Why should I choose the British Council?   

The British Council in Italy offers high quality English teaching to over 15.000 students each year. Reasons for choosing the British Council include:

Our high quality teachers
Our teachers are all native speakers who hold internationally recognised English language teaching qualifications. They are friendly, approachable and are always ready to offer help.

An effective methodology
Our ‘communicative approach’ enables you to have more interaction with our teachers and your classmates. Through structured communication practice you can learn English more effectively. Our methodology makes learning enjoyable and varied in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Modern course materials
We carefully select modern textbooks and design course materials to cater for the needs of learners in Italy.

New technology
We are constantly searching for new ways to integrate the latest computer technology into our courses to help you learn more effectively. In addition to our computer assisted language learning facilities, we have self-study facilities in our Rome centre.

What type of course do I want?   

If you want to

• improve your speaking, listening, writing and reading skills in English, choose a General English Course.
• obtain an internationally recognised qualification, choose an Exam Preparation  course.
• study in an English speaking country and you are planning to sit the IELTS examination choose our IELTS preparation course.
• enhance your workplace communication skills to improve your job or promotion prospects choose an Business English course.
• help your children improve their English, choose a Young Learner English course
• study English in the UK or send your child to the UK to study English, visit our web site EducationUK
• study English in Rome during the summer, then choose our Summer courses

Do I have to do a test to join a course?    

If it is the first time you are studying with us, then it is necessary to do a written and an oral test. After the teacher has marked the test s/he will tell you your level and will give  you information about the courses available.

If you did the test with us more than 1 year ago, then you need to re-do it. However if you attended a course or did the test less than a year ago then you don’t need to re-do.

If I miss a lesson, can I make it up?   

It isn’t possible to make it up by going to another teacher’s class. However it is possible to find out from the teacher what was done during the lesson missed and do some extra work.   

If I’m better than the level I’ve been put into, can I be moved up to the next level?   

The teacher will notice if a student should be moved up or down a level. If you feel that you have been missplaced then the first thing to do is to speak to your teacher about it. The decision to move you up or down will have to be confirmed by your teacher.    

It is cheaper to pay in one instalment?   

It is possible to pay in 1, 2 or 4 instalments and the details are shown in our brochure. The price of the course varies according to the payment plan chosen.   

Are all the teachers native speakers of English?   

Yes.   

Is there an annual registration fee?   

Yes, there’s an annual registration fee of 100 Euro. The Teaching Centre enrolment fee lasts an academic year from September to July. The enrolment fee is the same whether you enrol in September or later in the year. The registration fee is not refundable.   

Do the courses lead to achieving a certificate?   

We award a British Council certificate on satisfactory completion of each level.    

Are there any international exams I can take to show my English ability?   

We organise a large number of international examinations such as those set by the University of Cambridge (ESOL exams).

Many of our courses are specially designed to help you prepare for these exams, should you wish to take them and gain an internationally recognised qualification.

Levels 5, 7, and 8  will help students prepare for the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), and the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) respectively. In addition we also run a number of intensive exam preparation courses in September and in June.

We also run IELTS preparation courses specially designed to help you take these challenging examinations.

Adult students from elementary to intermediate level can now take the Business English Certificates (BEC).

Young learners age 8 – 12 can enter one of the three Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (CYLET).

For more information on Exams click here.

What exam can I do at my level? Is it included in the course fee?   

Students can sit the first ESOL exam, KET, at the end of level 2. There are other exams at he end of levels 3, 5, 7, and 9 and it is also possible to sit more especialised exams such as Business English exams. These are external exams and are not included in the course fee.

For further information you can contact the Registration Office.

What can I do outside the classroom to improve my English?   

You can:

• Visit Learn English the exciting new web-site designed by the British Council: http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/.
• Attend the social events organised for our students.

What about course materials?   

Our courses are usually based upon a carefully chosen book, which you can purchase with a 10% discount at Feltrinelli International or the bookshop at Via Quattro Fontane, by showing your receipt.