If you are an international student looking for a flexible, economic option to study in the UK for six months or longer, ELC Chester has the ideal programme for you. Our school is located in the heart of the safe and welcoming city of Chester, and our experienced, friendly staff are ready to help improve your English language skills.
A Study Year Programme is a long term English study option which lasts at least 6 months. By committing to a longer period of study, the school packages together other elements like exam entry, arrival transfers and other benefits which makes the programme more cost effective.
Learn English in a year, or even six months, at ELC Chester with our in-depth programme. We believe living and studying in the UK with us for an extended period of time is the best way to make the most progress in English and really help you to communicate well in the language.
* Minimum age: please see more information regarding levels of care and supervision for 16 and 17 year olds in international classes. We occasionally accept 15 year olds in international classes provided they are part of a group with a group leader.
Your main General English course consists of 28 lessons (21 hours) of English lessons per week. This course is a balanced programme, focusing on the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, whilst covering essential grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, idioms and colloquial language.
In addition to a core morning programme of 20 lessons, afternoon lessons allow you to personalise your studies - see the General English course for more information.
As a Study Year programme participant, we also
Our Study Year Programme is ideal for highly motivated international students who want to:
Chester is a wonderful place to study English for 6 months or more. It is a unique heritage city with more than 2,000 years of history, many independent shops and cafes, and vibrant nightlife. Chester is easy to get to – the international airports of Manchester and Liverpool are 40 minutes away, and London is just over 2 hours by train.
A one year English language course in Chester will benefit driven international students who are keen to immerse themselves in everyday UK life while undertaking a comprehensive English language course at our welcoming school.
Is that you?
This programme is a good option if you have the luxury of time, to stay in the UK for a longer period of time (at least 6 months). It is also a good choice if you would like to prepare an exam, start a new job which needs a higher level of English language fluency or prepare for university as an under-graduate or post-graduate.
You need to be ready to work hard. Being immersed in the English language means that everything you experience at school will be in English - all the lessons, the cultural excursions, communicating with your host in your homestay (if you choose that option!). There is every chance it will transform you, and give you a huge confidence boost through your ability to speak, understand and be understood in English.
Here are some of the most common questions. If you have a different question, please get in touch!
Our most flexible and economic option is our Study Year Programme. You will normally start on the General English course, then when you have reached a B1 intermediate level you can join an exam preparation course (e.g. IELTS or Cambridge First). The Study Year Programme includes one free airport taxi transfer on arrival and one free examination.
Ideally you would register as soon as possible if you want to book the residence option for accommodation, but in general by mid to late November would be OK. We close for 2 weeks over Christmas each year, so we would want to arrange things before then.
To study English language, you can study for a maximum of 11 months. You need to apply for a Short-Term Study Visa
In principle yes. We try to match students well to their host family in the first place but people are different so sometimes things don't work. In that case we will move you. Normally we require 1 week's notice to change homestay and 4 weeks' notice to change from the residence without penalty. We also have a limited allocation of rooms in the residence so may not have availability at short notice.
We have a Coffee Room equipped with kettles, toasters and microwaves. You can also buy coffee from a vending machine. We do not sell food in school but we are in the city centre and there are lots of places within walking distance where you can buy snacks and lunch.
Your host is required to do a reasonable amount of laundry for you (one load of laundry per week) included in the homestay fees. If you are over 18, you can make a request to your host to do your own laundry, if you prefer.
Courses which include lunches, such as the Summer Course for Teens or some group courses will include lunch at the weekends, as they do during the week. Students on all other courses remain half board throughout the whole week with no lunches at the weekends.
Manchester Airport and Liverpool Airport are the closest to Chester, at 45 and 35 minutes’ drive respectively. We can organise an airport transfer for you from these airports to your accommodation in Chester. Or alternatively you can use public transport. Some students also choose to travel to Heathrow Airport in London. This is only recommended for experienced travellers as you will then have to take the Underground to central London and then a direct train to Chester (CTR).
Yes you can, however, this is only recommended for experienced travellers as you will then have to take the Underground to central London and then a direct train to Chester (CTR).
Normally no, all our courses are full time. Please contact us for more information
All accommodation is either in walking distance or on a bus route to school.
If you're planning on studying at university, or you're going to have to conduct research and write reports at work, you'll need to embrace academic English. Here's…
We should never assume that speaking English is a requisite if you want to be part of the global community. Here's a view on it.
In England, we have a saying: practice makes perfect, and it is completely true. The main way you are going to improve speaking any language is to keep on speaking…
Here are some top tips on the mistakes to avoid when you're starting to learn English.
The English Study Year programme in Brighton gives you time to really lift your level, whilst living on the south coast of England.
Study for 24 weeks or more in Eastbourne on this academic year programme where you'll learn as much about English life as English language!
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.
It’s a big decision to take a six-month or a one year English course. We’ve had many very happy students attending our programmes over the years, and the transformation in your ability to speak English on these programmes is generally amazing! You must have questions for us!
Let us know what is on your mind, and we’ll do our best to help you out.