Language Specialists International (LSI) Portsmouth
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
LSI Portsmouth (Language Specialists International, not affiliated with the Language Studies International group of schools) offers a variety of English programs and activities for all kinds of students, and is one of the few independent specialist Executive Training Centers. The school has been ranked as one of the UK’s top language schools, and students can make the most of their time improving their English, and enjoying the sun, and learning about England’s naval history in the island city of Portsmouth.
As the United Kingdom’s only island city, located on its south coast, Portsmouth is ideal for a stay by the sea. It is a dynamic and vibrant waterfront city packed with great reasons to visit and study there. From the pomp and ceremony of the proud naval and maritime heritage, to towering world-class visitor attractions, unique shopping destinations, great places to eat and miles of beautiful waterfront, Portsmouth has something for absolutely everyone. There are live music venues, museums and contemporary art galleries, two cathedrals, a great nightlife, festivals, and countless other events throughout the year.
LSI PORTSMOUTH AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1985
- City: Portsmouth
- Position in the city: Center
- Minimum age in adult school: 18
- Number of students in school: average 230, maximum 400
- Main type of public transport: buses
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 50
LSI Portsmouth: 1-13 Lord Montgomery Way, City Centre, Portsmouth PO1 2AH, United Kingdom
“I visited Portsmouth and LSI in 2005 upon invitation of a very friendly teacher at the school, whom I had met at an agent fair abroad. I was immediately struck by how large and airy the school was, offering students an abundance of space and natural light in the classrooms and common areas, many which also had a view of the sea from the windows. LSI Portsmouth is the only school in the city belonging to the prestigious IALC, which for me has always been an assurance of very high quality, and more recently, I was very pleased to see how highly this school was ranked by the British Council and the EL Gazette amongst English language schools in the UK. 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 14 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 LSI Portsmouth received 13 out of a possible 14, placing it amongst the top 10 schools in all of the UK!
As for Portsmouth, where the school is located, the Historic Dockyard in itself is worth the trip, and there are many other things to do and see in the area. It’s perfect for someone who enjoys a sunny, maritime atmosphere, and at just an hour and a half by train, it’s also accessible to London for day trips or a weekend (as well as to many other beautiful and famous locations in that part of the country, like Bath and Oxford). For young adults, Portsmouth has a university, allowing LSI students to make friends easily with the locals (also through the Union societies and clubs that they can join—only this school and ELC Bristol offer that possibility), and as the only large English school open year round, LSI has its pick of the best host families for its students. It has also always been a pleasure for me to work with this school—despite its size, the staff has always been very accessible, and the principal Andrew often replies to inquiries firsthand. LSI Portsmouth has also always offered very good value for the price—for the same cost as many other English courses with higher numbers of students per class, it often offers classes with just a handful of students.”
LSI Portsmouth
Why choose this school?
There are many English language schools in UK, which is one of the world’s top destinations for English language learning. LSI Portsmouth distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- According to the EL Gazette, based on the British Council inspection results, LSI Portsmouth is a Centre of Excellence, placing it amongst the very best UK language schools.
- LSI Portsmouth is one of the few remaining independent specialist Executive Training Centers. It has a 26-year track record in this field, with a large number of Fortune 500 clients, including Siemens, Bayer and Renault.
- The school is located in Portsmouth, the UK’s only island city, which has the sea on three sides and kilometers of beaches.
- LSI Portsmouth is located in a lively university city with over 20,000 students.
- LSI Portsmouth has a formal cooperation agreement with the University of Portsmouth, which besides offering other advantages, gives LSI students direct progression onto the University of Portsmouth programs.
- LSI students can join University of Portsmouth Union clubs and societies.
- LSI Portsmouth is able to offer top quality accommodation of excellent homestays and its own student houses within walking distance to the school.
- The school is a member of The English Network, a group of 10 independent schools that share best practice and have a reputation for quality and personal service.
- The school has excellent facilities and resources to accompany students with everything they need.
- LSI Portsmouth is able to offer a variety of programs for every type of student and a variety of activities to ensure students make the most use of their English skills.
- LSI Portsmouth has a fantastic nationality mix, with students from over 50 different countries every year.
- The courses offer an exceptionally good value for money in the UK English language school market.
- LSI Portsmouth is an official IELTS testing center.
