Standard General English

Center of English Studies: Oxford

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Course description

The main aim of our General English courses is to teach students to speak English fluently and to understand English as it is spoken by native speakers. We provide a balanced programme of skills development (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing and Grammar). There is also a full social and recreational programme to give a balance between work and play!

These courses are suitable for students who have a relatively low level of language competence
but need to improve their all-round skills in English in order to reach the level required for a
good score / pass in one of the internationally recognised English language examinations such as Cambridge PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, or IELTS. Good results in these exams may be necessary for those wishing to attend university courses in this country, and will also often lead to better employment opportunities in the future.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar

Class schedule

Course duration
2-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

You can choose from the following class times:

Morning session
09:30 AM - 01:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

Elementary
Pre-intermediate
Intermediate
High intermediate
Advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Oxford.

Class size

Average 6 students
Maximum 9 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 28 years old
(20 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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Photos

  • City of Oxford 1/19
  • Building of Center of English Studies: Oxford 2/19
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  • Activities offered at Center of English Studies: Oxford 4/19
  • City of Oxford 5/19
  • City of Oxford 6/19
  • Building of Center of English Studies: Oxford 7/19
  • Students of Center of English Studies: Oxford 8/19
  • City of Oxford 9/19
  • Garden 10/19
  • Center of English Studies: Oxford 11/19
  • Center of English Studies: Oxford 12/19
  • Common room at Center of English Studies: Oxford 13/19
  • Garden 14/19
  • Entrance to Center of English Studies: Oxford 15/19
  • Students of Center of English Studies: Oxford 16/19
  • Students of Center of English Studies: Oxford 17/19
  • Garden 18/19
  • Garden 19/19
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 5 reviews
5 stars
3
4 stars
2
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0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"The trip to Oxford was not only a way to improve English, but also to see the large world outside our home country for the first time."

Simona Petrovská, student from Czech Republic

In comparison with the way English is taught in the Czech Republic, the classes were way more focused on speaking and discussing, also we were able to be in a C1-level class which is an improvement because we could only study B1 in our country. We've had 2 teachers during our stay, both were very kind, approached us at an individual level and taught us many things. There was a bit of a disorganization issue involving buying and renting books.
The people around us were very open and friendly, so it wasn't difficult to approach other students. However, this isn't entirely true. The first week of our stay there was a group of maybe 20 Tchaiwanese students who wouldn't speak a word of English outside class, so we mostly avoided the common room that week as we didn't feel comfortable trying to engage in a conversation with them.
The thing we've enjoyed the most was definitely the school activities. During our stay, the activity leader of the school was mostly a young man who studied at the school earlier and then stayed longer to help the school. We've visited many great places in Wheatley and Oxford, we've seen the Pitt Rivers Museum and enjoyed punting, we've visited many historical places and strolled through the botanic gardens. At the weekend, we went to London for an entire day, it was amazing.
We were accomodated in a lovely house with a kind lady who made us delicious food and we had many great conversations together.

To conclude, we have had difficulty with money because the prices are three times as big in the UK as they are in our country, which is why we stayed for 2 weeks only, but we do not regret a single day. Some of the other students were surprised that we were there only for such a short time, but the fact is, the entire trip cost roughly 3 Czech monthly salaries. The classes were great, and the activities were even better. We have made quite a few friends from around the globe. It opened our eyes and we've gone out into the world for the first time. The stay was so good that we don't regret spending a single pound, that should tell you everything.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
14 Aug 2023 - 25 Aug 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"A stimulating environment full of extremely talented people, yet really fun."

Francesco Lucchesi, student from Italy

I spent three weeks in Wheatley: I had an amazing time!
The teachers were all really competent, and the classes were generally balanced according to both multiculturalism and English level. Talking about the structure, the school has plenty of useful facilities which encourage students to get to know each other and spend their time together.
All in all, CES Oxford gives an excellent academic preparation and manages to create a strong sense of community among its students: thus, I would recommend everyone to attend a course there!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
26 Jun 2017 - 7 Jul 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"The school is very good. I appreciated going to Oxford School."

BOUTOU JOCELYNE, student from France

I am very satisfied with this school. The teachers, equipment, and housing are excellent. The director, Peter, was very accommodating during the whole summer and he related to me.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
17 Aug 2015 - 28 Aug 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Peter, Principal at Center of English Studies: Oxford responded to this review.
09 September 2016

Really pleased you enjoyed the experience. We love this little place and the people who come here seem to love it too!!

"Great place to study – well-qualified teachers and incredibly nice people ;)"

Aleksandra Dabrowska, student from Poland

I'm happy that I decided to take part in this course ;)

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
20 Apr 2015 - 1 May 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Peter, Principal at Center of English Studies: Oxford responded to this review.
09 September 2016

Thank you for this lovely review! The aim is that everybody leaves having had a fantastic time with us so it's really nice to get this feedback. Many thanks!

"The experience was good. Now, my listening and speaking is better."

Rosalía Laza Fidalgo, student from Spain

My experience was fantastic, I'll repeat it (in two - three years). The family was very nice to both my son and I, we were well integrated and we shared many moments together.

In respect to the center, I think that the teachers are lovely, good teachers. I improved my listening and speaking. I'd like to improve grammar as I only took four lessons. Maybe I'd like more. I'd like to start a book and finish it and take a test and change to the next level. Perhaps the problem was a lot of students in the center.

But, it is a fantastic center with students of different nationalities, with an English family in the country. It requires you to speak and listen in English. I made new friends (teachers, students and host family).

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
14 Jul 2014 - 8 Aug 2014
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Peter, Principal at Center of English Studies: Oxford responded to this review.
09 September 2016

You will always be welcome here. The school has always been a "home-from-home" for so many of our students!

housing

Housing

CES Oxford offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner

$257
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Oxford
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Laundry, wireless internet, free internet, carpet, heating, and 24/7 supervision
Distance to school: 10 - 30 minutes by other
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
$257
Accommodation is carefully arranged by the school with local people, often within walking distance of the school or within a short bus ride.

Unless otherwise requested, accommodation is in shared rooms which are always inspected to make sure they are suitable.

Breakfast, lunch and evening meals are provided during the week (Mon – Fri) and a third light meal at weekends, if desired.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

$284
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Oxford
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and carpet
Distance to school: 10 - 25 minutes
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
$284
Accommodation is carefully arranged by the school with local people, often within walking distance of the school.

Unless otherwise requested, accommodation is in single rooms which are always inspected to make sure they are suitable. The majority of our host families take only one student, but if there are two students with one family, they will be of different nationalities (except in the case of married couples or partners, and for some participants in closed group courses)

A few homestay providers are able to offer private bathroom facilities (at extra cost). However, this type of accommodation is in short supply and cannot be guaranteed at all times.

Breakfast and evening meals are provided during the week. Students can buy their weekday lunches at the local cafes and shops, or cook something for themselves in the student kitchen.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying in the UK for over 11 months, you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you need to submit to the UK embassy along with your General Student Visa application. Students who have successfully booked a language course and have paid their fees will receive a CAS from CES Oxford. Please note that UK law states that a CAS can only be issued to students who intend to pursue English language studies for over 11 months.

If you are studying in the UK for 11 months or less, you have to apply for a special visitor visa called a Student Visitor Visa. As a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time while studying. If you plan to study in the UK for 11 months or less, a letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Learn more about how to get a UK visa »

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Oxford based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Center of English Studies: Oxford staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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