Admissions criteria for English for Professional Purposes (ESOL) at Glyndŵr University

Each stage covers the four essential linguistic skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, with materials and activities linked mainly to the society and culture of the UK. The pathway ensures progression from one level to the next.

Class contact is 30 hours in total for each stage, and the final assessment covers all four skills areas. On successful completion the students gain a HE certificate and 20 credits. Anybody enrolled on a module must take the final assessment. Pass mark is 40%.

Beginner level: not offered at Glyndŵr University

Lower intermediate level

Entry: The lower intermediate level is for those with some prior knowledge of the language, up to A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference. At entry the students may, for example, have studied the language several years ago to a low (e.g. entry/breakthrough) level, or they may have learnt the language ‘in practice’ but not taken any formal assessment in it.

Exit: At the end of this stage, students will have reached A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference (IELTS 3.0/3.5; Cambridge Key English Test – KET). On completion they will be able to communicate in routine tasks and short social exchanges.

Intermediate level

Entry: The intermediate level is for those who have reached A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference. At entry the students may, for example, have a recent KET (Cambridge) or IELTS 3.0.

Exit: At the end of this stage, students will have reached B1 in the CEFR (IELTS 4.0/4.5; Cambridge Preliminary English Test – PET) and should be able to communicate effectively in a wide range of situations and to comprehend written and spoken material without the need for repetition or frequently consulting a dictionary.

Upper intermediate level

Entry: The upper intermediate level is intended for students who have already reached B1 in the CEFR and should have covered all the principal categories of grammar. At entry students may have e.g. a recent PET (Cambridge) or IELTS 4.0.

Exit: On completion, students will have reached B2 in the CEFR (IELTS 5.0-5.5/
Cambridge First Certificate English) and should be able to communicate effectively in fairly demanding situations. They will be able to understand extended speech and written text with complex lines of argument.

No courses are currently available at Glyndŵr University for levels above IELTS 5.5/6.0 or Cambridge First Certificate.