General and Intensive English courses en Bristol
Our General English courses focus on communication.
All classes which focus on the language itself (grammar and vocabulary), and use it in speaking, reading, writing and listening. You use the language in a real context on your English course, both inside and outside the classroom.
You will be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows and your progress will be measured at every step.
What to expect
Our Intensive (30 lesson) and General (20 lesson) English courses help students improve all their skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and learn the grammar, vocabulary and cultural knowledge necessary for living in the UK and using English in an international context. We focus on practical, effective and natural communication and you will get at least five pieces of new language in each 45-minute class.
15 or 22.5 hours per week
Maximum 12 students per class
Minimum 2 different teachers on every 12-week course
Speak English from day 1, whatever your level
The Cultural Question gives you new grammar and vocabulary on the subject and a chance to share information about your culture and learn about the culture of others.
The teachers are friendly and patient and will understand all your questions. They use great exercises with different methods and make the classes very dynamic.
The Phrase of the Day introduces a phrase used by native English speakers, but not usually found in coursebooks. POTD helps you to understand the English being spoken around you in the UK and to sound more natural when you speak to other people.
With so many opportunities to improve your English, you should feel you are making progress from the day you arrive.
Intensive English courses
30 lessons (22.5 hours per week)
Mornings: coursebook-focused lessons & grammar and vocabulary lessons
Afternoons: skills Lessons focused on reading, writing, speaking and listening
12-week English course syllabus ensuring a balanced programme
The afternoon skills classes mean you make even better use of the language you are learning. For students with limited time to study, the Intensive English course is the best way to ensure you get the maximum benefit out of your time at International House Bristol.
General English courses
20 lessons, 15 hours per week
Mornings: coursebook focused lessons and grammar and vocabulary lessons
12-week English course syllabus ensuring a balanced programme
Afternoons: free self-study in our study room or explore Bristol with your friends
Beginners' Intensive English course
Our Beginners' Intensive English course follows the same structure as our intensive courses. The 12-week course has fixed start date.
Eight levels: from beginner to advanced English
IHB |
CEF |
Cambridge
ESOL |
IELTS
Bands |
Trinity
Levels |
Summary of Abilities |
Level 1
Beginner |
A1 |
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1.0 - 2.0 |
Grade 2 |
Learners can communicate at a basic level and can deal with some situations necessary to survive in an Englishspeaking environment. Their comprehension of English is limited but a foundation has been laid for further learning. |
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Level 2
Elementary |
A2 |
KET |
2.5 - 3.0 |
Grade 3 |
Learners can communicate at a basic level. They can survive in an English-speaking environment. Their comprehension of English is limited but a foundation has been laid for further learning. |
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Level 3
Preintermediate |
A2 |
KET |
3 - 3.5 |
Grade 4 |
Learners are able to communicate in English adequately in simple everyday situations. Their range of vocabulary and ability to manipulate grammatical structure is developing, as is their ability to comprehend oral and written English. |
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Level 4
Lower Intermediate |
B1 |
PET |
4.0 |
Grade 5 |
Although their English vocabulary and grammar are limited in range, learners are able to communicate in most basic everyday situations. They are beginning to deal confidently with authentic reading and listening material. |
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Level 5
Midintermediate |
B1 |
PET |
4.5 |
Grade 6 |
Learners are developing their English language skills and can speak quite fluently in most everyday situations. Their ability to express more complex ideas is beginning to develop, although their language is not always accurate. |
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Level 6
Upper Intermediate |
B2 |
FCE |
6.0 |
Grade 7-9 |
Learners are of approximately Cambridge First Certificate in English standard with a range of vocabulary and a command of all basic grammatical structures. They can use English in a variety of contexts and are beginning to appreciate many of the complexities of the language. |
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Level 7
Lower Advanced |
C1 |
CAE |
7.0 |
Grade 10-11 |
Learners are able to use a wide range of language effectively in a variety of contexts and can easily comprehend natural spoken and written English. |
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Level 8
Upper Advanced |
C2 |
CAE |
8.0 - 9.0 |
Grade 12 |
Learners are developing an understanding of and an ability to produce subtleties and complexities of the language, although they may still require some work on accuracy. At the end of this level, students should be close to native English speaker competence. |
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12-week syllabus
Language Area |
Examples |
Topics |
Life in the UK, technology, health, going out, music, personality, national festivals. |
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Grammar |
Tenses and verb structures, the grammar of phrases, modal verbs, determiners, conditionals. |
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Vocabulary |
Collocations (words that naturally go together), phrases, idioms, phrasal verbs, affixes. |
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Pronunciation |
Word stress, difficult sounds, natural pronunciation, intonation. |
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The Four Skills |
Reading, writing, speaking and listening: to improve your communication outside the classroom. |
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Effective Communication |
Formal / informal language and politeness, linking sentences together to form texts. |
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Functional Language |
Agreeing / disagreeing, giving advice, giving opinions, suggesting. |
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Class timetable
Morning |
Morning Class 1 |
9:00 - 9:45 |
We use a general English coursebook, which has a balance of skills, vocabulary and grammar. You'll start the class with a Cultural Question, to help you understand the cultures of the UK and other students. |
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Morning Class 2 |
9:50 - 10:35 |
Morning Class 3 |
10:55 - 11:40 |
