Language Schools in the UK
An English course to get a job or pass the IELTS for a visa or a nursing registration, Spanish lessons before the move, evening French classes to keep the brain working, a tutor for a GCSE or A-level in German, Arabic for the children so they can talk to their grandparents, or a business course for a team dealing with clients abroad: find the language schools near you.
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Finding a good language school in the UK
A language school teaches languages in groups or one-to-one: English for speakers of other languages, from beginner ESOL to exam preparation for IELTS, Cambridge and Trinity qualifications and English for work, healthcare and university; and foreign languages, chiefly Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese and community languages, for adults in evening and daytime classes, children in after-school and Saturday classes, GCSE and A-level students and businesses. Courses run in terms or intensive blocks, in person, online or both, and most schools place you in a level with a short test first.
For English, the quality marks are British Council accreditation and membership of English UK, which cover teaching, welfare and premises, and for visa purposes a school must be on the Home Office register of sponsors; colleges of further education run ESOL courses that are free or subsidised for many residents, and tutors and smaller schools cover conversation, exam coaching and English for a specific job. For foreign languages, look at the teachers' qualifications and native-speaker status, class sizes of eight to twelve, a clear level framework and a way to keep going after the first term. Ask to sit in on a class before you pay for a term.
The listings here show each school's languages, course types and levels, class sizes, exam preparation, accreditation, timetables, prices and contact details, so you can see who is nearby, who teaches what you need, and where people in your town go to learn a language properly.
What language schools offer
English: general English at every level, ESOL for residents, IELTS, Cambridge and Trinity exam preparation, English for work and for nurses and doctors, academic English before university, and conversation classes.
Foreign languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese and others, in beginner to advanced evening and daytime classes, intensive courses, holiday and business courses, and preparation for GCSE, A-level and international certificates.
Children: after-school and Saturday classes, community language schools for heritage languages, tutoring for school exams, and holiday courses.
One-to-one and business: private tuition at the school, at home or online, tailored courses for companies, cultural briefings and translation contacts.
Formats: term-time weekly classes, intensive weeks, online live classes, blended courses, and placement tests to find the right level.
Before you enrol at a language school
- Take the placement test and ask to observe a class at your level before paying for a term.
- For English, check British Council accreditation and, if you need a visa, that the school is a licensed sponsor.
- Ask the class size, the teachers' qualifications and whether the same teacher stays with the group.
- Be clear about your goal: an exam, a job, a move abroad or conversation, and ask how the course gets you there.
- Check what the fee includes: materials, exam entry, certificates, and what happens if you miss classes.
- Ask about ESOL at your local college first; it is free or cheap for many residents and the teaching is inspected.
What language courses cost in the UK
As a rough guide, an adult evening class in a foreign language costs £150 to £300 for a ten-week term of one two-hour session a week, a daytime or intensive course £250 to £500 a week of full-time study, private tuition £25 to £50 an hour in person and £15 to £35 online, children's after-school or Saturday classes £100 to £250 a term, and business courses £40 to £80 an hour for a small group. General English at an accredited private school is £150 to £350 a week for 15 to 20 hours, IELTS preparation courses £200 to £600, and exam fees on top at about £200 for IELTS; ESOL at a college is free for many residents on benefits or low incomes and £100 to £500 a year otherwise.
A £200 term of Spanish evening classes gets most beginners ordering, asking directions and chatting by the summer holiday.
How do I find a language school near me?+
Look at the language schools and tutors listed for your town, which show their languages, course types and levels, class sizes, exam preparation, accreditation, timetables, prices and reviews; take the placement test, ask to sit in on a class, and check accreditation if you are learning English for a visa, a job or a university place.
How much does a language course cost?+
Typically £150 to £300 for a ten-week evening class, £25 to £50 an hour for private tuition, £100 to £250 a term for children's classes, and £150 to £350 a week for full-time general English at an accredited school; ESOL at a further-education college is free for many residents and modest for the rest. Exam fees, such as about £200 for IELTS, are extra.
Where can I learn English near me?+
Further-education colleges run ESOL courses from beginner upwards, free or subsidised for many residents, and private language schools run general English, exam preparation and English for work at every level, with British Council accreditation as the quality mark; community centres and libraries often have free conversation clubs. The listings show who teaches which level and whether they prepare for IELTS and Cambridge exams.
Which English exam do I need?+
IELTS for UK visas, university entry and professional registration such as nursing, with the score required set by the visa or the employer; Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency for study and work worldwide; Trinity SELT or IELTS for UK Visas for settlement and citizenship; and OET for healthcare in some cases. Tell the school which you need and they will place you in the right preparation course.
Is a group class or private tuition better for learning a language?+
A group class is cheaper, gives you people to practise with and works well for beginners and general courses; private tuition moves at your pace, targets your gaps and suits exam deadlines, business needs and anyone who has stalled in a group. Many learners do a weekly class plus occasional one-to-one, and online private lessons make a native-speaker tutor affordable anywhere.
How long does it take to learn a language?+
With one class a week and some practice between, most adults reach a confident beginner level in a year and a working intermediate level in two to three; full-time study compresses that to months. Spanish, French and Italian come fastest for English speakers; German a little slower; Arabic, Mandarin and Japanese take two or three times as long. Regular short practice matters more than the number of lessons.
How do I get my business listed?+
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