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Singapore – British Council – MAN – Full-time Student Handbook – 5 – Ling Ai Chan 09 May 2014

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. British Council (Singapore) Limited is incorporated in Singapore (UEN 201202363R) and registered as a charity.

Full-time Student

Handbook

Singapore – British Council – MAN – Student Handbook – 5 – Ling Ai Chan 09 May 2014 Page 2 of 36


About this handbook The purpose of this handbook is to give our full-time students the information you need to study with us.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Director’s Message 3 Vision and Mission 4 British Council Profile/History 4 Our Commitments 5

Our beliefs about learning Classes Teachers Examinations services

Accreditation and Awards 6 Napier Road Centre Location 7 Private Education Act 8

Student contract and Advisory Note to Students Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) Medical Insurance

Course Registration Academic Structure 9 Eligibility to Study 17 Placement Test 17 Mode of Payment 18 Student Support Services Student’s Pass Application 19 Attendance Policy 21 Assessment Procedures 22 Withdrawal and Refund 23 Transfer/Deferment 24 Student Duties and Obligations 25 Other Administrative Services 26 Student Data 26 Counselling and Advice 27 In-House Services 28 Facilities 28 Feedback and Grievance Procedures 31 Feedback Channels 31 The Full-time Board 33 Academic Board 34 Examinations Board 34 Visitor Information Accommodation 35 List of Embassies 36 Hospital 24-hour Emergency Assistance 36



DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE A leader in English language Welcome to the British Council, a leader in English language teaching and teacher development. With more than 50 years of experience, we have 126 centres offering English courses to various age groups throughout the world. We provide our students with easy access to a variety of excellent English language resources which include a cohort of over 2,000 experienced teachers, quality learning materials and state-of-the-art learning facilities. Why British Council Singapore for Full-time English? Our intensive full-time classes are multi-national, giving you the opportunity to get to know people from different cultures and encouraging you to communicate in English all the time. Outside class we run a range of free activities to help you keep learning, whilst having fun and meeting new people. The courses start at Elementary level and continue up to exam classes. The materials are a combination of course books and our own resources, specially designed and written to meet your needs as you progress through the levels. If you are aiming for IELTS, our higher level courses will help prepare you for the exam while our excellent library provides you with a range of practice activities. British Council Singapore is a vibrant and lively centre, open seven days a week, where you can come and achieve your goals. Contact us anytime We strongly believe students learn better when working together with teachers. Hence this handbook is our first step towards helping you understand our methodology and services better. We will be happy to answer any further questions and can be contacted at any of our four centres. Our contact information can be found on our website. Yours sincerely Roland Davies Director British Council (Singapore) Limited



VISION AND MISSION In Singapore, the work of the British Council includes teaching English; providing the latest information about studying in the UK; promoting British education and training; and demonstrating the innovation, creativity and excellence of British science, arts, literature and design.

Our mission is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and Singapore and to increase Singaporeans’ appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements. This work is driven by our strong belief in internationalism, valuing people, a commitment to professionalism and an enthusiasm for creativity. We hold ourselves to the highest possible standards of integrity. We believe that cultural relations can help individuals and the world community to thrive. As the United Kingdom’s principal cultural relations organisation we are strongly committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity, which means that we want all kinds of people to participate in our programmes independent of race, gender or ability. As we develop relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds through our work, engaging positively with diversity is central to what we do and in line with our core values.

BRITISH COUNCIL PROFILE/HISTORY We have been in Singapore since 1947, backed by a strong and credible track record. Our long-term experience and visibility have enabled us to build strong relationships with generations of government leaders, policy makers, opinion leaders and the wider public.

In line with our values, we are strongly committed to the Equal Opportunity and Diversity agenda. We work to promote the United Kingdom’s achievements in this area and to showcase relevant British Council work. The British Council has five core organisational values - valuing people, integrity, mutuality, creativity and professionalism. These govern our organisational culture, the decisions we make and how we behave internally and in our dealings with clients, customers and suppliers. These values underpin how we implement equality of opportunity and how we value diversity. In line with our values, we are strongly committed to the Equal Opportunity and Diversity agenda. We work to promote the United Kingdom’s achievements in this area and to showcase relevant British Council work.

A WORLD LEADER IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING As a world leader in English language training, we can customise English language business solutions to meet the exact requirements of you and your organisation. We are familiar with the needs of the Singapore market; every year, some 18,000 children, young adults and professionals attend courses at one of our four centres. If your aim is to raise English levels in a targeted group, we would be happy to talk to you.



OUR COMMITMENT OUR BELIEFS ABOUT LEARNING We believe that you learn English by using it. This means that you will be very active in class. You will spend a lot of time practising new language and speaking with other students. Our teachers will listen to you, correct your mistakes, build your confidence, and give you advice on how you can improve. We will also show you ways to practise your English outside class so that you can make progress more quickly.

We offer a wide range of full-time courses for students aged 14 and above. Our courses progressively develop your English language skills and are carefully structured to help you: • gain confidence in English • develop grammatical accuracy • improve your pronunciation, intonation and rhythm • strengthen your speaking and listening skills • expand your vocabulary • develop your reading and writing skills • succeed in your further studies in English CLASSES • There will be a maximum of 16 students in your class, but often fewer than that. • You will use well-respected British textbooks. Please buy your coursebooks before the course starts • On our Academic 1-3 courses we also use materials written by us to help you develop further • We also use interesting video, audio, and IT-based activities to add variety to your lessons. • You are expected to complete 2 hours of directed self-study each day. • You will receive counselling every month and a progress report every 3 months. Each level is four weeks long and will involve 80 hours of classroom tuition and at least 40 hours of homework and self-study. TEACHERS Our teachers are all qualified and highly-experienced, and they have taught in many countries around the world. They are: • excellent course developers and planners • experts in their knowledge of English and ability to explain the language • excellent in evaluating and assessing your progress and achievement • committed to promoting independent learning This means: • your courses have clear learning objectives which our teachers help you achieve • you learn standard English, good style and develop a deeper understanding of how English works • you are active in your learning, speak a lot of English and become much more confident in the

language • you will know what your strengths and weaknesses are and where to focus your attention • you will be better equipped to continue learning English on your own after your studies with us EXAMINATIONS SERVICES The British Council is a centre for internationally recognised qualifications such as IELTS, the Business English Certificate suite and the Cambridge ESOL suite. Our courses at suitable levels help you prepare for these examinations.



