A2Z School of English
Description
Manchester is right in the centre of the UK and A2Z School of English is right in the centre of Manchester! We have 14 classrooms filled with happy students all day learning English in many different ways. But most of all, we use the Callan Method, which makes us completely different to any other school in Manchester. In the Callan Method you will learn English by speaking for more than 70% of the lesson time. Each lessons is like a fast and intensive conversation with a native English speaking teacher; the teacher asks questions and you have to answer! Small groups of students, maximum 14 and average of 8 mean, that all students get lots of practice in speaking and listening. These go together with our other classes where you will practice reading, writing and grammar. Finally, you can master the English language by choosing Business (with a focus on TOEIC), IELTS for University or our Cambridge University Exam classes for the First Certificate or Advanced examination. We have an ENGLISH ONLY rule in all classes, and we have students of all nationalities and all ages, though most students are in their 20s. We look forward to meeting you soon!
English Language Courses
A2Z School of English offers 11 English language courses. Click on a course for more information.
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English for Academic Purposes
IELTS Examination Preparation -
Course Factfile Age: 16+ Maximum Class Size: 14 IELTS Examination Preparation
A2Z has 8 different IELTS courses running at ALL times of year!
Our 8 courses are;
* 6 full time courses during the day
* 1 Part time midday course (lower level)
* 1 Part time evening course
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English for Business/Executives
Business English -
Course Factfile Length: 12 Weeks Maximum Class Size: 14 Business English
You don’t have to be a business man (or business woman) to do Business English. This course is for anyone who wants to work in the English language.
Our Business Course is about 12 weeks long, but you can join at any time.
We study the well known Business English course book called "Market Leader". You can see more details about the book here.
You study the vocabulary and grammar that you need for meetings, presentations, and discussions on subjects like sales and marketing. You also learn about memos, faxes, letters, and business e-mails.
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Examination Courses
Cambridge Exam Preparation TOEIC crash course -
Course Factfile Length: 12 Weeks Age: 16+ Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: FCE, CAE, CPE Start Dates: Throughout the year Cambridge Exam Preparation
We have both full time and part time FCE, CAE, CPE courses.
A. Full time
1. Morning course description
2. Afternoon course description
B. Part time
1. Evening course description (coming soon!)
Our class aims to develop all parts of the paper and include regular partial mock tests of each of the 5 exam sections;
* Reading
* Writing
* Speaking
* Use of Grammar
* Listening
We use past papers and work systematically to improve your score in each section.
Our teachers will help you find your specific weaknesses so that you can practice each part until you get it right.
We will explain and practice each section of the test so that you will be thoroughly prepared for the examination.
Course Factfile Length: 4 hours Start Dates: The day before the exam, normally in Friday evening TOEIC crash course
The course happens the day before the exam and lasts for 4 hours.
It includes:
1. Practical hints on taking the exam; stress, timing, equipment to bring
2. An explanation of the way in which you must mark the answer sheet to show your answer
3. An analysis of the different parts of the exam, including the difficult to time reading section.
4. An opportunity to practice sections of the exam
5. The chance to talk face to face with a teacher about any concerns you have.
To take part in the crash course you must also buy the exam which will happen the day after.
The cost of the course is £40 and the time of the class is 16.30 - 20.30pm.
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General and Intensive English
Callan Method Conversation and Discussion Vocabulary Grammar Writing Cambridge Skills -
Course Factfile Length: 1 - 50 weeks Age: 16+ Tuition: 3, 5, 8, 16, 20, 33 Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: "Beginner-Advanced" Start Dates: Any day we are open Price: £100+ Callan Method
Price includes:
- English Lessons (50 minutes followed by a 10 minute break)
This type of class is different to traditional classes because more than 70% of the class is speaking and listening in a small group with a native English teacher. The teacher asks a question with new words of grammar, the student answers, and if the student makes a mistake the teacher corrects the student. This is similar to how people learn their first language as babies. For this reason many people find this method very interesting and helpful.
Course Factfile Age: 16+ Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: Upper intermediate level. Start Dates: Throughout the year Conversation and Discussion
It is an often stated fact that when we learn a language, we do not just reproduce sentences but begin to mix and match the words to make new patterns. This class should help you to do that. It will also help you to learn about intonation, speaking about hypothetical and unreal situations, as well as likes and dislikes.
You will also learn some more unusual and taboo vocabulary, which will help you understand passionate and high level debates you might hear taking place. Maybe you will even join in!
