You can memorize the entire English vocabulary, but this will not have the same impact on mastering conversational skills as an English course in London. Even spending a week in London will help improve your speaking skills. English is truly international and you will feel uncomfortable not knowing it abroad. A good level of knowledge is a great opportunity to get an education and build a successful career abroad. Taking a language course in your home country is a great option, but learning the language in London or another British city and practicing with native speakers is a much more productive way to go.
About the benefits of learning English in London.
One of the most important advantages is a complete immersion in a conversational environment. By constantly interacting with people in stores, cafes and on the tube, including outside of class, you will feel confident in your abilities and achieve results much faster. The vast majority of language school teachers are native speakers who are professionals in their fields. Typically, courses cover all aspects of English.
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Listening
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Reading
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Oral presentation
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Grammar
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Pronunciation
But there are also highly specialized courses that emphasize speaking, preparation for a range of exams, and perfect pronunciation. The language level before the start of the course can range from beginner to advanced. Group assignments are made after a mandatory test. During the education, if progress is evident, you can move to a stronger group. Different levels of course intensity are offered depending on the tasks set and the education time allotted to the student.
Types of English Courses
Language courses are available in 3 intensity levels.
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Standard - Typically 20 lessons of 45 minutes per week. Classes are held from 9:00 to 13:00 and then students can relax, have fun, walk around the city, and of course do homework.
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Intensive classes - usually 30 classes per week. After lunch, 2 hours are added. But even with this schedule, there is still plenty of time for recreation.
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Super Intensive (full immersion) - 34-40 lessons in 5 working days. 9:00 to 18:00 is actually full time work, during which the student is fully immersed in all aspects of the language and does some small assignments after class. And for leisure, travel, entertainment, and weekends. Nevertheless, even at this time of year, some people manage to take individual courses to develop and consolidate their most important material.
One of the reasons that support studying in London is that you can come here for a week at any time of the year. Even during this time, you can not only "talk" and consolidate previously acquired language skills, but also get to know the host city and its attractions. Especially if you choose to "intensify". However, it is better to go for 2 weeks or more - during this time the brain and the whole body have time to adapt to the language environment, the climate, the change of time zones. There are special Christmas programs during which you can not only study well, but also experience the unforgettable atmosphere of a major British holiday.
Accommodation during your adult language course in London
For those going to London to study English, finding a suitable accommodation option is not difficult. Most schools offer accommodation with native-speaking families who live conveniently located in, or even near, the school, and then you can walk to your classes. Choosing a family depends a lot on the staff of the language school. Some educational institutions delegate the choice of families to the institution. In this case, you can expect the family to provide you with a room and a hot meal, but that's about it. Other schools choose their own families and work with the same people for years. In such a family, you will receive a warm welcome and excellent language practice. Young people aged 18-25 studying English in the UK can choose to live in a dormitory or "student house": their own room, shared kitchen, living room and bathroom. Older students choose to live in an apartment or book a hotel. In addition, there are English language courses for adults in London that offer a complete language immersion experience. This means you can live and study in one place and practice English 24/7. The "English for Teachers at Home" program makes it possible for you to get good grades in a short amount of time. You live to visit a teacher, learn English with him and spend your free time with him and his family. A more expensive program is held on the territory of a private estate, where the participants are housed in a historic mansion. Teachers and support staff also live there. The syllabus for these UK adult English courses is tailored to make the most of classroom time.
Cost of learning English in London
As most people know, everything is expensive in the UK, including education. This is due to the high level of economic development and the exchange rate of the pound against other world currencies. However, budgets can sometimes vary greatly, especially when it comes to accommodation options. From £110 per week to share a room with 5-6 people in a student residence to £1000 per night at the hotel. As for the price of the course itself, the difference is significantly smaller - £150-£300 per week for education under the standard program. In this case, the group averages 8 to 12 people. In the "hot" summer months, an audience of up to 15 people can be accommodated. Private lessons with a teacher host family, including meals and excursions to local attractions, cost £900 a week. For serious in-depth English study, this is the most effective option, albeit on a smaller budget. In general, the price may depend on a range of factors: the location of the school, the intensity of the course, the number of students in the group, and the availability of short trips and excursions. Perhaps, London schools will be more expensive than others, but all the most popular tourist routes pass through here and the transportation system is more developed than anywhere else in the country. All of London's major museums are free to visit, and the 2,000-year-old city itself looks like an open-air museum in some places.