Welcome to England!

ELC Brighton, ELC Eastbourne and ELC Chester offer a wide choice of high-quality English language courses in a warm, friendly and professional environment.

Each school has its own unique character but all of the staff at each of the three schools are passionate about providing comprehensive, practical courses and very personal service.

The group of three schools is ranked the No 1 group of English language schools in the UK by EL Gazette in its review of language school groups and chains.

Our English exam preparation courses

From beginner-level English to demanding, highly advanced Cambridge English qualifications, ELC has a broad range of courses and programmes geared towards helping you achieve your English exam goals.

Choose between group and individual lessons and benefit from our support and guidance throughout, in Chester, Eastbourne and Brighton. Across the three schools we can prepare you for a range of different exams, in lots of different formats - from short, intensive four-week dedicated preparation courses in the summer, to longer 10-12 week courses which build up steadily towards the exam date, and combine general English development alongside specific exam preparation classes.

If there is an exam for which you would like English test preparation help, but we don’t have a group course, please let us know and we can offer you one-to-one classes

Most of our courses are for students aged 16 or over, but if you are 15, you can enrol if you are part of a larger group and you are in the school with your group leader. Course eligibility is dictated by your CEFR level of ability - depending on the course you choose, our classes require you to hold a CEFR level between A1 (Beginner) and C1+ (Advanced).

Find your English level

Course features

  • We will give you a test so your class is at the right level for you.
  • Practice interviews with experienced Cambridge examiners.
  • Regular individual tutorials with your teacher for private help and study advice.
  • You can use the self-access study centre after lessons to practise and improve.
  • You’ll take mock exams under authentic exam conditions.
  • All course books and materials are included.
  • End of course certificate with hours of study and final level.

Where to study Exam preparation in England

Here you can see which courses are available at each of our locations.

If you know where you would like to study, you can choose your course and location here. If not, see our explore the courses below or learn about our locations.

Courses Brighton Chester Eastbourne
Cambridge First FCE exam preparation
Cambridge Advanced CAE exam preparation
Cambridge Proficiency CPE exam preparation
*IELTS* | exam preparation

Our range of exam preparation courses in England

Find your English level

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 levelEquivalent 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.

Test your English level now

Are these English exam preparation courses in England right for you?

If you’re a student of English and you’re looking to improve your English language skills and fluency quickly and effectively in readiness for an exam, then we think we’re a very safe bet.

If you’re not sure whether you actually need to take an exam, or which one you need, please do contact us so we can help you choose.

Ask us which is the best exam to take

Cool places that are small enough to be friendly, big enough to be fun

We offer year-round English language courses in three English locations. All our schools are classic, historical buildings with up-to-date, modern language learning facilities, and a warm and friendly welcome.

Map of ELC’s locations in England at Brighton, Chester and Eastbourne, with indications of their distance from major cities, airports and national parks. Brighton and Eastbourne are on the south east coast next door to the South Downs National Park and not far from London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports. Chester just to the east of north Wales is close to Liverpool and Manchester airports and roughly half way between Snowdon National Park and the Peak District National Park. An overlaid scale of 50km helps to show that Brighton and Eastbourne are about 120km from central London, and that Chester is about 35km from central Liverpool and 65km from central Manchester.
A photo of the seafront at Brighton which shows an array of white buildings and the sand-coloured pebble beach. There is a large white ferris wheel in the foreground, and a scattering of people sitting looking out to sea.

Brighton

Brighton and Hove is a lively, cosmopolitan seaside city of about 300,000 people with a vivid cultural life. It is about 85 km – 1 hour – south of central London and surrounded by the beautiful Sussex countryside. Learn more about Brighton

A photograph of the famous Eastgate clock in Chester which stands high above the road on a section of the Roman walls. The clock has a round white face with black roman numerals and hands, and lots of ornate black metalwork filled in with orange and gold panels. The letters VR are above it, visible against the turquoise dome roof, and the date 1897. This was erected in memory of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

Chester

Chester is an English city with 2,000 years of heritage, excellent shopping and a lively nightlife. It is 30km from Liverpool and 60km from Manchester – major cities of around half a million people each. Learn more about Chester

A seafront photo of Eastbourne taken from the west side. The pier can be seen jutting out into the sea towards the top of the photo, as the beach extends round to the left and the emerald sea takes up most of the rest of the shot. The sun is shining and the white hotels on the seafront are very noticeable.

Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a traditional seaside town that’s regularly the UK’s sunniest place. It is about 120 km from central London. The beautiful South Downs national park rises up directly from the western end of its seafront. Learn more about Eastbourne