Our Teaching Method

During your first lesson at Watson's School of English, you will be given a brief placement exam and evaluated, according to your score, at one of six levels.

Color/Level	What can you expect from each level…	Minimum vocabulary*
Complete Beginner	We will teach you a basic vocabulary largely through Pexeso games and picture books. Graduating students will able to form simple sentences , count, introduce themselves to foreigners,… You should be able to read a variety of children books.	400 words
Advanced Beginner	Vocabulary buildingGrammar according to the "Essential Grammar in Use" by R. MurphySimple conversation (shopping, how to get somewhere...) Reading of books in English which have been simplified for students, primarily from the Oxford Bookworms Library (divided into 6 levels, which are roughly in parallel with our division of language levels)	700 words
Lower Intermediate	More advanced grammar and reading texts, gamesOxford Bookworms Library - level 3You should be able to conduct simple business negotiations such as writing business letters and e-mails, making reservations and buying tickets...	1000 words
Intermediate	Games, reading, greater emphasis on conversationOxford Bookworms Library - level 4You should be able to hold conversations with native speakers, fill out job applications, write a CV, and understand a great deal of what you hear in English on the radio or TV.	1800 words
Upper Intermediate	The courses begin to be more student directed, with instruction tailored to what you need to know.Oxford Bookworms Library - level 5Graduates will be able to have simple phone conversations, read English magazines and newspapers, watch films in English.	2500 words
Advanced	Games, grammar exercises and conversation, but everything at the very highest possible levelReading books and magazines in English intended for native speakersOxford Bookworms Library - level 6Graduates should be able to have normal conversation with native speakers, even those with strange accents met in the pub after several drinks.	2500 words and more(which is as many as the average American uses)

*) Approximate vocabulary upon completing the level

The lessons given at each level are specifically designed to help you reach the next level. As you attend classes, you will be regularly re-evaluated, so you can move to a higher level according to the speed of your personal progress. For example, if you learn faster than other students in your group you could be moved to a higher level any time during the course.

Throughout the course, we use a variety of games and conversational exercizes. As you participate in the games and exercises, the teacher will note the mistakes you make, and adjust the lessons accordingly, to help you reach the next level as soon as possible. If you, as a student, have any special needs (e.g., business English, English in phone conversations, English for traveling, etc…), we are flexible enough to accommodate you.

Students are not required to buy any books, although if you wish to for home use we could recommend some. Throughout the lessons, we often refer to the following ones:

	"Essential Grammar in Use", Raymond Murphy, Cambridge University Press, 1998
	"English Grammar in Use", Raymond Murphy, Cambridge University Press, 1999
	Oxford Bookworms Library, Oxford University Press
	Penguin Readers, Pearson Education Ltd.
	Longman Classics, Addison Wesley Longman Ltd.

Watson's School of English uses its own easy, verifiable step-by-step method. This method consists of six steps, which can take a student from being a complete beginner to speaking nearly perfect English, at a pace which is determined by the student himself.