English in London

London

Who hasn’t dreamt of learning English in London? England’s capital city is one of the world’s top destinations with a huge presence in every field you could think of, from politics to education, finance, fashion, art, music… let’s just say it isn’t hard to get swept up by London’s energy and bustling city life.

This multicultural metropolis has something for everyone. History addicts adore the renowned landmarks that attract thousands of tourists every year, like Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square & the Tower of London. For those who love art, many of London’s museums have free entry such as the National Gallery and the architecturally beautiful British Museum.

If shopping is more up your street, Harrods, Piccadilly Circus or Covent Garden will have everything you’re looking for and more. Music & musical and theatre aficionados are spoilt for choice thanks to the huge range of concerts, shows and plays happening every day of the week across the city. Step into the famous West End playhouses for incredible british theatre and a theatrical experience unlike any other.

Our partner school, EC Language Centres, is located in the heart of London, just a few minutes from King’s Cross, Euston Station, St Pancras International on foot as well as an array of shops and the city’s famous cultural landmarks. King’s Cross is a central transport hub in London, making getting around as easy as can be.

EC is accredited by the British Council and Private Further Education.

School facilities include:

26 bright classrooms
EC Cafe, with homemade meals and snacks
Movie screen in the lounge
IT suite
Free WiFi access throughout the centre
Excellent library facilities
Study room
Student lounge
Disabled access

Service VIP – The Orange Carpet Experience

EC welcomes you with their orange carpet

Before your arrival: access to the online platform of EC to prepare for your stay
A warm welcome upon your arrival at the airport of station
A warm welcome in the residence or in your host family
A welcome activity on Sunday to meet the other students
On the first day of course: a VIP reception at the school
A presentation of all members of the EC team

Now you’re ready to learn!

English language courses: the basics

Lesson length: 45 minutes
Class size: Average 12 students (maximum 14)
Schedule: morning or afternoon lessons every other day
Placement test: first day of lessons
Certificate of completion at the end of your stay
Open access to the EC online learning platform up to 12 weeks after your stay
Regular progress tests (oral test every week, written test every 6 weeks)
CELTA-qualified native English teachers

20 lessons per week

4 lessons a day will give you a practical understanding of the English language and take you all the way to fluency. See your confidence improve as EC trains you in all four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Language level: all levels

30 lessons per week

The ideal course to get your English where you want it to be, fast. Includes the above General English classes, and also allows you to personalise your course by taking an additional 10 lessons per week across a wide selection of electives (see the choices below).:

Write Now
Media Studies
The Language of Music
Film Studies
Global Citizenship
Comparative Culture & Communication
Basic English Writing
Academic Techniques in Practice (writing assignments, taking notes and preparing presentations)
Get Talking
And many more!

Language level: all levels

30 lessons per week

This Special Focus Programme combines 20 lessons of General English with 10 lessons focused on language study inspired by your destination, for a complete intensive experience that is tailored to you and your personal reasons for learning. Students enrolled in this course visit a number of fascinating locations, from stunning museums and inspiring galleries to successful local businesses and charming neighbourhoods all over the city.

Themed lessons include:

Business English – Tours of Local Businesses
Describing Art & Culture – Museum Tours
Talk like a Local – Neighbourhood Visits
The Language of Sports – Stadium Visits

Language level: all levels

30 lessons per week

EC’s English for Work course will allow you to improve your English fluency and empower you with the language, knowledge and skills to confidently deal with a variety of business issues. Every week you will take 30 lessons: 20 lessons of General English and 10 lessons of Business English.

Business Skills:

Expressing personal opinions
Making suggestions
Presenting case studies
Problem solving

Business Focus – 10 tailored lessons :

Negotiating contracts
Management and HR
Branding and promotional strategies
Project management
Business ethics and CSR

Specific business techniques such as business English on the phone and interview skills are also covered.

Language level: Lower Intermediate to Advanced

Cambridge

20 to 30 lessons per week
Session length: 4, 8, 9, 10 or 12 weeks, available year-round (see “Prices and Dates”).

