General English

RightPlace language centre is primarily concerned with the preparation of students for the internationally recognized IELTS exam. However such courses may not be immediately suitable for all students. Attempting to prepare for the IELTS exam without an already developed understanding of general English is unlikely to produce the best of results. With this in mind we have prepared courses for those at Intermediate and Upper Intermediate level.

These courses are ideal for students looking to develop their skills with the future intention of preparing for the IELTS exam and also for those students who wish to learn English for other reasons, whether they be academic, professional, travel or simply the pleasure and challenge of learning another language.

Lessons typically include all the important elements of language learning; speaking, listening, reading, writing and of course grammar. Using exclusively native English speaking teachers, we present a course in an enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere that will help you develop your language skills.

The typical course lasts twelve weeks, with two lessons, each lasting four hours, every week.

Business English

For some students who are particularly focused on a financial career both General English and the IELTS preparation courses may seem somewhat broad. You may be looking for something more focused on your particular professional area. RightPlace therefore offers Business English courses for individuals and groups ranging from Intermediate to Advance levels.

The primary texts for courses in Business English are the Market Leader range of books. Market Leader was developed in association with the internationally respected business daily “The Financial Times”, and is itself the internationally recognized and respected bench mark in Business English textbooks. Market Leader combines reading, speaking and listening, with guidance for writing tasks, too. Every unit contains vocabulary development activities and a rapid review of essential grammar. There is a regular focus on key business functions, and each unit ends with a motivating case study to allow students to practice language they have worked on during the unit.

Although and relevant to international business, Market Leader is nonetheless a book and therefore not completely up-to-date. Business on the other hand changes from day-to-day, sometimes literally, with yesterday’s paradigms becoming today’s trash and vice versa. No better proof or this can be found than the last year of turmoil. Therefore our lessons will also be supplemented by more recent articles from the most respected international business dailies, primarily of course the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal.

We recognize that the world of business can be highly focused and as such if you have certain requirements we will be happy to consult with you and tailor a course to your needs.

Typically a course is comprised of ninety-six hours divided into twenty-four lessons of four hours duration each. This can however be adapted to suit your specific requirements.

Have Fun With English

Right Place is also proud to offer a unique learning experience to our students, with courses that educate, re-imagine and explore the world through the lens of popular culture. Popular Culture (commonly abbreviated as pop culture) is the totality of distinct ideas, perspectives and attitudes upheld by the majority of society. Heavily influenced by mass media (at least from the early 20th century onward) and perpetuated by that culture’s everyday language, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society. By harnessing the potential of this often unexplored territory we hope to enlighten and prepare our students for the challenges of adjusting to a new culture and possibly life in a foreign country.

How does one learn about a new culture’s mind frame? How does a person make the transition from their own culture to one they have never experienced before? The answer is by immersing themselves in the country’s given culture. This includes (but is not limited to) film, TV, classical/contemporary literature, music and performance arts. The possibilities are almost endless.

Classes will include viewings of popular serials such as: The Simpsons, Friends, Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Blackadder, Doctor Who, CSI. The shows will then be analyzed and dissected by teacher and student alike, allowing participants to understand themes and the impact on modern day society. Different types of genre will play a key role in lesson structure; for example comedy. If you’ve ever seen ‘Monty Python’, then you already know the English have a healthy and quirky sense of humor (much funnier than the writer of this text). You would also be aware of the difficulties in understanding another culture’s comedy. With help our students will be able to dissolve the barriers surrounding unfamiliar humor allowing them to find a form of ‘common ground.’

Literature has had a lasting impact on the development of most societies. Our course includes the study of both classical and contemporary literature; ranging from Shakespeare to Bret Easton Elis, Charles Dickens to Irvine Welsh. Our classes will be taught by literature graduates who have studied the works of the World’s most prestigious writers to degree level and beyond.

The course will last for 10 weeks at approximately 80 hours divided by 2 classes per week. Once a month will be arranged a film night where students gather to watch and enjoy a movie that has had an impact on popular culture. At the end of the course students will then be expected to write a paper of approx. 500 words of length discussing themes and lasting impressions