ACCREDITATION AND AWARDS

AWARDS

EduTrust Awarded by the Council for Private Education (CPE), the EduTrust mark is only awarded to Private Education Institutes who have distinguished themselves in having higher standards in management and provision of educational services.

BusinessTrust We have been on the BusinessTrust Global Reliability Programme since February 2005. The programme serves to provide assurance for buyers and sellers engaging in B2B transactions.

ConsumerTrust

We were accredited as a ConsumerTrust business in February 2005. Consumer Trust aims to encourage best business practices by merchants and to assist consumers in identifying merchants they can trust.



NAPIER ROAD CENTRE

ADDRESS 30 Napier Road Singapore 258509 CONTACT US Telephone +65 6473 1111 Fax +65 6472 1010 Email [email protected] www.britishcouncil.org.sg PUBLIC BUS SERVICES SBS Transit - 7, 105, 111, 123, 132, 174, 174M, 502 TIBS - 75, 77, 106, NR8 NEAREST MRT STATION Napier Road Centre is just a 5-minute bus ride from the Orchard (NS22) station. You can take SBS Transit 7, 111, 123, 174 or TIBS 75, 77 or 106 to our centre from the Orchard Boulevard bus stop.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE This centre is wheelchair accessible.

CAR PARK There is no parking available at the Napier Centre. The nearest parking space is in the basement of Tanglin Mall, diagonally across from the Napier Road Centre. Entrance to the Tanglin Mall basement parking is at Tanglin Road.



PRIVATE EDUCATION ACT In September 2009, the Singapore Parliament passed the Private Education Act which aims to ensure quality of courses offered to more than 1,000 private education institutions (PEI) in Singapore. The Council for Private Education (CPE) was formed to regulate and promote best practices among private education institutions in Singapore. COMPULSORY REQUIREMENTS You must do the following:

1. Student Contract and Advisory Note to Students All students must sign a Contract and Advisory Note to Students with the British Council. Before you do so, please read the terms and conditions carefully and make sure that you understand them. Each contract is valid for admission to only one course. If you enrol for three courses, you need to sign six contracts (the second set is for you to keep). You can enrol for a maximum of 12 courses at one time. If you want to take a holiday break in between your courses, you need to re-sign your contract(s).

2. Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) via Insurance

The Fee Protection Scheme is to protect the fees of all new and existing students. If the British Council closes down, your fees will be refunded through this scheme. We have chosen Lonpac Insurance Bhd as our Fee Protection Scheme provider and Aegis Insurance Services Pte Ltd is its administrative agent and support in Singapore. British Council is allowed to collect a maximum course fee of 12 months. If you would like to enrol on an additional course at a later stage, you can still enjoy the re-registration discount of $100 per course. However, you need to pay the Fee Protection Scheme insurance for your new registration. The cost of Fee Protection Scheme insurance is 1% of the total course fee or $25; whichever is higher. If you want to take a holiday break in between your courses, you need to re-sign your contract(s), so that we are able to change the Fee Protection Scheme duration to the new end date of your deferred course. This must be done within 3 working days.

3. Medical Insurance

All international students on a Student’s Pass must buy medical insurance. Only Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreign students not on a Student’s Pass have the choice not to buy medical insurance if they can show proof that they are already covered (minimum annual coverage of S$20,000) by their own medical insurance. British Council has put in place a medical insurance by AXA Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd. This insurance scheme has an annual coverage limit of S$20,000 to cover for hospitalisation, outpatient and related medical treatment for the entire course duration at government hospitals. If you decide to re-register for another course with British Council and the gap between your last course and new course is less than 90 days, you do not need to pay for the medical insurance again. The medical insurance fee is $45 per student.

For more information about the above, please visit the CPE website at: www.cpe.org.sg



COURSE REGISTRATION

ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

Our Certificate in General English full-time courses are for people who are preparing to enter tertiary education in an English-speaking environment. These courses are for students who want to attend classes every day to improve their level of General English and then progress to improving their academic English skills and take the IELTS examination.

Module Objectives Coursebook

Beginner

You will be able to:

• Introduce yourself • Use the present simple of the verb ‘to be’ • Use the present simple of other verbs • Make positive and negative sentences • Make plural nouns • Read about places in the world • Talk about food and drink • Understand and use basic English pronunciation • Use words to talk about:

o Numbers 0-100 o Rooms in a house o Sports

New Cutting Edge Starter

Elementary 1

You will be able to: • Make sentences with the verb ‘to be’ • Introduce yourself • Form sentences, make questions and negatives using

the present simple • Use adverbs of frequency • Talk about what people like doing • Understand how to use word stress • Read simple paragraphs about daily activities • Comprehend basic information from short listening

texts • Write personal data for a website and a description of

a friend • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Everyday objects o Everyday activities and actions o Travel

New Cutting Edge Elementary Units 1-5



Elementary 2

You will be able to: • Make simple requests • Use words to talk and ask about quantities • Talk about the past • Compare people and objects • Differentiate between the present simple and present

continuous • Understand how to use sentence stress • Read about films • Listen and understand the gist • Write a short life story and a description of a picture • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Food and drink o Describing Films o Shopping o People’s appearance