These classes have a grammar and vocabulary focus and we choose from a wide range of resources to suit each group of students. Every morning we also teach you a Phrase of the Day, to help you sound natural. |
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Morning Class 4 |
11:45 - 12:30 |
Afternoon |
Afternoon Class 1 |
13:30 - 14:15 |
These classes focus on practising the four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. We often have longer activities to help you improve your fluency and we use a higher proportion of authentic materials when appropriate. |
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Afternoon Class 2 |
14:20 - 15:05 |
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Free extras
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Access to our online elearning platform from the moment you enrol until 3 months after the end of your course. |
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Permanent open access to our Free Exercises |
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Free coursebook (low season) |
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Regular help with English pronunciation |
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Daily homework |
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Suggestions about how to learn more effectively |
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Authentic materials (texts created for native speakers), so that you are learning real English |
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A huge range of resources or assistance from our tutors to help with your homework, explain English grammar and vocabulary you find difficult or give you advice about improving your English |
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Access to our weekly conversation club on Friday afternoons to practice English with other students and teachers |
Optional modules
You can add a number of supplementary courses to a General English course and have lessons in the afternoon as well.
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IELTS Exam English course |
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Cambridge Exam English course |
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One-to-One English course |
Intensive English
You choose what you want to learn!
Reach your English goal fasterby taking more lessons! Our Intensive course is 30 lessons a week (22.5 hours).You choose what you want to learnin class from a variety of electives. This course is a great chance to improve your fluency quickly!
You’ll get more out of this course if
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Your level is between Beginner and Advanced. |
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You want to improve your English in a short time-period. |
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You want to personalise your course through a choice of electives. |
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You want have a long stay and fully dedicate your time to learning English. |
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You want to benefit from spending as much time as possible with a teacher in a classroom environment. |
Time-table
2 Lessons |
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2 Lessons |
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2 Lessons |
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1st module |
1st module |
Break |
2nd module |
2nd module |
Break |
3rd module |
3rd module |
Break |
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What can you expect on this course?
More exposure to english
The more exposure you have to English, the better your English learning will be. You can expect plenty of confidence-building speaking-practice, exercises, explanations, information and feedback - all delivered in a fun and effective way by dedicated teachers.
Maximum teacher contact time
Six lessons a day means that you have more time with your teachers. They will be there to correct your mistakes and point you in the right direction. Your teachers will guide your progress every step of the way!
Intensive focus on all skills
The longer in lesson, the longer you can seriously focus on your four key skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Of course other skills such as pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling all play a role in effective English communication. On an Intensive English course you will have the time and opportunity to work on all of these.
Topic based lessons in everyday contexts
With newspapers, CD´s, internet, video and other authentic resources, our teachers use "real-life" materials that not only help you to understand how English is used by native speakers, but these materials help you to study English independently long after you have left EC. Every lesson is based on a fixed topic and all the essential English, that you need to know, is taught within the context of the topic. You will then be able to apply your new-found skills correctly in other situations.
A focused yet relaxed classroom environment
Happy students learn better than unhappy ones! That´s not a secret, but it´s something that we at EC strongly believe. And so our classrooms are places where hard work is carried out in informal and relaxed settings. Your ability and motivation will improve in a classroom with a great atmosphere.
Your choice of elective
It´s your English course, so you get to decide what you want to study! In your third module you can choose from a number of options. Focus on the areas of your English that you want to improve. Electives include:
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Comparative Culture & Communication
To develop your awareness and understanding of different cultures, and how communication differs as we move from one to another. |
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Write Now
Improve your ability to write for different genres, using appropriate register and both formal and informal styles. |
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Basic Writing Skills
Help to boost your writing skills and develop confidence. |
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Media Studies
Sharpen your analytical skills by studying a variety of news media, separating fact from opinion and deconstructing meaning. |
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The Language of Music
Explore and compare music of different genres, cultures and eras, and to give you the language to discuss it. |
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Film Studies
Develop your critical skills by watching, analysing and learning to express your thoughts on different types of film. |
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A World of Words
The inspiration and vocabulary to learn about and discuss world issues and global geography. |
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Get Talking
Develop confidence and facilitate conversation for a fluent speaking style. |
For more information on any of our English courses, please contact us today.
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