Your English course in London
London is one the world’s great metropolises. It’s got it all; art, music, architecture, history, shopping, sport, museums, education, royalty, business, fashion, food, parks and gardens and palaces. It’s even got a King and a few princes. London is the heart of the Anglo-Saxon world. It’s the home of the English language and a fabulous place to study and experience a truly mega city that’s pumps—full of people and ideas—24 hours a day.
“When a person is tired of London, they are tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford,” - Samuel Johnson
We work with several schools in London. Some of them are dedicated to mature professionals. Others are funky and young in spirit. Have a look at the school profiles below. If you are not sure which London school suits you, we’ll be more than happy to tell you all about them and help you choose your course and accommodation. We can place you right in the city centre or 20 minutes from the crowds in a lovely green area. Do you want to be in a school where the average student age is 20, 30 or 45? Just tell us what you want here, and we’ll find the right school for you.
So, what can we say about London? It’s posh and poor, Beckham and Bowie, punk and post–modern. London is big and dense. It has a population of almost 9 million people. The Tube (underground train) is the best way to travel the city. You can travel relatively cheaply with an Oyster Card. The Tube map is your ‘London bible’. After a week in London, you will know the Tube map as well as you know your best friend.
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford,” - Samuel Johnson.
There’s no such thing as boredom in London. There’s too much to do and see. The best guide for music and arts, food and clubbing is Time Out London . With the Tube map and Time Out London in hand, you can discover London with a big smile and little stress.
Here’s are some of our favourite things we like to do in London:
- Go and see a comedy musical. Brilliant! You can often find cheaper tickets on lastminute.com
- The Natural History Museum . Awesome! Check out the animatronic dinosaurs
- The Tate Modern – one of the great contemporary art galleries of the world.
- Wander down Brick Lane , check out the markets and have breakfast at Cereal Killers Café
- Walk through Hyde Park and listen to the soapbox speakers at Speakers’ Corner every Sunday afternoon
- Shop until you drop: Oxford Street , Regent Street , Bond Street , Kensington High Street , Kings Road
- Spitalfields market – cool, funky, alternative.
- Harrods Department Store - see how the posh live
- Visit the Tower of London
- Have a curry or two or three – the best curries outside India and Pakistan
- Madame Tussaud’s Waxwork Museum
- Visit the Peter Harrison Planetarium in Greenwich Park
- Camden Street Market has got absolutely everything
- Watch a cricket match at Lord’s (if you can keep your eyes open)
- Get some tickets to see Arsenal play at home against Manchester United
- Visit Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
- Check out Portobello Road Market and Notting Hill
- Go to Petticoat Lane Market
English and exams
Wimbledon
London
Yes, it’s that Wimbledon; Roger Federer’s favourite place in the world. Wimbledon is where the most prestigious tennis grand slam takes place. It’s just 17 minutes from the heart of London with easy tube/underground connections and also train an tram connections. Trains leave every 3-5 minutes to central London. Wimbledon is one of London’s most comfortable areas. It is extremely safe and has excellent facilities – shopping, cinema, theatre, cafes, restaurants and sports.
Wimbledon Village has been named as the 3rd best High Street in the country, and the highest rated in London. The area is perfect for shopping including high street and luxury brands and the dining experience is second to none. Wimbledon Common is the second largest area of parkland in London. The area also houses The Buddhapadipa temple, which was the first Thai temple to be built in the UK.
The best tennis tournament and the best school. Read on.
Wimbledon School of English (WSE)
Wimbledon School of English is currently ranked as the number one English language school in the UK out of 570 British Council accredited organisations. Established in 1964, WSE is one of the oldest schools in the UK and are in a lovely building with a large garden in a great London location, only 17 minutes from Central London. WSE offers serious study with experienced, highly qualified teachers and a wide choice of courses including IELTS Preparation, Cambridge English Exam Preparation, Legal English, Medical English, Business & Professional English, Parent & Child, 30+ & 40+ courses. It also runs two residential summer camps for juniors at lovely English boarding schools in the beautiful British countryside. WSE is a Test Centre for the IELTS, Trinity, Pearson, Cambridge & OET exams, and several teachers are also IELTS examiners.
where can i sleep?
Wimbledon School of English has excellent accommodation located near the school, including homestay and shared student houses.
- Homestay: Staying in a homestay is a great way to practice your English and experience a new way of life. Around 40% of homestay accommodation is within walking distance. There are four different types of homestay options to choose from. It has over 250 host families.
- Student residences: Staying in a residence is a great way to make new friends with other students whilst keeping some independence. WSE has three different types of residence options, plus a female-only hostel and a selection of hotels and Bed & Breakfasts that it can recommend.
- Student Houses - offered all year round and serviced rooms are also available.
what can i study?
