General English and Intensive English Courses

General English courses for all levels

EC’s General English courses are designed for students who want to improve practical communication through classroom learning, teacher support, and real-life use of the language. Students can choose from different weekly lesson loads and study in any of our destinations around the world.

English is the world’s most widely spoken language, and you need it to succeed in the global community. We offer General English courses at all levels to help you build fluency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. What’s more, you’ll be immersed in a thrilling English-speaking city and provided with exciting cultural and social activities where you can practise your English. Whether you want to learn English for school, work or travel, our General English courses will speed up learning and open doors.

Level

Available for all levels

Course Duration

1 week minimum

Course start dates

Every Monday

Lessons per week

20, 24, 26 or 30 lessons

Lesson Duration

1 Lesson = 45 minutes

Locations

General English is available in all EC schools

Please note

In the USA, our General English course is known as “Vacation English.”

Explore our destinations

Not sure where to go? Explore our destinations and choose the perfect place to
immerse yourself in a unique cultural and learning experience with EC English.

Most Popular
USA
Canada
United Kingdom
Ireland
Malta
South Africa
UAE

Most Popular

London

Start at £405

New York

Start at $500

Malta

Start at €300

View all

25

Destinations

USA

Start at $505

Start at $500

Start at $500

Start at $455

Start at $450

Canada

Start at C$420

Start at C$435

Start at C$435

Start at C$435

Start at C$435

United Kingdom

Start at £405

Start at £405

Start at £375

Start at £385

Start at £385

Start at £365

Start at £380

Ireland

Dublin

Start at €380

Dublin 30+

Start at €380

Malta

Start at €300

Malta 30+

Start at €300

South Africa

Cape Town

Start at €345

Cape Town 30+

Start at €345

UAE

Dubai

Start at $310

What can you expect on our General English courses?

Creative and energetic classes

When it comes to creating engaging lessons, our teachers know what works. Classes are dynamic and motivating, designed to build upon your strengths, while giving targeted attention to the areas in which you need more help. Relaxed and informal classroom environments create an encouraging atmosphere to help you build your confidence, realise your potential, and advance toward fluency.

Real-life application

We help you to develop your English systems (grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation) and skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), while also building the learning skills that will give you the confidence to use what you’ve learned in real-life situations.

Learn by doing

At EC, progress is maximised as you are encouraged to learn by doing. Our task-based lessons promote class participation and interaction between students, We provide you the targeted support to help you achieve your academic goals. And our assessments give you feedback on how you are progressing and where you need more help.

Improved ‘thinking time’

As your skills and confidence develop with support from your teachers, so too will your ability to listen, understand and respond quickly and effectively in English. You’ll really notice these improvements when you take your English outside the classroom into everyday conversation with English-speaking locals, and find you need to think quickly on your feet.

Exceptional support

Your teachers are trained to deliver ongoing support, feedback and care throughout your time at EC. You will be taught by at least two teachers, exposing you to a variety of voices, improving your listening and boosting your vocabulary.

Authentic materials

We believe there is no substitute for authentic English, so in addition to textbooks, our teachers use real-life resources taken from newspapers, TV, radio and the internet. These authentic materials will give you an appreciation for how the English language is used in a variety of everyday contexts.

Choose your ideal General English course

Select the course load that fits your goals and timetable.

General English

20

Most popular

Gives you a practical understanding of the English language and takes you all the way to fluency. See your confidence improve as we train you in all communication skills.

20 General English Lessons per week

Locations: All schools

Min. course length: 1 week

Hours per week: 15

Lesson length: 45 minutes

Level: All levels

Start date: Every Monday

Prices start at €300

Book Now Agent Portal

General English

24

This option includes four lessons per week in your choice of Special Focus lessons. This amount is a good balance of lesson time and free time during your stay.

20 General English Lessons per week

+4 Special Focus Classes

Locations: All 30+ Schools, USA and Canada

Min. course length: 1 week

Hours per week: 18

Lesson length: 45 minutes

Level: All levels

Start date: Every Monday

Prices start at €345

Book Now Agent Portal

General English

26

Combine 20 General English lessons with six Special Focus lessons every week. This is a more rigorous academic schedule with less free time for other activities compared to 20 lessons a week.

