The English Language Foundation Program is an English language programme for international students who have the academic qualifications to join an undergraduate programme at Freshart College but need to develop their English language skills and proficiency. The objectives of the course are to:
The programme is designed to increase students’ confidence, proficiency and fluency in language used in formal and informal academic contexts and prepare them for the many different forms of interaction with other English speakers, which will be a feature of your life both within and outside the college. The course will focus on all four skills: writing, reading, speaking, and listening, as well as building students’ academic language, vocabulary and communication skills required for successful study in a Higher Education Institution. The course will also concentrate on the learning and teaching methodology used in Cyprus (e.g. seminars, workshops, essay writing, listening to lectures, note taking, giving presentations, library, research skills, critical thinking, time-management and many more).
Having successfully completed this programme students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
FENG001 – Introduction to the language expectations of the course and Academic Environment
In this module, students will become familiar with the language expectations, which include understanding the main ideas of texts, engaging in discussions on a wide range of topics, and expressing feelings and opinions with clarity. They will gain a clear understanding of the language skills they need to achieve and the expected competencies in listening, speaking reading and writing. They will also receive an orientation to Higher Education life and academic culture, including academic integrity, research ethics, and time management.
FENG002 – Listening and Speaking Skills Development I
Students will work on enhancing their listening and speaking skills through various interactive activities. They will learn how to understand spoken language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life. They will listen to authentic academic lectures, debates, discussions and presentations, and practise summarizing and discussing the main points. They will learn how to identify speaker’s viewpoints, attitudes, mood, tone as well as information content. They will engage in roleplays and group discussions to improve their fluency and accuracy in spoken English. Students will develop their public speaking skills through individual and group presentations.
FENG003 – Reading Skills Enhancement I
This module will focus on improving students’ reading skills. Students will read a variety of academic texts, such as research articles, essays, and literary pieces, to enhance their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. They will learn how to analyze and interpret texts, identify main arguments, and draw basic conclusions. They will learn strategies on how to extract key information and making inferences from different texts. They will learn how to recognize a text that provides factual information and when it seeks to convince readers of something.
FENG004 – Writing Skills Enhancement I
This module will focus on improving students’ writing skills and developing academic writing skills. The writing component will involve developing academic essays, reports, and summaries while adhering to academic writing conventions, such as proper referencing and citation styles. They will learn how to write clear, well-structured, and detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest, synthesing and evaluating information and arguments from a number of resources.
FENG005 – Academic Vocabulary and Language
Building a strong academic vocabulary is essential for success in Higher Education studies. Students will expand their vocabulary related to various academic disciplines, including sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They will develop high lexical accuracy. They will also learn to use complex grammatical structures accurately and effectively.
FENG006 – Language Practice and Application
This module will provide opportunities for students to practise and apply the language skills they have acquired in real-life academic and social situations. Students will engage in role-plays, and discussions. They will also participate in collaborative projects and oral presentations, which will strengthen their teamwork and presentation skills. They will learn how to express themselves confidently, clearly and politely in a formal or informal register and contribute to group discussions.