Centre of English Studies (CES) Harrogate
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
Repeatedly voted the best place to live in the UK, Harrogate has been called “The Jewel of the North” and has been visited for generations by people for its clean air and healthy living. Harrogate became famous in the 18th and 19th centuries as a spa town and welcomed a host of famous people from Royalty to Agatha Christie. It is one of the most elegant destinations in England, home to a famous tearoom, newly restored Turkish baths, a long list of stylish shops and restaurants and wide-open parks.
The charming town of Harrogate is located at the most southerly point of the Yorkshire Dales. Rated by Right Move as the best place to live in 2013, 2014 and 2015, it is easy to see why, with its mixture of fine restaurants, designer shops and stunning architecture. In the 18th Century, the town was popular as a spa town with wealthy Europeans. These visitors have left a legacy of opulent hotels, large open green areas and beautiful parks. There are 88 springs within the town center, and 35 in the Valley Gardens itself! Nowadays, Harrogate is a famous conference town bringing business people and tourists all year round. It is surrounded by spectacular scenery and attractions—Nidderdale is designated as an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and just outside Ripon lies Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. A visit to the neighboring town of Knaresbrough makes for a great day out.
CES HARROGATE AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1976 as the Harrogate Language Academy
- Type of city: Spa town (population 76,000)
- Position in the city: Center
- Minimum age in adult school: 16
- Number of students: Average 30, maximum 100
- Main type of public transport in Harrogate: Buses and trains every day until 23:30, bicycles
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 20
CES Harrogate: 8a Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ, United Kingdom
“I became acquainted with this school in 2012 during an English UK North workshop, and was delighted to hear a few years later that it had been purchased by CES. They have retained everything that was already good about the school, but made many upgrades and improvements to it, as they do to all of their schools. I had the great pleasure of visiting this school in person in April 2016, and it was a delight to see the beautiful building and city of Harrogate, which is much like Bath, perhaps my favorite city in all of England. As is the case in Bath, the architecture in Harrogate is fantastic and there are green spaces and flowers everywhere. My visit to this city was part of an eye-opening tour of the beautiful central and north regions of England, which, unfairly, are less considered by students wanting to learn English than London and cities in the south. In Harrogate, as in many towns in the center and north of England, a student’s experience will be much more “English,” and it will be possible to travel to many fantastic and different locations nearby (for example, York, an absolute gem, is very close to there, and the trip between these places is just as enjoyable for the quaint villages, stately manor homes and scenery.) I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants a warm, personable experience in the school—permitted by the small class sizes—and who wants to be surrounded too many beautiful things to count and the very best that England has to offer.”
CES Harrogate school
Why Study English at CES Harrogate?
- CES Harrogate has small class sizes, allowing for a very personal and friendly learning experience. Everyone in the school will know the student’s name.
- The school has decades of experience: It was founded in 1976 as the Harrogate Language Academy, and the current owners (the Quinn family) have been in the language teaching industry since Rosemary Quinn opened CES Dublin in 1979.
- Harrogate has won the title of “Best place to live in the UK” for 3 years in a row, and has been noted for its safety and its green spaces.
- Harrogate is a wealthy city, and CES Harrogate is its only recognized English language school. This means that it does not compete with any others for homestays, and as a result can offer the very best families and houses to its students.
- CES Harrogate is located in a beautiful period building, in the very heart of a traditional Victorian spa town, and has excellent facilities. It is surrounded by some of the best visitor attractions in Harrogate, including the world famous Betty’s Tea Rooms and the Royal Pump House Museum.
- The school is very conveniently located in Harrogate—it is 5 minutes’ walk to shopping area of the town and countless chic restaurants and cafes, 10 minutes’ walk to Harrogate Train and Bus Station, where there are regular trains to Leeds and York, and connections to Manchester, Liverpool and London.
- The school’s courses are competitively priced for the UK market and offer good value for money.
- The teachers hold a university degree and the Trinity TESOL Certificate or CELTA qualifications, with many holding specialist EFL teaching diplomas and degrees. The teachers are chosen not only for their experience, but also for their enthusiasm, positive attitude and ability to make language learning fun.
