Choose ESE as your exam preparation partner
Whether you need an internationally recognised certification in the English language for visa purposes, work advancement or to gain entry into an English speaking university, ESE has the exam preparation course for you.
With highly experienced, expertly trained exam preparation teachers, over 90% of ESE students achieve the exam results that they require, making ESE the number one choice to lead you to exam success!
ESE offers exam preparation courses that cover the four main types of English certification. These include IELTS, Cambridge Main suite, TOEIC and TOEFL iBT. These exam preparation courses include exam and study skills and exam-specific tutoring such as exam technique, monitored exam practice and feedback, along with monthly tutorials and reviews. There is also a Students’ Podium every Friday where our students get the opportunity to give mini-presentations and teach the skills that they have learnt to their peers.
Who can take an exam preparation course?
The minimum age for students wishing to join the course is 17 years old. Students will need to be at the required English level before being accepted onto the exam preparation course. Students are asked to submit an on-line essay and will undertake an English preliminary test on arrival to assess their English level and suitability for their desired exam preparation course.
It is important that students are at the required level on entry to the course in order to have the best possible chance of achieving the grades they require in the exam of their choice.
My English is good, why do I need an exam preparation course?
The four main English certification exams are difficult exams. Being fluent in English will not guarantee a good result without preparation. Even a native speaker of English would struggle to achieve a good grade without guidance on how to complete the exam first.
The exam preparation courses give students the skills and techniques in order to know how to approach each exam and what the examiner is looking for in their answers. These techniques and skills give students the tools to achieve their best possible exam results.
Which exam preparation course should I choose?
This will depend on the reason you need to gain certification to prove your skills in English. For example if you wish to apply for a university course, different universities may accept certain certifications only. We recommend that students check with the university/work place or governing body which certification and grade they require before choosing their exam preparation course.
IELTS
IELTS stands for ‘International English Language Testing System’ and is recommended for university admission or migration purposes. The IELTS has two types of exam, The Academic option and the General training option.
IELTS Academic option
This option is for those students who wish to apply for a course at an English speaking university and/or in an English Speaking country. For universities in the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand you will generally need to achieve an overall band score of 5.5 or higher.
IELTS General Training option
This option is for those students who need certification for migration purposes to English speaking countries. It may also be required for students following vocational or non-academic training.
Exam dates can be found HERE
Cambridge Main Suite
PET, FCE, CAE, CPE
The Cambridge Main Suite of exams are recommended for both academic purposes and career development. They are accepted by hundreds of universities and colleges around the world as proof of your English language skills. They are also recognised by employers and international companies and organisations as proof of your English proficiency.
The exams are divided into levels and you can prepare yourself for the PET, FCE, CAE and CPE at ESE. The exam you sit for will depend on your level of English on entry to the exam preparation course. These exams are held three to four times a year. Exact dates can be found HERE
TOEIC
TOEIC stands for ‘Test of English for International Communication’. The TOEIC exam is widely accepted as proof of English proficiency for recruitment purposes and by universities for admission or graduation purposes.
TOEIC is an internationally recognised exam which measures and certifies your level of English in an international business environment.
The test is divided into two parts and these can be taken either individually or together. The first section is the Listening and Reading Test – a paper-based test (2 hours). The second part is the Speaking and Writing Test (1 hour 20 mins) and is computer-based.
Please note there are currently no TOEIC test centers in Malta so students will need to book their tests back in their home country on completion of their exam preparation course. ESE recommends that students book their test date as close to the end of their course as possible in order to achieve best results when taking the exam.
More information can be found HERE
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL iBT stands for ‘Test of English as a Foreign Language administered via the Internet’.
This exam is popular with students who wish to further their studies and need certification to prove their English proficiency level over the four core language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing to preform academic tasks.TOEFL iBT is accepted by many tertiary institutions in Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland and South Korea.
The exam is computer-based and is taken on-line. The exam can be booked and taken here in Malta at the English Language Academy in Sliema. More information can be found HERE
Lessons
Each exam preparation course includes 30 (22.5 hours) group lessons per week. During morning sessions students focus on developing general exam skills and techniques on how to approach an exam – skills which are needed for all of the exam types. In the afternoon sessions students focus on their particular exam type with exam specific tutoring to develop skills and techniques specific to the students’ chosen exam.
How many weeks should I study for?
ESE offers courses from a minimum of 6 weeks to a maximum of 10 weeks. We also offer a 4 week IELTS, TOEIC and TOEFL course only for those students who are of a minimum B2 level, who are almost exam ready, and just require a short refresher course to brush up on their exam skills and techniques.
The number of weeks you choose will depend on the level you wish to achieve in your exam and how much practice you need both with your English and exam skills. We recommend students take as many weeks as they are able to in order to give themselves the best possible chance at achieving the best result possible.
Does ESE book my exam?
ESE can assist students who are booking their exams in Malta. Our academic staff will help you to book and register for your exams at the Maltese center or on-line. This applies to the Cambridge Suite of exams and the IELTS exams (both options) only.
At present there are no TOEIC exam centers here in Malta for students to take the TOEIC exam. The TOEIC exam must be booked by the student – ideally back in their home country as soon as possible after the completion of the exam preparation course. The TOEFL iBT exam must be booked on-line by the student and is taken on-line. Students can take the exam on-line here in Malta at the ELA test center in Sliema.
How do I book an exam preparation course with ESE?
Students can apply on-line using our quick quote and booking form HERE or e-mail ESE at [email protected] for more information and to book.
If you still require some guidance or advice on the best exam preparation course for you, please e-mail us at the same address and we will be happy to advise you. We look forward to welcoming you to ESE soon and being a part of your learning journey and exam success!
You may also choose to prepare for your exam in the UK at our sister school English in York, in York, UK.
About the Author
Samantha Dixon
Marketing Executive at ESE
Samantha is British and has taught English as a foreign language in several different countries including Thailand and Finland. She has been with ESE since March 2016 and is now working as part of the Marketing team as a Marketing Executive. Samantha enjoys being creative, painting and writing when time allows. She also enjoys spending time with her 4 year old son and her new baby daughter, soaking up the Maltese sun.
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