Academic English
We offer a range of Academic English courses based on students’ individual needs and aspirations. Outlines of these courses are provided below.
WHAT IS ACADEMIC ENGLISH?
Academic English forms the educational foundation for any international student studying with us, whatever course they follow, as English is the language for both teaching and learning.
Every student’s language target is to achieve a minimum of 6.5 in the IELTS exam (International English Language Testing System). It is compulsory to study this course until this is achieved, although we recommend students study beyond this score. There are various courses to follow to do this, depending on the English level at the start (which we will assess upon arrival).
The IELTS exam is as important as any A level subjects, Foundation course, BTEC qualification or GCSE and must be taken alongside these, because the demonstration of academic English skills of a certain level (generally 6.5) is a pre-requisite for entry to all good universities. Further to this, universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial and UCL often ask for 7.0/7.5.
This exam focusses not only on the four main language skills areas (reading, writing, speaking and istening) but also on the academic learning skills required through the sixth form, into university and beyond; for example, discursive essay writing, argument analysis and note-taking.
WHAT IS ACADEMIC ENGLISH AT DLD?
We believe in an integrated skills and topic based approach to learning, as language is learnt best in context. Wherever possible, we will link the relevance of our lessons to the other subjects across the curriculum. We believe strongly in working together with other subjects, in order to help you more easily, and successfully, understand and work with the language of your subject. Therefore, you will see strong connections between how all subjects present and work with language, so that you can have a collective and consistent learning experience.
DLD College London has been a British Council approved IELTS exam centre since 2018.
HOW YOU WILL PROGRESS?
At interview, the College will establish which main course you should study for and place you at the correct point in this progression table for the Academic English component:
| 2 Year GCSE students will study and prepare for: | |
| PET | Preliminary English Test |
| APC (Academic Preparation Course) and 1 Year GCSE students will study and prepare for: | |
| IELTS | |
| Years 12 to 14 will be placed in one of the two following levels: | |
| IELTS 1 | Bands 4.0 to 5.0 |
| IELTS 2 | Band 5.5+ |
| in preparation for the IELTS exam. | |
These exams are all paper-based and externally assessed, with an even ‘mark weight’ balance across the four main skills areas.
THE FUTURE
Studying with us means living and learning in English for international success. We will support you to achieve to your highest potential linguistically in order for you to succeed in all courses and subjects.
This is an ideal time in your life to become fluent in another language, adding an invaluable skill set for future work, whilst also expanding your intellectual and cultural perspectives significantly.
RESULTS SUCCESS
DLD College London has a strong success rate of many students exceeding the levels they require for progression.
This December our students achieved another set of exceptional IELTS results.
The second opportunity to sit these exams this academic year will be in May 2023.
Previous year’s results are shown below:
| 2019-2020
IELTS Band & percentage of students achieving this | 2020-2021
IELTS Band & percentage of students achieving this |
| 5.0 + = 94% | 5.0 += 99% |
| 6.0 + = 64% | 6.0 + = 79% |
| 6.5 + = 49% | 6.5 + = 65% |
| 7.0 + = 30% | 7.0 + = 45% |
| 7.5 + = 16% | 7.5 + = 25% |
| 8.0 + = 5% | 8.0 + = 10% |
