Kaplan International Languages - English School in Edinburgh
BEST FOR
Ages 16+
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
An adult English language school (16+) in Edinburgh with intensive, academic and exam prep courses plus a social activities programme.
This is an adults-only language school, so nobody under 16 gets a seat in the classroom. If you're after a proper English course rather than a day out, it's built for people coming to Edinburgh to study, whether that's a one-week top-up or a full Academic Year covering two or three levels.
The teaching leans on what they call the communicative method, meaning class time goes on real conversation practice rather than grammar drills alone, across reading, writing, listening and speaking. You sit a test on your first day so they can place you at the right level, and they reckon on around 10 weeks to move up a full CEFR level. That's a decent trade-off if you're picking between a short Vacation course and a longer Intensive one; the shorter option suits someone without time to sort a student visa, the longer ones suit anyone starting from a lower level.
Beyond the classroom, each school has its own social coordinator running an activities programme, so the local immersion side isn't left to chance. There's a café and wifi on site, useful for the hours between classes or catching up on homework. Courses start on Mondays year-round (Tuesday if Monday's a bank holiday), and if you're weighing up options, exam prep for IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge sits alongside the general and business English tracks.
Worth flagging if you're choosing courses based on progress: they guarantee that one-level jump, and if you don't hit it you get four extra weeks free. That's a fair backstop for anyone nervous about spending money on a course that doesn't move the needle.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Adults 16+, from complete beginners to upper intermediate
- Courses always start on a Monday, or Tuesday if Monday's a bank holiday
- A social coordinator runs the activities programme, so the immersion side is organised rather than left up to you
- Beginner and elementary level classes aren't offered at every school, so check which start dates suit if you're new to English
Plan your visit
What's the minimum age?
You need to be at least 16 for most programmes here. There are separate junior summer programmes if you're younger, but this school's regular courses are adults only.
How long are the courses?
You can book as little as one week, and the maximum really just depends on your visa. Academic Semester and Academic Year options exist if you're starting from a lower level and want to cover two or three levels properly.
How do they decide what level I'm at?
You sit a test on your first day covering grammar, writing, listening and speaking, and your class is set from that. There's also a free online test if you want a rough idea beforehand.
What if my English doesn't improve as promised?
They guarantee a full CEFR level jump in about 10 weeks, and if you don't get there you're given four extra weeks of study for free.
Is there support outside class if I've got questions?
Each school has a Director of Studies, an Academic Manager and a team of teachers, plus you get your own tutor for the course.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
