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The Kings Special Interest Groups Guarantee

We guarantee that Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the four most popular learning outcomes below will be available in all schools, at all times.

We’ll confirm the exact options available at your school when you arrive.

Specific SIGs vary according to dates. They may require a minimum language level to join.

Remember:

You can usually change your Special Interest classes every 6 – 8 weeks, so studying long-term allows you to enjoy many different subjects throughout your course.

Popular subject categories

  • Fluency and Experience
  • Professional Success
  • Exam Success
  • University Success

Fluency and Experience

Pronunciation

  • This speaking skills class will help you speak more clearly and naturally.
  • It will guide you from controlled practice to communicative interaction.
  • You will develop the most important parts of spoken English, such as stress, rhythm, and intonation.

Vocabulary development

  • This class improves your reading skills and vocabulary.
  • You will work with academic materials and learn valuable words from the Academic Word List.

Conversation skills

  • This SIG improves your speaking.
  • You will learn common idioms, phrases, and modern expressions.
  • You will also improve your listening and speaking by acquiring conversational vocabulary.

Group discussion

  • This SIG covers important topics that are debated in American or British society.
  • You will learn how to apply abstract ideas, think critically about what you learn, and exchange your opinions respectfully. All in English!

Elementary skills

  • On this SIG, you will focus equally on writing, reading, listening and speaking.
  • You are given the language training and practice you need to become a skilled and confident communicator.

British culture and history

  • This SIG looks at British history, literature, philosophy, law, etiquette and the British education system.
  • You will visit places of interest, whilst also improving your English.
  • There is a focus on spoken fluency and reading skills.

Survival English

  • This SIG is for beginners with very little English.
  • It provides specific support in the daily functions necessary to 'survive' in the UK or US.
  • You will develop your everyday spoken English skills and your cultural awareness through thematic study.

Discussion skills

  • This SIG focuses on English used to agree and disagree, negotiate, suggest, clarify, summarise or any other type of discussion.
  • It also develops your listening skills and the accuracy and fluency of your pronunciation.
  • You will explore the differences between how discussions are conducted in English and in your own culture.

American culture

  • This SIG looks at American views on religion, business, government, race relations, education and family.
  • You will develop more advanced vocabulary and refine your English skills.

Drama

  • This SIG focuses on English in the context of drama.
  • Your existing dramatic knowledge in English will be expanded and you will develop your skills in play writing, acting and directing.
  • You can work together in class to produce and perform a short dramatic piece.

Cinema and television

  • This SIG improves your oral skills and your understanding of English-speaking culture by analysing films and TV shows.
  • You will develop idiomatic language and vocabulary while understanding differences in dialect and social communication.

Music

  • This SIG introduces the musical genres and styles of modern music in the US or UK.
  • You will develop your language skills by exploring your own musical interests.

Speaking, drama and pronunciation

  • This SIG will develop the clarity and fluency of your spoken English through a range of drama-based activities.
  • You will focus on pronunciation, from individual sounds to words, phrases, sentences and longer stretches of speech.
  • You will gain the knowledge, skills and practice to use spoken English in a variety of contexts and for a range of purposes. You’ll learn to speak with clarity, precision and emotional expressiveness.

Professional success

Business fluency

  • You will develop skills in reading, listening for information and note-taking.
  • You will learn to use important words and phrases accurately when discussing business topics, and apply your knowledge in re-creations of business situations.
  • You will also learn to recognise cultural differences.

English for work

  • This SIG improves your knowledge and confidence with language in a business context.
  • You will develop new vocabulary related to work, learn useful spoken phrases and work on pronunciation.
  • You will learn useful language for writing reports and emails, read and listen to business language, give presentations and role-play business meetings.

Marketing and digital media

  • This SIG focuses on the language of marketing, digital media and new technologies.
  • You will cover social media marketing, digital strategy, branding and advertising, as well as business and marketing terminology.

Legal English

  • This SIG introduces you to the essentials of legal English.
  • You will cover different types of law, including contract, criminal and international law.
  • You will also develop legal vocabulary and the skills needed for the legal profession.
  • You can also experience the practice of law through regular educational visits.

Career guidance

This is guaranteed at all schools. It is ideal if you are on a gap year or want advice about your next steps, whether work or university.

Options vary but are likely to include:

  • Creating the perfect CV/ resume
  • Interview and presentation practise
  • Careers talks and discussions: Finance, business, education, marketing and more
  • University advice: Which degree, which university?
  • Psychometric testing: Guiding you through the globally recognised test systems

Exam success

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

  • You will have extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of the four sections in the exam.
  • You will have a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on your performance.

Masters preparation

  • This SIG is for students intending to study a Masters degree at an English-speaking university.
  • It combines an intensive focus on academic English with the skills you need for graduate-level success.
  • You will produce a range of academic texts, including research projects and a mini dissertation.

GMAT preparation

  • This SIG helps you learn vital concepts, shortcuts and pitfalls of the GMAT exam.
  • You will have test-taking practice and teacher support to ensure more productive preparation.

IELTS preparation

  • This SIG provides a complete overview of the IELTS exam and the requirements of each of its four parts.
  • You will be trained in the skills needed to fully achieve your exam potential.

TOEFL preparation

  • This SIG introduces the four sections of the TOEFL exam – listening, reading, speaking and writing.
  • If you are not yet at the level needed you will benefit from practicing test areas in simpler language.

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

  • This SIG gives extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of the four sections in Cambridge English: Advanced exam.
  • You will have a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on your performance.

Cambridge English: First (FCE)

  • This SIG gives extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of the four sections in the Cambridge English: First exam.
  • You will have a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on your performance.

University success

Masters preparation

  • This SIG is for students intending to study a Masters degree at an English-speaking university.
  • It combines an intensive focus on academic English with the skills you need for graduate-level success.
  • You will produce a range of academic texts, including research projects and a mini dissertation.

GMAT preparation

  • This SIG helps you learn vital concepts, shortcuts and pitfalls of the GMAT exam.
  • You will have test-taking practice and teacher support to ensure more productive preparation.

Academic reading and writing

  • This SIG gives you a complete overview of the conventions of academic English: grammar, vocabulary and format.
  • You will develop skills to produce and fully understand a range of academic texts.

Pre-IELTS

  • This SIG introduces the format of the IELTS exam, and the academic language and skills you will need, both for the exam and for further academic study.
  • You will benefit from practice tests and detailed feedback.

Reading and writing

  • This SIG supports you in your reading and writing.
  • It addresses the vital role literacy skills play in effective communication and ongoing language development.
  • You will explore the conventions of written English through a variety of texts and will have ongoing feedback on your written work.

Customised outcomes

We can also design specialist outcomes based around your personal learning goals.

This is subject to availability. If you want to discuss a particular option, please contact us.

Examples include:

  • Medical English 
  • English for Science and Engineering 
  • English and Social Media 
  • Improvisation and Acting 
  • Aviation English 

Thank you for your enquiry.
We'll be in touch soon.
The Kings Admissions Team