Elementary 3

You will be able to: • Talk about what you can and can’t do • Discuss simple plans in the future • Understand how to use the present perfect with

experiences • Understand basic modals of obligation and possibility • Understand how to use sentence stress and weak

forms • Read texts about learning • Listen and understand further detail • Write an application and an email • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Shopping o People’s appearance o Animals o Education and learning


Foundation 1

You will be able to: • Give advice • Talk about habits • Understand the different uses of the present

continuous • Use comparatives and superlatives • Scan for information in short articles • Listen for specific information • Construct a paragraph in a cohesive manner • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Leisure activities o Jobs o Dates and special occasions o Celebrations

New Cutting Edge Pre-Intermediate Units 1-5 ‘The Fugitive’ (graded reader)



Foundation 2

You will be able to: • Tell somebody about your intentions and wishes • Make predictions • Distinguish between the present perfect and the past

simple and use suitable time expressions • Understand when to use articles • Write long sentences using appropriate linkers • Discuss possibilities in the future using different modal

verbs • Understand the difference between the past simple,

continuous and used to • Listen and make effective notes • Read and make inferences from texts • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Holidays o Ambitions and dreams o Life now and in the past o Everyday health

New Cutting Edge Pre-Intermediate Units 6-10 ‘Dracula’ (graded reader)

Foundation 3

You will be able to: • Use gerunds accurately in speaking and writing • Use the lexical item ‘like’ and be aware of the use of it

in a variety of phrases and lexical chunks • Use the grammar of present simple and past simple

passive correctly and to recognize its form and use • Make suggestions • Recognise the differences between the present

perfect simple and the present perfect continuous • Talk about the past using past simple, continuous and

the past perfect with appropriate time phrases • Discuss hypothetical situations • Identify attitudes of a speaker in listening texts • Read texts and summarise each paragraph • Write basic discursive essays • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Likes and dislikes o Personal characteristics o Money o Music

New Cutting Edge Pre-Intermediate Units 11-15



Foundation 4

You will be able to: • Use different auxiliary verbs to make questions and

negatives • Use the past simple and continuous and ‘used to’ to

relate experiences in the past • Use different phrases and structures for comparing

and contrasting • Understand the different uses of the present perfect

simple and continuous • Read and compare two texts • Give your opinions on a listening text • Write e-mails giving news • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Relationships o Memory o Towns and cities o Life events

New Cutting Edge Intermediate Units 1-4

Foundation 5

You will be able to: ! Understand all future forms ! Talk about possible situations in the future ! Differentiate between adjectives ending –ed/-ing ! Request using informal and formal structures ! Understand all the uses of the modal verb ‘will’ ! Link sentences using relative clauses ! Use quantifiers appropriately ! Listen to different texts and make comparisons ! Read different texts to identify common themes ! Write short narratives ! Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Issues at work o Extreme situations o Social behaviour o Machines in modern life

New Cutting Edge Intermediate Units 5-8 ‘The Sign of Four’ (graded reader)

Foundation 6

You will be able to: • Make sentences using ‘if’ + past sentence and ‘would’ • Understand the form and uses of reported speech • Talk about obligations and permission in the present

and the past • Use different structures to discuss hypothetical

situations in the past • Read texts for global meaning and to find specific

information • Listen to long texts and identify key points • Write essays giving an opinion with supporting

evidence • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Society and change o Your favourites novels/stories o Rules and regulations o Problems and solutions

New Cutting Edge Intermediate Units 9-12 ‘Great Expectations’ (graded reader)



Academic 1

You will be able to: • Understand the tense system • Know which verbs are followed by the gerund or the

infinitive • Use narrative tenses correctly • Understand the rules of the continuous aspect • Understand all the forms and uses of the passive • Talk about having something done • Differentiate between the reading sub-skills • Summarise information from a long listening text • Write a report identifying key data from a diagram • Write an essay using appropriate cohesive devices • Complete a flow chart using information about

studying • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Family o Emotions o Accidents and Disasters o Learning English

New Cutting Edge Upper Intermediate Units 1-4 In-House materials written by the British Council to help develop General English and IELTS skills.

Academic 2

You will be able to: • Use different perfect tenses correctly • Recognise when to use articles • Emphasise using different grammatical structures • Use relative clauses to join sentences • Understand how to use quantifiers • Write a report comparing and contrasting data • Guess meaning from context in a reading text • Write an essay evaluating evidence • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about:

o Achieving Success o Life o Cultures o Being Famous


Academic 3

You will be able to: • Identify the different functions of modal verbs • Use modal verbs to talk about the past • Understand the uses and forms of the future

continuous and future perfect • Differentiate between hypothetical situations in the

present and the past • Report people’s exact words • Use reporting verbs to summarise what people say • Skim and scan a long text to answer true/false/not

given questions • Write a report describing information in a bar chart • Write an essay with a balanced viewpoint • Use suitable words and phrases to talk about;

o Mysteries o Friendships o Genetics o Media mania




Academic 4 (3 separate modules available, see below)

You will be able to: Use key grammar areas:

• Linking words • Narrative tenses • Speculating and deducing • Adverbs and adverbials as discourse markers • Permission, obligation and necessity • Talking about future plans and arrangements • Compound nouns and possessives

Use vocabulary to talk about: • Work • Sounds and the human voice • History and warfare • Travel and tourism • Preparing food

Improve your writing: • a letter of application and an article

Use colloquial English: • Fact or Fiction, Cooking around the world

New English File Advanced ‘A’ Modules


• The verb ‘have’ • Distancing yourself • Using inversion to add emphasis • Whether to use the infinitive or gerund after a verb • Verbs relating to the senses • Ellipsis and substitution to avoid repetition and to

sound more natural • Using so and such correctly

Use vocabulary to talk about: • family • time • books • place and movement • the natural world