- For IELTS and Cambridge exam takers, CES Harrogate is an official testing center, meaning that these tests can be taken directly on site.
- Harrogate is elegant and sophisticated, while retaining an old world charm.
- For visits outside the city, the spectacular city of York and the Yorkshire Dales are close to CES Harrogate.
- CES Harrogate is of the few schools in the UK with an Academic Point of Excellence from British Council.
- CES Harrogate was named a “Centre of Excellence” by the EL Gazette for 2016. This means that it exceeded the expectations of British Council examiners in several areas.
- CES Harrogate is a member of IALC, a prestigious certification that is more difficult to attain than others for language schools around the world.
- CES schools have won multiple awards, including the prestigious Study Travel Magazine “Best English Language School in Europe,” which is nominated and voted on by agents around the world.
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 8 year-round Classrooms
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Comfortable student common room with large TV and games
- Fully serviced canteen serving tea, coffee, snacks, and freshly prepared hot and cold lunches
- Bright and modern study center with computers for study and internet use
- Excellent cafes and restaurants within 5 minutes’ walk to the school
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
CES Online Learning
All students will have free access to CES Online, the school’s fantastic FREE e-Learning platform. CES Online is designed to complement all of the current facilities of the school. From social program activities to online tutorials, the system offers students remote access to the world of CES before, during and after their courses. The Front Desk App and the Grammar App will allow them to study their grammar on the go and keep up to date with all social activities.
Needs Analysis
CES students’ needs are central to the weekly planning process. Each week, the teachers will discuss students’ needs and progress so that the plan is tailored to their requirements and they achieve their aims.
Self-Access Centre
All CES centers offer the most up-to-date technology and materials for students to use at any time. CES Harrogate has a dedicated computer room with 7 computers connected to the internet and free WIFI for students’ own devices. A teacher is available every afternoon for advice on additional study. The school also has a dedicated self-access study library with graded-readers, a large DVD/CD library and magazines/business papers.
Tutorials
Students have regular, one-to-one tutorials with their teachers to design a personalized study plan and discuss progress and areas to work on.
Student Welfare
The school has a full time Accommodation and Child Safe Guarding Officer to look after students’ welfare and deal with any concerns that students may have. It also has a 24-hour emergency phone facility.
University Guidance
Students can discuss how CES can guide them in their potential career paths with the Director of Studies.
The courses
GENERAL ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Minimum age – 16 years
- Course duration: 2-50 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 20 or 30
- Length of each lesson: 45 minutes
- Start dates: Most Mondays (General English and IELTS), fixed dates (FCE)
- Number of students in class: Maximum 9, Average 7 (5/6 in the winter and 8/9 in the summer)
- Average age of students on General English Courses: 28
Standard Course
The Standard General English Course takes place every morning from Monday to Friday, leaving students free to join the Social Program or study on the CES Online e-learning platform and in the Self-Access facilities every afternoon. The morning lessons are divided into two parts and students will usually be taught by two different teachers. Lessons concentrate on building students’ knowledge of the language, focusing primarily on helping increase vocabulary and improving grammar so that they attain the levels of accuracy they require. Lessons also work on improving students’ overall communicative proficiency and fluency, focusing on the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. In addition to this, they will work on specific pronunciation difficulties and expand the range of language they use in real-life situations.
The course book is the basis for much of the curriculum, with supplementary material taken from workbooks, other resources and authentic and digital material. Every week the teachers make a class plan based on the student’s needs, the course book and our Curriculum Framework, which is matched to the CEFR (Common European Framework of References for Languages) Can-do Statements. Learning objectives for the week are set and shared with students on Monday morning. These objectives are reviewed again at the end of each week. Students will also have regular revision and testing to help them review their learning and measure progress. In addition, they will have regular online tutorials with their main teacher, where they can discuss progress and needs in more detail.
Number of lessons per week: 20
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday
Intensive Course
On the Intensive General English Course, students will follow the same program as the Standard Course in the mornings. They will also have afternoon classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, in which they will have the opportunity to improve their communicative proficiency through discussions, topical debates, authentic materials and video. The school’s modern teaching methods and use of supplementary materials give students the best opportunity to build their language skills and maximize the benefits of the time they spend at the school.
