English Courses in London
Overview
London is the political, economic and cultural capital of Britain, with 33 boroughs bursting with world-class attractions for visitors of all ages. There are 30 historic gardens, 123 historic buildings, more than 200 museums, 600 cinema screens and 108 music halls. The river Thames runs through the heart of London, from Richmond in the west, through the central London borough of Westminster, to Greenwich in the east. About one third of London is devoted to parks and open spaces, so there are plenty of places to relax on fine days. The history of London goes back to over thousands of years, and The city boasts four World Heritage Sites: the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and the Royal Botanic and Kew Gardens.
Why study English in London?
With a reputation for being one of the most exciting capital cities in the world, London represents the perfect destination in which international students can immerse themselves in the study of the English language. Here are some good reasons to take an English course in London:
World-class Attractions
London offers a wealth of attractions to rival any city in the world. From historic castles to royal palaces, compelling museums to contemporary art galleries, there are enough features to keep a student enthralled day in, day out. Plus, with iconic landmarks at every turn, there will be something truly British to discover every day.
Cosmopolitan Population and International Food
London is the world in one city, with a wealth of different cultures and communities across the capital. While English is the official language, several European languages are very widely spoken in and around London. Given the size of the large multicultural population, over 300 languages are also used in everyday life. For meals, there is food from over 70 countries in more than 6,000 restaurants, including 55 Michelin Star restaurants, or plenty of inexpensive options as well.
Employment Opportunities
The scope of London business encompasses all industries, and provides employment opportunities for all skill sets. Most good language schools in London offer students the opportunity to find work to support their studies, either informally through job announcements on their notice boards, job clubs, English and work courses, assistance from the staff with CV preparation and how to interview for a job and/or or formal job/internship placement programs.
Social Life in London
For all of the schools with whom Marshall Language works in London and elsewhere, a key component of the study program is the social aspect. They all work hard to develop a program of events that benefit students’ studies during their time in the city, and will encourage them to visit the best bars, restaurants, theatres and clubs to keep them entertained and active.
Home Away from Home
The city is so diverse that London will quickly feel like a home away from home, with a network of like-minded students never too far away. This means that by studying in one of the schools offered by Marshall Language in London, students will be able to experience a destination that offers an exciting atmosphere and cultural practices to make them feel welcome.
Language Schools and Camps in this Destination
Images of London, United Kingdom
Things to Do and See During a Vacation Study
British Museum
One of London’s top free attractions, and considered its top museum by many, the British Museum is both an architectural beauty and a treasure trove of some of the world’s most noted antiquities.
Tower of London
Visitors enchanted with the history of the monarchy will not want to miss the famous Crown Jewels exhibition in the Tower.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the London home of Queen Elizabeth II and it is open to the public in the summer. On a tour, visitors will be able to see the 19 State Rooms.
Portobello Road and Camden Markets
Located in the posh Notting Hill neighborhood, the market stretches down the long Portobello Road. It is filled with merchants of all kinds, selling a variety of flea market items including antiques, art, jewelry, clothing, food, and quintessentially English items. Camden Market is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and sprawls with over 200 stalls carrying close to everything, from furniture to food and fashion.
Westminster Abbey
This medieval church, graced by royal weddings and coronations, offers a magnificent peek at London’s far-reaching history.
Piccadilly Circus
With its shops, restaurants and clubs, Piccadilly Circus is the portal to London’s West End. It is the meeting place of five busy roads and is the center of London’s hustle and bustle.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
A long swath of green stretching from Kensington Palace in the west to Oxford Street in the east, it the best place for travelers looking for a relaxing moment.
National Gallery
Sitting in Trafalgar Square, the museum features paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to 19th centuries.
West End Theatre District
Catching a show in London’s West End theater district is just as necessary as watching a play on Broadway during a trip to NYC. The quality is some of the best in the UK, and the constant mix of new and classic productions with local and world-renowned talent excites both visitors and locals alike.
Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge is one of the London’s must-see architectural marvels and the most famous bridge that crosses the Thames. Built a mere 120 years ago, the bridge not only stands out for its stunning detail but moveable roadways that lift up when large ships need to pass through. The views from the bridge are an added bonus.
Tate Modern
Located on the South Bank along the Thames, the Tate Modern is a part of a group of four Tate museums that together house 70,000 works of British art.
Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament, comprised of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, fill the massive Palace of Westminster.
Paul’s Cathedral
Besides Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral is the second must-see church in London. With its imposing dome, one of the largest in the world and survivors of numerous World War II bombings, St. Paul’s forms a predominant spot along London’s skyline.
The London Eye
The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel that circles around slowly. It is located on the River Thames and is meant to deliver great views as well as a birds-eye perspective of the London’s South Bank.
Free Things to do in London
An extremely useful list of free things to do in London is available here.
How to Arrive at your Language Course
London is incredibly well-connected, with five international airports and the high-speed Eurostar rail link. More than 50 countries are within a three-hour flight time and 310 international destinations have direct links to London.
Heathrow Airport: Transfer options to Central London include:
- Heathrow Express Train: the fastest way (15-20 minutes).
- EasyBus and National Express: coach services from the airport.
- The London Underground (the “Tube”) Piccadilly Line or a city bus from Heathrow to Central London.
Gatwick Airport: Transfer options to Central London include:
- Gatwick Express Train: the fastest way (30 minutes).
- Thameslink and Southern Trains: offer direct trains from the airport.
- EasyBus and National Express: coach services from the airport.
Stansted Airport: Transfer options to Central London include:
- Stansted Express Train: the fastest way (approximately 48 minutes).
- Coaches: National Express, EasyBus and Terravision operate a 24 hour service.
More information about all London airport transfer options is available here.