Advanced English course in central London · B2+ / C1 adults
Advanced doesn't mean finished.
An intensive English course for B2+/C1 adults who already speak English well. Take it further with greater precision, better command of register and more natural communication.
★★★★★ 5.0 read our reviews
10
learners maximum
B2+ / C1
level
1–4
weeks
5.5 hrs
teaching, mon–fri
CELTA
qualified teacher
Hear from a student · 1 min
I came to London for some time off, and it turned out that I learned a lot, I improved a lot, and I even found a job here in London.
“Andy is the teacher, London is the city, and you will live an experience that you will never forget. It’s not only about learning at the school, it’s also about experiencing all those situations with other international students where you can improve your language, your English, in real world scenarios.”
Natalia · now living and working in London
Studied with Andy in London, 2022–23.
Read all reviewsThe programme
Most courses help you learn the language. This one helps you use it.
One experienced teacher. No more than ten advanced learners. Every lesson builds on the last through continuity, challenge and purposeful communication.
No changing teachers
One teacher, start to finish
Your strengths, habits and gaps become clear, and what follows is built around them.
No mixed levels
Advanced learners only. Ten at most.
Everyone is working at B2+/C1 level, so the conversation stays challenging.
No repetition
Every lesson builds on the last
A continuous programme, not a series of standalone lessons. You'll notice the difference within a week.
Who it's for
Professionals who work in English.
What you'll develop
Not more English. Natural English.
The aim isn't perfection. It's intelligent, confident communication, whether in the meeting, the interview, the dinner afterwards.
Natural, confident speaking
Greater grammatical precision
Richer, more precise vocabulary
Stronger real-world listening
Clearer pronunciation
Cultural understanding and nuance
Inside the week
What will my week look like?
No two weeks at ELIC will be exactly the same. What follows is the kind of learning to expect — not a fixed timetable. Topics, visits and language change with the group, the news and what London offers that week.
The coursebook
A Pearson Advanced English coursebook gives the week its academic spine.
A clear progression through advanced grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening and speaking, but it is a starting point, not a script. Everything in it gets explored, challenged and used out loud.
01
Vocabulary you can actually use
At this level, more words isn’t the point. We work on collocation, register, nuance and idiom, moving vocabulary from something you recognise to something you reach for without thinking.
02
Speaking with structure
Answering effectively, organising ideas, developing an argument, qualifying an opinion, handling the follow-up question and using richer grammar without sounding rehearsed.
03
Listening to real English
English doesn’t have one sound. Different accents, speeds and registers, including people who hesitate, interrupt, shorten words and change direction mid-sentence.
04
London as the classroom
A field trip each week: the City, a gallery, a neighbourhood, or interviewing members of the public. Then back in class to organise findings and present them.
05
Presenting what you found
Short presentations built from real material, with a focus on language, structure, pronunciation and the part most courses skip: answering questions afterwards.
Once a week · 06
Your weekly interview, on camera.
A one-to-one with a business professional or experienced interviewer. Challenging, supportive, and nothing like a classroom exercise.
No script to memorise. You listen, organise your thoughts and answer spontaneously.
It’s video recorded and shared privately with you, so you can watch yourself back.
Over several weeks the recordings become a record of how your English and your confidence are changing.
A sample week, not a fixed timetable. Content, topics, field trips, interview formats and activities change from week to week, deliberately, so the course can respond to the students in the room.
Because context is everything.
More than the classroom
Learning doesn't stop when the class ends.
Your course fee includes a programme of social and cultural activities, giving you more chances to use your English naturally, get to know your classmates and see London together.
All included, all optional
Every activity is included in your course fee; there is no additional charge to take part, and nothing is compulsory. Join the ones you like.
Food and drinks at these events are not included, so you pay for your own, with one exception: at the pasta-making evening, prosecco and soft drinks are on us.
A typical week might include
01
Pasta making & dinner
Make fresh pasta together, then sit down to the meal you have created. Good food, good company and plenty of conversation, with prosecco and soft drinks included.
02
Quiz night
Put your general knowledge — and your English — to the test. A relaxed evening of questions, conversation and a little friendly competition.
03
Andy's cinema night
A carefully chosen film, good conversation and a chance to explore English through cinema.
