Faculty Information:
TIES follows a very systematic and well-researched method to determine the correct approach for each participant. This process is described in detail below, and is given in detail to give you the confidence that your employees will receive the best quality training possible that is suited to their needs.

Needs analysis

We assess the needs of the company, the job and the individuals and define the language level required by the job. In-company training departments must make decisions about the type of training required: individual vs. group, in-house vs. language centre. In these interviews we investigate the learning style of the learner, the job description and we define the learning purpose. We investigate the interaction they have through the business medium, the topic of communication, and the mode of interaction (formal vs. informal, spoken vs. written). This helps us to determine the specific course content.

Assessment of level

We test all learners by means of a formal Business English test and interview. The results of this test assist us in placing learners into groups with similar abilities and needs.

Syllabus

Set courses will have fixed objectives and syllabi. Special courses require a special syllabus. The one-on-one courses develop syllabus and content on an ongoing basis.

Course Objectives

Defined precisely in relation to the needs analysis findings. May be worded in terms of the tasks/skills required in the job (job experienced learners) or course of study (pre-job experienced learners) or in terms of required language improvement (e.g. command of structures or pronunciation).

Learners Expectations

Learners are likely to be more goal-orientated and to expect success. Business people normally have high expectations of efficiency, quality and professionalism.

Materials - Print, audio and video materials are used. We also develop materials for specific courses when necessary.

Methodology - Many learning tasks and activities will be the same as on a general English course, especially for teaching structures, vocabulary and social English. Role-plays are common to both although the situations and language will differ. TIES also borrow ideas from management training - e.g. problem solving, decision making and team building tasks. Job experienced learners will be given many opportunities to present and discuss aspects of their work.

All participants will receive a certificate of participation and a grade at the end of a course. The employer will receive a written report on the performance of each student, including the level they were at when beginning the course and the standard achieved at the end of the course. A view will also be expressed, and justified, by TIES as to whether the participant requires further training and at what level.

The grade, therefore, will give the participant and the sponsoring company the comfort that performance has been very carefully monitored according to international standards and norms. The grade will be expressed in internationally accepted terms.

The primary aim of TIES is to build an unsurpassed record of quality and results. The process we follow is described in some detail below:
- Evaluation of Progress. We use an off-the-shelf business English test. For informal assessment, the emphasis is usually on evaluating the success of communication - i.e. did the speaker/writer express the idea precisely enough and appropriately enough for the target situation?
- Describing Levels of Performance. Definitions of performance objectives and methods of assessment vary. We predominantly use the UPM scale which has been specifically designed for use with business and professional people and which can be readily used by both language training professionals and company training managers with little knowledge of language learning. Some examples are shown below:
- UPM Language Ability Scale, Level 2: Extremely limited communication. Some everyday vocabulary and phrases are known, e.g. normal greetings, perhaps also some words connected with own subject sphere. A person at this level can "survive" in the language (e.g. travel without getting lost, give basic details about himself) but cannot function in it at work.
- UPM Language Ability Scale, Level 6: Good Communication ability. Has full command of the grammatical structures of the language; begins to use nuances of meaning successfully; has a rather extensive general vocabulary. At this level a person is able to take part in discussions and negotiations in the role, for instance, of seller.

These assessments are coupled with a commentary/report on the individual learners English ability and include feedback in the following areas:
- Size (of monologues)
- Speed
- Fluency
- Comprehensibility
- Independence
- Mother tongue interference
- Range of vocabulary
- Appropriacy of language use
- Accuracy

Other Activities:
The campus of TIES is located in Somerset West, a small picturesque residential town about 48 kilometres from Cape Town, the premier tourism destination in South Africa. Somerset West has Mountains, Sea, Vineyards, and a pleasant town atmosphere all blessed with 39 weeks of summer annually.

There are many opportunities for sightseeing and hiking as well. It is very close to the premier wine area of the Cape, and the historic town of Stellenbosch, famous for its wines and University atmosphere, is 16 kilometers away. Beautiful Helderberg Mountain towers over the Somerset West. While climbing her magnificent slopes take a moment to enjoy the rest of the wonderful scenery that the coastline with long white beaches can offer. With long, hot summers and fairly mild winters, Somerset West offers residents and visitors year-round natural wonders.

Set in the heart of the Cape Winelands you can find many residences, orchards and vineyards. Apples, plums, pears, olives and world famous wine producing grapes are successfully harvested each autumn.

An Activity Playground
- Water-Skiing
- Mountain Climbing
- Hiking
- Wind-surfing
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Sailing
- Golfing
- Canoeing
- Hand-gliding
- Paragliding
- Horseback riding

Facility Information:
We invite you to explore all that TIES has to offer:
- A friendly and comfortable learning environment;
- Personal attention and support from instructors and staff to help ensure student success;
- Dedicated and accomplished teachers who encourage student participation;
- Small class sizes that offer one-on-one time with the instructor;
- TIES are open all year round;

International students are integrated into a privileged South African lifestyle and participate in all aspects of academic life with students from around the world. Students enrolled in upper level English programs may choose to register for teacher training courses.

Somerset West offers a large variety of accommodation. There are hotels, private flats, cottages, home-stay families and guest houses. We highly recommend staying in English speaking home as this will maximize your learning experience. We also offer accommodation to high school aged children who wish to attend high school once their English program is complete. We do not have accommodation for younger students.

Notes:
Accommodation, visa costs, and airfares are for the account of the sponsoring company/participant.

Also see Vacation Schools in:
Africa   South Africa  

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