General English - Essential

Stafford House International - London

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Course description

Objectives - Our core class is an integrated skills class. It covers reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, vocabulary and critical thinking. In this class you'll improve your accuracy (how correct your English is) and fluency (how well you can communicate). We use the Communicative Approach, so you'll learn English by using English—not by listening to grammar lectures and doing worksheets. We feel strongly that this is the most effective method to acquire English that students can use in the real world.
Each week you will be encouraged to consider your own development and suggest areas that will help you develop most quickly. This is what we call a ‘negotiated syllabus’ and your teacher will expect you to comment on the weekly plan which is displayed on the classroom wall. Your teacher will take your suggestions and use them with the syllabus to create lessons for your class that work for you.

The Syllabus for each level is mapped to the CEFR levels A1-C2. The levels define what you can do and Stafford House believes that language is for communication. Each of our Core Class Course Books is also mapped to the CEFR providing a consistent basis for developing your language skills.

Flexibility - From Essential and Standard to Intensive and Super Intensive, our range of English language courses offers you a choice on how intensively you want to study - whether that’s 20 lessons a week on an Essential course or 35 lessons a week on our Super Intensive. Plus with our range of modules you get to personalise your course to fit your needs.

How you learn - We believe that you will learn faster and more effectively if your lessons are engaging, fun and relevant, that’s why our teachers use a range of techniques and develop classes that are motivating and build your confidence. This will allow time to focus on any areas of weakness. Any weekly programme is influenced not only by the course book syllabus but also by the learning goals and interests of the students in any one group.

Testing on arrival - On your first day you will take a language assessment, to assess your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and how well you are able to understand and speak English. This helps us to understand the class you’ll be happiest and most successful in.

Monthly Tutorial - Every month you’ll have a one-to-one tutorial with a senior member of the academic team to make sure you are on track to achieve your goals and fulfil your potential. It’s a great opportunity to review your course choices and learning methods and to really make sure you achieve what you want to achieve.

Quality Assurance - Our Directors of Studies are based in all of our schools to ensure our programmes are of the highest possible quality, our class sizes are small and that our students leave having gained the maximum from their time with us.

* Essential (or the 20 lesson option) is only available for students on B1/B2 visa or visa waiver for a maximum of 12 weeks.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
08:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Morning session
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in London.

Class size

Average 11 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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Photos

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reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 1 review
5 stars
0
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"Everything went good"

Mykola Maklakov, student from UK

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
23 Oct 2023 - 3 Nov 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

Stafford House International offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay (zone 3-4) - Twin room - B&B

£ 160
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
Restriction: 2 students must book together
£ 160
One of our most popular accommodation options, homestay allows you to integrate into family life and practise your English language outside the classroom, over dinner and throughout the weekend with your welcoming hosts. This is a unique way to live and study at your chosen destination.

*London homestay accommodation is provided by third party agencies.

Homestay (zone 3-4) - Single room - B&B

£ 175
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 175
One of our most popular accommodation options, homestay allows you to integrate into family life and practise your English language outside the classroom, over dinner and throughout the weekend with your welcoming hosts. This is a unique way to live and study at your chosen destination.

*London homestay accommodation is provided by third party agencies.

Homestay (zone 3-4) - Twin room - Half board

£ 180
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
Restriction: 2 students must book together
£ 180
One of our most popular accommodation options, homestay allows you to integrate into family life and practise your English language outside the classroom, over dinner and throughout the weekend with your welcoming hosts. This is a unique way to live and study at your chosen destination.

*London homestay accommodation is provided by third party agencies.

Homestay (zone 3-4) - Single room - Half board

£ 195
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 195
One of our most popular accommodation options, homestay allows you to integrate into family life and practise your English language outside the classroom, over dinner and throughout the weekend with your welcoming hosts. This is a unique way to live and study at your chosen destination.

*London homestay accommodation is provided by third party agencies.

Superior Homestay (zone 3) - Single room - B&B

£ 225
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 225
One of our most popular accommodation options, homestay allows you to integrate into family life and practise your English language outside the classroom, over dinner and throughout the weekend with your welcoming hosts. This is a unique way to live and study at your chosen destination.

*London homestay accommodation is provided by third party agencies.

Superior Homestay (zone 3) - Single room - Half board

£ 245
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 245
One of our most popular accommodation options, homestay allows you to integrate into family life and practise your English language outside the classroom, over dinner and throughout the weekend with your welcoming hosts. This is a unique way to live and study at your chosen destination.

