Frequently asked questions about ECS courses
- I really need to improve my listening and speaking skills, can I sign up for conversation courses only?
No. Conversation courses are designed to complement general English courses and not to be delivered separately. - When can I register for a conversation course?
If you are an existing ECS student, your teacher will usually advise you on when you can apply for a conversation course. Your teacher will ask you to sit an oral test in order to decide on which course you can take.
If you are a new student, you can sign up for ONLY ONE conversation course but only if your placement comes in the A2 band of the Common European Framework. After that you have to take general English. - Can I take all the conversation courses in the band?
You can take a maximum of two conversation courses in a row. You can take the third after the end-of-band course, i.e, Elem3, PreInt3, Int3, UpInt3 and Adv3. - I want to stop my ECS courses for a while. How long can I stop?
You can stop your ECS courses for a maximum of two terms (4 months). If you want to stop for longer, you'll have to sit another placement test before resuming. - Can I have Mr X as my course tutor?
All ECS teachers are qualified to deliver a rewarding and satisfying course. Practically speaking, we cannot offer our students a choice as to who teaches them. - How much is an ECS course?
ECS pricing policy is based on two major elements: affordability and value for money. Although language courses are costly by nature, ours are, and will remain, both affordable and cost-effective. - Do you teach American English?
Our course materials and approach do not depend on an exclusive variety of English. The courses are meant to enable students to communicate effectively in a variety of situations and with a diverse mix of English speakers. Plus, in today's globalised world, the major goal is communicating successfully rather than sounding American- or Canadian- or Scottish-like. - Will I be able to speak English well after the course?
It depends on you in the first place. Speaking English well is a major goal that requires both time and effort to achieve. It's all yours. With the professionalism we have, we help you work towards achieving your goals. - How long does it take for a class to be full and ready to start?
Actually, you don't have to wait until a class is full. Our course plan is based on terms with fixed start and end dates. With a pre-set schedule, you can easily fit English courses easily into your routine. - Why are there so many levels?
The CEF defines 6 major levels of proficiency from A1 to C2. Achieving the aims of each level can take around 160 guided teaching hours;i.e, hours during which the learner is in a formal learning context such as the classroom (The Association of Language Testers in Europe, ALTE, whose members have aligned their language examinations with the CEF). This is further divided into minor levels at the discretion of each language centre. At ECS, we try to make our courses as accessible as possible. Our level distribution is designed so as to help learners fit language classes nicely into their schedules and give them a sense of achievement upon completing a particular course, which in turn boosts the learner's motivation for learning English.
ECS levels | Registration