For students wishing to develop their Academic English skills and providing clear pathways to further academic studies
Academic English Diploma Programmes
A bridge to academic life
Kings Academic English Diploma Programmes are designed specifically for students looking for the highest quality Academic English language courses that lead to clear progression for further study with Kings and onward progression to leading universities.
A bridge to English language fluency and academic life.
These programmes develop core research, writing, and study skills that establish a base for academic success and improve your English language communication while acquiring practical and global leadership skills.
Each level can be taken as a standalone programme but also provide guaranteed progression to higher levels and/or other Kings University Pathways for those seeking further academic qualifications, including Kings Medical, Business and Engineering Pathways, Advanced Level Foundation programme or A-Levels, or direct acceptance to degrees Kings Premium Universities in the US.
If you do not have the equivalent of GCSE level education and qualifications the Academic English Diploma Programmes can also integrate with Kings High School completion qualifications.
| Academic English Diploma Programme Level | IELTS Entry Level | IELTS Target Exit Level | Receive Diploma upon completion of programme level |
Progression to | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicative IELTS equivalents* | Kings University Pathways in Dubai | Kings Premium Universities in the US | Kings Colleges in the UK | |||||
| Level 1 | 4 | 5 | Yes | Level 2 | GO: Prepared - Level 2 | Extended Advanced Level Foundation | ||
| Level 2 | 5 | 5.5+ | Yes | Level 3 | Business or Engineering Pathway | GO: Prepared - Level 3 | Advanced Level Foundation | A-levels |
| Level 3 | 5.5+ | 6.0 to 6.5+ | Yes | Medical Foundation | First year of US degree | Medical Foundation | ||
*
Key facts
Minimum age
- 16
Start dates
- September, January, April and June
Lessons
- Average 25 hours per week, plus homework and private study
Duration
- 12 weeks average per level
Learning outcomes
- Time management, organisational, and copying skills for a full-time undergraduate course load
- Ability to recall and organise information from academic lectures and articles
- Experience writing clear, well-supported essays on a variety of lengths
- Reading strategies and note-taking skills for identifying main ideas and supporting details
- English language proficiency level appropriate for entry into a UK or US university
- Interpersonal skills necessary to build relationships with student peers and professors
- Balance course load and extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, volunteering
- Experience cultural diversity
- Awareness of communication styles
- Expansion of cultural sensitivity
- Development of flexible and adaptable thinking
Why Academic English Diploma Programmes
- Build English language and academic study skills in an English environment that is set against a truly international and cosmopolitan experience where diversity flows in and out of the region.
- Programmes include English language acquisition, development, academic and study skills growth, and language test preparation
- Raise English to level required to progress into higher level Academic English Diploma Programmes
- Develop academic subject knowledge and skills for Kings University Pathways in Dubai, the UK and the US
- Earn certificate and Kings recognition of achievement for each completed level
- Receive waiver on IELTS and TOEFL language entry requirements for other Kings University Pathways in Dubai, the UK and the US
Assessment
Assessment is formative throughout the course and grades are based on class assignments, homework, participation, midterm and final examinations. This provides a fairer and more balanced evaluation of student performance over a period of time.
Students will complete a series of informal and formal assessments to check for understanding and learning progress. These can be in the form of vocabulary quizzes, unit tests, essay writing, journals, grammar and composition checks, presentations, notetaking, homework, midterms, and finals. Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher in each class to progress to the next level.
Course Syllabus
The Academic English Diploma Programme Level 1 offers students a balanced development of their holistic communication skills with a reading and writing module and a separate listening, speaking and critical thinking module across a range of academic areas and topics including:
- International Business, Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship
- Global Development, Relations and Sustainability
- Engineering and Industrial Development
- Medicine includes Biological Development, Health, Diet and Nutrition, and Ethics
Course Content
The Academic English Diploma Programmes develop key academic skills including college level reading, writing, study skills, and research techniques across all 3 levels.
Your programme will include 4 areas of study
1. English for Academic Purposes
- Use the style of language and vocabulary appropriate for undergraduate level coursework
- Develop the techniques and strategies for completing academic reading and listening tasks
- Increase your vocabulary, especially words found frequently in academic texts
- Summarise facts and information from a wide range of texts
- Organise factual information clearly and coherently, orally and in writing
- Describe the main argument in a text or presentation
- Express ideas and opinions logically and confidently using appropriate language
- Participate in classroom discussion, to explore ideas and exchange ideas
- Write college level essays and research papers
2. Study, Organisational, and Functioning Skills
- Set goals to manage tine and deadlines established by instructors
- Take clear, concise notes
- Learn to summarise and paraphrase
- Identify main ideas and supporting details in academic texts
- Use grammar and writing conventions required for undergraduate level papers
- Work in groups effectively
3. Seminars
- Using the Library
- Time Management
- Avoiding plagiarism
- Organisational Skills
4. IELTS and TOEFL Tests
- If necessary, an IELTs or TOEFL iBT Test can be arranged as part of the Academic English Diploma Programmes.
- However, Kings may waive any IELTs/TOEFL iBT requirements for progression with Kings, for students who have successfully completed the programmes and demonstrated a level of English appropriate for the course they are progressing to, including degree entrance at Kings Premium Universities in the US.
Progression
Students can expect to progress by up to the approximate equivalent of 1 IELTS band each term.
This may be achieved by students who attend class consistently and do all of their assigned classwork and homework. Students are formally assessed upon arrival, during the term, and prior to finishing your programme level.
Once a student has successfully completed a level, they can proceed directly onto a higher level, or directly and automatically to appropriate further studies with Kings University Pathways in the Dubai, the UK, and the US as shown in the table above.
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