Easy Languages

School

Location

Edinburgh is a World Heritage site and is frequently voted one of the best places in the world to live. From the castle, perched on old volcanic rock in the very heart of the city, to the elegant Georgian Crescents, Art Galleries, Museums, Botanic Gardens, numerous bistros, Halal food shops and Spanish Tapas bars, Edinburgh has something for everyone.

For those who come in summer - or stay all year round - there is the excitement of the Edinburgh Festival which attracts many performers and caters to all tastes and budgets.

In winter, thousands of visitors join the residents for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – New Year celebrations. Scotland’s reputation for academic excellence attracts many undergraduate and post-graduate students to its four universities, making Edinburgh a diverse and exciting cosmopolitan city.

For those who enjoy the countryside, there are beautiful beaches and rolling hills within a short bus ride of the city centre or for the more adventurous traveler, there is regular transportation to the Highlands and Islands.

School

By learning English in our family run school, you will improve your language skills quickly but you will also have fun while you are learning. Our goal is for you to be happy so we use qualified native teachers who understand what you want and need to learn. You will be placed in a small group within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Our partner school is located in a quiet residential area in the West End of Edinburgh but is still only 10 minutes walk from the city’s main shopping streets and the historic "Edinburgh Castle".

The staff will do everything they can to look after you and help you while you are doing your course in Edinburgh. The school provides free wireless broadband internet. There is also a student’s room with tea and coffee facilities and some light refreshments.

Courses

You can start these courses on any Monday and choose to study from 1 week to a full year. Incoming students will have their level of English tested upon arrival, placing them in appropriate groups.

Each lesson lasts 60 minutes.

General Courses

• Normal course - 15 hours per week
  These classes are suitable for students who wish to improve their general fluency and understanding of the English language. Whether you wish to study for a week or for a year, this course provides learners with all the elements necessary to improve their confidence in speaking and comprehension. Our teachers are committed to providing a relaxed and motivating learning environment. Learners are placed in groups according to their level of written and spoken English. However, these groups are flexible and learners may move up or down a level after consultation with the DOS and class teachers.
  • Minimum level: Beginner
  • One lesson = 60 minutes
    
  • Maximum 14 students per class
  • Courses are held from Monday to Friday, 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  
  

• Intensive course - 22.5 hours per week
  These courses are oriented towards students who need to enrich their vocabulary and demonstrate a high level of language in their study or workplace.
  Students take General English courses in the morning to improve their oral expression and listening skills and they benefit from further instruction in the afternoon. The afternoon groups are usually smaller and allow for more personalized learning. Any difficulties encountered in the classroom, or outside the classroom, can be brought up to the teacher.
  This intensive programme is also suitable for students who wish to improve rapidly and who wish to continue their studies at a university level.
  • Minimum level: Beginner
  • One lesson = 60 minutes
  • Maximum 14 students per class
  • General courses are held from Monday to Friday, 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Personalized courses are held from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
  
  

Exam Preparation Courses: Cambridge (FCE, CAE, CPE), IELTS - 25 hours per week

• Cambridge Exams: FCE, CAE, CPE
  Cambridge examinations are respected and recognized all over the world, both in business and academic fields. Proposed levels include the FCE (First Certificate in English, B2), the CAE (Certificate in Advanced English, C1) and the CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, C2). We recommend you spend at least 8 weeks preparing although if you feel ready you may study for only 4 weeks. Courses time schedule is the same as General or Intensive English programmes.
  
  
• IELTS
  The IELTS exam is now the standard required proof of English level for UK universities and colleges. We recommend you spend at least 8 weeks preparing although if you feel ready you may study for only 4 weeks. The courses time schedule is the same as the General or Intensive English programmes.

Business Courses - 25 hours per week

In today’s global economy, English is becoming more important for you in your working life. Whether you need to secure a better job or promotion within your company or to give you the confidence to communicate effectively in the language of business, this course will help you developing your skills. The Business English course strongly concentrates on the use of English within the corporate world but you decide what you want to study. The group size is very small making sure you get the most personal attention and the maximum opportunity to improve your English rapidly.

• Minimum level: Intermediary
• One lesson = 60 minutes
• Maximum 3 students per class
• General courses are held from Monday to Friday, 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Personalized courses are held from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Areas that are available for study include: using English on the telephone, for presentations, negotiating, in meetings, banking, administration, in the office, etc.

Activities

Please note that we only guarantee a social programme from June to September inclusive.

Many of the events that we organise are in the school itself. These include BBQs in the school garden, film afternoons, quiz nights.

If you are interested in seeing the beautiful city of Edinburgh a bit closer, we offer free walks and talks about the city in the afternoons. We can also arrange specially prepared tours of the local monuments and visitor attractions during this time.

Accommodation

We offer homestay accommodation. It can be with a family, a couple or even a single person. We cannot guarantee which type of household you will be staying with. You may have to share a room during busy periods (e.g. May – October).

Your washing will be done for you in your home stay and you will also have clean bed linen and a towel when you arrive.

As part of your home stay accommodation you will be given 16 meals per week. That is, breakfast and an evening meal from Monday until Friday and breakfast, lunch and an evening meal at the weekends. Sometimes, your host person or family will allow you to cook for yourself and / or help yourself to snacks etc.. in the kitchen.

Occasionally your host person or family will offer to take you on a day trip and / or night out with them. You are, of course, welcome to make your own plans for evenings and weekends but often the students enjoy these trips and it can help to really settle in with your host person or family.

You may have to use a bus service to get to the school and back to your accommodation. All our home stay accommodation is in Edinburgh and within 5 minutes walk of a bus service stop.

Prices and Dates

Prices include:

• Chosen course
• Accommodation in host family with half-board (2 meals a day)
• All administrative and enrolment fees
• Academic material
  

Fees do not include

• Transportation to and within Edinburgh
• Optional exam fees (Cambridge, IELTS)

Dates 2012

School is closed during Christmas break.

Programmes run from Sunday to Saturday and courses begin every Monday, year-round.

Exam preparation programmes start on Mondays: availabilities upon request.

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport: Edinburgh
• Transfer possible upon request (see price table)
  

VISA Information

For non-EU residents, you can apply for a Student Visitor Visa to enter the UK. It is valid for 6 months, even if you intend to stay for less time. It does not entitle you to work. We do not include any VISA application fees in our prices.

For more information, either inquire at your local British Embassy or consult the following website:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk