Welcome to England

It’s not surprising that the UK remains the top worldwide destination for learning English. England has one of the longest traditions of teaching English and also has an abundance of English schools and language courses to choose from.

ELC has three delightful schools in Chester, Eastbourne and Brighton, and we are proud to officially be the No.1 group of English language schools in the UK according to EL Gazette in its review of language school groups and chains.

So far, so good. But what if, in addition to studying English in the best school, you could also brush up on the sports and activities you like the most?

The activity you love, in English

Combine the reliability of ELC’s General English courses in the mornings with the activities you love in the afternoons, three days a week.

Our English language courses are carefully organised and we are attentive to your personal progress, even when you’re studying in one of our groups. Every group will be at your level of English, so you should feel comfortable, whatever your current level.

With your English classes taken care of Monday to Friday mornings, there is time in the afternoon when you can progress from the classroom into the real world. If you happen to enjoy golf, tennis, watersports, natural health and yoga or horseriding, then you can continue your learning for three afternoons each week, by taking a General English plus activity option.

Most activities take place away from the school, where you’ll need transport to get you to the activity venue. The good news is, where you need it, all the transport is organised and paid for you. The only exception is our yoga and natural health option in Eastbourne, where the venue is just a short walk away from school.

Not only will you get professional coaching and support in your chosen activity, but you’ll also be learning more English and practising your language skills in the real world, doing something you love.

Course features

  • We will give you a test so your class is at the right level for you.
  • We conduct regular progress checks and set homework every day.
  • 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.
  • At least one lesson a week in the computer laboratory.
  • All course books and materials are included.
  • Activities on 3 afternoons per week with a qualified trainer/coach are included.
  • Taxis to and from school to the activity location are included where required.
  • End of course certificate with hours of study and final level.

Where to study General English plus activity 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
General English plus golf
General English plus horse riding
General English plus tennis
General English plus watersports
General English plus yoga and natural health

Choose your English plus activity programme

All of our English and activity programmes put you together with a qualified expert so you get the chance to improve your general English and the language you’ll need to discuss the activities you love.

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

Is an English and activity course right for you?

Our English courses combined with sporting and heathy activities are great if you already have experience of each activity, but they are equally accessible to you if you are interested in getting started in golf, tennis, watersports (like kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding and sailing), horse riding and yoga.

But maybe you’re interested in a different activity in the UK. With three school locations in Eastbourne, Brighton and Chester in the north of England, it might be that you’d like to pursue a sporting passion in a different location. If so, please use the chat to ask us if we can help organise another activity in combination with our English classes, and we’ll see what we can do to help you.

Two English language students enjoy some putting practise during the golf activity they have booked as part of their English plus activity programme at the English language centre in Eastbourne.
A photo of one of our English students in Eastbourne, on the tennis court, preparing to return the ball across the net. He is using his hand as a guide, and is focussing intently. In the background one of his coaches is looking on with interest. There is a blue sign behind him with white writing stating "Court 1".
People are doing yoga in this photo. You can't see any faces as the two people in shot have their hands clasped together behind their heads and their forearms are hiding their faces, so we're not sure how much they're enjoying themselves. This is to represent the English and Yoga option available at ELC in Eastbourne.
One of our English language students on a beautiful chestnut coloured horse. The rider is standing up in her saddle and leaning forward suggesting the horse is moving at some speed. This is part of ELC's English and activity programme in Eastbourne.
One of our students kayaking down a wave in Eastbourne. The kayak is bright red and she's wearing a blue windproof top and life jacket. This is part of the English and activity programme available at ELC Eastbourne in the UK.
A photograph of the grass tennis courts at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne.

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