Our new curriculum takes effect July 7

When the next session begins on July 7, New York Language Center will start implementing its new curriculum. In our continued commitment to providing the best instruction for our students, we are making some changes in our current programs to follow standards set forth by the CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation), a worldwide organization that provides guidance in the best practices in English language teaching. Because meeting CEA standards is also a requirement for schools accepting learners with student visas, NYLC joins English Language Programs around the country from language schools to colleges and universities in ensuring students receive the latest methods in English language teaching. 

With the new curriculum, there will be major changes in our classes and programs, and change is often not easy. However, once we get used to the new system, things will start to become routine. Of course, NYLC faculty and staff will make the change go as smoothly as possible, and one way students can help is to familiarize themselves with the changes and to know what to expect when the new curriculum begins.

Continue reading to learn about NYLC’s new curriculum, which starts on July 7.

These are the main changes that will take effect on July 7:

LENGTH OF EACH LEVEL - 8 weeks

One major change in the new curriculum is the length of time students will be in each level. You will now study for 8 weeks before you take the final exam and advance to the next level. This change will give teachers plenty of time to ensure students get a lot of practice in using the language.

As a language learner, you probably know of the importance of practice in mastering a language. Understanding grammar rules is only the beginning; learners have to learn to use them. While we already stress this fact in our classes, adding the extra time will ensure that students put this idea into practice in our classrooms. 

NUMBER OF LEVELS - 8 levels

The new curriculum will now have 8 levels, and each level will focus on making sure students are able to produce certain language skills (talk about events in detail, ask/give clarification, …) Teachers will use the textbooks as references to equip students with the skills needed to produce the language correctly at their level in order to communicate well in English.

The eight levels will be Beginning 1, Beginning 2, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, High Intermediate 1, High Intermediate 2, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2.
We will also have Post-advanced classes in Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking, as well as TOEFL preparation and Business English.

In addition, students may also follow a fast track to TOEFL and Business English, by taking PreTOEFL and Business 1 after High Intermediate 2 provided they get at least 80% in their final grades. 

SCHEDULE

The new schedule for all classes will be 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Students who are in the Semi-Intensive Language Program will study 16 hours a week on this schedule and will not have class on Fridays. 

Students studying with an F-1 visa or those in the Intensive Language Program will also be in class 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday; in addition, they will come to class on Fridays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. for Friday Lab. Labs on Fridays are designed with activities offering students more opportunities to use the language.

ASSESSMENTS (exams)
Instead of the current midterm exam on the third week and final exam on the fifth week, the new curriculum will have short tests each week called formative assessments and a final exam on the eighth week called a summative assessment. The weekly formative assessments will test your ability to express yourself in English using the lessons you learn each week. The average of your formative assessment grades will make up 35% of your final grade; your summative assessment will be worth 65% of your final grade.

FOCUS

Last but not least, the focus of the courses in the new curriculum will also change. In the current curriculum, students are given plenty of information from the textbook. And while being taught a lot of grammar and vocabulary is useful, we want students to also practice what they learn in the classroom. This will help them master and acquire their new language faster. To accomplish this, courses will start focusing on Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), which will guide teachers in making sure students are able to use the language they are taught each week and in each level. 

If you have questions or concerns about the new curriculum, please feel free to ask or comment below, on Facebook, or on Twitter. We will also have an information/counseling session on the fifth week of this session to answer your specific questions. Look out for signs and announcements for date and time. We are confident you will find the new curriculum useful and effective in helping you make improvements in your English, and we will continue to monitor our programs to ensure we are offering students the best practices in learning English in the classroom.