English Lessons in Birmingham

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Birmingham, known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene, is a bustling metropolis where, as of 2024, 84.7% of residents speak English. This linguistic landscape makes Birmingham an ideal place for enhancing English skills. Taking English lessons in the city not only helps in everyday communication but also unlocks the full spectrum of cultural experiences Birmingham offers. From attending renowned theatres like the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to participating in the celebrated Birmingham Literature Festival, proficiency in English enriches your engagement with these events, allowing you to deeply appreciate the city's cultural offerings.

On the professional front, Birmingham, a major international commercial centre, offers vast opportunities for those fluent in English. The city is home to a diverse range of businesses and industries, from finance and technology to creative arts. English proficiency in such a setting is invaluable, enhancing job prospects and facilitating professional growth. Whether it's networking, participating in business meetings, or climbing the career ladder, effective communication in English is key to success.

As you can see, enhancing your English skills in Birmingham opens up a myriad of social and professional opportunities. This journey towards fluency is not just about overcoming communication barriers, but it's also about embracing the city's dynamic culture and maximising your professional potential. If you're ready to transform your communication skills and unlock new opportunities, continue reading to discover how our tailored approach can help you reach your full potential in this vibrant city.

Why Study English in Birmingham?

Learn English for Work and Travel

In Birmingham, a city pulsating with economic activity, strong English skills are crucial for professional success. Major companies headquartered in Birmingham, such as National Express and Sainsbury's Bank, typically require fluency in English from their employees. Therefore, if you’re tired of being limited to certain job positions and aspire to access higher-paying roles at some of the city’s top companies, investing in an English course is a wise decision.

For entrepreneurs and business starters in Birmingham, the ability to communicate effectively in English is equally significant. It's not merely a language requirement but a tool for building networks, pitching ideas, and navigating the various aspects of business operations. Strong English skills can make the difference between securing a deal and missing out on opportunities. In a city teeming with start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures, being able to express ideas clearly and negotiate confidently in English opens doors to success and growth. On top of that, once you master the language, you’ll get to connect with the local business community, understand market trends, comply with legal and administrative requirements, and engage with customers effectively.

Ultimately, mastering English in Birmingham is not just a beneficial skill; it's essential for anyone aiming to excel in the city's dynamic and competitive business environment.

Learn English for Social

Enhancing your English skills in Birmingham opens up a world of cultural engagement, especially with the city's rich array of events and festivals. One key event to look forward to is the Birmingham Literature Festival, scheduled for 3-6 October 2024. This festival is a prominent fixture in the city's cultural calendar, offering a diverse range of literary activities including author events, workshops, and readings. With improved English proficiency, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the festival's offerings, gaining a deeper appreciation for literature and the arts.

Another significant event is the 29th Annual Dickens Society Symposium, happening from 15 to 18 July 2024 at the University of Birmingham. This symposium explores various aspects of Charles Dickens's works, offering an insightful experience for English enthusiasts. By attending, you'll gain a deeper appreciation of Dickens's literary context and engage with discussions on his influence in literature and society.

Birmingham's cultural landscape is a rich tapestry of events, each offering unique experiences to language enthusiasts. By enhancing your English proficiency, you'll not only deepen your understanding of discussions and presentations at such events, but also actively participate in the vibrant cultural exchange they offer. This journey of language learning in Birmingham promises not just improved communication skills, but a fuller, more enriching engagement with the city's diverse cultural offerings.

Learn English for Culture

Elevating your English skills in Birmingham can significantly enrich your social life, opening the door to engaging local communities and groups. The Birmingham Social Eat Drink & be Merry Meetup Group exemplifies this perfectly. By confidently speaking English, you'll find it easier to join in on the lively conversations, share your own stories, and forge lasting friendships in this welcoming setting.

