SSL has 5 Levels of instruction for developing your English Language skills. Soon after you arrive, you will be given a placement exam to determine your English language skills and your appropriate academic level.
Beginning Levels (ZA & ZB)
Students are placed in the beginning classes based on the score achieved on the school’s placement exam. Level ZA starts at the beginning level; at this level, students know very little English or no English. This level provides beginning learners of English instruction in all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary.
The student will learn to:
recognize and understand the letters of the English alphabet
recognize basic nouns and verbs
greet people and name common everyday objects
write familiar words and short phrase about everyday objects
After successful completion of the beginning level, students will be able to carry on basic conversations, manage everyday life in an English-speaking environment, and read and write simple material.
Basic Levels (1A & 1B)
Students are placed in the basic level classes based on the score achieved on the school’s placement exam. Level 1A starts at the basic level; at this level, students know very little English but have some English experience. This level provides basic learners of English instruction in all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary.
The student will learn to:
achieve comprehension in basic communicative situations.
read and understand simple informative materials.
write basic sentences and simple pieces of writing.
comprehend basic grammatical structures in a natural context.
develop knowledge of basic vocabulary.
After successful completion of the basic level, students will be able to carry on basic conversations concerning everyday life and academic topics, read short articles about academic topics, and write simple sentences and basic paragraphs.
Intermediate Levels (2A & 2B)
Students are placed into the intermediate level based on the score achieved on the school’s placement exam or successful completion of the basic level. This level provides intermediate English learners instruction in all language skills.
The student will learn to:
understand and engage in conversation on everyday topics.
read and understand medium-length selections.
compose paragraphs in conversation on everyday topics.
develop vocabulary appropriate for academic tasks.
After successfully completing the intermediate level, students will be able to converse comfortably on various subjects, read the newspaper, listen accurately, and write correctly in non-technical areas.
Advanced Levels (3A & 3B)
Students are placed into the advanced level based on the score achieved on the school’s placement exam or the successful completion of the intermediate level. This level provides advanced learners of English instruction in all language skills.
The student will learn to:
engage in ordinary conversation.
read and comprehend academic texts.
compose advanced pieces of writing.
analyze grammatical structures in academic settings.
develop knowledge of advanced-level vocabulary.
After completing the advanced level, students can study in academic classes, unique for those who plan to enter American universities or practical classes and conduct business in English for those who want to use English in business or everyday life.
Proficiency Levels (4A & 4B)
Students are placed into the 4A level based on the score achieved on the school’s placement exam or the successful completion of the advanced level. This level provides proficient learners of English with specific skills to promote success in American colleges and universities.
The student will learn to:
take effective lecture notes
know what to listen for when taking notes
read textbooks to prepare for college tests
research for academic papers
cite sources in academic papers
prepare and perform presentations for college classes
After completing the proficient level, a student can successfully attend most major U.S. universities and/or colleges and participate in most professional situations.
Transcripts & Certificates
SSL issues transcripts to all students, and certificates to qualified students upon request.
Class Size
Each class has an average of 7-15 students (A maximum of 20). This gives each student the opportunity for a lot of interaction with the teacher.
