Colchester English Study Centre was opened in 1969 by the publisher Oxford University Press as a school for teaching specialised English, and is still the only English language school in Colchester. The Centre is accredited by the British Council. This means that every four years, teachers and teaching, accommodation, management and the school buildings are inspected very carefully
Colchester English Study Centre, or CESC, is in Colchester - a perfect location to study English. Colchester is less than an hour from London by train, and is a lively, historic university town.
CESC is a member of EnglishUK and of IALC. It is the only all-year English language school in Colchester. The Centre is open all year and it is located in three very attractive historical buildings situated just 10 minutes’ walk from the town centre, with a large garden. Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain, is a beautiful and famous town, very close to London and Cambridge. All teachers are qualified and experienced. There are about 150 students in low season and 250 students in the summer. There are many different nationalities. There are students of general English as well as students who are learning English for their work or for studying at a British university or college. Students like to enjoy themselves and have fun but are also serious students of English. There are adult students of all ages, the average age being about 25.
Facilities
Library
Many videos and DVDs to choose from
20 classrooms with comfortable chairs and tables with a video-DVD player and TV in all rooms
A very large garden room with student games
Listening centre with many books, cassettes and CDs for study
Large reception area to assist students with all enquiries open 08.00 – 17.00
Private study areas open 07.30 – 17.30
25 student computers with free internet access and WIFI
A large student lounge, with a low cost snack bar for hot meals, snacks and drinks
Student Information
Social Activities
There is a social programme every afternoon after classes which is free to all students
Typical weekly programme:
MONDAY – guided tour of Colchester
TUESDAY – video on the cinematic screen
WEDNESDAY – drama club or football
Free time
Colchester has a successful professional theatre, The Mercury Theatre
The Main Town Cinema is very close to the Study Centre and shows all the latest films on eight screens
The Arts Centre has jazz, folk music, rock and pop most nights of the week
Friendly pubs, coffee bars and fine restaurants offering international food can all be found within walking distance of the Study Centre and the town centre
Many students enjoy free or low price entrance to night-clubs
Leisure World and the Arena sports clubs offer swimming, tennis, fitness centres and many other sports
Professional football can be watched in Colchester and in Ipswich
Students can attend shows, concerts, films in London any evening of the week or at the weekend
Art galleries, museums and parks will make any visitor’s stay even more enjoyable
Tuition fees include:
all teaching costs, all books and teaching materials. You will keep all books we give you
a free daily activities programme, including an evening event on most Wednesdays or Thursdays
end-of-course certificate
the use of 27 student multi-media computers
the use of the library containing many books organised by level, newspapers and magazines
listening and video centres with a large amount of recorded material organised by level and topic
free broadband internet access and free laser printing
help with applying to a British university and academic counselling
Public Holidays
1 January, 2 April, 5 April, 03 May, 31 May, 30 August, 27 and 28 December are public holidays in 2010
The Centre is not open on public holidays and if you enrol when there is a holiday on the Monday you must start on the Tuesday. We will ask you if you want to take part in the special free excursion on the Monday
We cannot make any reduction in fees during these weeks but there will be special excursions and activities organised. Individual lessons can be booked only for 4 days in these weeks
THURSDAY – evening party or barbecue
FRIDAY – illustrated talk on Cambridge
SATURDAY – excursion to Cambridge (not free)
Other events may include the following: English food evening, folk music evening, international evening with different national foods and cultures, treasure hunts, quizzes, talks on London and Cambridge, table tennis and pool competitions
Terms
Age Requirement
You must be at least 16 years old before you study at CESC
Payment
You must pay all course fees on or before the first day. On long courses you must pay every 10 weeks
Sponsored students must pay for at least 2 weeks of their accommodation on the first day
There is no extra registration fee, or accommodation placement fee. You pay only weekly fees for your classes and accommodation
Cancellation and changes
If you need to change your starting date you must contact us at least 7 days before you come or a charge will be made
If you have to cancel before you come, your 200 pounds of the total fee will not be refunded. We will refund any other fees. We will refund all fees only if your visa is not issued by the British Embassy and you send us the refusal letter before the start of the course
The Centre cannot refund fees except in the case of an emergency, illness or bereavement
If you want to take a holiday from your course when you are here or make any other changes you must give at least two weeks' notice in writing to the Registrar
It is best to plan your holidays before you start your course.
Insurance
You are not insured by Colchester English Study Centre against illness, accident, theft, damage or loss of personal effects and Colchester English Study Centre accepts no liability. Please insure yourself
You should also check whether your country's government health service has any special arrangement with the British National Health Service. Check that your medical insurance covers all possible emergencies
