English Language Foundation Programme

English Language Foundation Programme

Overview

The English Language Foundation Programme is designed to prepare international students for successful entry into Higher Education Institutions in Cyprus by strengthening their English language proficiency. The programme focuses on developing students’ core language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while also building the academic language, communication, and study skills required for effective participation in higher education.

The course provides a supportive learning environment that enables students to gain confidence, improve fluency, and adapt to the academic and cultural expectations of tertiary education.

Aims

The English Language Foundation Programme aims to enable students to:

• Achieve proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing
• Develop academic vocabulary and language structures required for higher education studies
• Enhance communication skills for academic, professional, and social contexts
• Build confidence in participating in class discussions, debates, and academic presentations
• Improve critical thinking and analytical skills through structured reading and writing tasks

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Programme in English Language, students will be able to:

1. Language Proficiency: Demonstrate an intermediate level of English proficiency, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, enabling effective communication in everyday and academic contexts.

2. Reading Skills: Understand and analyse moderately complex texts from a variety of sources, including academic texts, articles, and authentic materials, identifying main ideas, arguments, and supporting details.

3. Writing Skills: Produce coherent, well-structured written texts on a range of topics, expressing ideas, opinions, and arguments using appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and academic conventions.

4. Listening Skills: Understand the main ideas and specific information in spoken English, including lectures, discussions, interviews, and presentations delivered at a moderate pace.

5. Speaking Skills: Participate actively in conversations and group discussions, express opinions clearly, and deliver short presentations with appropriate pronunciation and language use.

6. Cultural Understanding: Demonstrate awareness of cultural contexts and social norms associated with English-speaking environments, supporting effective communication and integration.

7. Language Learning Strategies: Apply independent language-learning strategies, including vocabulary development, self-correction, use of learning resources, and self-directed study techniques.

8. Grammar and Vocabulary Development: Consolidate and expand knowledge of grammatical structures, tenses, sentence patterns, idiomatic expressions, and vocabulary relevant to both academic and everyday use.

9. Critical Thinking Skills: Analyse, evaluate, and interpret spoken and written information in English, forming reasoned opinions and drawing logical conclusions.

10. Language Fluency and Confidence: Demonstrate increased fluency and confidence in using English across academic, professional, and social situations.

Admission Requirements

• The minimum admission requirement for entry to the English Language Foundation Programme is the successful completion of a recognised High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) or an internationally recognised equivalent qualification, with a minimum overall average of 60% and,

• Proof of English Language Proficiency with one of the following approved exams

How to Apply

1. Complete and submit the online Application Form

Make sure you upload the following before submitting:

• Scanned copy of the student’s passport
• High school transcripts showing a minimum 60% overall result
• Proof of English Language Proficiency Test

2. Once the required documents are received, the Admissions & Enrolment Office will review the application. If the application is approved, a Conditional Offer Letter and Proforma Invoice will be issued and sent to the applicant by email.

3. The applicant must then submit the documents listed in the table below electronically to admisisons@casacollege.ac.cy, then send the originals by courier to:

Casa College
3 Zan Moreas Street
1075 Nicosia, Cyprus

The College reserves the right to require an online interview as part of the Foundation Programme admissions process. Any such interview will be conducted before a Conditional Offer Letter is issued.

For international applicants the following documents are required.

Modules

Assessment

Student assessment is based on two equally weighted components:

• Final Examination: 50 marks
• Continuous Assessment: 50 marks

The continuous assessment component is evaluated throughout the semester and may include a combination of the following, depending on the specific course:

• Quizzes and tests
• Homework assignments
• Class participation
• Speaking and presentation tasks
• Reading comprehension activities
• Writing tasks
• Projects and presentations

The final written examination takes place at the end of the academic semester and assesses the full content of the course taught during that semester. The examination is designed to evaluate students’ overall language proficiency, understanding of academic language requirements, application of study strategies, and readiness to function effectively within a higher education academic environment.

The final grade for each course is calculated as the sum of the continuous assessment (50 marks) and the final examination (50 marks), resulting in a total of 100 marks.

Progression

Upon successful completion of the two semesters and passing one of the recognised English Language Proficiency examinations listed above, students are eligible to progress to an undergraduate programme at Casa College.