Our courses > General and examination courses

General language courses

Our general language group courses are designed for those who want to learn a new language or develop their present knowledge for private, educational or professional reasons. We provide courses at all levels, from beginner to advanced.

Standard 20

• 20 lessons per week
• Beginner* to advanced levels
• Course length: 1-50 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

If you want to combine your language studies with other activities, the Standard 20 Course is the ideal programme for you. During the lessons you will learn communication skills in a variety of everyday situations. The lessons cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and skills practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing. We use a wide variety of materials and exercises including role-plays, authentic recorded material, newspapers and magazines. This course is offered in the mornings at all LSI centres.

(All schools)

* No beginners in London Hampstead, Cambridge, Brighton, San Francisco/Berkeley and Boston.

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Intensive 30

• 30 Lessons per week
• Beginner* to advanced levels
• Course length: 1-50 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

The LSI Intensive 30 course concentrates on all the areas that you need to achieve a much greater fluency in a short period of time. This course is suitable for students who wish to study intensively and get a well rounded insight into the language and country. Students on the LSI Intensive 30 course study the same lessons as described for Standard 20 in the morning. The afternoon classes further intensify the tuition and consolidate what you have learnt, through fluency practice and a comprehensive review of the culture and customs of your host country. For those studying English who work in, or are planning a career in business, we offer the English for Business Course, which can be incorporated into your Intensive 30 course as an afternoon option. Students may also follow examination preparation courses as part of this course.

(All schools)

* No beginners in London Hampstead, Cambridge, Brighton, San Francisco/Berkeley and Boston.

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Afternoon Course

• 10 lessons per week
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes
• 14 Students maximum per class
• Intermediate to advanced levels *
• Course length: 1-50 weeks

This course would be suitable for students who wish to improve their fluency, vocabulary and pronunciation in a language. There is an emphasis on language for everyday situations and classes may involve discussing topics such as film and theatre, current events, politics, local culture and the internet

* In New Zealand this course is available for beginners through to advanced.

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International School Year Programme (ISY)

• 20 or 30 lessons per week
• Beginner* to upper intermediate levels
• Course length: 24,30, 36 weeks or 48 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

The LSI International School Year programme is an excellent opportunity to learn a new language, immerse yourself in a new culture and make friends from all over the world. We design an individual course plan for you, based on your needs, current language level and the duration of your course. In most centres it will be possible to study examination courses and every ISY student receives regular academic counselling, and help with study skills and university placement. Students of English considering a career in business, may choose to study the English for Business Course as part of their ISY programme.

(ISY Intensive 30 – all schools. ISY Standard 20 - London Central, London Hampstead, Brighton, LSI USA and Canada, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich)
 

* No beginners in London Hampstead, Cambridge, Brighton, San Francisco/Berkeley and Boston.

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English for Business Courses

• 10 lessons a week
• Afternoon option on our LSI Intensive 30 course
• Course length: 1-12 weeks
• Intermediate to Advanced Level
• Each module is separate and lasts for one week
• Module cycles begin: Jan 7, Mar 31, Jun 23, Sep 15
• Can be part of the ISY programme
• Students can join every Monday

English is the international language of business. This is why we have developed a special modular course carefully designed to improve your business communication skills. In the mornings you will study on our LSI 30 Course. In the afternoons you will study business modules, covering topics such as Banking and Stock Markets, Marketing and Advertising, Recruitment, Sales and Negotiating. You may choose the particular modules that are of interest to you, or follow the complete course to attain an advanced knowledge of business English.

(All schools in UK, Canada, USA, Australia, and LSI Auckland)

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Family Course

The LSI Family Course is designed for parents who wish to combine a family holiday with their English studies.

While parents and older children follow the course of their choice, younger children (5-15) attend a summer camp. The camp has a fantastic range of activities, including arts and crafts, drama, sports, dancing and indoor activities.

(LSI Brighton,UK)

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Teacher's Home

• 20 lessons per week, One-to-One tuition
• 1 lesson: 45 minutes
• Course duration: from 1 week

This is an entirely different style of learning to that of the more traditional school. A family invites you to stay with them and learn in their home, and your teacher is one of your hosts.

Not only will you learn the language, you will also benefit from an invaluable insight into family life. During your stay you will make good friends with your host family and learn to speak in the most natural environment — the home. The host families are very carefully selected by the LSI Language Centre you choose and will help you to feel at home. You will receive full-board in a single room as the only guest unless you choose to share.

In addition, you may participate in any of the activities and cultural programmes offered by the LSI Language Centre. You will receive one to one tuition, allowing you to concentrate on your individual needs. Your schedule can be arranged quite flexibly between you and your teacher and lessons may take various forms such as a conversation hour during a walk in the park or a practical shopping expedition. You can determine together with your teacher which themes and topics you wish to cover in your course. Living and studying in a teacher's home offers an excellent way of mastering the target language quickly.