20 General English Lessons per week

+6 Special Focus Classes

Locations: All 30+ Schools, USA and Canada

Min. course length: 1 week

Hours per week: 19.5

Lesson length: 45 minutes

Level: All levels

Start date: Every Monday

Prices start at €365

Book Now Agent Portal

General English

30

This intensive option allows you to personalise your course by taking ten lessons per week of Special Focus options. This is a good choice for students who want to progress quickly.

20 General English Lessons per week

+10 Special Focus Classes

Locations: All schools

Min. course length: 1 week

Hours per week: 22.5

Lesson length: 45 minutes

Level: All levels

Start date: Every Monday

Prices start at €410

Book Now Agent Portal

Get personal attention in small classes

Our maximum class size is 16 students or less, depending on the destination. Which is right for you?

Max 14

Malta

Malta 30+

Max 15

Max 16

EC Canada, on limited occasions, may reserve the right to teach classes up to a max of 18

Add Special Focus Classes to your course

Boost your English with focused lessons that build confidence, expand vocabulary and improve real-life communication. Choose classes that match your goals.

Special Focus Lessons

What are Special Focus Classes?

All General English courses include 20 core language lessons, lessons that will develop your language and your skills to build on your ability to communicate in English.

Students taking 24, 26 or 30 lessons per week are also able to choose from a selection of Special Focus Classes to build on your ability to communicate in English. 

You can take these classes from 1 week to 8 weeks, mixing and matching to suit your needs.

Class offerings will vary across EC schools throughout the year, but there will always be classes to meet your language level and interests.

Here are just a few of the Special Focus Classes available at EC schools.

Please contact us for more information on what’s available and when. 

English in the City

Learn essential skills in class, apply them during local excursions, and reflect on your successes.

English for Work 

Practise the English language and skills you need to communicate effectively and be successful in any workplace. 

Speaking with Confidence

Develop a practical understanding of English at different levels and activate your new language in everyday situations.

Grammar for Real Communication

Take a closer look at how the English language is structured, with a focus on relevance and appropriateness.

Expand Your Vocabulary

Develop confidence, practise your speaking skills and develop fluency as you focus on learning through conversation.

Writing with AI

Learn to use AI tools like ChatGPT to write clear, original business communications while ensuring your writing always sounds authentic and like the real you!

Exam Skills

These lessons will focus on helping you improve your exam skills and achieve your goals. You will feel ready and confident to take your English exam.

EC Promise

Count on the EC Promise

At EC English, we promise that your progress will always be visible and guaranteed. Simply put, as long as you follow your personalised learning programme, we guarantee your English will improve.

Learn more about our promise

Reasons to take General English Courses at EC

You want to learn English at your level—from beginner to advanced

You want to take your English to the next level.

You want real-world immersion and experience to speed you to fluency!

Real outcomes

At EC, we are committed to ensuring optimal results for our students. That’s why, for 30 years, we have made research and measurement the cornerstones of our curriculum development, teaching methods and review process. This approach allows us to scientifically design a language learning experience tailored to your unique needs and goals, reliably delivering optimal results.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

How many lessons per week can I take in a General English course?

Depending on your language learning goals, you can take 20, 24, 26, or 30 General English lessons per week. General English 24, 26, and 30 combine 20 Core English lessons with an additional 4, 6, or 10 Special Focus Classes per week respectively.

What are Special Focus classes?

Special Focus classes are optional add-on lessons that let students focus on a specific area of English, such as speaking, grammar, vocabulary, exam skills, or English for work. They help personalise the course so students can target the areas they need most.

The amount of Special Focus Classes you can take works like this:

General English 24: 20 General English lessons + 4 Special Focus Classes (18 hours per week total)
General English 26: 20 General English lessons + 6 Special Focus Classes (19.5 hours per week total)
General English 30: 20 General English lessons + 10 Special Focus Classes (22.5 hours per week total)

General English 20 does not include any Special Focus Classes.

What levels are available for General English?

Students of any level, from beginner to advanced, can enrol in a General English course. Before you begin your studies, you’ll take a placement test to make sure you’re in the right class for your proficiency level.

When do General English courses start?