Improve your writing: • a review and a discursive essay

Use colloquial English: • Family secrets, time and technology, art and artists

New English File Advanced ‘B’ Modules


• Using pronouns • The verb ‘get’ • Unreal situations using the past tense • Using conditionals • Gerunds and infinitives • Using cleft sentences to add emphasis • Comparing

Use vocabulary to talk about: • Money • Phone language • Health and medicine • Humour

Improve your writing: • Discursive essay, Letter of complaint

Use colloquial English: • Women and money; encounters with animals

New English File Advanced ‘C’ Modules



Academic 5 A/B (3 separate modules available, see below)

You will be able to: Develop all IELTS skills, with particular focus on:

• Reading: Choosing section headings; flow chart completion

• Listening: Section 2 • Speaking: Parts 1 and 3 • Writing Task 1: Describing graphs; process; • Writing Task 2: Advantages and disadvantages essay

Use key grammar areas: • Present simple and continuous, and past simple • Transitive and intransitive verbs • Conditional sentences • Defining and non-defining clauses • Substitution and ellipsis

Use vocabulary to talk about: • People • Conservation • Work • Art • Money

Ready for IELTS Modules 1, 6, 7, 10 and 14


• Reading: Table completion • Listening: Section 1 and 4 • Speaking: Part 2 • Writing Task 1: A table, map • Writing Task 2: Opinion essay, Agree/ disagree essay

Use key grammar areas: • Past simple and present perfect • Past habits • Ways of Comparing • Referencing • Conditional sentences

Use vocabulary to talk about: • Technology • Sports • Geography – and the history of it • Psychology and Sociology

Ready for IELTS Modules 2, 3, 8 and 11


• Reading: Summary completion; Identifying writer’s views/claims

• Listening: Section 3 • Speaking: Parts 2 and 3 • Writing Task 1: Piecharts, table • Writing Task 2: Cause and effect essay

Use key grammar areas: • Countable and uncountable nouns • Ways of looking at the future • Modal verbs • Articles • Concessions

Use vocabulary to talk about: • Global problems • Beauty • Travelling • Infrastructure and systems

Ready for IELTS Modules 4, 5, 9, 12 and 13



ELIGIBILITY TO STUDY To register for our Full-time courses, the student will need to be at least 14 years of age at the time of the Course Commencement Date and present to us one of the following permits:

Singapore NRIC Singapore PR IC Work Permit Employment Pass Long Term Social Visit Pass (if your Long Term Social Visit Pass is to accompany a mintor

studying on a Student’s Pass, please let us know) Dependant’s Pass

The above permits should have an expiry date that is later than the last course of your Full-time programme. If the student is not holding on to any of the above passes, he/she will be required to apply for a Student’s Pass. While we will assist in this application, there are documents that the student will need to prepare and provide. For more information on Student’s Pass applications please email us at [email protected] PLACEMENT TEST New students are also required to undergo a Placement Test to determine their level of English to identify the correct English course to start from. If the Student is overseas please email us (see below) for:

An application form A copy of the placement test. Once you have completed them send them back to us by email or fax:

Email: [email protected] Fax: +65 6475 3885

We will acknowledge receipt of the documents within three working days. The test will be marked and a course recommended within one week. Please note, when you arrive in Singapore, you will be required to undergo another Placement Test at the British Council to confirm the results from your overseas test. If the Student is in Singapore

Contact us to book a placement test. This is necessary for all new Full-time students. The student will be interviewed by a teacher, then given a 40-minute written test. The speaking

and writing results will help us to recommend the best course for the student.



MODE OF PAYMENT You can pay your fees through any of the following ways:

1. Cash

2. NETS

3. Cheque

4. Credit card

5. 0% interest instalment plan

6. Direct Bank Transfer Please check with Customer Services Staff.

You should make sure you are given official receipts by the school upon payment of fees. Please keep all official receipts for verification of payment status when required. All fees are subject to changes.



STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES S TUDE NT’S P AS S AP P LICATION

Application If you are an international student wishing to study in Singapore, you are required to apply for a Student’s Pass. The applicant is required to provide the following documents:

2 recent passport-sized photographs A photocopy of your travel documents (ie. Passport)* A photocopy of your highest educational qualification* A photocopy of your birth certificate* A copy of the Student’s pass application form, duly completed.

*If these copies are not in English, the applicant is required to provide translated and notarised copies for processing. Student’s Pass processing fees There will be a $500 Student’s Pass processing fee for new students and a $250 Student’s Pass processing fee for renewal applications. If your travel permit expires before the Student’s Pass is approved, you may be required to exit the country before returning on a later date when the Student’s Pass approval is obtained. On approval Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter once the Student’s Pass is approved. Our Student’s Welfare Officer will contact you to arrange a date to visit ICA to collect your Pass. To collect your Student’s Pass, please prepare the following documents to present to ICA, if necessary:

Travel document / passport Original birth certificate Original educational qualification(s) Medical report*

*If ICA requires you to undergo a medical examination, we will contact you and arrange for this to be done prior to the Student’s Pass collection.



Restrictions for Student’s Pass holders Please take note of the following restrictions if you are applying for, or are currently holding on to, a Student’s Pass.

a. During the validity of the Pass issued to you, you are required to produce this Pass and your passport to the Immigration Officer at the Checkpoint each time you leave Singapore and return;

b. You are required to surrender the Pass to us when the Pass issued to you is cancelled or has

expired within 7 days. You are also required to do so when a new Pass is issued to you; c. If you intend to leave Singapore and return only after the expiry of the Pass issued to you, you

are required to surrender this Pass to the Immigration officer at the Checkpoint at the time of your departure;

d. While in Singapore, you are required to show this Pass for inspection to an Immigration or Police

Officer for inspection within a reasonable time when so requested;

e. If the Pass is lost or stolen, you are required to make a police report immediately and inform us.

