Program Overview

Introduction to the Academic Preparation Course

The Academic Preparation Course (APC) at DLD College London is designed to prepare international students for further study, including GCSE, BTEC, A Level, or International Foundation Programme (IFP). This one-year program aims to develop English language skills and familiarize students with the challenges of learning in a typical British classroom environment.

Core Aims

The core aims of the APC are to:

• Develop English language skills
• Help students familiarize themselves with the challenges of learning in a British classroom environment
• Develop skills in areas such as pair work, group work, independent reading, and discussion work
• Provide students with a solid foundation of academic skills and academic expectations
• Familiarize students with the demands of a UK-based study course, including pastoral needs

Course Content

Academic Preparation Course students study a range of subjects, including:

• Academic English
• Mathematics
• Social Sciences (Understanding the world around us)
• British identity & values
• Types of businesses
• Education & Healthcare
• Types of family and gender roles
• Diversity (cultures, professions, government)
• Art
• Communication Skills focusing on elocution and English pronunciation
• Digital Skills to develop tools for deeper learning
• Reading to widen their English vocabulary
• PHSE encouraging good health and social wellness

Digital Skills

Digital Skills is a strand from Computer Science and includes a range of abilities to use digital devices, communication applications, and networks to access and manage information. Students learn important aspects of the digital age, including:

• eSafety
• The Cloud
• Social media
• eCommerce
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Digital research methods
• UI and UX
• Digital Career Pathways
• Ethical Hacking
• Practical lessons in using Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc)
• Introduction to Animation
• Coding in HTML and CSS
• Video Editing
• Virtual/Augmented Reality

Enrichment

The enrichment program is designed to enhance the experience of studying in central London. It involves regular interactive sessions, often in the form of external excursions, that require students to explore and interact with aspects of British culture. Examples include attending local art galleries and museums to enrich their understanding of British history, creativity, and innovation.

Assessment

Students have regular tests in the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) and sit an IELTS exam at the end of the winter term to experience sitting an external exam and for official evidence of progress made after one term. The final IELTS exam is taken at DLD College at the end of the summer term. Progression depends on the result of this final exam.

Progression Requirements

Progression depends on English scores and previous studies. The required IELTS scores are:

• Year 10: 4.5
• Year 11: 5.0
• IFP: 5.0
• A Level: 5.5*
• BTEC: 5.5*
• Medicine IFP: 6.0 *Students must have a 5.0 minimum in reading and writing components.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirement for the Academic Preparation Course is equivalent to 4.0 IELTS/B1/OPT 40 to 46 minimum.