Accent International Language Consultancy (Bicton College)

Small groups of 2-4 participants are often a very good way of improving General English or General Business English. These courses are for 40 hours a week and focus on accuracy, fluency and communication skills in English. Composition of the groups is initially based on the needs analysis and finally decided after a placement test on the first morning of the course. The course plan is negotiated with members of the group. Whilst it is not always possible to focus upon the individual needs of each member, most targets are usually catered for. Small group courses are a good option for those with a need to improve their general communication skills or for those with a limited budget.

There are three different combinations of individual and small group tuition. These programmes are the bridge between those two formats and can be for 35 or 40 hours. The individual part can be used to focus on specific language needed and the group part can be used for more general fluency and communication work. For those who have some specific needs but also want to improve their communication skills in more than one-to-one situations, or whose time is not so limited, a combination course is a popular option.

Accent works closely with training departments in several countries to design company courses of language training. This can involve work on in-company courses in other countries or it can include closed small group programmes in the UK, seminars over a long weekend which focus on the specific language needs for the company's activities or specially-written simulations in English for larger groups.

Individual courses are available in intensities from 20 hours to 50 hours per week but the most usual option is 40 hours per week. An individual course allows you to decide exactly what you are going to study, using which materials and at what speed. Individual course participants have two to three trainers, one of whom is the course tutor. Each individual course is tailor-made for the participant and is based upon initial needs analysis and then more detailed diagnostic assessment on the first morning of the course. For specialist needs or maximum progress in minimum time, Individual Courses are the best option.