General English, Examination, Business and British Culture Courses 

General English

This course can be studied all year round. It is for students at all levels from A2 to C1 and can be studied for 15 or 20 hours a week.The 15 hour a week course can also be studied with one of our option courses in Examination Preparation for IELTS, Business English or British Culture.

The course develops language and skills useful for everyday life and can also prepare you for a recognised General English Cambridge ESOL examination.

At each level you will study different topics and situations (for example, travel, work, food) and use these to improve your vocabulary and grammar as well as develop your speaking. listening, reading and writing. 

The 20 hour course can include preparation for the Cambridge KET and PET examinations which are recognised by employers and organisations throughout the world. The different  levels and examinations are shown below.

A2 KET Key English Test

B1 PET Preliminary English Test

B2 FCE First Certificate English

C1 CAE Advanced English

If you want to take the FCE examination, you should take the Examination Preparation Course for FCE. You can find information about this below.

The examinations can be taken at different times of the year and you can take these examinations at CILC.

 General English  15 hours

Examination Preparation for Cambridge First Certificate

This course is for students with a very good intermediate level of English (B1) or above. This full time course (15 hours a week) runs in January, April, July and September. The length of each course varies to fit in with the Cambridge ESOL examinations which are at the end of the course. You must study the full course. Please note that the course fee includes the exam fee.

The course prepares you for the Cambridge First Certificate examination. At each level you will study different topics and situations found in the examination and use these to develop the language and skills needed. You will also look at the different papers for the exam and develop skills and strategies for each.

You can take the examination at CILC. You can find more information about the Cambridge examinations here

Examination Preparation for IELTS

This course is for students with an intermediate level of English (B1) or above. It runs all year and can be studied with our General English course to make a 20 hour programme or can be studied part time for 5 hours a week.

The course prepares you for the IELTS examination. At each level you will study different topics and situations found in the IELTS examination and use these to develop the language and skills needed. You will also look at the different papers for the exam and develop skills and strategies for each.

We can help you take the IELTS examination at a nearby centre. You can find more information about the IELTS examinations here

If you want to study this course part time, the weekly fee is £50 per week for both EU and Non EU students. The minimum period of study is 4 weeks.

Business English

This course is for students with an intermediate level of English (B1) or above.  It is a 20 hour programme which runs in July and August.

The course is useful if you are working and need more specific language to help in your job. it is also useful for students who are going to study business at university or college and need to improve their business language.

At each level you will study different business topics and situations (for example, marketing, company structures, finance and budgets, e commerce) and use these to develop business language and skills.

You may also practise business presentations, meetings and discuss case studies.

British Culture

This course is available from a pre-intermediate (A2) to Upper Intermediate (B2) levels (C1). It runs in July and August and can be studied with our General English course to make a 20 hour programme.

The course is for students who are interested in learning more about life in Britain and comparing it with their own country.

You will study different topics and situations ( for example, food, entertainment, British characteristics) and use these to develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing.