The UK is one of the most popular places on the planet to study English. Yey!
But study travel is different to other kinds of tourism – visitors stay longer, live in people’s homes and tend to be younger than other travellers: in 2018, 69% of visitors who took an English language course were aged under 35 (compared to the all visitor average of 34%).
If you’re one of the over half million visitors – younger or older – looking for an English Language course this year, dive into our guide on what you need to look for to find the school that ticks all your boxes, delivers fantastic value for money – and leaves you with improved English and lifelong memories.
Let’s go…
1. UK English Language School Location
First up: where will you study?
You can find English language schools in the UK’s larger cities. Still, schools in smaller regional towns, particularly the South East (where 15% of ELT students head for their language course), are popular as they’re accessible from London’s large international airports but with a small-town feel.
With 386 schools in the UK, get adventurous!
Language International lists 69 schools in London – and a whopping 21 in the small city of Cambridge. (But it is very pretty!)
Keen to explore English Language Schools?
- We think we’ve found the UK’s most northerly school, in Argyll, Scotland!
- And the most southerly…? Well, that’s us – if you want to learn English down here in the far South West.
In the UK, short regional flights connect the North East, North West and South West to the capital. There are even daily flights from London Gatwick to Newquay Airport, Cornwall, just a ten-minute drive from our school!
2. English Language Courses/Programmes
Next up, consider what courses or programmes your short-list of schools offers. Are you looking for IELTS preparation? Or a General English course to brush up on your conversational skills?
Consider if the school is residential, offers host families, or if you will find your accommodation.
More and more schools offer unique/specialist programmes: perhaps tours discovering the local area, or summer programmes with sports and evening activities.
We spied courses in Edinburgh which combine English with horse riding and others which offer customised cultural programmes for students aged 50+.
At our school in Newquay – located next to some of the UK’s best surf beaches – we offer various programmes that take advantage of our coastal location, and our staff’s passions:
- General English
- English with Cornish Tourism – guided tours of Cornwall in the afternoon
- English with Surfing – surf coaching for all abilities in the afternoon
- Summer Programmes – afternoon activities, watersports and evening activities
Find a school whose programmes excite you – you should be enthusiastic about enrolling with the right school on the right programme.
3. The Price
The larger the language school, the lower the price, typically.
But a low price does not necessarily mean the best value for learning English: think about class size, location, course type and the feel of the school as well as the total on your invoice.
Ask if you will pay more for:
- Enrollment/booking fee
- Course materials
- Host families
- Evening or weekend activities
4. Staff/teachers at the language school
Language students typically stay in the UK for 19 nights – more than double the average stay of other visitors. This means you will spend a lot of time with the staff and teachers in the school you choose.
Check out their social media and websites – do they seem warm and welcoming? Are they well qualified? Read Google reviews to see what previous students have said.
We learn best when we feel safe and included: choose a school whose staff seem like people you could get along with.
5. Vibe/feeling of the school
You might be choosing a UK language school as part of your summer holiday – a study vacation to improve your English, but also have fun. Do the schools you’ve chosen look like you’ll make progress with your English, but also have a good time?
If you’re seeking an intensive exam preparation course, does the school’s vibe suggest they prioritise these academic goals?
The school’s website, reviews and social media are good starting points, but the best way to check the school’s feelings and values match what you want from your English language course is to communicate with the staff directly and ask questions.
The best schools will be open with their answers and genuinely want you to find the perfect English language course – even if it’s not with them.
Is there anything else you think about when choosing where you will learn English?
Have fun selecting a UK English language school for your next study trip… and if we can help, drop us a message.
To learn more about our school, how we study, and our adventures on land and sea here in Cornwall, follow our journey on socials!
