ELC Brighton
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
Brighton’s number one language school, one of the very top in the UK overall, as established by the British Council, ELC offers a wide range of English courses in a large, multi-national setting. ELC is one of the oldest schools in the UK and offers a high level of English language education in an up-and-coming seaside destination, less than one hour from London.
Brighton and Hove (commonly called “Brighton”) is a city in East Sussex, Southeast England. The towns of Brighton and Hove formed a unitary authority in 1997 and in 2001 were granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II. Brighton is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city of 250,000 people and it represents an ideal place for international students to live and study. It is nestled in between the sea and the countryside, with the best choice of entertainment on the south coast and a wealth of things to do.
ELC BRIGHTON AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1962
- Type of location: seaside city (population 275,000)
- Position in the city: 10-15 minutes’ walk from the centre
- Minimum age in adult school: 16 years old
- Number of students in school: 300
- Average age of students: 23 years old
- Main type of public transport in Brighton: buses
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 60 +
The English Language Center of Brighton Main Building: 33, Church Road, Palmeria Mansions W, Hove BN3 2GB, United Kingdom
Summer Vacation Center at Loxdale: Locks Hill, Portslade, Brighton BN41 2LA, United Kingdom
“Nevermind the slick brochures and sales pitches of other schools. The EL Gazette and British Council have said it all about this one—it is tied with only three other schools for adults for the top spot among English language schools in all of the United Kingdom. I’ll explain a bit how this ranking works: every four years, the British Council carries out an inspection of its 500 + member schools in the UK (nearly all reputable language schools in the UK are accredited by the British Council). During the inspection, in which two examiners inspect the school for days, they grade a school in 13 areas like teaching, care of students, accommodation, etc., and in 15 areas if the school also has programs for young learners. For each area, a school can receive a grade of “acceptable,” or it can exceed the expectations of the examiner. When the latter is the case, the school receives what’s called a “strength” in that area. As a result of these inspections, language schools typically receive about 3.5 strengths. On its last inspection in 2019, the English Language Centre Brighton received 15 out of a possible 15!
I visited Brighton in 2005 and have sent students to study English there for many years. The city is the perfect solution for being close to the sea, in a place of a manageable size, but less than an hour away from London (in fact many people work in London and live in Brighton.) The city is ideal for young people—many of its entertainment and shopping venues are famously geared towards university-aged people, and the city itself is home to the University of Brighton with 21,000 enrolled students. Even before it received its perfect score in strengths from British Council, the English Language Centre in Brighton was my first choice of school for my clients, as it is the only one in the city belonging to the prestigious IALC association, as well as the ten-member TEN network, the latter of which includes the very finest language schools in the UK (most of them are on this site—look for the red logo at the bottom). The school itself is located in the beautiful area of Hove, an area that is more well-to-do than the rest of the city. A look at this page will show you the excellent facilities and choice of courses that the school offers, and parents may also want to look at the Summer Vacation course in Loxdale. It is one of the few programs in the UK specifically geared towards the 16-22 year old age group. In it, students will not feel “lost” as the youngest students on an adult program, but at the same time, 16- and 17- year olds will also not be the oldest participants on a junior program (see a further explanation of junior and adult programs here.)”
ELC Brighton
Why Study at this School?
