The LAL Torbay Guide

Your Lessons

Class Times

Your lesson times will be given to you on your first day, and will be different for each course. The current timetable is on display on the information noticeboard at the bottom of the main stairs.

Lessons are Compulsory

You must come to all your lessons and you must arrive at the right time.


If you do not come to all your lessons, we may have to report you to the UK Border Agency if you are missing from school.


If you are ill, and cannot come to school, you must telephone LAL Torbay on (01803) 553062 to tell us that you will stay at home.


If you are late for your lessons, you may not be able to join the class.

Visa Students

If you have a student visa to visit Britain, LAL Torbay will check that you are complying with the terms of your visa. You must tell us where you will be if you will not be at school or your accommodation for 24 hours or more. If you do not, we will inform the government that you are missing.

Academic Office

The Academic Office is in Room 1.01. You should visit the office if you have any questions about your course, if you would like to book extra lessons or would like to discuss exams.

Our Teachers

Most teachers have the Cambridge University Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (or equivalent) and some also have the Diploma of English Language Teaching to Adults. During training courses lessons may be taught by teachers-in-training who are studying for their CELTA or DELTA qualifications, under supervision by teachers who already hold qualifications. Our teachers come from very different educational backgrounds and many have a wide range of experience and expertise.

What to Expect in your Lesons

We use an eclectic style of teaching in our classes. In the morning lessons, you and your classmates will use a course book, with which you will study grammar and vocabulary, as well as the four main skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. The course book will also be supplemented by discussions, role-plays and other ways of increasing your active language. In the afternoon lessons we focus on communicative activities to improve your speaking skills and confidence.

 

Please note that we often mix two levels together in afternoon lessons. This adds authenticity to the tasks and activities.

Error Correction

It is important for you to feel comfortable and confident when using English. Our teachers are listening very carefully to everything you say in the lessons. Sometimes, when the focus is on accuracy, you will be corrected as you make the mistake. When the focus is on fluency, we will not interrupt you to provide a correction but your teacher will be identifying problem areas and will correct at the end of the lesson or prepare future lessons to deal with the mistakes. We will not correct every error because this is not necessary.


There are a number of methods of correction, but for you to benefit from them you need to ‘notice’ what other students and your teacher say.

Changing Classes

On your first day we test your vocabulary, grammar, communicative competence and writing skills and place you in a class based on these results. We aim to place you in a class which balances your need to improve your weakest areas without ignoring the areas in which you are strong.


Your course will include level tests throughout the course book. The number of tests you take will depend on the length of your course. Your teacher will arrange for a move to a higher level when you are ready.


We normally move students from one class to another on Mondays only. If you want to move class for any reason please speak to your teacher who will discuss this with you and the Academic Managers. If you want to change level and we agree that you are ready to do this, you can change level without a formal test. However, if your teacher does not believe that you are ready to move to a higher level, you can only move up if you pass a comprehensive English test. If you do not pass the test, you will have to study for  a month before trying again.


In Business English classes, the minimum level requirement is Intermediate and levels may vary up to Advanced. Students are sometimes grouped according to their specific needs and/or experiences rather than the level achieved during placement testing.

Outside the Classroom

There are lots of things you can do after your lessons to improve your English.
Keep a learning diary. 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 a little 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. There are useful practice exercises to help you learn new words and work on grammar.


Write a postcard, Skype or send an e-mail in English to an English-speaking friend at home. Write about a film you have seen or a book you have read, and send it to StopPress (stoppress@laltorbay.co.uk, or give to Reception).
Try the games and practice exercises on the CD that comes with your course book and explore the many useful websites.


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 improve.

Useful online resources

A wide variety of resources are available online. Please feel free to ask the Academic Department for details.