Chaucer College - Courses

Courses

The group follows the Japanese academic year, running from April to February. During the first semester, Chaucer College welcomes Shumei University first-year students from four faculties:

• The Faculty of Management and Administration
• The Faculty of English & Information Technology
• The Faculty of Tourism and Business
• The Faculty of Teacher Education (English major)

Their programme consists of a combination of intensive study of the English language, combined with preparatory work on the subjects that will form the major component of their Shumei University degree. Teacher Education students also undertake a programme of visits to local partner schools to observe UK teaching methods. Students reside in the purpose-built accommodation on the Chaucer campus, but most include a period of homestay with a local family in their programme.

During the second semester, Chaucer, like Kingsgate, welcomes successive contingents of Shumei High School students visiting the UK. Junior High School students (age 14-15) come for two weeks, Senior High School students (age 16-17) for four weeks. The latter also include a period of homestay in their programme.

During the Japanese university vacation (February–April), Chaucer hosts a 4-week vacation programme for Shumei Teacher Education Faculty students whose major is not English. During this course, the students have the opportunity to visit both local and Continental schools (France & Germany).

In addition (and currently subject to review following the introduction of the British Government’s points-based immigration system), the College offers a Foundation Course preparing Japanese students for entry to the University of Kent. This course begins with a preparatory programme mainly devoted to English language study, prior to focusing on a programme geared to enabling students to go forward to study either Politics & International Relations or Sociology. The course is linked to the University of Kent Certificate programme, equivalent to the first year of the University of Kent degree. The Certificate consists largely of University of Kent Stage 1 modules in Politics and Sociology, taught both at the University and at Chaucer College, together with a smaller number of modules designed specifically for Japanese students and taught at the College (one of these modules is available to University of Kent students under a reciprocal arrangement). The Certificate is validated by the University of Kent. Students subsequently go on to enter the University of Kent at Stage 2 (second year).