We will make the necessary arrangements to bring you down to ICA to report and apply for a replacement pass. Issuance and replacement fees will apply and be borne by the Student;

f. You are required to notify ICA of any changes in your passport particulars or place of residence

within 14 days of the change. For change of address, you can inform us and we will update ICA accordingly. For changes in your passport particulars, you will have to report to ICA in person;

g. As a Student’s Pass holder, you are not allowed to engage in any form of paid employment or in

any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of the pass unless you are a holder of a valid work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A).

Student’s Pass Renewal If you wish to continue your course and renew your student’s pass, please inform us at least 1 month in advance. We will then register you for your new courses and apply for a renewal of your pass.



Application: Important information It is important to fill in your Student’s Pass application forms clearly and correctly, so that you are able to get an early response from ICA

1. Please ensure that all forms are duly signed and completed by the applicant, the local sponsor and the school.

2. No part of the form should be left blank or not completed and please write in block letters. If any

section or part of the form is not applicable, it should be filled as NIL or Not Applicable (N.A.) 3. Please make sure that the names written in the forms match the names on the submitted

supporting documents. If they are different, please indicate the reasons.

4. Please use only a 'tick' (√) - not a 'cross' (x) - on the application forms. 5. All information provided must be written in a logical order, i.e. either in ascending or descending

order. 6. All supporting documents can be photocopies, but the original must be produced for verification

when collecting the Student’s Pass. 7. If your documents are not in English, please have them translated with an official notary. 8. Applications with incomplete forms or documents will NOT be accepted for processing. This will

delay your application and studies.

Return of a Student’s Pass When you wish to leave Singapore, you must cancel your Student’s Pass one week before the course ends. Please talk to our Customer Services Executives or refer to the ICA website at www.ica.gov.sg for more information. Upon completion of your studies, you will be granted a 30-day Social Visit Pass to wind down your activities in Singapore and make arrangements for leaving.

ATTENDANCE POLICY If you are holding a Student’s Pass, you must attend all classes at the designated times. Punctuality is necessary and you must be in class five minutes before the start time. If you are late by 30 minutes to 2 hours, this will be counted as an absence of half a day. In excess of that will be counted as a full day’s absence. You must not leave the country during class times without the approval of the British Council. The British Council will consider the following situations as reasons for non-attendance;

• Sickness supported by a medical certificate • Family emergency, such as illness or death of a relative

If your attendance falls below 90% (ICA requirements), the British Council may take steps to cancel your Student’s Pass. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly, you can make a written appeal to the Academic Board at [email protected] within two days of being notified of your expulsion. Please put ‘EXPULSION APPEAL’ in the subject line and write your full name and British Council ID number. The Academic Board will reply within two working days and their decision is final.



ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

We have a system of continuous assessment. This is carried out in the following ways

• Class participation: 40% of overall result

This is based on your teachers’ observations in class using the following criteria

o Ability and willingness to participate in class activities o The range of grammar and vocabulary you use in class activities o How well you pronounce words and phrases so as to make yourself understood o Ability and effort made to communicate with your classmates

• Completing homework to a suitable standard: 10% of overall result

• Progress tests: 50% of overall results

! The tests will take place on the last Wednesday of each term in your classroom and will last the

whole lesson. They will be conducted by an invigilator, not your usual class teacher. ! If you are absent from the class on that day, you must present suitable documentation for your

absence. The Senior Teacher adults will set up an alternative time for you to do the test. ! You will not receive your test papers after the test, but you will be given your results in the second

half of the last class on the last Friday. ! The results of all these assessments will be used to give you feedback on your future studies. If you

are not achieving a satisfactory level of progress, we will put you on a study plan. This will be directed self-study with the help of the Academic Officer. It is your responsibility to carry out this self-study.

! You will be given a certificate of attendance every four weeks if you have been present for 90% of

the course. ! If you wish to appeal against any of your results, you can contact the Examinations Board at

[email protected] within two days of receiving the results. You must write ‘TEST RESULTS QUERY’ in the subject line with your full name and British Council student ID number. The Board will reply to you with two days of receiving the appeal. The Examination Board’s decision is final.

You will be given the following tests

Beginner to Foundation 6

o Reading o Listening o Writing o Structures and Vocabulary

Academic 4

o Reading o Listening o Writing o Structures and Vocabulary

Academic 1-3

o Reading (IELTS) o Listening (IELTS) o Writing (IELTS) o Structures and Vocabulary

Academic 5

o Reading (IELTS) o Listening (IELTS) o Writing (IELTS) o Speaking (IELTS)





WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND Withdrawal and Refund Policy All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing, together with the required documentation, where applicable. Course fee refunds will be considered in the following circumstances

REFUND CONDITIONS REFUND AMOUNT

1.1

FU

LL R

EFU

ND

a. British Council may cancel the course registered due to an insufficient number of students.

b. Request is made at least 8 weeks before the Course Commencement Date; or

c. ** Request is made within 7 days of registering for the course (“7-day Cooling Period”); or

d. ** Student’s Pass application is rejected. ** Only applicable to Full-time courses

“Maximum Refund” (Full refund of unconsumed course fees less any bank or insurance administrative charges.)

1.2.1 BEFORE THE COURSE COMMENCEMENT DATE

Request is made between 4 to 8 weeks before the Course Commencement Date 80% refund

Request is made between 2 to 4 weeks before the Course Commencement Date 50% refund

Request is made less than 2 weeks before the Course Commencement Date No refund

1.2.2 AFTER THE COURSE COMMENCEMENT DATE

1.2

PA

RTI

AL

REF

UN

D

Request is made for the following reasons: a. Permanent move to another country; b. Extended overseas work commitment; c. Extended medical leave; d. Severe illness or death of a close family

member; e. Compulsory activity in the students primary

place of study, i.e. an MOE school.

Supporting documents are required for all the above reasons.

