Preparatory English

This course may not be suitable for advanced speakers, or students who have already studied in a native English speaking environment.

Course Content

This language course is tailored specifically for international students studying summer school courses in English here at the LSE. Students will be exposed to lectures during this intensive week that address current issues in the social sciences, giving the opportunity to practise listening and note-taking skills. 

Classes will deal with listening, discussion, reading and writing. Emphasis will be placed on note-taking, appropriate academic style and presentation practice. Grammar needs will be dealt with within the framework of the material being used. On the final day of the course, students will be required to give a group presentation.

Course Objectives

Our main language objectives are to: 

• Increase fluency in writing, speaking and listening. 
• Prepare students for seminars and written examinations. 
• Raise awareness of language, structures and vocabulary related to subject areas.
• Provide lecture listening and note-taking practice.
• Deliver practice in giving oral presentations.

Class sizes are small (12-14 students), and students are divided into groups according to the subject they intend to study during the following weeks. When there are very few students opting for a particular course, they will be placed in a group whose subject most closely corresponds to theirs.

Please note that teachers aim to work as far as possible with material which is similar to or connected with that of the course subjects, but we must stress that we are primarily teachers of English.