How we teach -
The Loxdale learning experience

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With a maximum class size of 15 and minimum enrolment age of 17, we are passionate in our belief that you should gain the maximum educational and cultural benefit from your time us. For this reason, when you study at Loxdale you will always be encouraged to work to your full potential.

When you arrive you will be introduced to your personal tutor who will be there to offer friendly guidance and encouragement at all times. Lessons will help you develop your practical communication skills, reading, grammar and writing -with special emphasis on speaking, pronunciation and listening. Lessons are structured to allow maximum time for practice and to help you achieve a high level of fluency. There is also a self access centre and your tutor will show you how to use this so that you can do plenty of extra work if you wish.

Study time is divided between lectures, classes and tutorials. Experience shows us that this three-strand approach allows students to learn efficiently and keeps motivation high.

We offer classes for pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced students, so you can always be confident that you will be placed in a class that is matched to your ability. If you are unsure of your English ability, don’t worry. Have a look at the Council of European Language Level Scale to find out. Alternatively, you can take a test before your enrol via The British Council English test. We’ll test you on your first day to establish your level to place you in the correct level class.

What is the weekly study schedule?

Our General English Course comprises 20 lessons of 40 minutes during the mornings, equating to 12 hours learning per week. You can also choose additional afternoon English tutorials to follow a more intensive English programme.

Students on the English Plus Course have 18 lessons of 40 minutes during the mornings, 2 lessons of 'Britain Today', 1 lesson of 40 minutes English on Monday afternoons and 4 lessons of 45 minutes on an English Plus subject. This makes a total of 25 lessons or 17 hours per week. There is also a free optional exam practice session on Friday afternoons.

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Beyond the classroom

As well as learning the English language you will learn about British culture. Our home stay scheme, where you live with a local family, as well as an active social and cultural calendar means you will have lots of opportunities to immerse yourself in the British way of life.

You will also have the opportunity to research an in-depth project on a relevant cultural or historical subject and present it to the school during Activity Week. You will be supported by your teacher with your preparations and subject choice, and you can choose to work alone or in a group. Recent project topics have included Irish dancing, Scottish history, Robin Hood, London bridges, Jack the Ripper, Shakespeare, and many others.

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.

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 workshop, 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. Our Britain Today course involves 2 lessons or lectures each week on different aspects of modern Britain, with subjects including the welfare, educational, political and judicial systems.

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
  You will have the valuable opportunity of taking practice exam papers for the Cambridge FCE and Cambridge CAE certificates before taking the actual exams.

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Why The Loxdale English Centre?