Our courses

We offer a range of English courses throughout the year, both full-time intensive and part-time as part of other degree subjects, and for long and short periods of study.

Our courses are ideal for motivated students who want to make rapid progress in English.  All our courses are designed to develop your English in the four key skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, and to improve your grammar, increase your active vocabulary, and help perfect your pronunciation.

You’ll also get all the benefits of the special experience of studying English at one of the biggest and most popular universities in the UK. We’ll help you explore many aspects of university life and understand important elements of British culture.

 

Key facts about our courses

• Minimum age 18
• Entry requirement: IELTS level 4.0
• Free coursebooks and other learning materials
• Free Phrasebuilder to help you speak more fluently
• Regular tutorials
• Regular progress tests
• Use of our Media Centre
• Free Wifi
• Focus on useful professional skills, such as team working, problem solving, decision making, researching and presenting information
• Work with qualified and experienced teachers

 

How we teach

In all classes, you will do a combination of individual work, pairwork and work in small groups. This will give you lots of different ways of practising every aspect of your English. Classes are active and based on communicating in English at all times.

We use a lot of authentic English from TV, radio, internet, newspapers and magazines so you learn the English we actually use. This will help you speak more naturally and fluently.

What can you expect from your English Language Course?

• All full-time courses include a minimum of 19 hours of English language lessons per week + regular homework. There are lessons every morning and on at least three afternoons a week.
• You will have a tour of the university campus and be encouraged to use the university’s facilities.
• You will have at least 2 different teachers so you have practice with different accents, and different teaching styles.
• You will be given a coursebook and all course materials for free.
• You will regular progress tests so you can see how well you are doing.

Why study in Manchester?

Manchester is a great city for international students. It’s a famous centre of industry, finance and leisure, and is full of interesting things to do and historic places to visit, and offers many special festivals throughout the year. You won’t be bored here.

Our English language courses are designed to enable you to maximise this very special opportunity to live and study in a different country and culture. We will help you explore the city, discover the history, and feel at home here.

FAQs

• Is the ELC a good place to learn English?

Yes, we are British Council accredited, so that’s your guarantee of quality and good standards of teaching. It also means we have an active plan for teacher development, so we can give you the benefit of our training and the latest ideas.

• Why do students come to the ELC?

For lots of reasons.  We are a small, friendly department, so you are sure of personal attention at all times. That can be very important to help you feel at home in a big university and a big city. Many students come to us because they plan to study as undergraduates or postgraduates on one of the university’s many courses. Some come because they like the idea of being in Manchester, one of the UK’s liveliest cities with a great reputation for sport, music, nightlife, and shopping. It’s also easy to explore the rest of England, Wales and Scotland from here, and there are many areas of great beauty and places of historic interest close to Manchester.

• What happens on the first day?

We help you feel at home in Manchester and in the university. You’ll learn about the structure of the course, the syllabus, and the assessments. We’ll explain about the work you have to do in class and for homework, too. We’ll also give you a tour of the university so you know your way around. You’ll have a chance to meet your fellow students and your teachers.

• How many people will there be in my class?

We have classes of up to 18 students, which is normal for the university and is good preparation for when you are an undergraduate or postgraduate with us. However, you will do a lot of work in pairs and small groups in all lessons,  and the teacher will monitor your learning actively in each class.

• Are the teachers qualified?

Yes, all our teachers have professional teaching qualifications officially recognised by the British Council. Most of us have Diploma level qualifications, which means we are fully qualified.

Our team has a great deal of experience living, teaching and doing teacher training abroad, and have worked in China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mozambique, Nepal, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe

• What are the lessons like?

Our lessons are designed to help you focus on every aspect of your English. In class, you will do a lot of work in pairs and small groups so you learn to work with others, listen to different perspectives, hear other accents and negotiate decisions and solve problems together. This will also help you practise your English is lots of different ways. You will have practice with the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, plus grammar and vocabulary development.

• What facilities can I use?

The university has great resources, as you would expect from one of the most popular universities in the UK. You will use our fantastic Media Centre, which has private self-study areas, satellite tv, and a Sanaco language laboratory. There are great computer rooms where you can use the Internet for free. You can get something to eat from our various canteens.

• Do I have to buy course books?

No, we will provide you with all course materials for free, including the coursebook. In addition, you will get our Phrasebuilder – an important book that will help you develop your fluency fast.

• Is there any homework?

Yes, you will have a regular programme of homework to help you develop your English after class. The homework will be varied and include reading, writing, and researching tasks. It’s a good way of consolidating what you learn in class. It will also help you explore the university, the city and aspects of British culture.

• Will I meet British students?

Yes. If you go to our free weekly conversation club, you will have a chance to meet British students and international students from other courses. You might also find that the students who are learning about teaching English want to talk to you and maybe even interview you as part of their research.

Refunds and cancellation

There are no refunds for late arrival, early departure or absence during a course. For the university’s full refund policy, click here.

For information about accommodation, click here.

There is no teaching in the university on bank holidays.

Bank holiday dates are:

2011: 22 April, 25 April, 29 April, 2 May, 30 May, 29 August

2012: 2 January, 6 April, 9 April, 7 May, 4 June, 5 June, 27 August