Number of lessons per week: 30
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.30 Tuesday to Thursday
Combination Course
On the Combination Course, students will follow the Standard Course in the mornings and have two afternoons of individual lessons. These are designed to meet the student’s individual requirements and give them the perfect opportunity to work on any specific language difficulties with their own teacher. In advance of the course or during their first individual lesson, the student will complete a Needs Analysis form with their teacher, in which they will be able to identify particular areas to work on. This helps the teacher to plan their lessons according to their specific needs, and ensures they get the maximum benefit from your lessons.
Number of lessons: 20 lessons of 45 minutes +5 hours added to Standard Course
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.30 Tuesday to Thursday two afternoons per week
IELTS Preparation Courses
Students who plan to go to university in either Ireland or the UK may need to take the IELTS Exam. CES will help them to achieve the grade they need to take them to further education. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is the most widely recognized university entry requirement in Europe. It tests the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS is a secure, valid and reliable test of real-life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation purposes. Most universities require a score of between 5.5 and 7.5. As the only official IELTS test center in the area, CES Harrogate is able to offer the IELTS courses with the IELTS exam on site. At CES Harrogate, students follow the Standard General English course in the mornings and take IELTS preparation lessons three afternoons per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). If a student starts the course at a low level, their progress will be carefully monitored and they will be encouraged at every stage of their studies. They will then join the IELTS Preparation Course when it is most appropriate for them. The ideal level for joining this course is Intermediate (B1).
The course will focus on improving students’ level of English, as well as on developing exam techniques. At the end of each week, they will be given a progress test. They will take a complete IELTS examination in the last week of the course. If a student plans to take the exam while they are studying at CES, the school’s IELTS administrator or the Director of Studies will help them with registration.
Number of lessons per week: 30
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday (General English) and 14.00 – 16.30 Tuesday to Thursday (IELTS)
IELTS Express Programme
This course is 2 week super intensive course that will prepare students for the IELTS exam.
Number of lessons per week: 36
Timetable: 9:30 – 16:30 Monday to Friday
NCUK University Pathway Programme
The University Pathway Programme is designed for students who are keen on applying for higher education in UK or Ireland. Students will study at CES for 3, 6 or 9 months to raise their IELTS score to the level required to join the partner delivering the Northern Consortium Foundation Programme (NCUK). This will provide guaranteed access to over 300 University courses in universities in the UK and Ireland. The programme will provide expert preparation for the IELTS exam as well as giving students the academic study skills required to succeed in the further and higher education environment.
Number of lessons per week: 30
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday and 14.00 – 16.30 Tuesday to Thursday
Cambridge Examination Preparation Courses
Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) is an internationally recognized exam for people who need to prove they can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level, for work or study purposes. It is a great addition to any Curriculum Vitae! The Cambridge Examination Course at CES Harrogate is designed to prepare students for the First Certificate in English (FCE).
The Cambridge Examinations usually take place four times per year, mid-March, mid-June, mid-August and mid-December. The courses are planned to finish on the week before the exam will take place. Students are advised to arrive one week before the course start date to allow time for assessment. The school cannot accept a student for any examination course until CES has confirmed the student is at the appropriate level for their chosen examination. Please note there must be a minimum of 8 students for each level of the Cambridge Exam.
CES Harrogate is an official testing center for Cambridge exams, meaning that students who wish to take them may do so directly on site.
Number of lessons per week: 30
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday (General English) and 14.00 – 16.30 Tuesday to Thursday (FCE)
English and Culture 50+ Programme
This course is designed for students over the age of 50. The programme includes General English and English Life and Culture lessons in the mornings that will be followed by a tailor made exciting social and cultural activities programme in the afternoons. This course is based on a 2 week set programme.