*London homestay accommodation is provided by third party agencies.
student-residence

Student Houseshare - Twin room - No meals

£ 185
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Student residence
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Laundry, wireless internet, and free internet
Distance to school: 40 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 185
Our Student Houseshares are located in the Canada Water, Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays areas of London.

Houses are of different sizes, from 5 up to 7 rooms with students sharing the communal areas including the kitchen and lounge. Rooms available are single, single ensuite, twin and twin ensuite. Communal areas are fully equipped and cleaned on a weekly basis.

All of our Student Houseshares are located in Zone 2, in Canada Water, Rotherhithe and Surrey Quay’s area. They are all quiet, residential areas of London with many local amenities in the vicinity.

Our Student Houses are approximately 40 minutes from the school via public transport and 20 minutes to the centre of London.

Student Houseshare - Single room - No meals

£ 215
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Student residence
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Laundry, wireless internet, and free internet
Distance to school: 40 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 215
Our Student Houseshares are located in the Canada Water, Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays areas of London.

Houses are of different sizes, from 5 up to 7 rooms with students sharing the communal areas including the kitchen and lounge. Rooms available are single, single ensuite, twin and twin ensuite. Communal areas are fully equipped and cleaned on a weekly basis.

All of our Student Houseshares are located in Zone 2, in Canada Water, Rotherhithe and Surrey Quay’s area. They are all quiet, residential areas of London with many local amenities in the vicinity.

Our Student Houses are approximately 40 minutes from the school via public transport and 20 minutes to the centre of London.

Standard Residence - Single room - No meals

£ 235
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 457-463 Caledonian Road, London N7 9BJ, UK
Location: Piccadilly Court
Housing type: Student residence
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Laundry, wireless internet, and free internet
Distance to school: 15 minutes by train or subway
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 235
Offering you more space to yourself, our hand-picked student residences provide the chance to live more independently with like-minded people from all over the world.

Piccadilly Court offers secure, modern, fully furnished, en-suite bedrooms all of a high specification. This accommodation comprises single en-suite bedrooms arranged in clusters of 6 bedrooms. Each cluster shares a fully fitted kitchen and communal area.

Summer Residence - Single room - Full board

£ 350
weekly
Age range: 16 - 17 years old
Address: 150 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AL, UK
Housing type: Student residence
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, laundry, wireless internet, and free internet
Distance to school: 5 minutes by walk
Availability: 01 Jul 2018 - 25 Aug 2018
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 350
The elegant Southampton Row building is situated less than 5 minutes’ walk from the school and right in the heart of the Bloomsbury area of Central London. It has been totally refurbished and redesigned throughout to offer the best student accommodation in London. Centrally located and close to the school with modern cluster flats, students are placed in either single or twin en-suite rooms. Shared social and common room spaces with TV and WiFi facilities offer all our students a home from home feel. Residential staff together with 24 hour security staff on site offer the highest standard of care and welfare for our students.

Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Premier House is a great base for exploring London and only 5 minutes walk away from the school. The nearest tube station is less than 5 minutes walk away with easy links to central London.

With many shops, cafes, supermarkets and museums in close proximity, Premier House is an ideal residence to stay in.

Summer Residence - Twin room - Full board

£ 350
weekly
Age range: 16 - 17 years old
Address: 150 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AL, UK
Housing type: Student residence
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, laundry, wireless internet, and free internet
Distance to school: 5 minutes by walk
Availability: 01 Jul 2018 - 25 Aug 2018
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 350
The elegant Southampton Row building is situated less than 5 minutes’ walk from the school and right in the heart of the Bloomsbury area of Central London. It has been totally refurbished and redesigned throughout to offer the best student accommodation in London. Centrally located and close to the school with modern cluster flats, students are placed in either single or twin en-suite rooms. Shared social and common room spaces with TV and WiFi facilities offer all our students a home from home feel. Residential staff together with 24 hour security staff on site offer the highest standard of care and welfare for our students.

Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Premier House is a great base for exploring London and only 5 minutes walk away from the school. The nearest tube station is less than 5 minutes walk away with easy links to central London.

With many shops, cafes, supermarkets and museums in close proximity, Premier House is an ideal residence to stay in.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying in the UK for over 11 months, you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you need to submit to the UK embassy along with your General Student Visa application. Students who have successfully booked a language course and have paid their fees will receive a CAS from Stafford House International. Please note that UK law states that a CAS can only be issued to students who intend to pursue English language studies for over 11 months.

If you are studying in the UK for 11 months or less, you have to apply for a special visitor visa called a Student Visitor Visa. As a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time while studying. If you plan to study in the UK for 11 months or less, a letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged £ 80 when you register.

Learn more about how to get a UK visa »

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to London based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Stafford House International - London staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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