(LSI Brisbane, Auckland, Christchurch and Frankfurt)

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Study & Work Programmes

An excellent opportunity to practise and develop your language skills in a business environment and gain valuable work experience. The programme combines an LSI course to develop your communication skills and attain a high enough level in the language and a period of work placement. LSI offers both unpaid work experience placements and paid positions.

ENGLAND

WORK EXPERIENCE (UNPAID)

* Students eligible for a Working Holiday Visa do not need to apply for a Canadian Work Permit and their length of placement can exceed the length of their course Minimum placement length is 12 weeks

Long term placements

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University Foundation Programme

• 30 lessons per week
• Location: LSI Cambridge
• Course length: 36 weeks
• Intermediate level or above
• Minimum age 17+
• You must have successfully graduated from high school

This programme has been specially designed for students who wish to study at an English speaking university. Alongside the group lessons aimed at developing academic English, the course allows for individual lessons which will target each students specific language needs.

In addition to General English lessons you focus on:

IELTS preparation. Prepare intensively for the IELTS exam to get the result you need.

Academic skills develop skills for presentations, research, note-taking, assignment writing and data analysis.

Through a range of special subjects you further develop your academic skills and knowledge. Subjects include: Business Studies, British Culture, Information Technology. Successful completion of the Foundation Programme leads to guaranteed acceptance on a business related course at a British University.

Cambridge Examination Courses

In many countries around the world the Cambridge examinations are accepted by companies and academic institutions as proof of competence in English, and are highly regarded by employers.

Over the years LSI students have enjoyed a high success rate in these examinations. You can prepare for these examinations, which are offered at three different levels, in most of our LSI Language Centres. Our staff members and teachers will be happy to advise you which examination is most suitable for you.

Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)

• 30* lessons per week
• Intermediate level
• Course length: 9/10/12 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

First Certificate is the most popular of the Cambridge examinations, and can lead to new opportunities professionally and in further education. Our courses are designed to prepare you for all 5 parts of the exam (reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar), and to let you sit the exam with confidence.

(All schools in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and LSI San Diego and Sliema)

*A 20 lesson per week option is available at LSI London Central, London Hampstead, Cambridge and Brighton).

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Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)

• 30 lessons per week
• Upper-Intermediate to Advanced levels
• Course length: 9/10/12 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

This examination is intended for people who have a good knowledge of English and who need to use the language at work. In this examination, practical use of language is stressed, such as skim reading reports for important information, writing memos for colleagues, or more formal business correspondence. The CAE is the Cambridge Certificate which has developed the fastest, and is already accepted in many countries as proof of an advanced level of competence in English.

(LSI London Central, London Hampstead, Cambridge, San Diego, Vancouver, Toronto, Brisbane, Auckland and Sliema)

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Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

• 30 lessons per week
• Advanced level
• Course length: 12 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

This examination is the most famous, the oldest, and also the most demanding. This course is meant for students who already have a high level of proficiency in English. The CPE meets the admission requirements of many British universities and is highly regarded by companies and institutions.

(LSI London Hampstead, San Diego, Auckland and Sliema)

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Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET)

• 30* lessons per week
• Lower Intermediate level
• Course length: 10 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

PET covers reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as assessing grammar and vocabulary. Studying for PET is a popular way to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. PET is recognised by many employers and educational institutions as proof of intermediate level in English.

(London Central, Brighton, Brisbane and Auckland)

*A 20 lesson per week option is available at LSI London Central and Brighton)

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Cambridge Business English Certificate (BEC)

• 30 lessons per week
• Intermediate to Advanced levels
• Course length: 10 weeks
• 1 lesson: 50 minutes

The Business English Certificates are a suite of three examinations (Preliminary, Vantage and Higher) designed to test English language ability used in the context of business. They are suitable for students who are either preparing for a career in business or already in work.

(LSI London Central, Brighton, Brisbane and Auckland)

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Other English Language Examinations

The IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC tests are internationally recognised in the English speaking world, highly regarded by companies and a requirement for enrolment at colleges and universities. We offer preparation courses for these examinations as part of an LSI Intensive 30 course. Courses last 4/8/12 weeks.

20 lessons per week concentrate on active grammar input and language skills and 10 lessons per week focus on study skills and exam practice. In these courses you will study:

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IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Preparation

This test is a requirement for enrolment at universities and colleges in many English speaking countries, except North America (where TOEFL is required).

(LSI London Central, Brighton, Cambridge, Brisbane, Auckland, Christchurch and Sliema)

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TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Preparation

The TOEFL iBT exam is the English examination required for admission to universities and colleges in the USA and Canada.

(LSI schools in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and LSI Auckland and Sliema)

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TOEIC (Test of English in International Communication) Preparation

The TOEIC test is accepted by thousands of companies as evidence of proficiency in English in a business situation.

