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Course Overview Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Course Overview Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply

Communicate With Confidence

A good command of the English language is crucial for you to succeed in your arts education, no matter what specialisation you choose to pursue.

If you are successful in your diploma application but do not meet the English Language Requirements, you can take one of our NAFA English Preparatory Courses to improve your language proficiency and gain entry into your desired diploma course. This will ensure you are equipped and confident to start your arts education on the right footing.


Enhancing an Understanding of Language

Enhance your command of the English language with learner-centred exercises that train active listening and learning skills.

Acquiring Practical English Language skills

Learn strategies to build your vocabulary and improve your listening, reading and comprehension skills.

Nurturing Confident Communicators

Hone your abilities to present ideas and intentions clearly and confidently as you interact with your classmates and learn along with them.

Course Modules

We offer two courses: the 16-week NAFA Preparatory English Course (Pre-intermediate and Intermediate) comprising two modules, and the four-week NAFA Preparatory English Course (Supplementary) comprising one module.

Applicants will be placed in the appropriate courses and modules as determined by their submitted English proficiency scores from certification systems. Find out more here.


PREPARATORY ENGLISH COURSE (PRE-INTERMEDIATE AND INTERMEDIATE)


ENG1100 Pre-intermediate Level English


ENG1100 Pre-intermediate Level English
covers four components of language learning: listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. The approach integrates receptive skills (listening and reading) with productive skills (speaking and writing) to provide an effective learning environment.

Students learn a range of listening strategies from identifying gist and intention, to previewing main ideas to improve decoding skills. Students apply a host of reading tips such as locating specific information using skimming and scanning to increase reading and comprehension competencies.

Through daily interaction with peers, students have the opportunity to practice speaking and expressing their ideas, and build their confidence in oral communication. By learning rules of the language such as parts of speech, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, subject-verb agreement, question, and sentence construction, students acquire fundamental writing skills.


ENG1200 Intermediate Level English

ENG1200 Intermediate Level English
covers four components of language learning: listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. The approach integrates receptive skills (listening and reading) with productive skills (speaking and writing) to provide a holistic learning environment.

Students learn a range of listening strategies from extracting specific information, to identifying context clues to enhance accuracy. Students study a variety of text types to increase their reading and comprehension competencies. Through daily speaking exercises and frequent oral presentations, students sharpen their speaking abilities. By learning rules of the language such as grammar, tenses, parts of speech, syntax, text coherence and style, students acquire techniques to write exposition and argumentative essays.


PREPARATORY ENGLISH COURSE (SUPPLEMENTARY)


ENG 1300 Supplementary English


ENG 1300 Supplementary English
covers four components of language learning: listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. The approach integrates receptive skills (listening and reading) with productive skills (speaking and writing) to provide a holistic learning environment.

Students learn a range of strategies from the identification of keywords, sentence-structure and intention, to evaluation techniques such as modes of deduction and speculation, which they can apply in discussion and reading. Students study word parts to expand vocabulary, and analyse unfamiliar words by deciphering the structure of the language. Students are exposed to a variety of text types to increase their comprehension competencies. Through daily interaction with peers such as responding and expressing their ideas during in-class discussions, students build their confidence in speaking accurately and fluently. By learning rules of the language such as syntax, text coherence and style, students acquire techniques to write exposition and argumentative essays.

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entry requirements

We have a minimum English Language proficiency requirement for both the English Preparatory Course (Pre-intermediate and Intermediate) and the English Preparatory Course (Supplementary). Find out which course you are eligible for here.


PREPARATORY ENGLISH COURSE (PRE-INTERMEDIATE AND INTERMEDIATE)

The minimum English Language proficiency requirement for all Diploma Courses except Diploma in Dance and Diploma in Music:

  • Grade C6 at GCE ‘O’ Level
  • TOEFL iBT 50
  • TOEFL 500
  • IELTS Academic Band 5
  • SAT score of 480 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
  • Duolingo score of 75
  • Qualifications equivalent to any of the above

The minimum English Language proficiency requirement for Diploma in Dance and Diploma in Music:

  • Grade D7 at GCE ‘O’ Level
  • TOEFL iBT 40
  • TOEFL 400
  • IELTS Academic Band 4
  • SAT score of 450 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
  • Duolingo score of 55
  • Qualifications equivalent to any of the above

In addition to the minimum English Language proficiency requirement, the minimum Chinese Language proficiency requirement for Diploma in Theatre (Mandarin Drama) is Grade C6 at GCE ‘O’ Level in Chinese Language or Higher Chinese or Literature in Chinese. The subject(s) will form part of the 4 ‘O’ Level subject requirements.

Applicants who do not meet the English Language proficiency requirement for the applied diploma course will have the option to enrol in the NAFA Preparatory English Course (PEC). Prior to enrolment in the PEC, applicants are required to submit their English Language proficiency scores from certification systems such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo. They will be placed in the appropriate module(s) – Pre-intermediate Level English and/or Intermediate Level English or Supplementary English as determined by the submitted scores.


PREPARATORY ENGLISH COURSE (SUPPLEMENTARY)


The minimum English Language proficiency requirement for the Preparatory English Course (ENG1300 Supplementary) is as follows:

Diploma course Applying For DUOLINGO Score TOEFL iBT Score IELTS Score PEC Module(s) to enrol
All diploma courses (including non-MOE-sponsored Diploma in Art Teaching and Diploma in Music Teaching) except Diploma in Dance and Diploma in Music 65 - 70 32 - 43 4.5 SG & SPR applicants:
ENG1300 Supplementary English