Your teachers will guide and monitor you to make sure that you progress at the correct rate to succeed in your exam, giving you the specific vocabulary and grammar and study plan you need. Using sample exam papers you will learn how to effectively answer questions so by the time you take the test, you will know the style of questions to expect and how to answer them.

Minimum language level required:

FCE: Intermediate (10/12 weeks), Pre Advanced (4/8 weeks)
CAE: Pre Advanced (10/12 weeks), Advanced (4/8 weeks

IELTS

30 lessons per week Session length: 4 or 8 weeks If you wish to attend university in an English-speaking country, preparing for the IELTS exam is the first step to success. EC teachers will meet with you individually to assess your language proficiency and goals. Sample papers will help you learn how to effectively answer questions and learn the techniques you need to sit the exam with confidence.

Language Level IELTS required: Intermediate

EC follows a ‘Communicative Method’ syllabus, which works to develop all four English language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening. Special attention is paid to speaking, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

To give an engaging and relevant framework to learning these skills, each lesson will focus on a specific topic, which will vary from current affairs to everyday issues. Your professional and friendly teachers will select topics that create interest, discussion and debate in the class, allowing you to develop your confidence both in speaking and listening throughout your stay, in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

The teaching materials EC uses are specially designed by the school and realia such as newspapers, videos and other materials is also used.

As well as taking an active part in classroom discussions – the best way to improve your fluency – you will work on your language skills in small groups, pairs or individually on tasks and projects. EC’s teachers work to create a welcoming environment with mutual support among students – so you’ll feel at home while your English improves!

As an EC student, you will be able to enjoy a diverse range of social and leisurely activities every week, in the afternoons or evenings. You are very welcome to participate in these activities, although they are not mandatory. Many of these activities are free of charge, but some may require a fee. All activities are subject to change without and differ depending on the season.

Some of the many activities available include:

Welcome Event
Pub outings
Movie afternoons
Salsa classes
Badminton
Bowling
Trips

Accomodation places are located in so-called Zones A and B, which gives you the approximate distance from the school. These zones have nothing in common with the London Underground Zones.

Zone A: between 20 and 45 minutes travel time to EC by public transport
Zone B: between 45 and 60 minutes travel time to EC by public transport

Single room, shared bathroom and breakfast.

You can live in either Zone A or Zone B. If you live with a host family in Zone B it will be in a shared room.

Optional extras :

Half board
Private bathroom (only for families in Zone A)

Practical information:

Bed linen provided
Laundry: your host family will let you use their laundry facilities once a week or let you know their laundry day

Residence accommodation is a great way to meet other international students as well as the locals.

Features:

Single room
Private bathroom
Kitchenette
Travel time: 35 /40 minutes to EC via public transport (direct route via the tube)
Located close to Wembley stadium
Deposit to be paid on arrival (see ‘Prices & Dates’ tab), to be refunded at the end of your stay by EC provided your room is clean and tidy with no evidence of damage

Services and facilities available

Bed linen provided
Wifi access and TV in each room
Shared kitchen
Multimedia room
Air-conditioned building
Gym
Laundry facilities (for a fee)
24-hour security
Common areas are cleaned once a week; please note that outside of this service, students are responsible for cleaning the kitchen and common areas

Features:

Single room
Private bathroom
Travel time: 30 minutes to EC via public transport (direct route via the tube)
Location: in Zone 1 on the East side of London in a lively area
Deposit to be payed on arrival

Services / Facilities available:

Bed linen provided
Free WiFi access
Air conditioned building
Shared kitchen
Multimedia room and lounge
Study room
Gym complete with yoga & dance studios
Soundproofed music rooms
Small supermarket inside the building
Laundry facilities (for a fee)
24-hour security
Organised cultural and sports events
Common areas and bedrooms are cleaned once a week; please note that outside of this service, students are responsible for cleaning the kitchen and common areas

Travel

Arrivals: Saturday

Departures: Saturday

Arrival airports/train stations:
Eurostar: St. Pancras International
London Airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, see price list)

Please note: Do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course.

