Thank you for choosing English Language in Context. This guide is designed to make your arrival in London and your first days with ELIC as straightforward as possible. It contains practical information about travel, what to bring, getting around London, safety, and what to expect from your course.
ELIC is designed for international adults who already communicate successfully in English and want to develop greater confidence, precision, naturalness and sophistication. Classes are deliberately small, with a maximum of 10 students, so there is time to speak, question, experiment and receive meaningful feedback.
Keep this guide
Please keep a digital copy accessible while travelling. Final venue and meeting details will be sent separately before your course.
01
Before you travel
London is an easy city to reach, but a little preparation will make your stay much smoother. Please make your own travel arrangements and check the entry requirements that apply to your nationality and circumstances.
Check that your passport and any required visa or travel authorisation are valid for your trip.
Arrange appropriate travel and medical insurance. ELIC does not provide personal travel or medical insurance.
Keep copies of important travel documents separately from the originals and, where practical, store secure digital copies.
Make sure you can access money in the UK. Card and contactless payments are widely used in London.
Tell your bank or card provider about your trip if this is required by them.
Bring enough essential medication for your stay, ideally in your hand luggage and in its original packaging.
Travel details
ELIC does not need your flight or train number unless a particular course arrangement makes this necessary. You are responsible for travelling to London and reaching your accommodation and the ELIC meeting point.
02
Planning your arrival
London is served by several airports as well as international rail services. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City all have public transport connections into London. Eurostar services arrive at London St Pancras International.
Whenever possible, arrive with enough time to settle into your accommodation before your first class. Avoid planning an arrival that leaves you dependent on a very tight connection before the course begins.
Your ELIC meeting point
The exact venue address, arrival time and meeting instructions will be confirmed separately. This allows ELIC to use the most appropriate Central London teaching space for your programme.
03
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the ELIC course fee and students are responsible for arranging their own stay. When choosing accommodation, consider the journey to Central London rather than distance alone: a location close to a useful Tube or rail line can be more convenient than somewhere geographically closer.
Check the property's cancellation terms and check in and check out times before booking.
Look at the expected journey at the times you will actually be travelling.
Keep your accommodation address and contact details accessible when you arrive in London.
If your accommodation changes after you have confirmed your ELIC details, please let us know.
04
Your first day at ELIC
You will receive your final joining instructions before the course. These will include the venue, meeting point and any information specific to your programme.
What to bring
A notebook and pen, or your preferred device for taking notes.
Your phone and charger.
Any course materials ELIC has asked you to bring.
Water and anything else you personally need during the teaching day.
Curiosity. You will be expected to contribute, question, discuss and use English actively.
Please arrive ready to participate
ELIC is not built around passive study. Speaking, listening, discussion, feedback and the practical use of English are central to the programme.
05
The ELIC programme
Your programme combines structured classroom learning with opportunities to use and notice English in authentic contexts. The precise content responds to the group, but the focus is on developing more effective real world communication.
Speaking: fluency, organisation, spontaneity, interaction and expressing more complex ideas.
Listening: understanding natural speech, detail, attitude, implication and different voices.
Grammar: closing gaps and using advanced structures accurately and naturally.
Vocabulary: range, collocation, nuance, register and choosing the right expression for the context.
Pronunciation: clarity, stress, rhythm, connected speech and greater confidence when speaking.
Communication: discussion, presentations, interviews, negotiation and other purposeful speaking tasks.
London in context: selected activities may move learning beyond the classroom and into the city.
The aim is not simply to study more English. It is to become more aware of how English works, make better choices when using it, and communicate with greater confidence and individuality.
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What to pack
London weather is changeable, so layers are usually more useful than packing for one type of weather.
Comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking around London.
A light waterproof jacket or compact umbrella.
A warmer layer, even if the forecast looks mild.
A UK Type G plug adaptor if your devices use a different plug.
Chargers and any power bank you normally use.
Essential medication and personal items.
A small day bag that can be securely closed.
Carry on essentials
If you are flying, consider keeping medication, travel documents, chargers and one change of essential clothing in your hand luggage in case checked baggage is delayed.
07
Getting around London
London's public transport network includes the Underground, Elizabeth line, London Overground, buses, National Rail and river services. For most visitors, contactless payment is the simplest way to pay for everyday journeys.