04
London walking tour
Discover the city on foot — its streets, neighbourhoods, history and culture — putting your English into practice along the way.
05
Museum visit
Explore one of London's outstanding museums or galleries together, using English to discuss what you see and discover.
06
Friday farewell table
Finish the week around the ELIC table with a generous spread to share. For those leaving, a goodbye. For those staying on, simply the end of another week. Come hungry.
07
Pub night or comedy night
A relaxed evening in a London pub, with good conversation, good company and real English in context.
These are examples rather than a fixed schedule. The programme varies from week to week, and activities may move day or be swapped for something similar. Your weekly programme is confirmed during your course.
Not sure you're the right level?
Try the level check.
Two language questions, one speaking task and three honest self-checks. No email required.
Format
Five mornings. One focused week. Stay for longer.
330 High Holborn, WC1V 7QH
Fees
£595
per week
approx. €700
Dates · October 2026
No weeks selected. That's fine, we can decide on the call.
Four course weeks this autumn. Take one, or stay for consecutive weeks at a reduced rate; there is no need to complete the full programme.
Holborn & Chancery Lane · 4 min walk
Each additional week is discounted by around 5%, 7.5% and 10% for two, three and four weeks. There is no obligation to stay the full four weeks: one week is a complete course.
Includes the social and cultural programme, with no additional charge to take part.
Accommodation is not included. We'll share a list of options nearby once you're booked.
Nothing is payable until after your call. Payment is arranged afterwards, by card or bank transfer. We invoice in pounds sterling and accept payment in euros and other major currencies.
Full refund if you cancel more than 28 days before your course — see our cancellation & refund policy.
Euro figures are indicative only, at approximately £1 = €1.18. You'll be invoiced in pounds sterling.
A note about our launch
We are starting deliberately small.
ELIC is currently in its launch phase, with classes taking place in carefully selected professional teaching spaces in Central London.
Starting small means small groups, individual attention and the flexibility to develop the programme around our students.
One thing will remain constant: every ELIC course is taught by me personally, with the same commitment to high-quality, context-led teaching.
The teaching spaces at Holborn Gate · the exact room is confirmed before your course
Before you book
Let's talk first.
Every prospective student begins with a free ten-minute online consultation. We'll discuss your goals, check your level and answer your questions. If the programme is right for you, we'll take it from there.
A ten-minute conversation about you and your goals.
A short level assessment to make sure the group is right for you.
Everything you need before your first Monday.
Your teacher
Andy Cropper
I'm Andy Cropper, founder and teacher at English Language in Context. I'm a CELTA-qualified English teacher with over a decade of experience teaching adults in Singapore, New York and London.
Before teaching, I worked in senior management in the UK — an experience that continues to influence my practical, real-world approach to English.
I created ELIC for adults who already speak good English but want to become more natural, precise and confident through small groups, engaging lessons and English that extends beyond the classroom.
Because context is everything.
Reviews
What students say about Andy.
In their own words, unedited — from students who studied with Andy in London, New York and online.
From students over the years
Sent to Andy directly, before ELIC and before Google reviews existed.
Having lessons with Andrew has been instrumental in taking my English to a higher level and significantly strengthening my communication in a corporate environment. His approach goes beyond traditional language teaching, combining expertise, a personalised approach and a practical methodology that accelerates progress. This has made a real difference to my confidence and professional performance.
Andy is a brilliant English teacher. The lessons are exiting, varied and demanding. Diversity of the learning methods and a good preparation are a matter of course for Andy.
“Andy is definitely the best English teacher I ever had. He truly cares about your progress- he doesn’t just stick to the course material, but constantly challenges your skills so you keep improving. He is like a supportive yet critical friend; whether your goal is English for business, work, or daily life, he adapts and helps you reach it. I 100% recommend him!”
I am learning English since I remember. I have never had a teacher who was able to keep me interested in lessons. Andy’s attitude is very different from the others. He was able to create an atmosphere where lessons became fun and interesting instead of boring duty.
“Andy is the best English teacher I have ever had. He is patient, approachable and very good at identifying exactly what you need to improve. His explanations are always clear, and he makes learning both enjoyable and challenging. I would highly recommend him to upper-intermediate and advanced students who want to take their English to the next level.”
Learning from Andrew is truly an amazing experience.
