Obtaining a working knowledge or becoming fluent in English while living in the UK is relatively easy, as you are constantly immersed in the English language and have the maximum opportunity to practise (the British aren’t renowned for their proficiency in foreign languages).
However, if you wish to speak or write English fluently, you must probably attend a language school or find a private tutor. Over 500,000 students come to the UK each year to learn English, 75 per cent from Western Europe, thus ensuring that English as a Foreign Language schools (over 1,000) are big business.
It’s usually necessary to have a recognised qualification in English to be accepted at a college of higher or further education. In many areas, there’s an ethnic minority language service providing information and counselling in a variety of languages. These organise a wide range of English classes, including home tuition, open learning and small classes, at beginner and intermediate levels.
There are English-language schools in all cities and large towns; however, the majority of schools, particularly those offering intensive courses, are to be found in the south. The largest concentration of schools is in London and the world-famous university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. There are also a large number of schools along the south coast of England, particularly in Brighton and Bournemouth. Edinburgh is the most popular location in Scotland.
You may find it advantageous to choose a school that’s a member of Arels-Felco Ltd, the association of recognised English language-teaching establishments in the UK. Arels-Felco incorporates ARELS (Association of Recognised English Language Schools) and FELCO (Federation of English Language Course Organisations), and is a non-profit association whose members are recognised as efficient in the teaching of English as a foreign language by the British Council.
Members must follow the association’s regulations and code of conduct, which include high academic standards and rules governing the welfare of students. Some members of Arels-Felco are registered as non-profit educational trusts, which means value added tax (VAT) isn’t payable on fees, and many members cater for the disabled, including blind, deaf and physically disabled students.
Arels-Felco publishes an annual directory of members containing details of all courses, obtainable from Arels-Felco, 2 Pontypool Place, Valentine Place, London SE1 8QF (020-7242 3136). The British Council publishes The Green List, a listing of accredited schools, available online only from www.britishcouncil.org.
Courses offered by schools that are members of Arels-Felco mainly fall into four categories: general English courses available all year round; courses for executives; junior (9+) holiday courses; and adult (16+) courses. Courses vary in length from one week to six months and cater for all ages from five (in special schools) through to senior citizens.
The average class size is around 10 to 12, with 15 usually being the maximum. Most schools are equipped with computers, language laboratories, video studios, libraries and bookshops, and some even have their own restaurants and bars (to help loosen the tongue).
Most language schools offer a variety of classes depending on your current language ability, how many hours you wish to study a week, how much money you want to spend and how quickly you wish to learn. Full-time, part-time and evening courses are offered by many schools, and many also offer residential courses or selected accommodation with local families (highly recommended to accelerate learning).
Courses that include accommodation (often half board, consisting of breakfast and an evening meal) usually offer excellent value for money. If you need to find your own accommodation, particularly in London, it can be difficult and expensive. Language classes generally fall into the following categories:
Most schools offer compact or intensive courses and also provide special English courses for businessmen, lawyers, journalists and doctors (among others), and a wide variety of examinations, all of which are recognised internationally. Course fees vary considerably and are usually calculated on a weekly basis. Fees depend on the number of hours of tuition per week, the type of course, and the location and reputation of the school. Expect to pay £150 to £350 a week for an intensive course providing 20 to 30 hours of language study per week.
A compact course usually costs around £80 to £100 per week and half board accommodation around £80 to £90 a week extra (more in London). It’s possible to enrol at a good school for an all-inclusive (tuition plus half-board accommodation) intensive course for as little as £200 per week. In London and other large cities, students in private accommodation may need to spend more time travelling to classes each day.
Total immersion or executive courses are provided by many schools and usually consist of private lessons for a minimum of 30 to 40 hours a week. Fees can run to £1,000 a week or more and not everyone is suited to learning at such a fast rate (or has the financial resources). Whatever language you’re learning, don’t expect to become fluent in a short period unless you have a particular flair for languages or already have a good command of a language.
Unless you must learn a language quickly, it’s better to space your lessons over a long period. Don’t commit yourself to a long course of study (particularly an expensive one) before ensuring that it’s the correct one. Most schools offer a free introductory lesson and free tests to help you find your appropriate level. Many language schools offer private and small group lessons. It’s important to choose the right course, particularly if you’re studying English in order to continue with full-time education in the UK and must reach a minimum standard or gain a particular qualification.
Many language schools offer special English classes for au pairs costing from around £40 to over £150 a term, depending on the number of hours of tuition per week. Most courses for au pairs include around four hours study a week. The school year begins in the middle of September and ends in June, and some schools accept au pairs only in the September and January terms ( au pairs arriving after Easter may find it difficult to obtain classes).
There are usually no classes for au pairs over the summer holiday period (June to mid-September). Among the best value-for-money English courses are those run by state colleges under the control of Local Educational Authorities (LEAs), the Department for Education and Skills, or the Scottish Education Department.
Most colleges offer full-time, part-time and vacation English courses for overseas students throughout the year, with fees ranging from around £20 to £80 a week. Many courses are cheaper for EU nationals and may even be free during the daytime for those under 18. Colleges usually arrange accommodation for students. A booklet containing a list of colleges and their courses (including courses for English language teachers) is available from English UK, 56 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AG (www.englishuk.com).
You may prefer to have private lessons, which are a quicker, but generally more expensive, way of learning a language. The main advantage of private lessons is that you learn at your own speed and aren’t held back by slow learners or dragged along by the class genius. You can advertise for a teacher in local newspapers, on shopping centre or supermarket bulletin boards, university or school notice boards and through your or your spouse’s employer.
Your friends or colleagues may also be able to help you find a suitable private teacher. If you’re living in the UK and speak reasonable English but need conversational practice, you might consider enrolling in a part-time course at an adult education institute.
Many British universities hold summer and other holiday courses for foreigners, e.g. Birmingham, London and Oxford. For a programme contact the Secretary, British Universities Summer Schools, University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD (01865-270 360, www.ox.ac.uk).
The British Chamber of Commerce provides an English tuition advisory service in many countries and works closely with English schools, universities and other institutions. For information contact your local British embassy, consulate or high commission abroad.
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