www.olivet.co.uk

Quality teaching since 1977

Olivet English School

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Olivet English Language School

50 - 52 Norfolk Square, Brighton BN1 2PA

T: +44 (0) 1273 325839 · E: info@olivet.co.uk

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Welcome to Olivet 3

The first day 4

School Timetable and Attendance 5

Cambridge Examinations 6

Lessons at Olivet 7

The school rules 8

Abusive behaviour Policy 9

Host families 10

Who to speak to 11

Medical Services 12

Emergencies 13

Public Transport 14 & 15

Places of Worship 16

Useful contacts 17

Useful websites 18 & 19

Contents

Since 1977, Olivet English Language School has been teaching English to international students from all over the world. Many of Olivet’s students have then continued their studies at universities here in the UK and overseas.

An English language course at Olivet can also help students in their careers. Some students have managed to find their first job while others have secured a more senior position in a company, where having a good standard of English is essential.

Olivet is a member of English UK and is accredited by the British Council. The school provides professionally taught courses in general English as well as examination courses including Cambridge: First (FCE), Cambridge: Advanced (CAE) Cambridge: Proficiency (CPE) and Cambridge IELTS. Our teachers also specialise in English language programmes for International Business and Commerce as well as English for the Oil and Gas Industry.

The average travelling time from a homestay to the School is 30 minutes by bus and the Olivet student residence is only a few minutes’ walk from the school.

Olivet is located in the centre of the city and is only a few minutes’ walk to the beach and Brighton’s main shopping and entertainment areas. London is only one hour away by train.

Olivet is a Christian school but is not associated with any particular church, however the staff at Olivet welcome students of all faiths and beliefs.

The school facilities include 12 comfortable classrooms, a Student Kitchen, a Student Room and a Homework Room for extra self-study.

There is also FREE Wi-Fi throughout the school.

Wireless Network: Olivet Students

Wi-Fi Password: studentlogin

Welcome to Olivet

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On your first day

In general, it takes approximately 12 weeks for a full-time student to complete a level and progress to the next level. However, some students can make faster progress.

The teachers will continuously assess the progress of their students and will give advice about areas of further improvement.

The teachers will also advise students when a change of level is possible.

Olivet levels CEFR levels ALTE levels

Beginners A0 - A1

Elementary A1 - A2 A1 Breakthrough

Pre-Intermediate A2 - B1 A2 Level 1

Intermediate B1 - B2 B1 Level 2

Upper intermediate B2 - C1 B2 Level 3

Advanced C1 - C2 B2 Level 4

Cambridge: First (FCE) B1 - B2 B2 Level 3

Cambridge: Advanced (CAE) B2 - C1 C1 Level 4

Business English (BEC) B1 - C1 N/A N/A

Cambridge IELTS N/A N/A N/A

When you first arrive at Olivet, a member of staff will welcome you and check your enrolment details. You can then complete your registration by paying any outstanding school or book fees.

We will show you how to use our secure electronic door entry system.

You will also be given information about the school, local transport and Brighton.

You will then meet the Academic Director / Head Teacher who will give you an English language test. This helps us to assess your general level of English and to put you in a class which is right for you.

Subject to there being a sufficient number of students to make a class viable, Olivet normally expects to provide classes at the following levels:

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Olivet School Timetable

School Hours 08:15 - 17:00

Christian Worship (optional)08:35 - 08:50

We expect students to arrive in good time for their lessons. This means being seated in the classroom ready to begin the lesson before the school bell has rung.

Teachers have the discretion as to whether they allow students who arrive after the bell has rung to enter the classroom.

Lateness owing to weather, public transport or illness is unavoidable. Please explain to your teacher why you have arrived late. However, your teacher may still ask you to wait until a more convenient time to join the class.

Students who follow this school policy normally achieve far more in terms of course progression. They also achieve a better overall final assessment grade.

The Olivet Attendance Policy is fair to all students and is in keeping with the high standards maintained by the school.

Furthermore, this policy prevents unwelcome interruptions to the learning process for all.

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Afternoon

Morning

Lesson Three 13:30 to 14:30

Break

Lesson Four 14:45 to 15:45

Lesson One 09:00 to 10:45

Break

Lesson Two11:15 to 12:30

English Examinations

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The examinations usually take place locally in Brighton.

The main parts of the exam, Writing, Listening, Reading and Use of English, are all on the same day.

The Speaking part of the exam usually takes place several days before the main parts of the exam.