English Language Centre (ELC) Brighton distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- ELC is one of the oldest English language schools in the UK
- The school was named a “Centre of Excellence” and ranked the top English language school in Brighton, based on its latest British Council inspection results
- A friendly, caring and safe learning environment
- The school offers a wide variety of English language courses for adults aged 16+ at all levels
- The teachers are experienced and professional
- The school offers a fantastic nationality mix, with over 60 different nationalities in attendance every year
- The school is in a great location (50 minutes by train from London and close to international airports)
- There is a good choice of quality accommodation close to the school (max 30 minutes)
- The school offers a full social program of activities
- The school has high quality facilities with state of the art technology
- ELC is the only school in Brighton to be recognized by the prestigious IALC association, a language school certification which is more difficult to obtain than others
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- Interactive whiteboards, iPads, smart TVs
- 32 bright and comfortable classrooms across 3 buildings
- Free Wi-Fi
- 2 student lounges with flat-screen TVs
- Student kitchen with microwaves, kettles, and drink machines
- Study centre and computer Room
- Bookshop
- Business Centre with business lounge and computer room
- Large Lecture Hall
- Patio
- Multimedia Study Center
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
ELC Online
E-learning resources designed to help students make the most of their English studies are available before, during and after their course. Access is free to all students. ELC online can be used to:
- Find out useful information about the school
- Choose from a wide variety of study materials
- Students can study when and where they want for as much as they want
- Find exam practice materials (eg FCE, IELTS, CAE)
- Contact the reception staff
- See the social program
Multi Media Study Centre
This center is open every afternoon and features:
- Spacious study facilities
- Networked PCs with free internet and access to a large range of language study programmes
- Free WLAN and separate connections for laptops
- A teacher every afternoon to help with homework and advise and guide students
- A large selection of books, videos, DVDs, and worksheets
- Exam practice materials (IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE, TOEIC, TOEFL)
Transport
The school can organize transfers between any of the London airports upon request. For city transport, a weekly bus pass is available to purchase from the ELC reception of approximately £19.
The courses
GENERAL ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
ELC students follow a Core Program of 20 lessons (15 hours) of General English in the mornings, followed by two hours of elective afternoon options in the afternoons. This enables students to combine English language study with developing a practical skill related to work, further study, travel/tourism or simply for pleasure.
General Course Information:
- Minimum age: 16 years (average 23)
- Course duration: minimum 2 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 25 or 30 lessons/week (18.75 or 22.5 hours)
- Length of each lesson: 45 minutes
- Beginner to Advanced level classes
- Start dates: Most Mondays
- Number of students in class: Maximum 12 students (average 10)
- Placement test to confirm level
- All course material and e-learning facilities included in fees
- Regular progress checks and daily homework
- Regular tutorials with class teacher
- End of course certificate
CORE PROGRAM COURSES
General English
The General English courses are designed to give students the confidence to communicate effectively in real-life situations. The course provides a balanced programme focusing on the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing while covering essential grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, idioms and colloquial language.
Afternoon Options include:
- Speaking, pronunciation and listening
- Academic English (IELTS/EAP)
- Cambridge Exam Preparation (FCE/CAE)
- Reading, writing and vocabulary
- English for Work
- TOEIC preparation
- One to one (available at an extra cost)
General English Course timetables
Examination Courses
ELC provides a wide range of courses and examinations to help students achieve the English language qualifications they need for the future, whether for business, academic study or just general travel/life.
- Courses available for CPE, CAE, FCE, PET & KET Cambridge exams and BEC and BULATS Cambridge Business English exams
- Intensive courses available for FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS and Introduction to Business English
- ELC is an official examination centre for Trinity College GESE, Cambridge BEC and BULATS and LCCI English for Business Examinations
- 25 or 30 lessons/week (18.75 or 22.5 hours)
- Fixed start dates (see dates and fees)
- Maximum 12 students (average 10) per class
- Intermediate to Advanced levels
- Minimum 16 (average 22)
Summer Vacation Courses at Loxdale
ELC’s summer centre in Brighton, ELC Loxdale, is an attractive mansion house with its own gardens, sports hall and canteen. The Summer Vacation Course is designed for young adults typically aged 16 – 22.
- Half a day of English study followed by social activities/free time to explore Brighton
- Lessons cover speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar.
- Junior vacation course available for juniors aged under 16 where one of the parents is already studying on one of our adult courses. This program is half a day of lessons and a full program of activities and supervision Monday to Friday
Summer Vacation Course Timetable
Summer Vacation Course Social Program
ELC Brighton offers a full social program of afternoon and evening activities Monday to Friday with full-day guided excursions at weekends. There is a flexible choice of options:
- book and pay for activities on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis
- book a package of activities for £75 per week. The package includes 1 activity per day Monday to Friday and 1 full-day guided excursion at the weekend per week booked
Study Year Programme
The Study Year Programme is a comprehensive language programme and the most flexible and economical option for studying for 6 months or more.
