Our General English courses for adults (over 16) allow you to choose different options and course durations to ensure your experience of learning English is exactly what you need it to be. We also have courses dedicated to over 25s and over 50s.
On most of our General English courses, you can study from 2 to 52 weeks, and start almost any Monday.
A General English course is an English language course which aims to improve your English fluency and build your vocabulary and confidence in the kind of English you need to communicate in everyday situations.
We call it a General English course to contrast it with courses like Business English, Engineering English, English for Secretaries, etc. where the focus of the classes is more about using specialist vocabulary in specific situations.
Chester is in the north of England, where the locals are chatty and welcoming, and the scenery is just breathtaking.
Chester is a Roman walled city which quickly feels familiar and friendly.
It is also perfectly placed for you to discover other rich, complex and historic cities like Liverpool and Manchester, whilst being equally well placed to escape to the wilderness of north Wales and the tranquil beauty of the Lake District.
At ELC Chester we offer a broad range of options to make your General English course just right for you. Our experienced, friendly staff provide a comprehensive programme of lessons at our school in Stanley Place, which has been ranked in the top 2% of language schools in the United Kingdom.
Our General English courses take place in groups of up to 11 other students (12 including you) of a very similar level of English. After you choose and book your course, we’ll contact you to arrange a detailed test and a friendly online meeting with one of our tutors, who will find out more about you and assess your speaking level, to make sure you’re placed in a group which is right for your level and needs.
People aged at least 25 years old get special treatment in Chester, as there is not only a course, but also a separate building for you! Ideal for working professionals that are comfortably through college and are climbing corporate ladders.
If you’re fortunate to be 50 years old or over, then you too have a dedicated group for your English lessons so you can learn with like-minded people who possibly have their eye on other objectives, like expanding cultural horizons and taking in the great British countryside.
If you can stay with us for 24 weeks or more, then our Study Year programme will give you some welcome extras.
General English courses in Chester deliver between 20 lessons (15 hours) or 35 lessons (26.25 hours) of tuition per week, through different permutations of General English group classes and other options, such as one-to-one classes.
General English in Chester gives you 28-lessons (21-hours) per week of General English and electives to boost your confidence and all-round language ability.
At ELC Chester we offer students aged 25 small-group English classes which are well-suited to working professionals. If you are 25 and over and enjoy a challenge,…
The Combination English course for adults is a happy mix of small group classes and one to one instruction, specifically for people aged over 25.
The English course for people aged 50 and over in Chester gives you a rich blend of English tuition and cultural exploration.
This English Study Year programme in Chester will give you new English skills, new friends and an unforgettable experience of life in the north of England.
This summer English course at ELC Chester is designed for teenagers 16 and under looking for an international experience with inclusive social programme.
At ELC Chester we provide a one-to-one English programme of private tuition with your own personal teacher, designed to improve your English language skills quickly…
Our language learning levels relate closely to how the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) define them, but with a difference which we have found to help our students at Elementary level.
| ELC level | Equivalent CEFR levels | |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | ||
| A1 | ||
| Upper A1 | Lower A2 | |
| A2 | ||
| B1 | ||
| B2 | ||
| C1 | ||
| C2 | ||
We offer an English level test which anyone can take. It involves 50 questions and, depending on your level, will probably take you from 10 to 20 minutes. At the end of it, we will tell you your probable level.
But when you book, we will ask you to take a more detailed and accurate test, to make sure that you start in the class which is best for you.
Discover what Chester has to offer, what the school is like, and imagine what you’ll do when you’re here.
Take a closer look at Chester, and see if this friendly, historical city is a good fit for you.
See what studying with ELC Chester would be like.
Get a taste for what you can do in your free time after classes and at weekends.
Find out where you might stay when you come to Chester.
Find out where other students come from to study at ELC Chester
It takes a long time to be this good. Find out how it all started.
Our General English courses are perfect for international students who are over 16 years old*, and who have at least an A1 level of English. If that’s you, then you can take a General English course on its own, or you can combine General English with other options.
If you are just beginning your English language journey, please contact us to check if we will have a suitable class. If you are a complete beginner we recommend that you take one-to-one lessons.
If you plan to learn English in Chester for more than 24 weeks, you may wish to consider our Study Year Programme.
The General English courses in Eastbourne are designed to give you the confidence to communicate effectively in real-life situations.
Combine your favourite English school's classes with tuition in your favourite sports and activities in Eastbourne.
Our general English programmes in Brighton are suitable for anyone aged 16 or above, and run throughout the year.
