There is software available that automatically formats your paper, handles all necessary Word functions, automates citing references, and includes the most sophisticated input verification technology on the market. Whether you are writing a research paper, writing a dissertation or thesis, or simply creating a term paper, this software is the right choice for you. To learn more, click HERE...
Educational Products
Basic Skills provides high quality educational products to help you evaluate your students' academic progress and to prepare them for achievement testing. All products are shipped first class. To learn more, click HERE...
Set up a Preschool Program
Learn how to take back your life, fire your boss, stay home with your children and make your family be proud of you. To learn more, click HERE...
Speaking English
Everyday Survival Kit for English Learners has been designed in such a way that students can learn to talk really fast. They will learn to speak by using a simple method. It also has a section 'How to talk to people over the Phone' and provides many sample conversations. To learn more, click HERE...
Step Up and Speak
Learn how to prepare a good speech and become an effective presenter. 'Step Up and Speak!' is a powerful interactive e-course that combines the art and science of delivering the winning speech and presentation. You will not suffer anymore through the anxiety of preparing and delivering your presentations again. In fact, you will get excited about the prospect of becoming an excellent public speaker. To learn more, click HERE...
Make English Learning Fun - Teach English Through Songs
Students can learn English fast with specially written songs for English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. The result is accelerated learning: English teachers get students motivated with enthusiasm for learning, create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in the classroom, make English learning fun, teach natural pronunciation efficiently, drill rhythm and structure of the language, enhance grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and more… To get free samples, click HERE...
WhiteSmoke’s online grammar checker is the best grammar checker software available for identifying and fixing grammar mistakes in academic documents, business letters, and anything else. The grammar checker checks and corrects all common errors found in writing. With this online grammar checker from WhiteSmoke you can proofread the text with just a simple click of the mouse. Our online grammar checker will prevent the embarrassment of sending out text riddled with grammar errors. A document that has been through our English grammar checker will look more professional, ensuring that get the new client, close that deal, or ace that term paper. The grammar checker software will spot errors that most human readers would not catch. To learn more, click HERE...
Get a real-time, three-dimensional view of our Solar System, the Galaxy and the Universe. An excellent software is available via Instant Download, so your students can be soaring through Outer Space in a few minutes time. To discover more, click HERE...
Teaching Students About Money
Discover the simple way to teach your students about money. Get step-by-step money lessons. You will have a number of step-by-step lessons, tools and resources right at your fingertips. To find out more, click HERE...
Learn How to Write and Publish Books for Your Students
On his webinar Garrett Pierson reveals a simple seven-step secret that instantly slashes the time to writing your book even if you are not a writer. The training package includes Garrett's book and 9 module training course. To register for the webinar, click HERE...
Performance Appraisals
Ready-to-use phrases can help you write professional appraisals. Get a comprehensive list of phrases covering most of the categories of KPIs used by many companies worldwide. To download, click HERE...
Easy Math
Ancient math secrets turn even math phobics into number wizards who can calculate effortlessly in their heads faster than most adults can with a calculator. To learn more, click HERE...
Foundation Program
In most countries foundation programs are usually designed for those students who must acquire skills that are needed to enter universities at a bachelor's degree level. The courses in such programs are designed to meet students' practical communicative needs in an academic environment. In many developing countries foundation programs enable universities to maintain higher level of teaching. The foci of such programs are usually English, mathematics, computers and basic study skills. In Western countries foundation programs are designed to serve the needs of overseas students and they mostly focus on teaching academic English skills.
In general, foundation programs aim to extend students' competence and confidence in English, Computers, Mathematics and Study Skills. The programs consist of two semesters and they can be called Foundation 1 (Semester 1) and Foundation 2 (Semester 2). The duration of each semester is from thirteen to eighteen weeks, depending on the students' needs. The number of weeks can also be reduced depending on the degree of the students' competence.
Placement Test
A placement test is usually administered a few days (or even weeks) before the program starts. The aim of the placement test can determine whether a candidate will be able to enter Foundation 1 (F1), Foundation 2 (F2), or go directly to a bachelor degree program.
Here is some information about the administration of a placement test and the courses (modules) that could be taught in a foundation program. This is an example only. You can make a few modifications and apply this example to the needs of your college or university.
The Placement Test consists of two parts, written - 85 points, and oral - 15 points. The oral part of the test is conducted face-to-face between the candidate and the ESL tutor (the procedure of oral test is similar to the procedure of oral IELTS test). The total number of points awarded is 100 (85+15). A candidate who earned 60 points or less is allowed to enter Foundation 1. A candidate who earned 61-85 points is allowed to enter Foundation 2. A candidate who earned 86-100 points can be allowed to enter directly to Degree Program.
Placement Test Table
Points
Placement
86 - 100
Diploma / Degree
61 - 85
Foundation 2
60 - less
Foundation 1
Modules
The following modules can be introduced into the Foundation Program.