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 55 classrooms with interactive white boards
- Student Lounges with flat screen TVs
- Executive Lounge for executive and 30+ students
- Table tennis
- Pool table
- Piano
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fully-resourced Study Center with student computers
- School cafeteria with hot and cold food
- Full service restaurant
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Internship Program
LSI Portsmouth offers internship programs for students, graduates and young job seekers who are interested in gaining experience relevant to their educational background and vocational skills. Internship placements are for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 48 weeks.
Self-Access Study Center
LSI has a fully-resourced, supervised self-access study center, which contains computers, DVD and audio materials and a library. The center is managed by self-access supervisors, who will be able to help direct students to the appropriate resources to suit their level and academic needs. LSI has a wide range of resources and practice test books specifically for the Cambridge and IELTS exams.
University Union Clubs and Societies
For a small fee, LSI students can join the University of Portsmouth union’s clubs and societies, which is a great way for them to make friends with British and overseas students while enjoying their hobbies and interests. Some popular clubs and societies include: Hockey, Football, Hip-Hop and Drum and Bass societies, Cinema society, and Surf club. LSI students can also join the university gym, use the university union café and bar and join the university social program and trips.
Conversation Club
The Conversation Club is free of charge. It is supervised by a teacher and gives students additional time to practice their English language skills with other LSI students in a relaxed atmosphere.
Job Club
LSI Portsmouth runs a free Job Club on Friday afternoons to help students find work, improve their CV, practice their interview techniques, learn the relevant legal information and look at a list of jobs in Portsmouth.
Student Welfare
LSI makes students’ welfare its utmost priority, and all staff and teachers are available to support students in a professional and confidential manner with any problems that might arise while they are away from home.
The courses
GENERAL ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Age: minimum 18, average 23
- Course duration: minimum 2 weeks (General English and Cambridge Exam Preparation)
- Length of each lesson: 75 minutes
- Number of hours per week: 22.5 hours + 5 – 10 hours self-study
- Timetable: 9:15 -16:00 Monday to Thursday, 9:15 – 12:00 Fridays
- Start dates: Most Mondays except bank holidays (General English), see dates and fees (Exam Preparation courses)
- Number of students in class: maximum 12
General English
The LSI Portsmouth General English course focuses primarily on grammar in the morning classes and skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in the afternoon classes. A test is taken at least every 2 weeks and regular homework is given so that teachers can monitor students’ progress.
A sample timetable for General English courses:
General English + Business English
In this course, students follow General English courses in the morning, and Business English courses in the afternoon. In the afternoon classes, students will be in a mini-group of maximum 4 people from different countries in a simulation of a real, multinational context: negotiating, discussing current business issues, socializing, giving presentations, participating in meetings, teleconferencing, etc.
- Minimum age: 18 (morning General English class), 25 (afternoon Business English class)
- Average age: 32
- Class size: 12 (General English Morning), 4 (Business English afternoon)
- Number of hours per week: 25 hours + 5 – 10 hours self-study
- Length of Business lesson: 75 minutes
- Timetable: 9:15 -16:00 Monday to Friday
- Course Duration: minimum 2 weeks
- English levels: Minimum B1
General English Courses for Adults 30 +
This course is a General English course specifically designed for adults over 30 years of age. The program is very flexible and consists of core morning classes with optional afternoon electives. Students may choose to follow courses of Intensive English, British culture electives, or One-to-One lessons in the afternoon. Afternoon electives have an additional charge.
- Minimum age: 30
- Class size: average 5 , maximum 8
- Number of hours per week: 15 hours
- Length of lesson: 90 minute
- Timetable: 9:00 -12:15 Monday to Friday
- Course Duration: minimum 1 week
- English levels: Minimum A2
Cambridge English Exam Preparation
LSI Portsmouth offers First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) and Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) preparation courses throughout the year. There is no CPE exam in August, although the summer CPE course will still take place.
- Minimum English levels: B1 (FCE), C1 (CAE)
IELTS Preparation
This is an intensive preparation course which aims to provide students with the skills they need for the IELTS exam. LSI Portsmouth’s IELTS course manager is a published IELTS author and teacher trainer.
- Minimum English Level: B1
- Course Duration: Minimum 4 weeks
Private Lessons
LSI offers intensive English programmes taught in private lessons by qualified and experienced LSI teachers.
- Minimum English Level: A1
- Course Duration: from 1 to 10+ lessons
University Pre-Sessional and Academic English Programs
LSI has been collaborating with the University of Portsmouth on a variety of programs since 2001, and has been offering direct progression from short Pre-Sessional English (PSE) courses to University programs. LSI also offers Extended Pre-Sessional English (EPSE) courses with direct entry to both the University and International College Portsmouth (ICP) for students needing an IELTS improvement of 1.5 bands or 2.0 bands.
