Your lessons at LAL South Africa

Class Times

Your lesson times will be given to you on your first day, and will be different for each course. However, common times are:

Monday to Friday
09.00 - 10.40 and 11.00 - 12.40 (A-shift)
13.30 - 15.10 (B-shift)

Classrooms

Please check the classroom notice board in the entrance area of the Khoi building on Monday mornings to check your classroom number and teacher’s name, in case there have been changes to the list.

Mobile Telephones (cell phones)

Please be respectful towards your classmates and teacher and make sure your phone is switched off during lessons. If you are expecting an urgent call, please inform your teacher and fellow students and leave the room when you receive the call.

Taking breaks and missing lessons

  • Long-term students are only permitted a total of 4 WEEKS’ break from their course, depending on their visa. Breaks have to be approved by Management ONE WEEK before the start of the break.
  • Students who are absent from class for ONE WEEK or more without informing Management will be removed from class and will have to report to Reception in order to rejoin their classes.
  • Students who miss more than 20% of their total lessons will not receive a course report and certificate.

Out teaching methodology

Our methodology is essentially communicative and learner-centred. This means that lessons are planned around our students’ language and communicative needs. In order to do this effectively, teachers do not follow a set or prescribed syllabus. Instead, all methods and materials are selected with your language learning needs in mind.

Our aim is to provide you with every possible opportunity to communicate in English. To achieve this, there will be a lot of group and pair work in your lessons as these create opportunities for you to speak in English. This is also why we encourage a relaxed and sociable atmosphere, both in and out of the classroom. We feel that this will enable you to apply your language knowledge for real communication more easily and with more confidence.

We believe in implementing a learner-centred approach, which means that you, the learner, should also be involved in making decisions about what is done in your lessons. After all, you are individuals who come to our classes with different levels of English knowledge and English learning experiences. Learner-centred teaching involves adapting what is taught (as much as possible) according to the needs of each particular student or group of students.

Teachers

  • You will usually have a different teacher for morning and afternoon classes.
  • All teachers are qualified and experienced in teaching English as a foreign language.
  • If you have any problems with your classes or teacher(s), please speak to the Director of Studies to see if it is possible to move to a different class.
  • You can ask for the Director of Studies at reception.

Materials

Teachers use a variety of materials appropriate to the level and needs of their students - for example photocopies, newspapers, magazines, videos & cassettes and any other books that are appropriate. Course books are not included in the price of the course and can be purchased at the LAL reception desk.

We offer General English and Intensive English classes as well as Business English and exam preparation courses. For General English, a variety of materials which focus on the different skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are used.

Certificates

At the end of your course you will receive a certificate from LAL Cape Town as well as a Course Report prepared by your teacher in which your progress during your stay is evaluated.

University of Cambridge exams

LAL Cape Town is recognised by the University of Cambridge and permitted to conduct the University of Cambridge English Exam Preparation courses for foreigners. We offer three exam levels: First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Exams take place every year in March, June and December and registration takes place about two months before each exam. For more information, please ask the Director of Studies.

We will be running preparation courses for these exams for students who are interested. If possible, please let us know at the time of your arrival whether you would be interested in any of them. This will help us with our planning. Registration for these exams is usually done 10 - 12 weeks in advance.

IELTS

The IELTS examination is also administered by the British Council and can be taken in Cape Town. For more information regarding dates and exam fees, speak to the Director of Studies.

TOEFL

We also offer TOEFL exam preparation courses. For more information, please speak to the Director of Studies.

Outside the classroom

There are lots of things you can do after your lessons to improve your English.

Try to read and listen to native speakers as much as you can. Start a conversation with your Host Family - don’t wait for them to talk to you! Your Host Family will want to know about you, so spend time each day talking to them.

Go to the cinema or watch television; just a few minutes each day will help you understand authentic English. Remember, you don’t need to understand every word, so just getting the general idea means that you have succeeded.

Read the signs around the school and in the street. Use the pictures in magazines and newspapers to help you get the idea of the topic in the text. Borrow a reading book from the school library. We have books for all levels and for all interests. Some of these have useful practice exercises to help you learn new words and work on grammar.

Write a postcard or an e-mail in English to an English-speaking friend at home.

Try not to spend all your free time talking to other students who speak your own language, and try to speak English even if our staff speak your language too. All our staff – not just our teachers – will help you.

Make the most of all these opportunities and your English will soon begin to get better.