General English Skills (F1-GES) module consists of 2 contact hours per week lectures in a large lecture theatre (for many students) and 6 contact hour tutorials - small groups of students (2+2+2). Lectures focus on language study skills, critical thinking, English grammar, and other challenging areas. A lecture outline on one A4 page can handed in to each student at the entrance to the Lecture Theatre. Students should be encouraged to take notes. The aim of the lectures is to develop students’ listening skills, motivation, and to help them understand the importance of the basic academic issues such as time management and self-study.
Foundation 2
English for Academic Purposes (F2-EAP) module consists of 2 contact hours of lectures in a large lecture theatre and 4 contact hour tutorials (2+2). Each week a different lecturer delivers a lecture on a topic which is related to students’ study skills. Guest speakers from outside the college can be invited, from time to time. The purpose of these lectures is to improve students’ listening, note-taking and critical thinking skills, to develop skills of academic culture and to give a deeper insight into the bachelor degree courses. Students are required to take notes. Their note-taking skills can be assessed (as a part of continuous assessment).
Credit Points
The total number of credit points in Foundation Program can be 120. One credit point equals the learning outcomes attained in 10 hours of learning. This applies to both the semesters comprising the Foundation Program. Based on standard requirements, 120 credits can be considered as one year’s academic work which includes both contact and self-study hours. Foundation Program credit points should not be transferable to bachelor degree programs, otherwise it would cause some confusion in the university bachelor degree programs.
Each module can be assessed through a combination of continuous assessment, mid-semester, and final examinations. The overall pass mark for Foundation 1 students who wish to enter Foundation 2 should be 51 or above in the Foundation 1 exam. The overall pass mark for Foundation 2 students who wish to enter Degree Program should be 51 or above in the Foundation 2 exam.
Assessment Procedure
Assessment criteria should be determined for every assignment, test or examination paper within each module.
Final Integrated Written Examination
At the end of each semester all students take integrated English language written examinations in Foundation 1 and in Foundation 2. Examinations include all the skills that were developed during the two semesters.
Moderation should be conducted for written examinations.
Supplementary Examinations
Supplementary examinations can be conducted for those foundation students who were unable to attend final examinations due to a valid reason, subject to approval by the concerned authority.
Evaluation of Courses
At the end of each semester courses are evaluated by teachers and students. The results of questionnaires are processed and discussed at meetings.
Recommend this website to your friends, colleagues, English teachers and students
Start from the Beginning
Basic Skills
Basic Skills provides high quality educational products to help you evaluate your students' academic progress and to prepare them for achievement testing. All products are shipped first class. To learn more, click HERE...
Accelerated Reading
Real speed reading is a method where you re-train your brain to break the old habits you were taught in third grade. You must learn a new way to visually take in words without that little voice in your head slowing you down. There is a deep satisfaction in being able to speed read and understand what you read. An automatic way of reading that becomes second nature and is much faster. To learn more, click HERE...
Text Correction
Ginger Software is the leading contextual grammar and spell checker on the market today. It operates as an online service and supports MS-Word, MS-Outlook, MS-PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and Firefox. Ginger Software's mission is to facilitate error-free writing, particularly for those who use English as a second language or for those with learning difficulties like dyslexia. A unique text-correction algorithm automatically analyzes the context of errors in written English and selects the most appropriate semantic and grammatical correction. To learn more, click HERE...
ESL Secrets
Robby Kukurs has worked out fluency and confidence maintenance system based on his own experience. The goal of his e-book English Harmony is to help non-native English speakers change their whole outlook on life and the way they perceive things when they speak English. To learn more, click HERE...
Teach How to Write a Good Resume
Jimmy Sweeney has helped thousands of job-seekers in over 25 countries, land more quality job interviews and job offers in dozens of highly-competitive fields using his breakthrough, step-by-step resume formula. To learn more, click HERE...
Printable math board games to make math practice fun are now available. Math games for school or homeschool education. It is a great math resource for teachers and parents. Perfect for students to use at school or at home to practice basic math skills. To download, click HERE...
Test Prep
The Private School Exam test prep program includes hundreds of sample test prep questions in both the ISEE test and SSAT test formats. Your students will have more than enough practice in all aspects of the exams. To learn more, click HERE...
Math Solutions
It is a new software trading tool that helps identify trading opportunities through the use of Artificial Intelligence and brute force mathematics. What used to take days of time consuming mathematical calculations through an Excel spreadsheet is now done in a matter of seconds. To download & install, click HERE...
This website is free. No registration or login is required. Your assistance is needed. Please donate to improve this website. ESL DRIVE BLOG
Materials on this website are published for research and educational purposes and information is presented as accurately as possible. ESL DRIVE is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. Disclaimer.
