MEC English Proficiency Programme
An intensive, face-to-face English programme of four progressive levels, completed within a maximum of 12 months.
Four levels, 1,440 hours of learning
Each level builds on the previous one. Student Learning Time (SLT) combines guided face-to-face classes with voluntary self-study.
| Level | Duration | Academic hours (guided) | Self-study | Total SLT | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Foundation | 3 months | 240 hrs | 120 hrs | 360 hrs | Placement test |
| Level 2: Elementary | 3 months | 240 hrs | 120 hrs | 360 hrs | Completion of Foundation |
| Level 3: Intermediate | 3 months | 240 hrs | 120 hrs | 360 hrs | Completion of Elementary |
| Level 4: Advanced | 3 months | 240 hrs | 120 hrs | 360 hrs | Completion of Intermediate |
| Total | 12 months | 960 hrs | 480 hrs | 1,440 hrs |
Total programme SLT of 1,440 hours is within the 2,400-hour maximum (60% of the limit). Guided learning makes up 66.7% and self-study 33.3% of total SLT.
Monday to Friday, 4 academic hours a day
| Time | Lesson component | Learning activities |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:00 Hour 1 | Listening & Language Input | Topic vocabulary, pronunciation and listening passages or short dialogues. |
| 10:00 – 11:00 Hour 2 | Speaking & Interaction | Guided conversation, pair/group discussion, Q&A and role play. |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Break | Not counted in academic hours. |
| 11:15 – 12:15 Hour 3 | Reading, Comprehension & Grammar | Level-appropriate texts, comprehension, vocabulary in context and grammar practice. |
| 12:15 – 13:15 Hour 4 | Writing & Integrated Application | Guided writing and topic-based tasks such as presentations, role play or supervised language activities. |
| 13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch break | Not counted in academic hours or SLT. |
| 14:00 – 16:00 Suggested | Voluntary self-study (2 hrs/day) | Topic-based independent activities following teacher guidelines, at the centre or online. |
All four skills, every day
Each day has a main emphasis, while all four skills remain integrated.
| Day | Emphasis | Lesson activities | Suggested self-study (14:00–16:00) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Topic introduction; Listening / Speaking | Introduce the topic; target words, pronunciation, short listening passages and guided conversation. | Pre-reading and topic vocabulary list |
| Tuesday | Reading / Comprehension | Level-appropriate texts; comprehension questions; vocabulary and grammar practice. | Digital vocabulary and grammar practice |
| Wednesday | Writing / Grammar | Level-appropriate writing practice and grammar review with guided feedback. | Writing task |
| Thursday | Integrated tasks | Role play, simulations, group tasks, projects and short presentations. | Speaking recording and presentation preparation |
| Friday | Oral practice, review & reflection | Individual speaking turns, weekly review or quiz, reflective journal and supervised language activities. | Review, reflective journal and portfolio |
How we teach
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
Encourages students to use English actively in real-life communication situations.
Task-Based Learning
Students carry out practical tasks that require English in meaningful contexts.
Integrated Skills Development
Every lesson combines Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
Student-Centred Learning
Discussions, presentations, group projects, role play, interactive exercises, post-it notes, participation cards, shared digital documents for brainstorming and mind-mapping, and reflective journals.
Syllabus by level
Foundation
Introduces the basics of English communication: simple vocabulary, basic sentence structures and everyday expressions.
240 guided hrs120 self-study hrs360 SLTVocabulary target: 500 – 800 words
Learning outcomes
- Identify basic English sounds and pronunciation
- Understand simple spoken instructions
- Use basic vocabulary in daily communication
- Build simple sentences
- Introduce yourself and take part in basic conversations
Core skills development
| Skill | Content |
|---|---|
| Listening | Basic classroom instructions; numbers, time and everyday vocabulary; simple dialogues |
| Speaking | Greetings and introductions; basic questions and answers; everyday conversation |
| Reading | Alphabet recognition; simple words and short sentences; basic instructions and notices |
| Writing | Writing the alphabet; simple words; short sentences; personal information forms |
Elementary
Builds communication skills so learners begin to use English confidently in everyday situations.
240 guided hrs120 self-study hrs360 SLTVocabulary target: 800 – 1,500 words
Learning outcomes
- Take part in simple conversations
- Understand short spoken passages
- Read short texts and simple stories
- Write short paragraphs
Core skills development
| Skill | Content |
|---|---|
| Listening | Everyday conversations; short instructions; basic announcements |
| Speaking | Describing people and places; talking about daily activities; asking and answering questions |
| Reading | Short stories; basic informational texts; signs and advertisements |
| Writing | Short paragraphs; personal messages; descriptive sentences |
| Grammar | Present simple; present continuous; basic prepositions; question forms |
Intermediate
Strengthens communication skills so learners can express ideas clearly in spoken and written English.
