UCT English Language Centre in Cape Town The English Language Centre is located right in the centre of Cape Town, giving you easy access to all the attractions, shops, and cafes. It also offers a wide range of English language courses to suit your needs. Accommodation is provided either in a student residence (only 18-minute walk from the school) or with local host families, which is an amazing way to get to know the South-African culture.
The Institute
Programmes
- General English
Our General English courses are ideal if you use English for everyday purposes. We offer year-round general English courses for all levels, from Elementary to Advanced, starting every Monday. With courses ranging from 20 to 30 lessons a week, we have a course to suit different budgets, daily schedules and language learning needs.
- General English and Language Excursions
ELC, in collaboration with Kurus English, are proud to offer a unique experiential learning programme, which we call Language Excursions. Kurus English has been offering this experience for 12 years.
The Language Excursions take place three afternoons a week and can only be combined with a Standard General English or IELTS course (20 lessons) in the morning.
The Language Excursions are flexible and co-ordinate with actual events in Cape Town, whenever possible and/or desirable. These excursions give you the unique opportunity of improving your English while meeting and encountering the people, the energy and the diversity of Cape Town.
- IELTS Preparation
These courses are designed to prepare you for the IELTS academic English exams, with focused training in exam strategies and techniques to allow you to maximise your potential and achieve the grade you need. As a university language centre, we are committed to supporting our students in reaching the level they need to successfully apply to university.
These courses run all year round and the exam can be taken at regular intervals at a local test centre. Courses can be combined with afternoon electives in an Intensive or Semi-intensive course, and many of out more academically focused students take IELTS preparation in combination with our English for academic purposes course. The course can be quite challenging, so be prepared!
- Business English
The Business English course is offered as an afternoon elective to students taking an intensive or semi intensive course. This course is ideal for you if you mainly need to use English at work or in a business environment.
The course covers a range of business and work related topics, including speaking in meetings, giving presentations, negotiating, email and report writing, networking, making decisions and many more.
- English for Academic Purposes
The English for Academic Purposes course is for students who need to use English in an academic context. The courses take place in the afternoons and is combined with a 20 lesson general English class in the morning.
The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme is offered as an afternoon elective to students taking an intensive or semi intensive course. It is aimed at students who are planning to study a postgraduate or undergraduate degree at UCT or another university where English is the medium of instruction.
EAP course focuses broadly on the language skills and competencies you need to succeed in an English speaking academic environment, including academic writing, giving presentations, making oral arguments, understanding lectures and note-taking. The course is comprised of a Speaking and Listening module and a Reading and Writing module.
Certificates and Diplomas
Students receive a University of Cape Town certificate of attendance with their course details and exit level.
Teaching Materials
Methodology
Social and Cultural Activities
ELC also organises weekly social activities, so you can explore Cape Town and the nearby area with your friends. In addition, you also have access to over 100 UCT student societies and over 40 sports clubs (incl. Film Society, Wine and Cultural Society or Surfing, Wakeboarding and Football club.)
Accommodation
- Student residence
The Yellow House is our main student residence, and is used exclusively for ELC students. It is located in Bokaap, of one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cape Town, with picturesque, brightly painted terraced houses and a captivating and exotic vibe.
- Homestay
Homestay accommodation means staying in a home (apartment or house) with a local South African host mother or host family. This give students a great opportunity to immerse themselves in South African life and culture, and practice English with native speakers in a real-life setting. Chatting daily to your hosts is a wonderful way to develop your English outside of the classroom.
Excursions and Visits