- Develop overall confidence and fluency in English
- Gain internationally recognised qualifications
- Develop English for social, academic and work environments
- Experience UK life and culture
- Make friends with people from all over the world
- Wide variety of General English, afternoon options and intensive exam courses
- Up to 2 free exams included (from IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE, Trinity GESE and SEW)
- Study before, during and after the stay in Brighton with ELC online
- Regular progress tests and tutorials every 4 weeks
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONALS
All business courses are designed for experienced professionals who need to communicate effectively in English. These are tailored to your specific needs and are taught by trainers experienced in teaching professionals.
Skills covered include:
- Conducting and contributing to meetings and interviews
- Giving presentations
- Negotiating
- Developing specialised business vocabulary
- Discussing key business concepts
- Developing cross-cultural awareness
- Communicating effectively on the telephone
- Writing effectively in business (emails, letters and reports)
- Socializing
Specialist training can be provided for areas such as:
- Management
- Marketing and sales
- Secretarial English
- Military English
- Banking and finance
- Computing
- Travel and tourism
- Law
- Medicine/pharmacy
- Aviation English
- Engineering/ technical subjects
ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES FOR TEACHERS
ELC teachers’ courses aim to meet the professional needs of the teachers and are ideal for overseas teachers of English.
- Mixed nationality classes
- Designed to refresh and extend teachers’ understanding and knowledge of English language and culture
- 50 years’ experience of delivering quality training for teachers
- Course designed to meet the needs of each group
- Pre-course questionnaire and tasks to focus on specific needs
- Experienced, specialised teacher trainers
- Good balance between theoretical and practical ideas and activities
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to experience full immersion into British culture is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. In 55 years of operation, the school has amassed a huge selection of host families in Brighton, and homestays are in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of ELC 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 practise 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:
- Single bedrooms with study facilities.
- Breakfast and evening meal served every day
- Only one person of the same nationality per home
- All families are within 30 minutes of school (on foot or by bus), average 20 minutes
- Executive host families available on request
- Shared rooms available on request for two people travelling together
STUDENT RESIDENCES
Dyke Road Student House
The school’s Dyke Road student house has 6 bedrooms, including a self-contained studio with ensuite bathroom and kitchen (available for single or double occupancy), 1 ensuite bedroom and 4 standard bedrooms. The house has 2 shared kitchens and 2 shared bathrooms, and is located 25 minutes’ walk from the center of Brighton and within 5 – 10 minutes’ walk of shops, a supermarket and some restaurants, pubs and cafes.
- Minimum age 18
- Rooms include a bed, desk for study and storage facilities
- Bedding and linens are provided but not towels
- Coin-operated washing machine is available
- free Wi-Fi
- 20 minutes’ walk from ELC
- arrive Sunday; depart Sunday (fees charged in complete weeks)
- check in after 14.00; check out by 10.00 on day of departure
The Britannia Study Hotel
The Britannia Study Hotel is an ultra-modern residence with ensuite facilities about 10-12 minutes’ walk from ELC. It has 134 bedrooms and is located in the heart of Brighton within 5 minutes’ walk of Churchill Square shopping centre and the seafront, which has many supermarkets, restaurants, pubs and cafes.
- Minimum age 18
- Single, ensuite rooms with small double bed, desk, chair, wardrobe (with laptop safe), bedside table and small fridge
- Bedding and one towel provided per week
- Free Wi-Fi
- Arrive Sunday; depart Saturday or Sunday
- Check in after 14.00; check out by 10.00 on day of departure
Residence amenities
- kitchens/TV lounges on every floor
- a café lounge on the ground floor
- coin-operated laundry
- card entry with 24-hour security and CCTV.
HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSES
For students aged 18 or over and prefer the freedom and flexibility of hotel accommodation, ELC has secured special rates for its students. This includes:
- All hotels within 5 – 15 minutes’ walk of ELC
- All rooms with ensuite bathrooms
- All hotels have Wi-Fi (some may charge for this)
- Close to shops and a wide range of restaurants
- Within easy reach of the sea
NO ACCOMMODATION
It is possible to book only the course at ELC Brighton. For students who would prefer to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast, the school can assist in making these arrangements (see above).
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
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
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