General English Lessons Manchester

At IH Manchester, we’re dedicated to helping you reach your goals and develop the English skills you need for success.

This course is good for students who:

– want to improve their English for life in the UK

– want to improve their English for personal development

– want to study in English in the future

– want to improve their English for work

– want to use English for travel

– want to enjoy using English in daily life e.g. online, when reading, watching films/movies or listening to music

On this course you will:

– learn vocabulary and grammar from your level

– practise skills in English

– have an opportunity to speak English with other students of your level

– get level-appropriate feedback and advice from a supportive teacher

– follow weekly study plans designed to help you progress through the level

– get access to extra online resources for study outside class

– learn how to study independently, so you have the skills to continue to improve after you have finished your classes.

What and how you will study?

International House Manchester uses a communicative-lexical approach meaning students are helped to use natural, real-life English effectively. We’ll work to make sure you can use the language rather than just know it. We want students to understand English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, but more importantly we want students to be able to use the language we teach when they need to use it. Teachers will plan their lessons so there are lots of chances for the students to communicate in English, while feedback on performance will be provided at appropriate stages of the lesson in a friendly, helpful way to improve accuracy while developing fluency.

General English Course Information

Level requirement	This course is suitable for all levels of English (subject to availability)
Age	18+
Hours per week	15,20 or 25
No. of students per class	15
Start dates	Any Monday (apart from school holidays)
Prices	See our current prices
Course material	All materials are supplied during classes. Book purchase is not compulsory. A course book will be provided free of charge for courses of 8 weeks or more. A course book can be purchased for £40.00 for classes of 1-7 weeks.

See Timetable

Our Approach to Teaching and Learning

This approach guides everything we do in the classroom and helps our students get the most from their time in Manchester.

At IH Manchester, we use a communicative-lexical approach. This means students learn useful groups of words and phrases together, and then practise them in real situations. This helps learners speak more naturally, listen more confidently, and build the fluency they need for study, work, or daily life.

We want students to understand English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, but even more importantly, we want them to be able to use the language whenever they need it. Every lesson gives chances to notice new language, practise in real contexts, and leave the classroom ready to use English in the world outside. As well as speaking and listening, we also help students develop their reading and writing skills, so they can communicate well in all four skills.

All of our courses follow these principles:

People learn a language best through real communication.
Learning is more effective when it matches students’ interests, goals and needs.
Knowing a language is not enough; learners need to use it when it matters.
Language learning means noticing and practising common groups of words, not only single words.
All classes should have aims that build on previous lessons and prepare for future ones.
Learning is a two-way process: we listen to, reflect on, and act on students’ feedback.
Progress happens in a positive, supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels confident.
All classes should give enough chances for real communication.
Students should have regular checks on their progress, with both during, and at the end, of their course, with clear feedback on their language use.
Learning does not stop in the classroom; students are encouraged to do self-study and use English every day so they become independent learners.
Experiencing English in the UK and joining cultural activities is part of the learning journey.

At IH Manchester, our goal is simple: to help every student use English with confidence and purpose.

English Levels – How quickly will I progress?

This chart shows how long it usually takes to move from one English level to the next. The time is different for each level, and it also depends on the course you choose.

With more study hours each week, you can progress faster and reach your goals sooner.

Times are estimated.