240 guided hrs120 self-study hrs360 SLTVocabulary target: 1,500 – 3,000 words
Learning outcomes
- Understand longer spoken conversations
- Take part in discussions
- Read longer articles and texts
- Write structured essays
Core skills development
| Skill | Content |
|---|---|
| Listening | Conversations; interviews; short lectures |
| Speaking | Expressing opinions; taking part in discussions; giving short presentations |
| Reading | Articles; academic passages; informational texts |
| Writing | Essays; opinion paragraphs; narrative writing |
| Grammar | Past tense; future forms; modal verbs; comparative structures |
Advanced
Prepares learners to use English effectively in academic, professional and social environments.
240 guided hrs120 self-study hrs360 SLTVocabulary target: 3,000 – 5,000 words
Learning outcomes
- Understand complex spoken English
- Engage in academic discussions
- Analyse written material
- Produce well-organised written work
Core skills development
| Skill | Content |
|---|---|
| Listening | Academic lectures; media broadcasts; complex discussions |
| Speaking | Presentations; debate; formal discussion |
| Reading | Academic texts; analytical articles; research materials |
| Writing | Academic essays; reports; argumentative writing |
| Grammar | Complex sentence structures; passive voice; conditionals; academic vocabulary |
12-week plan for each level
Each level has 10 teaching weeks (five 2-week topics), 1 week of review and consolidation, and 1 week of final assessment.
Level 1: Foundation — 12 weeks
| Week | Topic | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 | Introduction to English | Alphabet sounds; basic classroom instructions | Greetings and introductions; introducing yourself | Alphabet recognition; basic vocabulary | Writing the alphabet; writing simple words |
| 3 – 4 | Everyday Communication | Numbers; days and months | Asking basic questions; talking about personal information | Simple sentences | Personal information forms |
| 5 – 6 | Daily Activities | Short dialogues | Talking about routines | Short texts | Writing simple sentences |
| 7 – 8 | Family and Friends | Descriptions of people | Describing family members | Short descriptions | Short descriptive sentences |
| 9 – 10 | Places and Directions | Directions and locations | Asking for directions | Signs and notices | Describing places |
| 11 | Review & Consolidation | Vocabulary review; oral practice; reading practice; short paragraph writing | |||
| 12 | Final Assessment & Feedback | Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing tests | |||
Self-study (20 hours per 2-week topic, voluntary): pre-reading and listening, digital vocabulary practice, writing tasks, speaking recordings and reflective journals based on the current topic. Weeks 11–12: self-review, mock exam practice and learning portfolio completion.
Level 2: Elementary — 12 weeks
| Week | Topic | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 | Daily Conversations | Short conversations | Talking about hobbies | Short stories | Paragraph writing |
| 3 – 4 | Describing Experiences | Conversations about activities | Talking about past experiences | Personal narratives | Descriptive paragraphs |
| 5 – 6 | Food and Drink | Restaurant dialogues | Ordering food | Food articles | Opinion paragraphs |
| 7 – 8 | Travel and Transport | Travel announcements | Travel discussions | Travel blogs | Travel descriptions |
| 9 – 10 | Culture and Society | Interviews | Expressing opinions | Cultural articles | Short essays |
| 11 | Review & Consolidation | Vocabulary review; oral practice; reading practice; short paragraph writing | |||
| 12 | Final Assessment & Feedback | Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing tests | |||
Self-study (20 hours per 2-week topic, voluntary): pre-reading and listening, digital vocabulary practice, writing tasks, speaking recordings and reflective journals based on the current topic. Weeks 11–12: self-review, mock exam practice and learning portfolio completion.
Level 3: Intermediate — 12 weeks
| Week | Topic | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 | Communication Skills | Interviews and discussions | Presenting opinions | Newspaper articles | Essay introduction techniques |
| 3 – 4 | Education and Careers | Academic lectures | Career discussions | Informational texts | Opinion essays |
| 5 – 6 | Technology | Technology discussions | Debate practice | Technology articles | Argumentative essays |
| 7 – 8 | Global Issues | News reports | Group discussions | Analytical texts | Analytical essays |
| 9 – 10 | Media and Society | Media interviews | Presentation practice | Opinion articles | Critical essays |
| 11 | Review & Consolidation | Vocabulary review; oral practice; reading practice; short paragraph writing | |||
| 12 | Final Assessment & Feedback | Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing tests | |||
Self-study (20 hours per 2-week topic, voluntary): pre-reading and listening, digital vocabulary practice, writing tasks, speaking recordings and reflective journals based on the current topic. Weeks 11–12: self-review, mock exam practice and learning portfolio completion.
Level 4: Advanced — 12 weeks
| Week | Topic | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 | Academic Communication | Academic lectures | Seminar discussions | Academic texts | Structured essays |
| 3 – 4 | Professional Communication | Business discussions | Formal presentations | Professional articles | Professional emails |
| 5 – 6 | Critical Thinking | Debate analysis | Debate | Research articles | Argumentative essays |
| 7 – 8 | Research and Analysis | Academic presentations | Research presentations | Research papers | Academic reports |
| 9 – 10 | Global Communication | International discussions | Panel discussions | Global issues articles | Analytical reports |
| 11 | Review & Consolidation | Vocabulary review; oral practice; reading practice; short paragraph writing | |||
| 12 | Final Examination & Feedback | Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing tests | |||
Self-study (20 hours per 2-week topic, voluntary): pre-reading and listening, digital vocabulary practice, writing tasks, speaking recordings and reflective journals based on the current topic. Weeks 11–12: self-review, mock exam practice and learning portfolio completion.
