General English
Our General English courses are from Elementary A1 to Advanced level C1.  We also offer Proficiency C2 if there is sufficient demand.

SUMMARY OF COURSES AND LEVELS AT OME
Courses are matched to the internationally recognised Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels A1 to C2.

Conversation
Conversation classes aim to help you achieve fluency and good pronunciation in spoken English. Classes focus on discussions on stories in the media and topical issues and presentations. There is no examination for this course; it is intended to help students enhance their conversational English in an interesting and fun environment.

The class size is small so the teacher can give each student individual attention.

Elementary (CEFR Level A1 – A2)
The aim of the Elementary course is to teach you to:

• Understand and use simple vocabulary, sentences, expressions, and basic phrases useful for everyday life in the UK.
• Introduce yourself, ask and answer questions about personal details and daily needs – such as where you live, family information, shopping, eating, the local area, entertainment, and working.
• Read and understand simple information and texts
• Be able to complete forms and write short texts related to personal information

Pre-Intermediate (CEFR Level A2)
The aim of the course is to teach you to:

• Understand and communicate in familiar situations, using sentences
• Start to manage most situations related to living and travelling, to describe or express your opinion on topics of personal interest such as experiences, events, hopes and ambitions, and express opinions, reasons, and plans
• Read and understand information on familiar topics
• Write simple formal letters and text on familiar matter

Intermediate (CEFR Level B1)
By this level you will be becoming more fluent and will be able to speak more spontaneously with English-speaking people. This course progresses to using new and more challenging words and sentence structures.

The aim of the course is to teach you to:

• Understand topical matters, and explain your opinions and advantages and disadvantages of a situation
• Read and understand routine information and articles and the meaning of information in a familiar area
• Produce written work on a range of subjects

Upper Intermediate / Cambridge First (CEFR Level B2)
The course is ideal for students who want to learn English for work or study, and to communicate more effectively with native speakers.

It is not compulsory to take the exam, but students often take the Cambridge First Examination to demonstrate their level of English to prospective employers or training organisations. For students on the Cambridge First courses we will help you to become familiar with the different parts of the exam and you will have the opportunity to practise using past exam papers.

By the end of the course you should be able to:

• Express your opinion and hold discussions with native speakers on a fairly wide variety of topics with a level of fluency and spontaneity that makes communication possible without strain.
• Understand people speaking English on radio and television, and understand the main points of complex pieces of writing.
• Understand and write, clear and detailed text on a wide range of subjects, both concrete and abstract, including technical discussions in your field of specialisation, and express advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

IELTS 6.5 (CEFR Level C1)
This course offers preparation for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which tests the four language communication skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You must be at least at Upper Intermediate level when you join this course.

At OME we prepare students for the IELTS Academic test at level 6.5 which is accepted by training institutions and many university courses

By the end of the course you should be able to:

• Speak and discuss your opinions with native speakers with a level of fluency and spontaneity that makes communication possible without strain.
• Listen to, and understand, much of what is said on radio and television
• Read and understand the main points of complex pieces of academic writing
• Understand, and write, clear formal academic text on a wide range of subjects, both concrete and abstract, including technical discussions in your field of specialisation.

Advanced / Cambridge Advanced (CEFR Level C1)
This class offers teaching at Advanced level and prepares you to take Cambridge C1 Advanced, although it is not compulsory to take the exam.

Cambridge Advanced is recognised around the world by employers as an English qualification for working at professional or managerial level, and as a qualification for studying at university level.

By the end of the course you should be able to:

• Speak with native speakers fluently, flexibly, spontaneously, and confidently in social, academic, and business situations.
• Understand, read and write, well-structured text on complex subjects, both concrete and abstract, and show recognition of implicit meanings. Take notes and write formatted and logical text for professional purposes.

Proficiency / Cambridge Proficiency (CEFR Level C2)
This class offers teaching at Proficiency level and prepares you to take Cambridge C2 Proficiency although it is not compulsory to take the exam.

Cambridge C2 Proficiency is the highest level awarded by Cambridge. It proves you can communicate with the fluency and sophistication of a very competent English speaker. It is a level of English that will enable you to succeed in very high level academic or professional environments. 

By the end of the course you should be able to:

• Understand easily virtually everything you hear or read. 
• Speak with native speakers confidently,  precisely and coherently in social, academic, and business situations.
• Understand, read and write, well-structured text on complex subjects, both concrete and abstract, approaching the level of an educated native speaker.