- Minimum age: 18
- English Level: minimum IELTS 4.0
- Number of hours per week: 22.5 hours
- Length of lesson: 75 minutes
- Timetable: 9:00 – 15:45
- Class size: maximum 12
- Start dates: see dates and fees
OET Course
LSI Portsmouth offers full-time OET courses for Nurses and Doctors. These courses include face-to-face tuition with experienced and highly-qualified teachers, as well as access to self-study facilities, and daily homework. Our courses have been fully-endorsed by the OET group, so they are guaranteed to provide high-level preparation.
The OET Exam consists of four sub-tests: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Our courses focus on the skills required for each part of the exam. You will have specialised input in each area of the exam, along with feedback on your progress from your teachers, a range of practice activities, and access to self-study material.
- English Level: Minimum B2/IELTS 6.0 overall/OET Grade C
- Number of hours per week: 25 hours
- Length of lesson: 60 minutes
- Timetable: Monday-Friday 9:00 – 11:45 / 13:00 – 15:45
- Course duration: 1 week
- Start dates: see this page
From our clients
My life and work experience in England began with a 4-week IELTS preparation class at Language Specialists International. I chose this course of study in order to give my career a boost by obtaining an IELTS certificate.
I made the most of this experience by actively participating in all of the lessons and social activities, from sports, to movie nights, trips to the theater, the Conversation Club, the Job Club, pub nights, international dinners, and weekend excursions. It all took place in a fantastic international setting that allowed me to cultivate friendships, many of which are still strong. The school’s atmosphere is inviting, the environment is professional, but at the same time welcoming and relaxing, which allows the student to feel at home and to have fun. The services that LSI offers take care of all the students’ needs, helping each one to settle in better to the school and to Portsmouth as a city.
The staff is always available, the lessons are never boring, and the teachers use different methods for each class, adapting the course content to the various nationalities and cultures. Behind every single activity and lesson is perfect teamwork and strong collaboration.
Staying with a host family allowed me to add different facets to my learning, which included English culture, cuisine, idiomatic expressions, books, slang, daily habits and customs in England, all of which I would not have learned in another way.
After my course at LSI, what the school left me with is definitely this—a study and life experience that was intense and unforgettable!”
—Anna Rita D., Cagliari
Do you have a positive experience to share? Write to Rachel.
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to experience the British way of life is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. Homestays are in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of 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
- Homestay accommodation includes single study bedroom (twin or double available upon request).
- Executive Homestay with higher level of comfort is available for Professional students.
- Breakfast and dinner are provided during the week and all meals at weekends.
- All homestays offer wireless internet.
- Homestay families provide all bed linens and towels. The school advises students to bring one extra towel.
- Most homestay accommodation is within walking distance of the school, with an average time of 15 – 30 minutes by foot.
- Laundry is done weekly.
- Accommodation is from Sunday to Saturday. It is possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
SELF-CATERING STUDENT RESIDENCES
St. Michael’s Road
St. Michael’s Road is a LSI’s self-catering house. It has 12 fully-furnished rooms, 10 with private showers and wash basins and 2 with full en-suite facilities. The house is only a 1-minute walk from the school.
St. Michael’s Road also offers:
- Single study bedrooms
- Bed linen are provided, but not towels
- Large kitchen/dining room with sofa and TV
- Cooking utensils are provided
- Super-fast Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
Hampshire Terrace
Hampshire Terrace is LSI’s brand new self-catering house. It has 20 fully-furnished rooms with a private shower and wash basin, and 14 with full en-suite facilities. The house is in the heart of the city and only a 3 minute walk from the school.
Hampshire Terrace also offers:
- Bed lined are provided but not towels
- 2 Communal Kitchens/dining rooms and 2 additional kitchenettes
- Free Wi-fi
- Laundry Facilities
- Live-in House Manager
HOTELS and Guesthouses
If students prefer to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast/guest house, LSI can suggest some good places in which their professional students have stayed and recommend. Prices vary from place to place depending on the season and availability.
G! Boutique Hotel
G! is a stylish, boutique hotel not far from the beach, run by Allan Gray, one of the founders of LSI, and his family. Please visit the hotel’s website for more information.
Holiday Inn
The Holiday Inn is a modern Portsmouth hotel with a restaurant, close to city-centre shops, historic landmarks and a bustling port.
Quality English
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.
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