Visa Information

Brexit : no visa needed for EU-citizens until the 31/12/2020

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page.

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.

Dates & Prices 2020

Dates 2020

Course start dates

Most courses start every Monday year-round (exceptions are outlined below.) On Bank Holiday Mondays, lessons start on Tuesdays.

Bank holidays and holidays (No lessons will take place on these dates and they will not be rescheduled or refunded.) : 01/01, 10/04, 13/04, 08/05, 25/05, 31/08, 25/12, 28/12

English for Work start dates: every Monday for a duration of up to 10 weeks.

Exam Prep Course Dates:

FCE courses:

06/01 – 13/03 (10 weeks, exam on the 13/03)
16/03 – 05/06 (12 weeks, exam on the 09/06)
06/07 – 28/08 (8 weeks, exam on the 27/08)
07/09 – 27/11 (12 weeks, exam on the 01/12)

CAE courses:

06/01 – 13/03 (10 weeks, exam on the 14/03)
16/03 – 05/06 (12 weeks, exam on the 10/06)
06/07 – 28/08 (8 weeks, exam on the 28/08)
07/09 – 27/11 (12 weeks, exam on the 02/12)

CPE courses:

06/01 – 06/03 (9 weeks, exam on the 07/03)
23/03 – 12/06 (12 weeks, exam on the 12/06)
07/09 – 27/11 (12 weeks, exam on the 28/11)

(Exam dates are subject to change at the local centre’s discretion. For more information, visit the Cambridge exam website

IELTS: every week, for 4 or 8 weeks. Exam dates are posted on the IELTS website

Prices 2020

All taxes and registration fees included

Courses - Homestay, zone B, single room, breakfast
Duration	20L	30L
1 week	€ 750	€ 845
2 weeks	€ 1.385	€ 1.575
3 weeks	€ 2.025	€ 2.310
4 weeks	€ 2.660	€ 3.040
6 weeks	€ 3.935	€ 4.505
8 weeks	€ 5.210	€ 5.970
12 weeks	€ 7.265	€ 8.330
16 weeks	€ 9.650	€ 11.075
18 weeks	€ 10.840	€ 12.445
20 weeks	€ 12.035	€ 13.815
24 weeks	€ 13.565	€ 15.135
32 weeks	€ 18.055	€ 20.140
36 weeks	€ 20.295	€ 22.645
Additional week	€ 565	€ 630
Exam preparation courses - Homestay, zone B, single room, breakfast
Duration	Cambridge 20L	Cambridge 30L	IELTS
4 weeks	€ 3.085	€ 2.705
8 weeks	€ 6.065	€ 5.305
9 weeks	€ 7.550	€ 6.600
10 weeks	€ 9.040	€ 7.400
12 weeks
Accommodation supplements (per week)
Host family, zone B, single room, half board	€ 35
Family, zone A, ch. ind., breakfast	€ 70
Family, zone A, ch. ind., half board	€ 105
Family, zone A, ch. ind., private bathroom, breakfast	€ 260
Res. Scape Wembley, ch. ind., without meals	€ 345
Res. Liberty Plaza, ch. individual, no meal	€ 220
High season supplement course (15/06 - 11/09) (per week)
From 1 to 12 week (s) only	€ 20
High season accommodation supplements (13/06 - 12/09) (per week)
Host family, zone B, single room, breakfast	€ 45
Host family, zone B, single room, half board	€ 55
Family, zone A, ch. ind., breakfast	€ 55
Family, zone A, ch. ind., half board	€ 60
Family, zone A, ch. ind., private bathroom, breakfast	€ 55
Res. Scape Wembley, ch. ind., without meals	€ 55
Res. Liberty Plaza, ch. ind., without meals	€ 75
Transfers - Price per way
London St Pancras / London City
Heathrow	€ 115
Gatwick	€ 170
Stansted	€ 200
Luton	€ 195