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3Cambridge Exam Suite: Level of exam:

Cambridge English: Key (KET) A1 / A2

Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET) B1

Cambridge English: First (FCE) B2

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) C1

Cambridge English: Profi ciency (CPE) C2

Cambridge IELTS N/A

Please ask in the offi ce for the actual dates and exam fees.

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Olivet can offer preparation courses for the English examinations listed below.

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Your lessons at Olivet

Our Educational Aims

The teachers at Olivet aim to help the students develop their ability to express themselves successfully and confidently in English. The teachers also aim to provide learners with a practical and meaningful use of the English language with courses carefully adapted to meet their individual needs and specific competencies.

We combine a course-book based syllabus with a communicative skills component, which uses a variety of approaches reflecting the wide range of learning styles.

The aim is for students to be able to use the language and understand its structure using an approach that ensures meaning always assumes primacy over form.

Students will practise language in a variety of practical, social and cultural situations.

The teachers use methods which are essentially communicative with an emphasis on speaking and listening skills.

There is also a clear focus on the accuracy of grammar, lexis, pronunciation and discourse.

Lessons will include the use of language teaching technologies such as audio-visual material and the internet.

Learner autonomy is encouraged with assistance given to help learners develop an active and independent learning style.

Olivet is committed to the ongoing needs analysis and assessment of students.

The academic team at Olivet will always provide stimulating, purposeful lessons and maintain an awareness of course progression and language attainment for each individual learner.

Learning Principles and Beliefs

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Olivet School Rules

Here are some important rules for everyone to follow.

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Respect others:

Be on time:

Common Courtesy:

Speak English:

No Smoking:

Always show respect to other people.

Treat people as you would like them to treat you.

Do not allow your behaviour to make other people feel uncomfortable.

Please be on time for all your lessons.

You are expected to attend every lesson.

If you cannot attend the school due to illness or any other reason, please send an email to the school, info@olivet.co.uk or you can telephone the school office on 01273 325839 and leave a message.

Do not take food or drink except water into the classrooms.

Please ask permission from the teacher if you need to leave the classroom for any reason during a lesson.

Do not use chewing gum anywhere in the school building.

Respect other students who do not want to hear any other language apart from English during their time here.

Always speak English in the school, especially during your lessons.

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes or vaporisers, is not permitted anywhere in the school building.

Abusive Behaviour & Bullying Policy

Olivet has a zero tolerance approach to abusive, threatening or intimidating behaviour towards all students and staff. We are committed to providing a safe environment with support and protection for students or staff members who experience any form of abusive, threatening or bullying behaviour.

Any form of abusive behaviour is unacceptable regardless of the circumstances and from whom the behaviour comes. While recognising mental health issues may contribute to abusive or threatening behaviour, this may not be used as an absolute mitigation or justification for making any student or staff member feel threatened, intimidated or uncomfortable.

Abusive and threatening behaviour includes:

The use of inappropriate language, including offensive, racial, sexual or religious comments. This also includes comments regarding appearance and general ability.Shouting, mimicking or using the voice to intimidate others.Any form of gossip or disparaging remarks, which would cause offence.Aggressive gestures (pointing, banging doors, waving arms, throwing objects)Any form of physical violence, whether actual, threatened or suggested.Any behaviour which places students or staff in fear or causes them distress.Spreading malicious gossip or making detrimental comments about a person’s character, appearance or abilities.

Response to all incidences of abusive behaviour or bullying.

If physical violence is actual or threatened, the student or staff member must leave the situation immediately in the interest of their own health and safety and report the situation directly to a member of the management team.

In non-violent situations, Olivet will request that the abusive or threatening behaviour ceases with immediate effect and make it clear that the behaviour is unacceptable.

If the violent or non-violent behaviour continues, a member of the management team, with sufficient evidence, will ask the offending person to leave the school premises immediately. This constitutes a final act of expulsion. No further admission to the school premises will be permitted.

Olivet will follow up incidents of abusive or threatening behaviour by:

Providing a written statement outlining the unacceptable nature of the behaviour and explaining the consequences.Reserving the right to ask the student to leave Olivet or commencing disciplinary procedures for a staff member.Enforcing expulsion and removal from the premises with assistance from other staff members or the Police, if necessary.

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Staying with a host family

Olivet believes that the time you spend with your carefully chosen host family is an important part of your stay in the UK.

It is likely that life with your host family may be different from your own expectations, so please fi nd out what your host family expect from you. The fi rst few days may feel strange while you adapt to their lifestyle. Do not worry if you feel a little homesick, this is quite normal. All of our host families are used to dealing with guests from other countries.

Please ask your host family about:

How to get to and from the School.What time they have their meals.If you can invite your friends to visit.Arrangements for using the bath or shower, kitchen and washing facilities.Availability of Wi-Fi.

