Dear Members,

Recently I have twice had the pleasure of meeting The London School of English Market Manager for Turkey, Mr. Neil Futerill, while he was here in Istanbul representing his company. I was so impressed by what he told me, that I want to share it with you.

The British Council accredits language schools in Britain, and The London School of English was the first to be accredited – which makes them the longest-established officially Accredited school in Britain. Founded in 1912, they have unrivalled experience in training clients from around the world, welcoming over 50 nationalities each year.  Chamber Members will be particularly interested to hear that they have been delivering intensive business and professional English courses since the 1970s at their dedicated executive centre in Holland Park Gardens.

Located in one of the most exclusive residential areas in London, the School is set in a fine traditional building in a beautiful part of Kensington, just a pleasant walk from fashionable Notting Hill. Although the area is quiet and green, it is less than 15 minutes away from Oxford Street by underground. 

Here clients can take open general courses in business and professional English and One-to-One programmes, as well as a wide range of specialised courses for Lawyers, Bankers, Human Resource professionals, Bankers professionals from the Public Sector, Engineers, and a tailor-made course for the Oil and Gas sector. Typically people on these courses will be in their late 30s. Young Professionals at the start of their careers can join courses, or prepare for internationally-recognized exams, in Business and Legal English.

The London School of English has huge experience in delivering tailor-made training for company groups, whether in London or on clients’ premises abroad. They deliver Cross-Cultural Training for companies who need to work successfully across borders; and Voice Training for those with a special need to develop their English speaking skills to a high level. Finally, you can learn on line from anywhere in the world by taking  e-learning courses in general and business English.

London School of English trainers are mature, experienced, and qualified. Many have a relevant business or professional background. Their average age is 44, so you can be confident you will be working with true professionals. Their average experience of English language training to international students is 12 years. They have usually taught abroad as well as in Britain. A number hold a professional qualification in other fields such as finance and law. 

Holland Park Gardens has recently been refurbished to a high standard, and the technical facilities enhanced. There are three well-equipped computer areas offering free high-speed Internet access, with script support in all major non-European languages, and a wide range of computer-assisted language learning exercises. There is an excellent Restaurant, with a daily lunch menu freshly prepared in the in-house kitchen, and the menus are changed daily.

The School understands that for many of their clients, the quality and type of accommodation may be just as important as the choice of course. Their family Homestay service combines quality, friendliness and very good value for money, at locations close to Holland Park Gardens – often just a short walk away, and never more than a 30-minute journey by foot or public transport. Accommodation can also be arranged in hotels, apart-hotels, general residences, and in serviced and private apartments - and always to a uniformly high standard.

As their courses are intensive, it is important to them that people also take time to relax and enjoy themselves. For this reason they arrange evening Social Programmes, which include walking tours, visits to galleries, museums, and restaurant evenings. A Social Programme Co-ordinator is also available to organise programmes for individuals or groups of newly-made friends. Weekend trips outside of London can also be arranged, so that you can experience England beyond the capital. An airport pick-up and drop-off service is also available.

All this, the range and quality of the courses, the superb location, the facilities, the accommodation service, and the Social Programme, are designed to create an optimal, stress-free learning environment. This leaves clients free to take advantage of the many networking opportunities which come from meeting other professional people from around the world who have also come to Holland Park Gardens to enjoy quality English training.

Like Istanbul, London is a great, world-class city – but not everyone might choose it for their training needs. For those who wish to go elsewhere, Neil recommended Canterbury Language Training, a fellow member of The London School of  English Group. Canterbury is a beautiful, historic town, situated 80 kilometres south east of London, with good road and rail connections to the capital (100 minutes by train) and its airports. It was founded in 1991 to provide a high quality, personal training service. ‘Personal’ means that their intake is limited to 25 participants at any time, with an average of 14 through the year. Their goal is to deliver highly individualised business English training, and to give truth to the expression that “small is beautiful”. The average age of clients is 39, the minimum age 25. Participants come from a wide spectrum of business, industrial and professional backgrounds.

The training is based on the CLT System© designed to improve confidence in understanding and speaking English in business and professional contexts. Each micro- group follows a tailor-made programme. Other options include specialised One-to-One programmes; Combination training ((Micro-Group training combined with One-to-One Specialised training); and Special Group Training for closed groups from companies.

CLT trainers are qualified and experienced; have extensive business knowledge; have an average age of 44; and have worked with CLT for

an average 11 years.

Accommodation is provided in Homestays with very high standards of hospitality and comfort, and at hotels which are close to the centre. A daily car service is included in the Homestay package, which picks you up in the morning and brings you to the training centre, and then takes you home in the evening, when you want. There is also limited self-catering accommodation available.

There is an active evening social programme; a range of business services provided free of charge; and a guaranteed airport transfer service.

As I have said, I was impressed by the account Neil gave me of the quality, experience, and professionalism of the training delivered by The London School of English Group in both London and Canterbury when we met. Their websites www.londonschool.com and www.clt.com reinforces this impression. If Members wish to contact either School to find out for themselves, they should use the contact information provided below. They should also make it clear that they are Chamber Members, as this will entitle them to a 5% discount at either centre.

For Holland Park Gardens: