Language schools in UK
Of course, there is no better place to learn English than UK language schools. Immersed in the language environment, you will get the opportunity "first-hand" to get acquainted with the peculiarities of British culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Highly professional, experienced specialists will help you achieve your goal faster, whatever it may be. And whether this goal is getting a university diploma, a cherished job, or a completely understandable desire to master the language, while also resting in the meantime, the corresponding curriculum has already been developed. Next, we will look at the main types of courses offered by various language schools in the UK.
Reasons to learn English in UK
1. If the task is to study in a college or higher education institution in the UK, you need an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course.
2. If English is required for work, then an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course that focuses on your professional needs is appropriate. This can be an English course for lawyers, bankers, doctors, etc.
3. If you just want to improve your English, the best option is the English as a Foreign Language course.
4. If you are an English teacher or are going to become one, there are special courses "Teaching English as a Foreign Language" (Teaching English as a Foreign Language, TEFL). Of course, there are many other courses besides the ones mentioned above. For more information contact the British Council.
Many language schools in the UK issue a certificate at the end of the course that you have taken an English course. As a rule, this document does not provide advantages for admission to work and university. If you need to pass a certain level of a language exam for further study or work, find out if preparation for it is included in the program of your chosen course. The English exam can be taken at most language schools in the UK and also at the British Council.
Season of studying
Most schools offer courses throughout the year, with classes starting at regular intervals. If you want to start your studies in the summer, we advise you to choose a course and arrange all the documents in advance, since this time of year UK language schools are in greatest demand - all places can be booked. Language exam preparation courses take place at certain times of the year, so the choice is limited.
Course type: regular or intensive
Most of the programs listed above have both regular and intensive training. Some involve very serious activities, others combine study with recreation or, for example, with sports or photography. A course where classes are 15-20 hours a week can be considered normal. An intensive course with more than 20 hours of classes per week. You have to find out for yourself how much time you have available, as the intensive course requires a lot of work and a lot of independent work.
You can choose a course where you will be offered individual lessons with a teacher (one-to-one tuition) or order a course built according to your proposed scheme or preferred topic (tailor-made course). There is no doubt about the effectiveness of such training, but its cost will be several times higher than usual; it also needs to be done well in advance, as not every school offers these services.
If necessary, you can find a course that focuses on the development of listening or speaking skills - these tasks are answered by English courses for educational or special purposes (EAP or ESP). As a rule, before the start of classes, students are tested, which is necessary to assess their level of training. This is done so that teachers can place you in a study group that matches your capabilities. At the end of the course, an exam is taken, and you will be able to see what success you have achieved.