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Our General English Courses are the core of our Standard, Semi-Intensive and Intensive Study Options and help you improve your overall command of English.
Below you will find all the information you need to register in a course for adults. If your question is not answered here, please contact us through our Live Chat service or send your question using this form.
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How can I register for a course? |
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If you are a new student, you have to pre-register online to take a placement test during the registration period.
Once you have pre-registered, you can come on the date and time you chose to take a written test followed by an oral test with one of our teachers.
This process takes on average about 60 minutes, and there is no charge for the placement test or commitment on your part to register for a class.
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When does the next course start? |
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There are five terms every year and intensive courses in July and December. The following are the dates for 2009:
Wednesday: 0700 - 1900
Thursday: 0700 - 1900
Friday: 1200 - 1900
Saturday: 0900 - 1700
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How many levels are there? |
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There are five levels for adults: Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate and Advanced. Each level has four courses and each of these courses lasts for a term (two months). You can find more detailed information of each course on this PDF document.
Here are some questions that learners of English often ask:
How good is my English? How can I improve? What do I need to study? When will I have finished learning English?
To help answer these questions, we use an evaluation method to assess language ability and set clear standards for improvement. This method is called the Common European Framework, or CEF.
CEF levels
The CEF identifies three levels of ability: Elementary (basic user), Pre-Intermediate (independent user) and Intermediate (proficient user). Each stage is divided into 2 (Elementary 1, Elementary 2, Pre-Intermediate 1, Pre-Intermediate 2, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2). These levels are defined by the ability of the user to achieve specific tasks in the language.
Find out how the Common European Framework corresponds to general English courses at the British Council on this Word document.
You can evaluate your own level using the Common European Framework self-assessment checklist.
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How much is the course fee? |
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Find out more about each option in the question 'What are the study options available?' below.
Weekdays from 0645 to 0905, from 1715 to 1855, from 1915 to 2055 and Saturdays.
Weekdays from 0930 to 1150, from 1200 to 1305 and from 1500 to 1640.
Course fees can be paid by cheque, VISA credit card, Master Card or Red Multicolor.
We can not accept cash for reasons of security
Checks should be made payable to 'British Council' and the account holder's name and telephone number should be clearly written on the back.
You can pay for the course in two instalments: the first one (65%) at registration and the second one (35% +$15.000) three weeks later.
We offer the following discounts:
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$100,000 discount for university students in the afternoon classes from 1500 to 1640 when presenting a valid student ID |
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for families when one or more members of the family study with us. First member of the family pays full fee, second member has a 5% discount, third member onwards has a 10% discount |
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10% discount when a year is paid for in advance (applied to the total cost of the five terms) |
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companies get a discount when more than four members of their staff register for a course in one term |
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The British Council does not give refunds. In the first week of classes the value of a course can be transferred to a course in the following term. In the second week, half the value can be transferred. After the second week there is no chance of transferring. Fees can only be transferred once, not from term to term. |
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The British Council retains the right to cancel courses for which the minimum number of pupils (eight) is not reached. In these cases the value of the course will be refunded. |
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The maximum number of students on a course is 16. |
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Timetable changes are only permitted until the fourth week of classes. |
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Discounts cannot be accumulated. |
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We reserve the right to change or discontinue discounts at any time. |
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One academic hour is equal to 50 minutes. |
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Classes on public holidays are not replaced. |
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Are books included in the course fee? |
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Most of the courses are two and two and a half academic hours long (one academic hour = 50 minutes). Not all the courses are available in all timetables.
Non peak-time
Fridays every two or three weeks depending on bank holidays
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What are the study options available? |
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We offer a range of skill options to help you design a programme that meets your needs and fits in with your personal commitments. Included in all the options is unlimited free use of the Learning Centre.
There are four study options to choose from:
The Skills Course Option, with only two academic hours a week, is designed to help you keep up your level or focus on specific areas. You have one class a week and unlimited free use of the Learning Centre. Currently we have Skills Courses in Conversation and Pronunciation, and Writing ..
This is our most popular study option. This is an average five academic hours a week General English course or a course in English for Professional Purposes (EPP). You can also take an IELTS Preparation Course as part of this study option. The courses extend over eight weeks and are available at various time during weekdays and on Saturday mornings. Included in this option is unlimited free use of the Learning Centre.
This option enables you to have the advantages of more hours study per week and the chance to focus on a specific area. The option consists of an average seven academic hours a week General English course or a course in English for Professional Purposes (EPP) and a Skills Course in one of the following areas: Conversation and Pronunciation or Writing . Included in this option is unlimited free use of the Learning Centre.
This option enables you to accelerate your language learning. It is designed for people who have the time to focus on intensive language learning. You can follow an average 10 academic hours a week General English course or combine a General English course with a course in English for Professional Purposes (EPP).
A Super intensive option is available on request which allows you to add a skills course on to the option described above.
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What is the methodology used in class? |
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Do I get any qualification after taking all the courses? |
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You do not get a formal qualification after taking all the courses. You will receive a certificate at the end of each course which states your attendance to the course and the level you should move to.
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Are there flexible timetables? |
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We offer a wide range of times to take your classes. Timetables are already established according to the different levels. They are not flexible. You can find out the times we offer in the question 'What are the timetables?' above.
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Do you have any exam preparation courses? |
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