75% refund of unconsumed fees

FPS and Student’s Pass processing fees are non-refundable. Medical insurance fees will be refunded only if the refund request is made before the Course Commencement Date. Textbooks can be returned and refunded if the cancellation request is approved. Textbooks must be undamaged and not written into. Once the refund is approved, it will normally be made by direct bank transfer and take up to 7 working days (Monday to Friday) to process.

Withdrawal and refund requests need to be submitted via email or by completing the Refund Request Form, available at the front counters of all British Council centres. The following information/documents are required to complete the request:

• Student details • Reason for withdrawal • Bank details (Account No, Bank/Branch Code/Account Holder’s Name) • Supporting documents, if applicable



TRANSFER/DEFERMENT 1. Transfer OUT of British Council to another Private Education Institution Policy

• If a British Council full-time student wishes to transfer to another school (before or after

course commencement), such request shall be deemed as a withdrawal case and is subjected to the British Council’s Withdrawal/Refund Policy.

• All outstanding course fees must be cleared before a transfer/withdrawal request can be processed.

• Please refer to the British Council Withdrawal and Refund policy for refund conditions and amounts.

2. Transfer INTO British Council from another Private Education Institution Policy

• A student from another institution who wishes to be transferred to British Council must follow the eligibility to full-time registration criteria (age, placement test, Student’s Pass, e.g.). Such case will be deemed as a new registration.

• Based on Immigration and Checkpoint Authority policy, all students with Student’s Pass will need to meet the 90% attendance requirement.

3. Transfer (of courses) WITHIN British Council

Transfer and credits are available in the following circumstances:

3 Transfer / Deferrals

3.1 Students may ask to credit the value of the remaining fees to the following term in preference to any refund in any of the circumstances in 1.2.1. Only one deferral is permitted.

3.2 Students with school or work activities that clash with their British Council course can transfer to a parallel course in the same term provided there are places available. Only one transfer is allowed per course.

3.3

Students may transfer to another course in the same term by agreement with a Senior Teacher. This transfer is possible if there are places available. If not, the student will be offered a credit for the next term or, in exceptional circumstances, a full or partial refund of fees paid, as laid out in 1.2.1 and 1.2.2. Only one transfer is allowed.

3.4

Student’s Pass holders who wish to request for a deferment from their course for overseas travel are required to seek permission from the Senior Teachers at least 3 weeks before the commencement of their next course. If approved, this deferment will only be for a maximum of 2 months. The student will be required to sign a new Student Contract for each course affected by this deferment and a Student’s Pass extension will be arranged for the student.

3.5 Full time students can only defer for a maximum of two months. If the break is more than 2 months, it becomes a withdrawal case.

3.6 Part-time students are only allowed to transfer their credit up to the following term. Young Learner students can keep theirs for up to six months.

Opt out Medical Insurance Any request to opt-out of the medical insurance (for students who are eligible to opt-out) will require the student to present their existing medical insurance policy that clearly shows the annual coverage limit of not less than S$20,000.00. For further details please ask at Customer Services for a copy of AXA GHS Product Summary & FAQ.



STUDENT DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS As an enrolled student of the British Council, you have certain duties and obligations. 1. General Conduct You have an individual and collective responsibility for maintaining a healthy working and learning environment by observing proper conduct at all times within the British Council premises. 2. Appropriate Conduct You must refrain from disruptive behaviour at all times. Here are some examples of appropriate conduct: - You adhere to all ICA’s requirements and will not breach any ICA’s regulations which may lead to your dismissal. - You will not be rude or behave aggressively towards teachers and staff. - You will not instigate other students to cause disruption to the smooth running of the school. - You will switch off your mobile phone, tablet computer etc during lessons. - You will not leave the class during lessons without permission to answer or make phone calls. - You will adhere to the lesson schedule and be punctual for your classes. - You will not use vulgarities in the school. - You will not vandalise the school property or cause damage to school equipment. - You will not drop litter in the school. - You will not download illegal software or visit inappropriate websites. 3. Appropriate Dress Code You will wear proper attire when you attend courses in the school. 4. Disciplinary Actions for Breach of Regulations You are liable to be disciplined for any serious misconduct and/or breach of the school’s rules and regulations. If you persistently violate the school’s rules and regulations you will be issued a written warning. You will face serious disciplinary action, including dismissal, if you continue to violate the school’s rules after receiving a written warning. 5. Consumption of Food and Drinks All food and drinks will be consumed in the café. 6. Smoking You will only be allowed to smoke at designated areas within the school’s premises. 7. Disciplinary Action & Dismissal If you persistently breach school rules and regulations or ICA rules and regulations, you will be liable for disciplinary action and may have to appear before a disciplinary committee. If you are dismissed on disciplinary grounds, your Student’s Pass will be cancelled immediately, all your fees forfeited, and you will be required to leave Singapore within 5 days. 8. The School’s Decision The school’s decision in all matters pertaining to the rules and regulations, and terms and conditions shall be final.



OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES British Council Student Card You will receive a BC student card upon enrolment to help you use our library and to speed up enquiries at Customer Services. Please keep it with you at all times when you are at the British Council. Request for Official Letters & Documents If you need official letters and documents, like verification of student status, certificates and progress reports, you can obtain the Student Request Form from the Customer Service Counters, and submitted it, duly completed, at least 3 days in advance. The Student Service Centre will inform you when it is ready for your collection. STUDENT DATA Update of Students’ Particulars You can help us contact you quickly when there is a need to, by making sure you provide us your latest contact details (e.g. telephone number, mobile phone number, email address and residential address). Please use the Contact Update Form, which you can obtain from the Customer Service Counters for the updating of your student’s records. It is important that you provide the school with your updated contact information so that the school can advise Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) appropriately. Confidentiality of Students’ Particulars and Data The Customer Service department is committed to the security and confidentiality of your student data. Your student particulars are solely for internal use and for completing regulatory submission requirements. British Council Fair Collection Notice Under the terms of the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act, 1981, the British Council is required by law to manage any personal data given to us securely and only for the purposes we have specified. These are as follows:

• to maintain integral academic and educational records on our students • to maintain accurate financial records • to be able to cater for any special needs our students may have • to provide academic records for our students’ sponsors, where applicable • to write to our students to make them aware of our services and events • to inform our students about UK events and activities in Singapore

A full copy of data protection policy is available on request. We will not give your personal data to any person or company without your permission. You have the right, under the terms of the act, to ask for a copy of all the information we hold on you, for which we will charge a fee. Contact [email protected]



COUNSELLING AND ADVICE

JAPANESE HELPDESK On Tuesday and Saturday afternoons, we have a Japanese support desk available should you require explanation or translation in Japanese.