Use the same contactless card or device when touching in and out where required.
On buses, touch in when you board; you do not touch out.
Allow extra time during busy periods and check for service changes before longer journeys.
Walking is often the best way to understand Central London, and many well known areas are closer together than the Tube map suggests.
Licensed taxis and reputable ride hailing services are alternatives when public transport is inconvenient.
Useful habit
Check your route shortly before leaving. London transport changes, engineering work and disruption can affect even familiar journeys.
08
Staying safe and dealing with problems
London is a major international city. Normal big city awareness is sensible, particularly in crowded transport hubs, nightlife areas and popular visitor locations.
Keep phones, wallets, passports and bags secure and avoid leaving valuables unattended.
Be particularly aware of your phone when standing close to a road or using it in a crowded area.
If your luggage is delayed, report it to the airline or transport operator before leaving the arrivals or baggage area and keep the reference number.
If a bank card is lost or stolen, contact the card provider promptly.
If your passport is lost or stolen, follow the guidance of your embassy or consulate and report the loss where required.
For an immediate emergency involving police, fire or ambulance services, call 999 or 112.
ELIC contact
For course related questions, contact Andrew at andrew@eliceducation.com. ELIC will help where reasonably possible, but emergency, medical, police, airline and accommodation matters should be handled through the appropriate service.
09
Practical London
Money
The UK uses pounds sterling (£). Contactless and card payments are common, including on public transport. It is still useful to have access to a small amount of cash, but many businesses are cashless.
Staying connected
Check your mobile provider's UK roaming arrangements before travelling. If necessary, UK SIM and eSIM options are widely available. Wi‑Fi is common in accommodation, cafés and many public spaces.
Health
Pharmacies are widely available and can advise on many minor health issues. For non emergency NHS medical advice, call 111. For emergencies, call 999 or 112.
Weather
London can change from sunshine to rain quickly. Check the forecast each day, but be prepared for conditions to change.
10
Experience London in context
London is part of the ELIC experience. You do not need to spend every free hour sightseeing, but exploring the city gives you opportunities to hear different voices, notice how English is actually used and build confidence outside the classroom.
Walk the South Bank
Follow the Thames and experience a mixture of culture, architecture, street life and some of London's best known views.
Visit a major gallery
The National Gallery and Tate Modern offer very different ways to experience art and provide excellent material for discussion.
Explore the City of London
Walk through London's historic financial district and notice the contrast between medieval streets and contemporary architecture.
Spend time in a market
Borough Market and other London markets are good places to observe everyday interaction, food culture and the international character of the city.
See a performance
A play, musical, comedy performance or live event gives you a different encounter with spoken English.
Visit a museum
The British Museum, Museum of London Docklands and many specialist museums can turn an afternoon into an extended language and cultural experience.
Explore a neighbourhood
Soho, Greenwich, Hampstead, Shoreditch and Notting Hill each reveal a different version of London.
Use London's parks
Hyde Park, Regent's Park, St James's Park and Hampstead Heath provide a quieter contrast to Central London.
Take a day trip
If you have additional time, places such as Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Bath or Canterbury can be reached from London.
Talk to people
The most valuable activity may be the simplest: use your English. Ask questions, start conversations where appropriate and pay attention to how people respond.
ELIC idea
Keep a short ‘London English’ note on your phone. Record one expression, pronunciation feature, interaction or cultural observation that catches your attention each day.
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Before you arrive: information we need
Once your place is confirmed, ELIC may ask you to provide the following information so that the programme can be organised appropriately.
The name you would like us to use during the course.
Your mobile or WhatsApp contact number.
The name or address of your London accommodation, once known.
An emergency contact: name, relationship and telephone number.
Any dietary requirements relevant to organised ELIC activities.
Any accessibility requirements or practical arrangements that ELIC should know about.
Your approximate arrival and departure days, where relevant to the programme.
Please provide only information relevant to your participation. If anything changes before you arrive, email andrew@eliceducation.com.
12
Final checklist
Tick these off in the week before you travel.
Questions before you arrive?
Email Andrew at andrew@eliceducation.com. Final venue and programme specific details will be provided separately.
We look forward to welcoming you to London and to ELIC.
Courses run every week from 1 March to 1 October 2027 in Holborn, Central London. Free cancellation up to 28 days before your course.