (*except in London & Hatfield )
- Class times are usually 09:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 17:30. Exact times of classes may vary dependent on campus
- *London & Hatfield: 30 hours of General English language tuition per two weeks delivered over 5 full days of teaching. 6 hours/8 lessons per day. Each lesson is 45 minutes. Lessons take place either on Monday, Wednesday & Friday OR on Tuesdays & Thursdays and alternate weekly
- One week stays: Morning lessons cannot be guaranteed. In London & Hatfield lessons will either be Tues & Thurs (12 hours) or Mon, Weds & Fri (18 hours). Preferences cannot be guaranteed
- Mid-week arrivals: Any lessons missed due to mid-week arrival & departures cannot be made up
Cambridge Exam Preparation
Course Objective
All students staying 2 weeks have the option to take a 2 week Cambridge Exam Preparation course (KET, PET and FCE). The course is intended to help students wishing to do a Cambridge Exam when they return home. (N.B. The exam is not included in the course package.)
Cambridge Preparation: Course outline
Students can prepare for Cambridge exams (KET, PET, FCE, CAE) through structured lessons that build both language ability and exam confidence. Lessons include:
- Practice of exam task types
- Development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
- Guided speaking practice and feedback
- Vocabulary and grammar for exam success
- Mock-style activities to build familiarity with exam format
Cambridge Preparation: Course information
- Available all locations
- Course length: 2 weeks
- Start dates: Arrive any Sunday during available dates
- Ages: 10 – 18
- Levels: A2, B1 and B2 levels
- PET, KET and FCE Cambridge Exam preparation syllabus
- Hours: 15 hours per week (*except in London & Hatfield )
- Exam is not included
- Maximum 15 students per class
- Online placement test before arrival to ascertain appropriate exam level
- Notebook and all course materials included
- End-of-course report & attendance certificate awarded upon completion of the course
- Morning and afternoon teaching timetable operates in peak weeks. Students alternate weekly between morning classes and afternoon classes (*except in London & Hatfield )
- Class times are usually 09:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 17:30. Exact times of classes may vary dependent on campus
- *London & Hatfield: 30 hours of General English language tuition per two weeks delivered over 5 full days of teaching. 6 hours/8 lessons per day. Each lesson is 45 minutes. Lessons take place either on Monday, Wednesday & Friday OR on Tuesdays & Thursdays and alternate weekly
- No extra fee. Cambridge Exam Preparation Course is the same price as the General English Course
Enterprise English Workshops (B1 – C2)
All students B1 level and above and aged 16+ will have one weekly Enterprise English workshop lesson included in their General English language course. These lessons aim to equip students with practical communication skills that may be useful in real-world and professional contexts and for those wishing to work in an English-speaking environment in the future. The sessions focus on practical communication skills including:
- Workplace communication
- Discussing jobs, sectors, and industries
- Presentations and teamwork
- Interview skills and CV writing
- Professional vocabulary and role play scenarios
Assessment
We monitor student progress throughout their course to ensure effective learning and appropriate class placement. Our assessment process includes:
- Online placement test before arrival
- Teacher assessment (spoken and written) on the first day
- Class placement and adjustment if needed
- Continuous progress monitoring during lessons
- End-of-course report with strengths, areas for improvement and level achieved
Our Academic Team
All Target English International teachers and other academic staff are recruited in line with British Council guidelines. Teachers are supported at each campus by the Director of Studies (DOS), who is responsible for managing the academic programme in their centre. The Director of Studies job includes managing testing & timetabling, offering support and guidance to teachers, managing the resources and helping to ensure the British Council criteria on teaching & learning are met.
Each Director of Studies and their team is supported by one of our Area Academic Managers who make regular visits to each centre during the summer. The Area Academic Managers are responsible for working with each DOS in observing all teachers in the classroom and providing feedback and professional development as required.
Overseeing all of our centres and academic staff is our senior Academic Manager, who is responsible for syllabus and material development and working towards consistent standards of provision across all of our centres.
Teachers complete online Safeguarding awareness training prior to the commencement of their contract. In addition, teachers receive a full on-site induction with the centre management team.
Director of Studies attend an in-person training weekend prior to the commencement of their contract which includes role specific training and Advanced Safeguarding awareness training.
In line with safer recruitment for roles involving responsibility for, or substantial access to, under 18s, all gaps in employment history must be explained, at least two satisfactory references wwill be obtained, and all staff will undergo appropriate safeguarding and background checks (Enhanced DBS/Disclosure Scotland check required for all staff members and the overseas equivalent for those staff members not normally resident in the UK).