Tuesday 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Saturday 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

KOREAN HELPDESK On Thursday afternoons, we have a Korean support desk available should you require explanation or translation in Korean.

Thursday 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. If you require help in other languages, please approach our Customer Services and we will help to locate staff who speaks your language, if available. STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICE

We provide a Student Counselling Service to help you with any personal, emotional or study-related difficulties affecting your studies. Our in-house counselling staff (Customer Services Advisor - Ali Daud) is trained to provide counselling and advice. If you need to have a session with our counselling staff, please ask your customer services staff or your teacher to help make the arrangements. Ali has successfully completed the following qualifications: Specialist Dip. In Counselling Psychology (2007) Specialist Dip. In Workplace Counselling (2009) Note: professional counselling is available by appointment only.

STUDENT WELFARE OFFICER (SWO) Our SWO, Ms Christina Goh, will be available to assist you should you have any questions related to the following:

• Student’s pass • Accommodation • Opening of a bank account

She can be contacted at 6470 7153 or [email protected]



IN-HOUSE SERVICES

ENGLISH COURSES AND UK EXAMINATIONS

Our Customer Services Executives are happy to assist you in all your queries about our wide range of English language courses and UK accredited examinations, which include IELTS and Cambridge English language examinations.

STUDYING IN THE UK

You can contact us for free information and advice about studying in the UK. You can also discuss your study plans with our education team or directly with representatives of UK institutions at our education events.

ARTS

Our Arts department brings you the latest news and information about the UK’s innovative and dynamic creative output, and which UK arts events are coming your way.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES We offer a huge range of courses, from effective email and letter writing to Managing and Communicating Change. Our Professional Development courses will add value to any participant seeking to enter the professional world as well as those who are already a part of the working world. It will equip them will relevant skills and knowledge to handle the changes in the working world.



FACILITIES MULTIMEDIA COMPUTER LABORATORY AND LEARNING ZONE We have modern, up-to-date computing learning facilities. Our computer laboratory is used for in-class activities, while the Learning Zone is equipped with key resources for all students to make use of. It is a key resource for you and provides you with an efficient and up-to-date database. There is a very wide range of materials - books, journals, magazines and audio-visual items including CD-ROMs and the latest British films. There are also dedicated computer facilities you can use for your research and assignments. Our Learning Zone staff are available to help you to make the best use of these resources and services. We also provide photocopying facilities on the ground floor for a fee of 20 cents per copy. The Learning Zone is open from: Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Saturdays 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Sundays 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Public Holidays Closed NOTICE BOARD You will find that our notice boards located on the ground floor and on level 2 & 3 stairways are very important sources of information such as rules & regulations, policies and procedures. Please visit the notice boards regularly to keep in touch with the latest updates and information on the events and the various activities. CAFÉ

6 Stone Jars Our own café located within the building, serving up meals and refreshments. Make a date with your classmates and practice speaking English over lunch!

INTERNET SERVICE

We provide FREE internet access for all our students on our premises. You can learn more about the UK today or access links to English language learning websites.

COMPUTER AIDED LANGUAGE LEARNING (CALL)

You can also access our CALL programmes through the computers. These are self-access English learning programmes especially for the use of our students.

STUDENT EXCURSIONS We regularly organise trips to places of social interest in Singapore. This will give you an insight into the diverse culture of Singapore. Detailed information will be available on our notice boards.



STUDENT CLUBS At the British Council, we believe that interacting in English is crucial in learning the language. To make this learning process more fun and engaging, we have a number of clubs and activities that you can participate in – an opportunity to use English with others and get to know new friends!

Academic Officer – David Kemp Learning Zone • Meet me in our Learning Zone for help with your studies • Have your questions answered • Ask me how you can make a Self-Study Plan • Find out about our library of books and CDs • Learn how to use the computers for language practice • Access our new Audio Library of listening materials • Get advice about our collection of British film and TV DVDs and award-

winning literature

Senior Teacher (Adults) – Steven Shaw Book Club • Read a different book every two months

• Discuss the book with Steve and other students

• Share opinions and practise your English!

Social Activity Coordinator – Scott Scheuerman Quiz Club • Fast and furious fun! • General Knowledge Quiz! • Everybody welcome. • Make new friends and practise your English! Conversation Club • An opportunity to meet students from other classes and make new friends! • Talk about fun, interesting topics with other students in a relaxed

environment. • Express yourself better in English! • Improve your fluency!

Teacher - Douglas Brazil Pop Music Club Pop Music Club • With your favourite DJ! • Twice a month! • Listen to great songs! • Learn the lyrics! Sing along!



FEEDBACK AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FEEDBACK CHANNELS We welcome feedback from our students as such input will help us to improve the school. This section tells you what the British Council will do on receiving feedback and suggestions from our students. You can provide feedback through various channels and we will always seek to address it promptly:

• Course evaluation survey for students to fill in and submit to teachers - it assesses academic content, course delivery and student support services.

• Focus group sessions are conducted by academic staff with selected classes as part of our

Teaching and Learning Review. • Re-enrolment talk/ end-of-course counselling to assist students to make more informed choice

for academic progression.