(LSI schools in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and LSI San Francisco/Berkeley and San Diego)

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Examinations in French

Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF)

• 24 lessons per week
• 8 week course

This certificate is recognised by the French Ministry for Education and demonstrates your skills in the French language. You will develop your knowledge and confidence with French and prepare for the exam using exercises similar to those which you will encounter in the test. School level French is the minimum requirement for participation in this LSI examination course.

(LSI Paris)

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Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)

The TEF is an examination designed to test the fluency of non-native speakers of French. It is recognised by French speaking universities and companies. You study on an Intensive 30 or Standard 20 course for a minimum of two weeks to increase your confidence and command of the language and we offer advice and support to help you succeed. Intermediate level French is required to join this course

(LSI Paris)

Diplomes de la Chambre de Commerce et d'industrie de Paris (CCIP)

These are Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris examination courses.Students study 8 weeks of Intensive french classes partaking in the Standard 20 classes in the morning and following specific exam classes for their chosen CCIP course in the afternoon. These courses are for those who want to validate their French with an official diploma for a university or a future employer or for professionals who need to use French as a professional requirement and certify their aptitude in communication in a working situation.

• CFP1: Certificate of professional French 1st degree
  The CFP1 validates basic French skills to level A2 in the Common European Reference framework, it corresponds to approximately 150-200 hours learning. It certifies basic skills in French, it corresponds to a minimum level of linguistic skills necessary to allow elementary communication in the world of work, the holder of this certificate can communicate professionally using simple language in a known or planned context.
• CFP2: Professional Certificate 2nd degree
  The CFP 2nd degree validates French skills to level B1 A2 in the Common European Reference framework, it corresponds to approximately 250-300 hours learning. The holder of this certificate shows comprehension and expression in day to day situations in social and professional life.
• DFA1: Diplome of Business French 1st dergree.
  Minimum level required B2 The candidate must be sensitive to the realities, practices and working rules in contemporary companies without having specialist knowledge on the different aspect of the world of the company. He must be able to deal with a company document (the organisation and its working, the company and its personnel, the company and its accounts and finances), the company and its partners, the company and its socio-economic environment.
• DFM: Diploma of Medical French
  The DFM is aimed at students, trainees and everyone in the medical or paramedical profession who work or could be called to work with french speaking health professionals and/or with medical documents in French. The DFM validates skill in French to a B2 level in the frame of the European common reference for languages. It corresponds to approximately 450-500 hours of learning. This level gives the user a certain degree of independence in executing French in daily tasks, without too much difficulty , in medical activity.
• CFSC: Certificate of Secretarial French
  The CFSC validates skill in French to a B1+ level, degree higher than the minimum level in the frame of the European common reference for languages. It corresponds to approximately 360 hours of learning. This certificate attests a working competence in working French, limited to situations specific to the secretarial profession (secretaries, assistants, hostesses/telephonists, office workers)
• CFTH: Certificate of Tourism and Hotels
  The CFTH validates skill in French to a B1+ level (degree higher than the minimum level) in the frame of the European common reference for languages. It corresponds to approximately 360 hours of learning. This exam certifies a working competence in French, limited to relevant situations in the domains of tourism, hotels and restoration (restaurants, hotels, tourism offices, travel agencies, leisure parks etc.)

(LSI Paris)

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Examinations in Spanish

Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE)

• 30 lessons per week
• 4 or 5 week course

The DELE, accepted by the Spanish Ministry for Education, is subdivided into three levels: Inicial, Basico and Superior. These diplomas are highly regarded in the Spanish speaking world and are often a prerequisite for employment, further education or enrolment at a university. LSI offers carefully planned examination courses for the Basico and Superior courses, to prepare you for the examination. Sample papers are available to help you practice your exam technique. To join the Diploma Basico course an intermediate level is required, upper intermediate is needed for the Diploma Superior course.

(LSI Madrid and San José / Coronado)

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Examinations in German

Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD)

• 30 lessons per week
• 12 week course

The Zertifikat Deutsch is awarded to students who demonstrate a solid grasp of day-to-day German and are able to overcome the difficulties presented by daily communication in the German language. Zertifikat Deutsch is the German intermediate level examination that tests your basic knowledge of grammatical structures and your ability to communicate in all 4 skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking)

For enrolment at a German university or a Polytechnic, or as proof of proficiency in German for professional reasons, this well-known certificate is accepted almost universally. The LSI course carefully prepares you for the examination and improves all areas of your German. The entry requirement for the course is school level German.

(LSI Frankfurt and Zurich)

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Zentrale Mitelstufenprüfung (ZMP)

• 30 lessons per week
• 12 week course

The Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) is the first advanced level examination in German. Passing this examination shows you have a very good understanding of the German language are able to tackle standard German as well as a variety of dialects. Your written skills are as good as your spoken skills, which is why many universities and vocational colleges set this examination as an official entrance requirement.

The ZMP tests the candidate’s ability to use German in a wide variety of work and social situations. The LSI preparation course will give you a broad knowledge of the language, and help you develop the specific exam techniques required.

(LSI Zurich)