This class happens Monday to Friday between 14.30 and 16.30 and is at an upper intermediate level.
Course Factfile Age: 16+ Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: Intermediate Vocabulary
Extending your vocabulary is not always easy, its hard to remember and use all 250,000 words in the English language! Vocabulary
However, by learning a number of new words in a disciplined way you can increase your mental library of words to use.
Its also important to know when to use a word because just knowing the word's meaning does not mean it is suitable for every occasion. That can lead to some embarrassing situations!
So, join this class to find answers to your vocabulary nightmares and become a word genius.
This class usually happens between 12.30 and 14.30, Monday to Friday, and is at an intermediate level of English.
Course Factfile Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: Elementary, intermediate and advanced. Start Dates: Throughout the year Grammar
Would you like to have a good understanding of English Grammar? Do you want a clear explanation from a teacher? Do you want to work through written exercises? If yes, this is the class for you.
Our Grammar course is designed to help you focus on this fascinating subject in depth.
The class happens each day from 12.30 - 14.20. The class happens 5 days a week
There is a simple entrance test, as the class is not suitable for complete beginners.
There are 3 levels of the class, elementary, intermediate and advanced. You can download a course description below;
Course Factfile Age: 16+ Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: beginner and intermediate Start Dates: Throughout the year Writing
He class lasts for 2 hours and usually happens between 12.30 and 14.30. It includes;Writing class
* Hand writing
* The English Alphabet
* Spelling
* Essays
* Compositions
* Letters
To take this class you need to study at least 10 lessons per week, but it could be a part of a larger course, like 20 lessons per week.
There are two levels of the course, beginner and intermediate, and they both run all year in separate classrooms.
If you want to practice academic writing for essays and University work then we recommend our IELTS course instead.
Course Factfile Age: 16+ Maximum Class Size: 14 Levels: 1. Beginner 2. Elementary 3. Pre-intermediate 4. Intermediate Start Dates: Throughout the year Cambridge Skills
Our skills classes are designed to complement our Callan Method classes.
They happen at 10.30 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 16.30. We encourage students who study for 4 lessons per day to take two skills classes together with their Callan Method classes.
However, these English classes can also be taken on their own without the Callan Method, and they are excellent for students who find speaking and listening easy but reading and writing difficult. This is because these classes focus on grammar, reading and writing as well as speaking and listening.
There is a designated textbook which students must buy, and this forms the basis of each lesson. We use projectors and whiteboards, as well as working in pairs and groups.
Teachers prepare the lessons each week and teach a class for 6 weeks at a time. This ensures continuity but also variety for the student.
There are 5 levels of skills class, corresponding to the 5 levels of the Callan Method. These are;
1. Beginner
2. Elementary
3. Pre-intermediate
4. Intermediate
5. Upper intermediate
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Other Courses
Foreign Language Course (coming soon) -
Course Factfile Foreign Language Course (coming soon)
Modern languages including: Arabic, Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, Russian, German and Japanese
Accommodation
- Homestay
- We work together with an agency to organise homestay accommodation for students. This is living with an English speaking family in their home. It is not like staying in a hotel, it is completely different, and you are going to learn all about the culture and speak English all day! This is the best way to spend your time in England, and "Homestay" is the kind of accommodation we recommend to all students.
Our basic homestay package is £115 per week and includes breakfast and an evening meal everyday. There is lunch at the weekend, but not during the week. Lunch in England costs about £3 in a shop. Most families have an internet connection you can use in their house, and you will be able to use the family's washing machine. You will have a single room with a single bed and will not share your room with anyone else. You will eat with the family each evening and be like a member of the family! Most of our families live less than 30 minutes from the school by bus, train or tram.
Transfers
We can arrange transfers from all airports in the North West of England, though most students arrive at Manchester International airport.
Social Programme
We have social events all year round. Most events are free but for some there is a small charge depending what activities we have lined up. Please visit our website or facebook page to find out more, but here is a sample of some events we hold;
Weekly football game
Weekly film club
Weekly Friday night trip to the pub
4 big school parties each year, Christmas, Valentines day, Summer and "Back to School"
Every two weeks we have a trip out somewhere in Manchester; Museums, Galleries, Nearby cities (like Liverpool, Chester), Music concerts, Manchester United Football ground etc.
This page was last updated by A2Z School of English on 31 Jan 2012. Please check the A2Z School of English website for latest course information before enrolling on a course.