I had the privilege of having him as my English teacher in 2023, and it was unforgettable.
His classes are interesting, enjoyable, and he always pushes me to improve my English more and more.
I have no doubt he is the best English teacher I’ve ever had.
I totally recommend his classes!
More than a teacher, a friend
I met Andy for the first time in 2018, in NYC. He came into the classroom and completely changed my experience with learning English.
He’s smart, kind, and an excellent teacher (the best!).
He pays attention to you and knows exactly where and how to help you improve.
We’ve continued seeing each other since then, and I’m very happy to call him a friend.
If you’re looking for a teacher who really cares about your development, I couldn’t recommend Andy more.
Andrew was my teacher in 2023 for 2 weeks. His ability to identify our struggles in such a short time is impressive.
He’s interesting and genuinely interested about his students. Lots of listening, and more speaking was the key that Andrew gave me to unlock my English.
Thank you Andy for this precious time, I’ll always recomend you.
“Andy is, without a doubt, the best English teacher I have ever had. Thanks to his highly effective teaching methods, I was able to improve my English in a remarkably short period of time, particularly when it came to speaking fluently and expressing myself more naturally and confidently.
What sets Andy apart is that he genuinely pushes you to improve. He doesn’t simply let you stay within your learning comfort zone or settle for what you already know; instead, he challenges you in the right way and encourages you to reach a much higher level.
If you are looking for a teacher who is genuinely committed to helping you make real progress, rather than simply taking the easy route, Andy is definitely the right person.”
Andy is truly a one-of-a-kind teacher, and I feel incredibly lucky to still be learning from him. He has completely transformed my English and, even more importantly, the way I approach the language.
He gives a lot to his students, but he also expects a lot in return. If you are determined, willing to work hard and genuinely want to achieve results, Andy will guide you, challenge you and constantly push you to bring out your best.
What makes him really special, though, goes far beyond teaching English. He is an exceptional person, with knowledge and interests that extend well beyond the language itself. Conversations with him are never superficial: they are engaging, thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating, which makes every lesson an opportunity not only to improve my English, but also to broaden my perspective. He continues to make a real difference in my learning journey, and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone who is serious about improving and ready to challenge themselves.
I first met Andy when he was my English teacher at a language school in London, and one of the things I appreciated most about his teaching was the way he constantly encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and challenged me to reach a higher level.
When I returned to Chile, I asked him to continue teaching me through private lessons because I wanted to keep improving. Over time, Andy became much more than just an English teacher. He genuinely cares about helping his students reach their full potential. He listens to them, understands their interests, goals and even the topics they enjoy, and uses that knowledge to shape his lessons and prepare material that is genuinely relevant to their learning.
Another aspect I particularly value is how connected Andy is to what is happening around the world. This is especially relevant for senior professionals, because the conversations go far beyond practising English. You can discuss current political, economic, social and cultural developments and explore how they may affect your industry, your company or your own area of responsibility. This makes the learning experience intellectually stimulating as well as professionally relevant, while helping you develop the vocabulary and confidence to discuss complex topics in English.
What makes Andy different is that he doesn’t simply teach English. He pushes you to communicate better, think more critically and become more confident in situations that may initially feel outside your comfort zone.
That is why I genuinely believe ELIC can offer much more than an English course. It has the potential to be a truly immersive experience: an opportunity to challenge yourself, improve your English in real-life situations, engage with relevant global issues, meet interesting people from different backgrounds, expand your professional network and build personal connections that may continue long after your time in London.
For me, that combination of language, personal and professional growth, real-world experiences and human connection is what makes Andy’s approach so special.
Ready to take the next step?
Let's talk about your English, your goals and whether ELIC is right for you.
Learn deeply. Speak naturally. Live globally — because context is everything.
Step 1 of 3 — your week
Question 1 of 6
Your level looks like
Which week interests you?
Pick one week, or several consecutive weeks — or none at all, and we'll decide together on the call.
No weeks selected. That's fine, we can decide on the call.
Choose a time for your call
Ten minutes, online, free of charge. Times shown in UK time.
Your details
We'll confirm a time with you by email.
Your call is requested.
You'll receive a confirmation and a joining link shortly. The call takes ten minutes: your goals, a brief level check, and any questions you have. Nothing is payable beforehand.