Taking an English Course in England: 5 Things You Need to Know to be Proactive

Thinking about improving your English? Want to do it quickly, effectively and with as little stress as possible? Taking an English course at an accredited school is one of the best ways you can achieve great results fast. Immersing yourself in English culture and language, as well as surrounding yourself by native speakers, is without doubt the most effective way to become a fluent speaker of English, but what should you know before you start? Take a look at the following tips to help you along the way. Top 5 Things You Need to Know 1. Whilst a lot of people dream of living in London, it might not be the best idea for someone wanting to learn English in England. Yes, London is an exciting, bustling and interesting place to live, but it is not typical of a UK town or city. The amount of languages and cultures that exist in London might be appealing, but if you want to learn real English, British culture, etc., it might be better to head to a smaller city or town where you can really focus on why you’re there: to learn English! Perhaps think about looking for an English language school in Brighton, always one of the top destinations for visiting students. 2. When searching for a good language school in England, you should know that the quality of schools varies quite a lot. The vast majority are great places, but offer very different courses, teaching methods, levels of intensity, etc. It’s important that you research carefully. For example, if you’re looking to study Business English, make sure the school you choose has a good reputation for business studies and isn’t just a general English language school. 3. It is also important to consider where you want to live when in England. Bigger cities will offer highly recommended language schools with a huge number of students for you to learn with, but it will also be much more expensive to live and study in a bigger city. If you are on a tight student budget, consider a smaller town or city, where the language schools will still be good but without the expensive price ticket. Think about language schools in Brighton or Eastbourne in the south, or look at Liverpool or Hull in the north, for some much cheaper living costs. 4. Hidden costs can be a nasty surprise for many students who arrive in England. You would expect that once you have paid the fee for your language course that would be the last time you will have to hand over money, but often that is not the case. Some schools, though not all, do not include the cost of text books, excursions, extra revision material, etc., in the cost of the course. These are usually fairly low in price, but it is still worth knowing in advance so that you can budget accordingly, you don’t want to run out of money abroad, do you! Check with your school before you arrive. 5. Some language teaching centres in England have different working hours, so make sure you check in advance. Most follow the general 9 to 5 pattern, but many, especially in the big cities, offer classes early in the morning, the afternoon and long into the evening. If you think you would prefer to study in the evening and do all your sightseeing early on in the day, you can probably find a language centre to accommodate your needs. There are many great language centres in the UK to help you on your journey and inspire you to do great things. I have friends who have taken courses at places such as LTC Language Teaching Centres, but there are many schools to suit all needs and wishes. Good luck in your studies.