Please remember to tell your host family:

If you are going to be late home.If you are going to miss a meal.If you are planning to stay away overnight.

Always talk to your host family if you are not comfortable or if you have any problems. Our host families are very friendly and want to make you feel welcome in their homes.

Your host family should provide you with:

A clean comfortable room with a bed and a place to put your clothes.Full use of the bathroom and laundry facilities.A clean set of bed linen and towels once a week.Breakfast and an evening meal.Lunch at weekends (if half-board).A quiet place to study.

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Who to speak to

Academic matters:

The Head Teacher / Academic Director of the school is available every day to give advice to students who are experiencing problems with their studies. Please go to the main school office and arrange a convenient time to discuss any academic concerns that you may have.

Accommodation matters:

The Accommodation Officer / Registrar for the school is available most days to deal with accommodation or host family problems. Please go to the school reception on the Ground Floor or to the main school office and speak to the School Principal / General Manager.

The school has an agreement with all of the host families about your meals, your room, hygiene and general standards of accommodation. If the problem is serious, we will change your accommodation as soon as possible.

Other problems or complaints:

The School Principal / General Manager is available every day in the main school office to talk to students who feel that they may have a general complaint about their booking, the school building or the facilities at Olivet.

Unresolved complaints:

Olivet is a member of English UK, which is an association for accredited English language schools. If you are not satisfied, you can take your complaint to English UK, which is an independent ombudsman, to investigate the complaint further.

Olivet English School agrees to accept any decisions made by the appointed ombudsman.

You can contact English UK directly at 219 St John Street, London, EC1V 4LY.Email: info@englishuk.com or telephone: 020 7608 7960.

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Medical Treatment

At school:

If you are ill and need medical treatment during the school day, please tell the nearest member of staff who will arrange for you to receive first-aid care. The school can also call an ambulance if necessary.

After school:

If you are ill and need medical treatment outside of the school day, please call the National Health Service number: 111 to talk to a medical professional. If you need emergency medical treatment for a serious illness or injury, please call 999 and request an ambulance.

Alternatively, you can go to the Brighton Station Health Centre (see below)

Brighton Station Health Centre (no appointment necessary)Aspect House, 84 - 87 Queens Road, BrightonTelephone: 0333 321 0946

This service is free for students from most European Union countries and others with reciprocal arrangements. Students from other countries will have to pay to see a doctor.

The doctor may give you a prescription for medication, which you must take to the nearest pharmacy. You will have to pay for each item of medication.

If you are staying in the UK for 6 months or more, it is advisable to register with a doctor or medical centre. This will enable you to make medical appointments at short notice.

If you have an accident, it may be necessary to go to hospital. Emergency outpatient treatment is free. However, if you have to stay in hospital; you may have to pay.

Hospitals:

Pharmacists: If your illness is not serious, you can go to a pharmacist for advice. The pharmacist will be able to recommend which medication to take or whether you should go to a doctor.

Dentists: Please ask in the office for information about finding a dentist.If you are staying in the UK for 6 months or longer, you can register with a National Health Service dentist, which will offer less expensive treatment than a private dentist. (http://www.nhs.uk/)

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Emergencies

The assembly point is

opposite the school

In an Emergency:

If you need an Ambulance, the Fire Service or the Police, phone 999 (FREE)

Fire:

If the school bell rings continuously there is a fi re.

You must leave the school building immediately using the nearest fi re exit.

Do not stop to collect your possessions or to fi nd your friends.

Your teacher will meet you at the assembly point – in the park directly opposite the school on Western Road - as shown above.

Your teacher will tell you when it is safe to go back into the school building.

Police:

If you need Police assistance, you can call 101 or in an emergency situation 999 (FREE)

Alternatively, the nearest Police stations are:

John Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 0LA. Telephone: 0845 6070999

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 4AH.Telephone: 01273 290000

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Transport Information

BusesBrighton and Hove Buses operate a frequent and reliable service to all parts of the city from any bus stop.

Bus Tickets:

You can buy weekly tickets from the school reception or main school offi ce. You can also buy daily, weekly and monthly tickets from 1 Stop Travel in North Street.

One Stop Travel Opening Hours:

07:00 - 19:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

08:45 - 19:00 Wednesday

08:30 - 17:30 Saturday

09:30 - 16:30 Sunday and Public Holidays

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North St

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Guildford Rd

Terminus Rd

BrightonTrain Station

20 mins0.9 miles

TrainsBrighton train station is a 15-minute walk from the School.