• Students are encouraged to provide feedback on any matters via e-mail, over the customer services counters or by approaching a Senior Teacher

• Feedback/ Suggestion Box (located at Customer Service Centre)

GRIEVANCE / COMPLAINT If you have a grievance or complaint that you wish to make, you should approach a member of the Customer Services team on duty. Where possible, the Customer Services staff will try to help you and offer relevant advice on your issue. If the staff cannot resolve the issue on the spot, they will contact the appropriate officer to help you. For academic issues, this will be one of the Senior Teachers. For non-academic issues, it will be the Student Welfare Officer. In both cases, you are required to fill in a feedback form available at our front counters or send an email to [email protected], with details regarding your grievance/complaint. Both the Senior Teacher and the Student Welfare Officer concerned undertake to contact you to discuss the details of your complaint within 2 working days (Mon to Fri) and do their best to provide you a solution to your issue.



DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY While the British Council ensures that all decisions made are fair and unbiased, should you disagree with a decision made against your request, you may wish to file an appeal. Please approach the CS staff and inform them of this decision if you wish to do so. We will refer the issue to the Deputy Director of the school, who will respond within 2 working days (Mon to Fri). Their initial response may include further meetings or discussions as part of his investigation. The decision made by the Deputy Director will be the final decision of the British Council. If you still feel that this final decision is not acceptable, you may approach the Council for Private Education (CPE) Student Services Centre for advice. CPE is a government statutory board in charge of regulating the private education industry. They will then provide appropriate advice, depending on the nature of your issue. For more information on CPE and their Student Services Centre, please visit them at www.cpe.gov.sg. Mediation If CPE recommends both parties to go for mediation, the services of the Singapore Mediation Centre may be requested. If a settlement between the student and the private education institution could be reached at the mediation stage, a settlement agreement would be drawn up and endorsed by the respective parties, and the dispute resolved. For more information on the Singapore Mediation Centre, please visit them at www.mediation.com.sg Arbitration If the parties fail to reach a settlement through mediation, CPE may then recommend to progress on to arbitration for a resolution to his dispute. The Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIARB) is the appointed provider of arbitration services. For more information on SIARB, please visit them at www.siarb.org.sg. At British Council, we welcome feedback from all our students and the public, regardless of the nature or content as we firmly believe that such feedback is vital to the continuous improvement to our services.



THE FULL-TIME BOARD The following staff are on hand to help you should you require any assistance or advice.

Senior Teacher (Adults)

Steven Shaw Ed Gibbons Social Activity Coordinator Academic Officer

Scott Scheuerman David Kemp

Student Welfare Officer Counsellor

Christina Goh Ali Daud



ACADEMIC BOARD

Laraine Bamrah Paul Culligan Steve Miller Mehdi Namazie EXAMINATIONS BOARD

Steven Shaw Anna Britton** Ed Gibbons Mehdi Namazie



VISITOR INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION British Council does not provide accommodation and students usually make prior accommodation arrangements before arrival in Singapore. There is a wide variety of accommodation in Singapore to suit different budgets and needs. These are only recommendations. British Council cannot be held responsible for the quality of service provided.

No. 1A Lutheran Road Singapore 267745 Tel : 64630606 Fax : 64630207 Email : [email protected] Website : www.sicampus.com.sg

369, Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437126 Tel: 6346 6420 Fax: 6440 5160 Email: [email protected]

102 Upper Aljunied Road Singapore 367855 HP: 96849494 Tel: 62812003 Fax: 62801203 http://www.94hostels.com

26 Evans Road Singapore 259367 Tel: 6836 0778 Email us : [email protected]

78 Gilstead Road Singapore 309116 Tel : 63520580 Fax: 62581081 Mobile : 97916339 Email: [email protected]



LIST OF EMBASSIES It is important that you telephone ahead to check on the office hours before visiting the embassies. You can also go to the following website to find out where they are: Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Singapore (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/missions/foreign_mission/mission_locator.html) AUTHORITIES / GOVERNMENT BODIES

Tel +65 6872 2220 Ministry of Education Singapore 1 North Buona Vista Drive

Fax +65 6775 5826

www.moe.edu.sg

Tel +65 6736 6622 Tourism Board

Tourism Court 1 Orchard Spring Lane Singapore 247729 Fax +65 6736 9423

www.stb.gov.sg

995 (Toll-free)

Singapore Police Force New Phoenix Park 28 Irrawaddy Road Singapore 329560

Tel +65 6353 0000 (Police Emergency Hotline) Hotline: 1800 255 0000

www.spf.gov.sg

Tel +65 6391 6100 Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

10 Kallang Road ICA Building Singapore 208718 Fax +65 6298 0837

+65 6298 0843

www.ica.gov.sg

Tel +65 6499 0300 Council for Private Education (CPE)

2 Bukit Merah Central #01-05 Singapore 159835 Fax +65 6275 1396

www.cpe.gov.sg

Tel +65 6592 2108 CPE Student Services Centre

1 Orchard Road #01-01 YMCA International Building Singapore 238824

Fax +65 6337 1584

www.cpe.gov.sg

995 (Fire Engine / Ambulance) 1777 (Non-emergency Ambulance) Civil Defence Force 91 Ubi Avenue 4

Singapore 408827 Tel +65 6280 0000 (General Enquiries)

www.scdf.gov.sg

HOSPITAL 24-HOUR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE GOVERNMENT / RESTRUCTURED HOSPITALS Alexandra Hospital (65) 6472 2000 National University Hospital (65) 6779 5555

Changi General Hospital (65) 6788 8833 Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (65) 6472 2000

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (65) 6555 8000

Singapore General Hospital (65) 6222 3322

PRIVATE HOSPITALS Mount Elizabeth (65) 6731 2218 Gleneagles (65) 6470 5700

Raffles Hospital (65) 6311 1555

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