- General English Courses – 8 Levels from Beginners to Proficiency
- Cambridge English exam preparation: FCE, CAE and CPE
- IELTS Exam Preparation: Pre-Sessional, Pre-Sessional Express and Academic Express
- Business and Professional English Programme
- Medical English
- Legal English with TOLES
- 30+ & 40+ English language courses
- OET Preparation Courses
- Academic Year Programme
- Family Holiday Course (Summer only)
- English with Football (Summer only)
- Junior Summer Centre Programmes
- Junior Young Leadership Course and University Preparation
- Junior B2 First Exam Preparation
- Standard, Intensive, Part-Time and Evening Courses
Activities
Our lively sports and social programme includes a large number of free activities.
- Activities every day and evening of the week, including weekends and public holidays
- Theatre trips
- Cultural tours of London
- Museums, galleries, markets and exhibitions
- Sports – tennis, football, squash and badminton, volleyball, beach volleyball, Running Club, Table Tennis, Bowling
- International party nights and talent shows
- Pub nights and pub tours
- Charity/fundraising events e.g. Easter Egg hunts, quizzes, cake and bake sales
- Excursions to Scotland, Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor, Stratford, River Cruises, Isle of Wight
- Scottish dancing and Salsa
good to know..
- Max class size: 14 students
- Average class size: around 10 students
- Average Age: 26
- Minimum Age: 16+.
- General English Program – 24 lessons per week / 20 hours per week
- Lessons are 50 minutes long
- 25 classrooms with smart technology, 9 of those looking out onto our beautiful garden
- Large, beautifully British garden
- Computer suite, Study Centre, Reading library, film library, large student lounge and coffee bar
- Free magazines and newspapers, coffee machine, piano, microwaves, table tennis and free wifi
- Student lockers
The Language House likes
WSE is situated in one of London’s most beautiful areas. Wimbledon has plenty to offer – a large shopping centre, one of London’s largest cinemas, two theatres, sports and fitness clubs, nightclubs and over 100 cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants. Wimbledon Village is also a short walk away and is one of London’s traditional villages, dating back to the 11th century. Here you can find a large common (park), a lake perfect for horseriding, jogging, walks and a round of golf. It has designer shops and high-class restaurants, traditional country pubs and typical English houses and cottages. And, of course, it is the home of the famous All England Lawn Tennis Club which brings the top names in tennis to London every summer. Maybe you will see Roger or Stan there.
St Giles
London Central
St Giles International London Central English school is in a magnificent 100-year-old building in the heart of fashionable Bloomsbury in the heart of London. It’s opposite Russell Square, and just a five-minute walk to the British Museum . It’s the perfect place for students to explore London by foot or by tube.
St Giles International London Central is a large, busy, friendly school with an international feel and is perfect for students looking to benefit from modern study. There are a wide range of ages and nationalities at the school. The school has a spacious roof garden, a self-access study centre and interactive whiteboards in all classrooms. It even has a student residence in the school building. It takes only five minutes to get out of bed, get dressed, brush your teeth and get to your first lesson. You can have your coffee and orange juice in the school café.
where is it?
City centre close to Russel Square tube on the Piccadilly line.
where can i sleep?
- Homestay: 45-60 minutes by bus or tube
- Student residences: On-site or 10-15 mins walk
what can i study?
- General English
- Beginners English
- International Semester Courses 24 – 48 weeks
- IELTS Preparation
- Platinum English Courses
- General English plus English for Business
- English for University Studies
- Cambridge English Preparation
- Teachers of English Courses (TEC)
- INTO University Pathway Programme
- Family Course
good to know..
- Max class size: 12 students (5 for Platinum Courses, 8 for Beginner Courses)
- Average class size: 10 students
- School capacity: 720 Students
- Average Age: 27 years
- Minimum Age: 16+ (Platinum 21+)
- General English Courses (28 lesson per week , 20 morning or 20 afternoon lessons)
- 56 classrooms
- Self-Access Study Centre
- Student computers and free Wi-Fi
- Student Café
- Interactive Whiteboards or projectors in all classrooms
- Library Student bookshop
- Platinum Centre for executives
- Roof Garden
- On-site residence
Activities
- Restaurant Trips
- Musicals
- Museums
- Pub crawls / Club night
- Movie club
- Conversation club
- Trips to Cambridge, Oxford, Bath…
The Language House likes
Like London, St Giles International London Central is big and lively and very international. When you step outside you are in the beating heart of one of the world’s great cities. If you need a quiet moment go up to the peaceful roof garden. If you don’t like the idea of travelling in London, the school has a student residence in the school building. You’ll never be late for class.
St Giles
London Highgate
St Giles International London Highgate school is one of our favourites. The school is in a beautiful building in the fashionable north London suburb of Highgate. Highgate is a green and prosperous part of the city with excellent transport connections to the centre of London. It takes just 20 minutes by tube to get to central London. Highgate offers a village atmosphere. Great cafes and lots of sport and leisure options to choose. Accommodation is on average 15-45 minutes away by bus or tube.
