General English
High quality, affordable English lessons, taught in a friendly and stimulating environment...
About
Learn English in the company of like-minded people from around the world on this highly popular course!
Designed for adults of all ages, nationalities and abilities, this lively and imaginative programme focuses on speaking, pronunciation and listening to help you communicate confidently and fluently in everyday English. Lessons are interactive and structured to allow maximum time to learn and practise new vocabulary, colloquial English, idioms and grammar. Our maximum class size is just 15 students, which means you will receive personal attention from your teacher at all times. You will also be assigned your own tutor who will assess your progress and offer friendly help and advice whenever you need it. At the end of the course you will receive an attractive certificate showing your level of achievement. Hang it on the wall. Show your family and friends. You’ve earned it! You can expect to spend a minimum of 20 sessions of 40 minutes each for your English studies. (over 13 hours learning per week). You also have the option of joining afternoon intensive course workshops. These are each one and half hours per afternoon. All students have a test and an interview on their first day to establish their level of English. If you are unsure of your level of English, you can take our test before you enrol. Alternatively look at the Council of Europe Language Level Scale to see what level you are. Please note that some courses require a minimum level of English in order to participate. Please note you will be required to buy course books for your English studies.Learning hours
Mornings
Students can choose to attend just the General English course in the mornings but they have the option of attending afternoon ’Workshop’ sessions as well, to make the course more intensive. Students should all expect to receive at least 45 minutes homework each day.
Morning General English
This is where you get to consolidate and practise your English skills in a tutor-led environment. Formal yet relaxed, study time is divided between lectures, classes and tutorials. . You will also learn about English culture and society.
The morning courses focus on all 5 traditional language skills: reading, writing, listening, pronunciation and speaking. These lessons are designed to help you hear, understand and express yourself more completely and with greater confidence in a range of different situations.
Our morning General English sessions include the following elements of study:
The Loxdale Lecture Series
As part of our commitment to make study time as stimulating and enlightening as possible, our students enjoy a weekly lecture or study visit which focuses on various aspects of British life. Popular past lectures have included Homelessness, Britain & the World, Things to do in London, 101 interesting things about British history, HIV and the Terence Higgins Trust, The English Court System, Photographic Portraiture, British Food, British Songs, Presentation Techniques and Employers’ Expectations of Employees.
Skills workshops
Fancy your hand at learning something new? As part of the course you join in one of our interactive skills workshops. Subjects include: Singing in English, What’s to Read? Talking Activities, Lyrics, Shakespeare Shorts and Drama and Creative Writing. There are up to 15 places for each class, so as well as learning new skills you will be able to practise English with classmates who share your interests.
Britain Today
Find out more about how British society works. This far reaching and stimulating course involves 2 lessons or lectures each week on different aspects of modern Britain, with subjects including the welfare, educational, political and judicial systems.
Specialist tuition
Need extra practice in a specific area? You can also book one-to-one lessons in the afternoons to focus on your individual language needs.
Activity Week Project
Remarkable Myths and Horrible History! ! If you are studying with us during March or October you will have the opportunity to research an in-depth project on a relevant cultural or historical subject and then present it to the school. See the Course Dates for when Activity Week is. Alternatively you continue with your normal lessons.
If desired, your research project provides a great opportunity for you to visit other parts of the UK during your stay. Alternatively, you can choose to remain in Brighton and research your project through day trips or on a locally based subject.
Afternoons
Students can choose to attend just the General English course in the mornings but they have the option of attending afternoon ’Workshop’ sessions as well, to make the course more intensive.
Afternoon intensive course workshops (optional)
Fluency and Vocabulary
Want to expand your vocabulary? We work with you to help you achieve greater fluency and listening capacity. You will also learn useful and commonly used colloquial expressions essential for everyday life.
Grammar
Work with teachers and your fellow students to consolidate your grammatical base and increase your knowledge and use of grammar in these fun and interactive workshops.
Reading and Writing
Expand your knowledge and develop a deeper appreciation of literature and creative writing. Gain confidence in your writing abilities and learn how to avoid common mistakes. Your tutor will provide constructive feedback and help you be objective about your work.
Cambridge Exam Practice
This is a valuable opportunity to take practice exam papers for the Cambridge FCE and Cambridge CAE certificates before taking the actual exams.
Please note that a minimum of 7 students is needed for each workshop to run.
Course dates
Students can start on any of the following dates:
| 4 January | 1 February | 8 March | 6 April | 10 May |
| 23 August | 20 September | 18 October | 22 November |
English Test!
Unsure of what level of English you are? Want to know what areas you need to brush up on? Take the free English test from The British Council to find out.
“I love that the school is small and all the people working here are so nice.”
We are licensed by UK Border Agency (number NM62V8AU2) to enrol international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System.