Where is the school?

The school is in the centre of Hove, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, on the main shopping street.

How can I get to the school?

Brighton & Hove is a small city and the school is located near the centre. Many of our students walk to the school from their accommodation, some cycle, others take a bus. There are four bus stops within 50 metres of the school, and buses from almost every part of the city stop at them. You can arrive at the school from most parts of the city in less than 20 minutes, and from the very end of the city in less than 40 minutes. There is a taxi rank opposite the school, but taxis are very expensive here.

   Who are the teachers?

All of our teachers are native speakers of English from the UK. They are all qualified to teach English as a foreign language, but, most importantly, they care about their students.

   How many students are there in the school?

In the summer, there are up to sixty students in the school at any time, but in the rest of the year, there are fewer.

How many students are there in each class?

The maximum number of students in any class is fifteen and the minimum is four, but the average is about nine.

How will I know I’m in the right class?

When you arrive, you will take a placement test and have an interview with a member of staff. This will tell us your level, and we will tell you which course is the best for you. You can try any class for a day for free before you decide which course you would like to take.

How old are the students?

The minimum age is 18, and we sometimes have students who are over 60. Most of our students are in their 20’s, however, with an average age of about 25.

   Which nationalities are the students?

This changes all the time, but we have had students from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Brazil, China, Columbia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Guinea Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Venezuela and Yemen. We try not to have all students in a class from the same country or from countries that speak the same language.

What will I learn?

You will receive tuition and practice in speaking, listening, writing and reading. You will also learn grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and useful phrases to help you communicate with English speakers. If you are on an exam preparation course, you will learn the specific skills you will need to achieve a good score in the examination.

How will I learn?

You will learn through using the language; talking, reading and writing about things that are important to you: family, culture, entertainment, etc. You will have a course book but use a variety of materials. You will have a lot of opportunities to practise your English in the classroom, but it is also important that you practise outside the classroom.

How many hours will I study?

Our full-time courses are 15 hours a week; in the mornings from 9.15 to 12.30, and in the afternoons from 13.00 to 16.15, Monday to Friday.

When can I start my course?

All of our courses have rolling admission, this means that you can join and leave our courses at any time. Usually, students join the school on a Monday, when they will take the placement test and learn about the school and the city, then join their class on the Tuesday.

Can I study Business English?

We do offer Business English courses, both for classes and for individuals. The courses prepare students for the BEC Vantage examination.

What is IELTS?

IELTS is an internationally recognised English language test. If you want to study at a university where tuition is in English, you will probably need to take an IELTS exam. The exam is in four parts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, and you get a score for each part. The highest score possible is 9 and the lowest 1; most universities want you to get a score of at least 6 in every part, but this varies depending on the university and course that you want to study. IELTS exams are held about twice a month, and you receive your result about two weeks after you take the exam.

Can I have private classes?

Yes, you can. Many people like to have one-to-one classes because they have special needs, or they just don’t like being in a class with other students. In a private class you can learn what you want at a speed that is good for you. Of course, it’s more expensive, but many people feel it’s worth the extra money.

Can I use the Internet in the school?

Yes, you can. The school has computers in the students’ lounge for the students to use when they are not in class. We also have free WiFi, so you can access the Internet on your laptop.

  What is FCE?

FCE is one of the Cambridge ESOL exams, which are recognised all over the world. The exam is in five parts: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Use of English. In the exam you are given an overall grade: the highest is A, and the lowest is E, a grade of C or higher is a pass. You are also given a level in each part of the exam, from ‘Weak’ at the bottom, through ‘Borderline’, then ‘Good’, and ‘Exceptional’ at the top. The FCE exam takes place three times a year, in spring, summer, and winter.

Will I need to buy a coursebook?

If you are a full-time student, and enrol for at least four weeks, we will give you a coursebook free when you start your course.

How much will I have to pay?

If you are coming from abroad, you will need to pay all of your tuition fees and accommodation before you arrive, plus a small fee to cover administration and the cost of your books which all of our students need to pay.

If you are already in this country and don’t need a student visa, you can pay your tuition fees monthly in advance.

The current price list is in the back of the brochure and on our website.

What do I get for my money?

As well as 15 hours tuition per week, you will receive all the learning materials that you will need for your course. The school provides free hot drinks during the breaks and free Internet access to students while the school is open.