What’s New for 2012?

[Writing courses for young learners] [Group classes for young learners] [FAQ’s]

Below you can find information about all of our ongoing classes for young learners

Writing courses for young learners

We are quite excited about our new writing course for young learners. Please visit http://www.tuition.com.hk/writing/  for more information and to secure a place for our intensive courses over the Easter break or our ongoing courses starting in April.
Please call 2116 3916 or email info@tuition.com.hk to reserve a place or inquire about the schedule for any of these courses, or email andrew.h@tuition.com.hk for more information about the course content.

Join an ongoing course

We currently have several ongoing courses students are welcome to join. These courses are useful both in English enhancement and preparing students for the respective exams.

We are now running courses for the Cambridge KET (Key English Test), FCE (First Certificate in English), and CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) levels. Contact us for more details.

KET: Sundays, Central, 11am-1pm; Fridays, Mong Kok, 5pm-7pm
FCE: Sundays, Central, 1:30pm-3:30pm
CAE: Sundays, Central, 4pm-6pm

Group classes for young learners in schools
ITS offers the same high-quality, holistic group classes described below to primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. These classes lead to certificates in the Cambridge YLE or Pearson PTE YL exams. Please contact us for more information on curriculum, pricing and scheduling.
Group classes for young learners at ITS

ITS Young Learners is pleased to announce that we are now offering English language classes for primary-aged learners. These small group classes are designed with a “holistic” approach to language learning, emphasizing both the technical and communicative parts of effective language learning. We believe that children have the right to enjoy useful, fun and engaging lessons that will help them in their current and later study, and in their lives beyond the classroom.

We are offering two classes for young learners, based around the PTE YL (Pearson Test of English, Young Learners) and the Cambridge YLE (Young Learners of English) exams. These classes, while preparing students for success in these exams, are not exam-prep classes, but rather ongoing, progressive English language classes. According to both Pearson and Cambridge guidelines, these classes are most suitable for students aged 6-12.

Service	Duration	2012*** Fee (per month)
PTE Firstwords A	One hour class, one class per week, 32 classes  (eight months)	$880*
PTE Firstwords B	One hour class, one class per week, 32 classes plus four hours exam preparation  (nine months)	$960*
PTE Springboard	Ninety-minute class, one class per week, 60 classes plus six hours exam preparation (16 months)	$1500*
PTE Quickmarch	Ninety-minute class, one class per week, 60 classes plus six hours exam preparation (16 months)	$1560*
PTE Breakthrough	Ninety-minute class, one class per week, 60 classes plus six hours exam preparation (16 months)	$1600*

*Plus a book fee. Other supplementary materials are included in the course fee.

Service	Duration	2012*** Fee (per month)
YLE Starters	Ninety-minute class, one class per week, 60 classes plus six hours exam preparation (16 months)	$1500*
YLE Movers	Ninety-minute class, one class per week, 60 classes plus six hours exam preparation (16 months)	$1560*
YLE Flyers	Ninety-minute class, one class per week, 60 classes plus six hours exam preparation (16 months)	$1600*

*Plus a book fee. Other supplementary materials are included in the course fee.

FAQ’s

Q: Which level should my child join?

A: We will offer each student interested in joining a class a no-pressure, teacher-guided assessment, and provide a brief feedback form at the end of the assessment along with our suggested level of study.

Please keep in mind the official guidelines from PTE and Cambridge YLE are as follows:

PTE- “The test is most suitable for children around the ages of 8 to 13.” http://www.pearsonpte.com/PTEYoungLearners/TestTakersandFamilies/Pages/FAQ.aspx

Cambridge YLE- “The Cambridge Young Learners English Tests are designed to offer a comprehensive approach to testing the English of Primary learners between the ages of 7 and 12.” https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/digitalAssets/116613_YLE_Handbook_2010.pdf

From the British Council Hong Kong- 
Starters /for children from the age of 5/usually K3 - P2   
Movers/ for children between 8 and 11/ usually P3 - P4* 
Flyers/ for children between 9 and 12/ usually P5 - P6*
*suggestions only                                                                                                                                     
http://www.britishcouncil.org/hongkong-exams-yle.htm      

Both the PTE and Cambridge YLE courses were designed for Primary-aged learners, and while learners outside of the recommended age range can benefit from these classes, a very young learner might not get as much out of it.

Q: So which programme is best for my child?

A: Both the PTE and YLE are effective, engaging, and educationally sound programs for young learners, and both have standardized exams to help benchmark students’ progress.
Both classes have been conceived and designed as all-around, “holistic” English classes that aim to improve all elements of a students’ English ability, helping them in their school classes, improving their communication ability in English, and preparing them for the exams at the end of each level.
The PTE is relatively new and gaining acceptance around the world, and the Cambridge YLE exams are well-established and are well-known in the local and world-wide educational community.

Q: What’s next after my child finishes a young learners program?

A: Both the PTE and Cambridge suite of exams extend beyond young learners. The Cambridge KET (Key English Test) and PET (Preliminary English Test) are the next levels and popular options for students who have finished a young learners program but are still too young for higher-level exams and classes. ITS Young Learners offers both a KET and PET course tailored to the needs of younger learners of these programs.

Service	Duration	2012*** Fee (per month)
Cambridge KET	Two hour class, one class per week, 68 classes plus eight hours exam preparation (18 months)	$1700*
Cambridge PET	Two hour class, one class per week, 68 classes plus eight hours exam preparation (18 months)	$1760*

*Plus a book fee. Other supplementary materials are included in the course fee.
For more information about the higher levels of PTE exams and courses offered by ITS, please refer to http://www.tuition.com.hk/Pearson-test-of-English.htm

 

 

Related Article: [Cambridge young learners exam explained]