Through pre-testing and weekly class tests students at Mayflower College are advised on the
length of study necessary to reach their intended goal. This is constantly monitored and revised
during the course.
Progress of course depends on many different factors:
how you define and measure progress - for example, measuring confidence is not a simple task
the aptitude of the student for learning English - some students find learning English easier than other
students
the starting level of the student - progress is sometimes faster in the beginning but then students reach a
'plateau'
the quality of the curriculum and the teacher(s) - choosing a good school like Mayflower College can help a lot!
the environment in which the student is studying - for example, progress will generally be faster in an English
speaking environment where the student still encounters English even after the lesson has ended
if the course is intensive or extensive
the age, motivation and personality of the student
the first language of the student - students who are learning a second language which is from the same
language ‘family’ as their own first language generally have a much easier task. So, for example, a Dutch student
will probably learn English more quickly than a Japanese student
Research
1
and our own experience show that on average:
It takes 10-12 weeks to improve your IELTS level by 0.5 point
1
On the CEFR scale, Cambridge ESOL estimates that each level is reached with the
following guided learning hours:
2
A2 - Waystage
~180–200 hours
B1 - Threshold
~350–400 hours
B2 - Vantage
~500–600 hours
C1 - Effective Operational Proficiency
~700–800 hours
C2 - Mastery
~1,000–1,200 hours
1
- Investigating the relationship between intensive English language study and band score gain on IELTS - Catherine
Elder, University of Auckland and Kieran O’Loughlin, The University of Melbourne
2
- CEFR and ALTE Can Do statements - here
Mayflower College
1 Radford Road
Plymouth PL1 3BY
Devon, UK
Tel. 44-1752-673784
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