General English courses start every Monday throughout the year at all EC schools. The minimum stay for an General English course is one week. There is no minimum level; beginners are welcome to take a General English course. There is no maximum stay; however, students studying for 24 weeks or more should take an Academic Year English course.

How long is each General English lesson?

Each General English lesson is 45 minutes long at EC English. 20, 24, 26 or 30 lessons:

20 lessons per week is 15 hours
24 lessons per week is 18 hours
26 lessons per week is 19.5 hours
30 lessons per week is 22.5 hours

Which destinations offer General English?

General English is available at all EC English destinations worldwide. The 20 lessons-per-week option is available at every school. In the USA, General English 20 is also known as Vacation English. The availability of courses with more than 20 lessons per week varies by location. To check availability and prices please get a free quote.

What kind of accommodation can I expect on my General English course at EC?

At all our EC schools, we offer homestay or student residence accommodations. If you choose a homestay, you will live with a family in your chosen destination. This is a great option if you want an opportunity to practise your English with a local family over home-cooked meals. If you’re looking for more independence, you may want to consider a student residence.

What can I do to make General English courses even more effective?

At EC English, you’re already in an immersive environment, which means you’re surrounded by spoken and written English in your host city. To boost the benefits of General English classes even further, there are lots of things you can do:

Watch TV and movies in English

Read English language news

Listen to English music and podcasts

Read the menus when you go out to eat

Keep a journal in English

Start conversations with locals

How do I choose between General English courses at EC?

Your ideal course will depend on your goals, needs and English proficiency level. Here’s a quick guide to choosing your ideal course.

If you’re looking for basic language skills, you will want to take General English 20.

If you want to study English with 50% free time, General English 24 may be the right choice.

If you want a rigorous academic schedule with little free time, you want General English 26.

If you want to progress fast and are looking for an intensive course, our General English 30 course would be ideal.

Why are General English courses important?

Taking a General English course can be highly beneficial. It can help you boost your communication skills, improve academic performance, advance your career, increase your confidence and become more culturally aware. EC English provides a variety of General English options at a variety of levels, to suit multiple needs and goals.

General English courses: Gain a bilingual advantage at school and work

Whether you want to take General English courses for school, work or travel, knowing two or more languages is a big advantage. Studies have shown that bilingualism boosts brain power, creative thinking, problem-solving, and memory. It also makes you a more desirable employee and can advance your career in the global workplace: You can command up to 20% more than your monolingual colleagues. Take General English courses at EC to get started on your path to success.

Benefit from exceptional instructors

All our General English course instructors are qualified teachers, and are able to tailor your lessons to your needs and skill level. Every step of the way, our teachers will provide guidance, support, feedback and assessments to ensure that you are always getting the most out of your course and are on track to meet your unique goals.

Take General English courses in the world’s top destinations

No matter which EC school you select for your General English course, you’ll be improving your English skills in one of the most thrilling English-speaking cities in the world—from New York to London, Vancouver to Cape Town. At each school, you’ll enjoy an activities programme, tailored to your age group and goals, that will immerse you in all your host city has to offer.

Get free Special Focus lessons with your General English course

Regardless of your goals or level, focusing on specific aspects of language learning can give your studies an extra boost. Take advantage of four Special Focus classes like these, included with your General English course:

Speaking with Confidence—Practise conversation skills to improve fluency

Real-Life Listening—Practise responding in English in real-life situations

Expand Your Vocabulary—Develop your vocabulary through topic-based lessons

Global Awareness—Increase awareness of how communication varies between cultures

Work alongside like-minded classmates

Wherever you choose to take General English courses with EC, you’ll be studying in a school alongside like-minded classmates from all over the world who are in your age group and share your passions and goals. For example, if you are age 16+, you’ll study with others looking to improve their English for school, work or travel. If you are in a 30+ school, you’ll study with other ambitious professionals who share your career goals.

Count on a supportive school community

At EC, we know that when you choose General English courses, a supportive learning environment is key to your success. Rest assured that all your teachers will provide guidance, encouragement and motivation as you improve your skills. At every EC school, you can also count on the support of a nurturing community that is deeply committed to inclusivity and diversity. You’ll always feel like you belong here, and that your unique voice is part of the global conversation.