Train Tickets:You can buy train tickets from 1 Stop Travel (See map) or from the automatic ticket machines or ticket office inside Brighton Station. If you plan to go to London by train, a one-day travel card includes return travel to London, free travel on the London Underground and London buses for the whole day.

TaxisPopular taxis in Brighton are:

01273 74 74 74 / 01273 20 20 20 / 01273 205 205Taxis can be found outside the school and at the railway station.

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Places to Worship

A Christian Worship meeting takes place from 08:35 to 08:50 in the Student Room each school day morning.

Everyone is very welcome to attend and it is a good way to meet other Christians.

If you would like some help in choosing a church, please speak to your teachers about which churches they attend.

Bishop Hannington Church Holmes Avenue, Hove Telephone: 01273 732965Service Times: 10:00 and 18:30

Calvary Evangelical Church 72 Viaduct Road, Brighton Telephone: 01273 687721Service Times: 11:00 and 18:30

Church of Christ the King (CCK) Telephone: 01273 747687 New England Street, BrightonService Times: 10:30 and 18:00

City Gate Church Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton Telephone: 01273 693807Service Times: 10:30 am

Holland Road Baptist Church Holland Road, Hove Telephone: 01273 732111Service Times: 10:30 and 18:30

St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church Telephone: 01273 386159 Wellington Road, BrightonService Times: 09:30, 11:30 and 17:30

St Peter’s Church York Place, Brighton Telephone: 01273 698182Service Times: 08:00, 09:30, 11:30 & 18:00

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Useful Numbers

Brighton & Hove Tourist Information Centre4 - 5 Pavilion Parade, BrightonTelephone: 0300 300 0088 · www.visitbrighton.com

Brighton Station Health Centre (no appointment necessary)Aspect House, 84 - 87 Queens Road, BrightonTelephone: 0333 321 0946

Citizens Advice Bureau1 Tisbury Road, HoveTelephone: (01273) 223951

DrinklineOffers advice, information and support regarding concerns about alcohol.Telephone: 0300 123 1110

National Drugs Helpline24-hour helpline.Telephone: 0800 77 66 00

National Health Service Direct24-hour helpline.Telephone: 111 free of charge (sometimes you need to use 0845 4647)

Samaritans24-hour helpline for people in despair.Telephone: 0845 7909090

UKCISAThe Council for International Student Affairs looks after the needs of international students and provides information on issues like working in the UK.Telephone: + 44 (0) 207 788 9214 www.ukcisa.org.uk

UK Border AgencyProvides information about visa issues. www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

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Useful Websites

www.olivet.co.uk Olivet English Language School.

www.englishuk.com Information about studying English in the UK at accredited language schools.

www.britishcouncil.org/english Information about studying English in the UK and a section for learners of English.

www.educationuk.org Help for international students interested in UK courses and qualifications. www.ucas.ac.uk Information about University courses in the United Kingdom. www.CambridgeESOL.org Information about the Cambridge University exam suite.

www.ielts.org Information about the IELTS examination.

www.toefl.org Information about the TOEFL examination.

www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/ Lots of free lessons for learners of English.learningenglish

www.bbc.co.uk News and Weather service.

www.visitbrighton.com Brighton & Hove official website.

www.visitbritain.com British tourism website.

www.visitsoutheastengland South East England tourism website.

www.visitscotland.com Scottish tourism website.

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www.thetrainline.com UK train information.

www.nationalexpress.com UK coach information.

www.eurostar.com Eurostar train information.

www.baa.co.uk UK airport information.

www.olivet.co.uk Olivet English Language School.

www.englishuk.com Information about studying English in the UK at accredited language schools.

www.britishcouncil.org/english Information about studying English in the UK and a section for learners of English.

www.educationuk.org Help for international students interested in UK courses and qualifications.

www.ucas.ac.uk Information about University courses in the United Kingdom.

www.CambridgeESOL.org Information about the Cambridge University exam suite.

www.ielts.org Information about the IELTS examination.

www.toefl.org Information about the TOEFL examination.

www.nhs.uk Medical and Health advice.

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www.olivet.co.uk

Olivet English Language School 50 - 52 Norfolk Square, Brighton BN1 2PA

T: +44 (0) 1273 325839 · E: info@olivet.co.uk

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL

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The Brighton Centrei360

Brighton Pier

Brighton Marina

Sea Life Centre

Brighton Dome

North Lanes

Churchill SquareShopping Centre

Hove Town Hall

Hove Train Station

Brighton Train Station

AMEX StadiumBrighton & Hove

Football Club

We are here“In the heart of Brighton”