Number of lessons per week: 20
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday (General English)
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONALS
CES is a dynamic center of learning in today’s rapidly changing world. Its course designers are very aware of the time constraints of our professional clients, so they help them to design a course that will cater for their social and business requirements. CES has vast experience in delivering courses for management-level students in a number of professions. They will receive one-to-one tuition in language suitable to their profession and the social interaction they will encounter, giving them the confidence and vocabulary necessary for clear communication in the modern business world.
Executive Courses
CES’ Executive Courses are designed for business and professional people who wish to make the maximum amount of progress in the shortest possible time. Each course is designed to meet the specific needs and objectives of the participants. Clients return a completed Language Needs Analysis questionnaire to CES in advance to help the school prepare the most effective course for your requirements. The teacher will discuss the details of the course with the student again, and he or she will have the opportunity to change the emphasis and content as they progress.
General English with Business (available in July and August)
Students follow the Standard General English course in the mornings and take the business option three afternoons per week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Business option is designed for students who wish to improve their communicative proficiency in a business environment. It can be tailored to suit the needs of any particular group of students and focuses primarily on the specialized language of Business English in the following areas:
- Meetings and negotiations
- Socializing and travel
- Oral and written presentations
- Analyzing figures and describing trends
- Sales/Marketing/Advertising
- Understanding cultural differences
- Oral and written communication—telephone, faxes, e-mails, etc.
If students have any particular areas of Business English that they wish to focus on, the course can be adapted to accommodate these.
This course requires a minimum number of participants. Marshall Language Services can check enrolment numbers at the time of inquiry.
Number of lessons per week: 30
Timetable: 9:30 – 13:00 Monday to Friday (General English) and 14.00 – 16.30 Tuesday to Thursday (Business English)
From our clients
As an Italian accountant and advisor, I have always wanted to improve my English. However, it was difficult to decide on a decent school. I wanted to be outside of the active rush of London, and therefore was very content to find this school. For two months, I did an intensive English course. I was really impressed by this institute as my English improved rapidly. The professors have an admirable way of teaching. The school is located in Harrogate, a town in the beautiful region of Yorkshire, close to York, rich in history and with the biggest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and close to Leeds, with its commercial centre. The location of this school is in a tranquil area, very safe and friendly, with all services around. It is a great place for people who want a city environment, but are worried about getting “lost in a big city.” Even the food in the city is great! I was very happy in each class, and never felt too crowded. This gave each student the opportunity to participate, and allow English learning at a faster pace. This institute also provided students with helpful resources, such as computers, books, and television. The teachers made it very interactive with games and videos. As a participant, I learned English very fast. Studying English courses at CES in Harrogate is a great idea for anyone looking for an effective school with the addition of a lovable town with very friendly residents.”
—Lucia, Prato
Do you have a positive experience to share? Write to Rachel.
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to learn more about the people of the UK is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly by the school’s Accommodation Officer to ensure consistently high standards. In over 40 years of operation, the school has amassed a large selection of families in Harrogate who have experience hosting overseas students, and homestays are in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of CES students. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their English with native speakers. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional Homestay provisions and information:
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner from Monday to Friday, all meals on Saturday and Sundays. The main evening meal takes place between 6 pm and 7 pm.
- Homestay families provide all bed linens and towels. The school advises students to bring one extra towel.
- Distance from school: All the school’s homestays are located in the Harrogate area, and the vast majority are within walking distance of the school and the beautiful town center. The average distance from the school is 20 minutes’ walk, and the maximum is 40 minutes’ walk. The city also has bicycle lanes, and if students prefer this mode of transport, the school can help with bicycle rental.
- Homestay accommodation is normally offered in a single room. Twin rooms for students not arriving together are subject to availability.
- Accommodation is from Saturday to Saturday, Sunday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. No reduction in price is offered for early departure. Is it possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
- Host families offering private bathrooms may be available, but are limited.
- Adults aged 18+ do not have curfews.
NO ACCOMMODATION
It is possible to book only the course at CES Harrogate. For short stay students who do not wish to stay with a host family, there are many beautiful guest houses and hotels in Harrogate. All are in walking distance of the school, and the Accommodation Officer can help with inquiries and reservations.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Contact us for information about dates & prices
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