What you can do at each level
| Skill | Foundation | Elementary | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Understand simple instructions | Understand everyday conversations | Understand lectures | Understand complex discussions |
| Speaking | Basic conversation | Everyday communication | Present opinions | Professional presentations |
| Reading | Recognise words and sentences | Read short passages | Understand articles | Analyse academic texts |
| Writing | Write simple sentences | Write paragraphs | Write essays | Write academic reports |
| Self-study | Complete guided exercises and weekly log | Manage digital practice and reflective journal | Plan revision and self-assess progress | Carry out independent reading and research |
Voluntary independent learning
Alongside guided face-to-face classes, students are encouraged to complete 10 hours of self-study per week, based on teacher guidelines and materials linked to the current topic.
| Component | Hrs / week | Example activities |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation & pre-reading | 2 | Read texts or listen to topic audio before class; prepare a new vocabulary list. |
| Digital vocabulary & grammar | 2 | Digital platform practice, self-quizzes and vocabulary flashcards. |
| Writing tasks | 2 | Level-appropriate writing (sentences, paragraphs, essays or reports) for teacher feedback. |
| Listening & speaking | 2 | Shadowing, self-recorded speaking, presentation or role-play preparation. |
| Review, journal & portfolio | 2 | Weekly review, reflective journal and learning portfolio updates. |
| Total | 10 |
Implementation guidelines
- Self-study is voluntary.
- Self-study is not counted in continuous assessment or the final examination.
- Self-study is not subject to the 80% attendance requirement.
- Teachers provide guidelines and materials for students who wish to do more.
Activities that reinforce the syllabus
Activities support, not replace, the MEPP syllabus. They are chosen according to the current 2-week topic, level and learning outcomes.
| Activity | Frequency | Levels | Link to syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Conversation Circle | Weekly | All levels | Guided conversation, listening practice, topic vocabulary and Q&A skills. |
| Reading / Storytelling Circle | Weekly | Foundation – Elementary | Pronunciation, vocabulary recognition, comprehension, retelling and short written responses. |
| Role Play & Simulation | Weekly | All levels | Practical scenarios such as daily routines, travel, ordering food, workplace communication or academic discussion. |
| Group Project / Poster / Presentation | Fortnightly | All levels (complexity adjusted) | Combines reading, writing, speaking, collaboration and presentation based on the current topic. |
| Language Games & Vocabulary Challenges | Weekly | Mainly Foundation – Elementary; adapted for higher levels | Builds vocabulary retention, listening to instructions, spelling and confidence. |
| Debate / Panel Discussion | Periodic | Intermediate – Advanced | Develops stating opinions, supporting arguments, formal speaking and analytical writing. |
| Cultural Sharing / Guided Educational Visit | Each term, if approved | All levels | Pre-activity vocabulary and listening, supervised English interaction, note-taking and post-activity reflection or report writing. |
Language-focused co-curricular activities may take place during Hour 4 when planned as supervised learning, recorded in the lesson plan and linked to stated learning outcomes. Optional activities outside the regular timetable are supplementary and are not counted in the 240 academic hours unless formally scheduled, supervised and recorded as teaching sessions.
Continuous assessment and final examination
Continuous Assessment — 40%
- Weekly quizzes
- Assignments
- Class participation
- Group projects
Final Examination — 60%
Writing: A – Editing (identify and correct grammar errors in a short text); B – Situational writing based on a visual text; C – Continuous writing on one of four set topics.
Reading: A – Questions based on a story; B – Varied questions based on a story; C – Summary task.
Listening: A – Varied listening tasks on several recordings (heard twice); B – Note-taking on a recording (heard once).
Speaking: A – Plan and respond to a video clip and prompts on screen; B – Discussion with the examiner on the same topic.
Students must achieve a minimum pass mark of 60% to progress to the next level. Self-study is not counted in continuous assessment (40%) or the final examination (60%).
Small groups, personal attention
| Class type | Capacity | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Group class | 2 – 8 students | Personal attention; effective communication practice; better teacher-student interaction |
| 1-to-1 class | 1 student | Flexibility; maximum speaking time and confidence; highly personalised content |
Internationally recognised resources
- Cutting Edge
- English File
- Audio and multimedia learning materials
- Digital learning platform
- Interactive classroom resources
12-month calendar
| Period | Level | SLT hours |
|---|---|---|
| January – March | Foundation | 360 (240 + 120) |
| April – June | Elementary | 360 (240 + 120) |
| July – September | Intermediate | 360 (240 + 120) |
| October – December | Advanced | 360 (240 + 120) |
Each level consists of 12 scheduled weeks: 10 teaching weeks, 1 week of review and consolidation, and 1 week of final assessment.
Ready to start your English journey?
Contact our admissions team to book a placement test and confirm your intake.