St Giles International London Highgate is a friendly, medium-sized school which offers student lots of personalised attention. The wonderful old school building has been completely modernised inside. It is surrounded by a large private garden. It is one of the few London schools that offer year-round courses to students aged 14 and older. The average student age is about 25.
where is it?
A short walk from Highgate tube station (Northern line) - 20 minutes to central London.
where can i sleep?
- Homestay: 15-45 mins by bus or tube
- Student residences: 15-20 mins by bus or tube
what can I study?
- General English Group
- Beginners English
- International Semester Courses 24 - 48 week courses
- IELTS Preparation
- London Experience Programme
- General English plus English for Business
- English for University Studies
- Cambridge English Preparation
- General English plus Art & Design
- INTO University Pathway Programme
- Teachers of English Courses (TEC)
- General English Juniors (Under-16s) Group
- International Semester Juniors (Under-16s)
- London Experience Juniors (Under-16s)
good to know..
- Max class size: 12 students (8 for Beginner Courses)
- Average class size: 10 students
- School capacity: 340 Students
- Average Age: 25 years
- Minimum Age: 14+
- General English Courses (28 lessons per week or 20 morning or 20 afternoon lessons)
- Lessons are 50 minutes
- 24 classrooms
- Self-Access Study Centre and Library
- Students computers and free Wi-Fi
- Student Café and conservatory
- Interactive Whiteboards in most of our classrooms
- Student Bookshop
- Large English Garden
- Outdoor picnic area
Activities
- Bowling
- Yoga
- Paintball
- Laser tag
- Museums
- Pub crawl
- Musicals
- Theatre shows
- Trips to Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton…
The Language House likes
Our students love their Highgate experience. The feedback is always excellent. It’s a great place to study and to explore nearby London. The school building is magnificent and the huge garden is a great place to mix with everyone.
English for professionals
The London School of English
Kensington
The London School of English is one of the world leaders in professional English training. We’ve been sending Swiss and French professionals here since 2001.
The training centre is in the chic and comfortable quarter of Holland Park, between Notting Hill and Kensington, with easy eaccess to all parts of London.
Experienced trainers, excellent client services and comfortable accommodation… few training centres are in the same league as The London School of English.
The London School of English is the longest-established officially accredited school in Britain. Founded in 1912, it has unrivalled experience. It is small enough to provide a personal service, but large enough to have excellent facilities and resources.
It has a range of courses for CEOs and managers and less business-focused professionals such as lawyers, engineers, and journalists. The school’s client list contains the world’s leading companies in banking and finance, technology, communication, manufacturing and international organisations.
Holland Park campus
The Holland Park Gardens school is a dedicated centre for mature adults focusing on general and professional English training. The average age of clients is 37. The Language House has worked closely with managing director Hauke Tallon and owner Timothy Blake since 2002. We have placed hundreds of professional people from leading Swiss companies into a variety of intensive professional courses led by experienced mature trainers. We believe, unequivocally, that The London School of English offers the best professional and general English training for mature clients in all of London. You will develop practical English that can immediately be used in your workplace. We know time away from your work is precious. We also know the results come quickly at the London School of English.
WHERE IS IT?
- Holland Park, Zone 2, East London, Central line
- Quiet, comfortable, leafy London suburb
- 15 minutes to the centre of London
WHERE CAN I SLEEP?
- Homestays: Gold and Silver homestay with options of private bathrooms with or without evening meals. Usually no more than a 30-minute journey from the school and often much less.
- Student residence: a 25-minute walk from the school
WHAT CAN I STUDY?
- Business and Professional English 30+
- General English 30+
- Legal English 30+
- English for Human Resources
- English for the Public Sector
- Individual Training
- English for Specific Purposes
- Voice Training & Accent Modification
- Legal English 20-30
- TOLES Preparation
- Intercultural Competence Combination
- Global Leadership Combination
GOOD TO KNOW..
- Max class size: 6 students (8 for General English 30+, 10 for Legal English 20-30 and TOLES)
- Average class size: 5 students (6 for General English 30+, 8 for Legal English 20-30 and TOLES)
- School capacity: 140 students
- Average Age: 37
- Minimum Age: 20
- Hours per week: 22 hours (General English 30+), 24 hours per week (Legal English 30+ and TOLES) 30 hours per week (all other courses)
- Number of Training Rooms: 28
- Facilities:
- computer room
- high-speed wifi
- fax and photocopying services
- journal and reference books
- multimedia projectors and audio and video facilities in every classroom
- self-study rooms
- restaurant
- tea and coffee facilities
- bookshop
Activities
Regular and varied London social programmes at Holland Park Gardens.
The Language House likes
The London School of English in Kensington is definitely the best London option for professional English training for busy working people. The centre is professional and comfortable. The trainers are highly experienced. Clients services are second to none. If you haven’t got a lot of time, then this is the right investment for the maximum return on your English. Many of our clients go back a second time.