This group is ideal for anyone who enjoys socialising, savouring good food and drinks, and cherishing plenty of smiles along the way. You’ll discover an array of unforgettable experiences filled with laughter, music, and an abundance of fun. Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind, explore new culinary tastes, or just be part of an enjoyable gathering, this group offers the perfect backdrop. It provides a vibrant space for socialisation, discovering new interests, and enjoying the spirited atmosphere that Birmingham is known for. Plus, you’ll get to make both local and international friends, which will make your life in the city much more enjoyable in the long run. Make sure you don’t miss their next event!

Where to learn English in and around Birmingham?

There are several avenues for learning English in the city. The Birmingham council offers free English courses, which are a great starting point for beginners. However, for a more comprehensive learning experience, Listen & Learn is the place to be. At Listen & Learn, we pride ourselves on our face-to-face courses in Birmingham. These courses are tailored to meet your specific needs, whether you're starting from scratch or looking to polish your skills. Our experienced instructors provide a supportive and interactive learning environment, ensuring you make the most out of each session. Enrolling in our courses means investing in a learning experience that’s both effective and enjoyable. If you're keen to elevate your English skills and fully immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Birmingham, send us a quick enquiry today and embark on your language learning journey with us.

The type of courses we offer:

Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General English

These lessons in English are wide-ranging by nature and are driven towards students who have a variety of differing needs. All beginner students will expect to study enough survival English to get them through a short visit to the country. Those who choose to continue with the lessons will progress differently, depending on their individual requests and requirements. Whether you are buying property in a foreign country, married to a foreign national, planning a round-the-world trip, interested in English history and culture or if you simply want to attain a particular level of English, this is the choice for you. Enquire now about our English Courses or Take A Free English Level Test

Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business English

English lessons of this type are aimed towards those that need to learn English to aid them with their employment. For those just starting out, it is integral to learn basic greetings and business etiquette. Reading and writing can be adopted once the simple precepts are out of the way. Success has come from students who are involved in the import/export business, international negotiations and acquisitions, those seeking jobs in multinational companies and those working with foreign colleagues, academia and bureaucracy. Even our most basic lesson for beginners will have the student finishing the lesson with basic telephone/e-mail skills in English, as well as survival English should a short stay in the country is needed. Enquire now about our English Courses or Take A Free English Level Test

Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business English

The English lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One English Lessons or Small Group In-Company English Lessons). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn does not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people though In-Company Taster English Lessons can be run with up to 12 people. Enquire now about our English Courses or Take A Free English Level Test

Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online 1-to-1 (Individual) General or Business English

Our native-speaking qualified English teachers can instruct you and your group at your work or at home at a time most convenient for you. Classes can take place on any day of the week—even weekends—morning, afternoon or evening. If meeting at your office or home is not suitable, you can take your lessons at the trainer's office. Study materials are supplied for you. Enquire now about our English Courses or Take A Free English Level Test

Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online Group (Closed or Open) General or Business English

Two or more people can benefit studying English together as these English lessons are also offered to groups (Two-to-One English Lessons or Small Group In-Company English Lessons). Every student must have the same degree of knowledge of the language, the same business or language needs and the ability to study at the same time and place as everybody else. The booking has to be made for all students simultaneously. Listen & Learn does not advocate group sessions of more than 6-8 people, though Taster English Lessons can be experienced by up to 12 people. Enquire now about our English Courses or Take A Free English Level Test

Top Tips For…

english Songs

Every Breath You Take- The Police

This song is perfect for those who are just starting with their English lessons, as it’s quite repetitive and uses simple grammar. Also, as almost all the verses rhyme, you will get to practise similar phonemes and learn the subtle differences between them. Although the song may strike you as romantic, it is actually about a stalker obsessed with the woman he lost. By listening to Every Breath You Take, you will learn more about idioms that express love and pain, such as “my heart aches” or “to be lost without a trace”. Listen to this piece here!

english Songs

Where Is the Love? - Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas was a very successful band in the 2000s and composed songs like Where Is the Love?, a track about social issues, such as racism, terrorism, hate, and intolerance. The singer asks, “where is the love?” to encourage us to embrace each other. So, in addition to learning English vocabulary and expressions, you will learn a lot about the American culture and problems they are still facing today. The style is quite fast and includes a lot of slang and informal phrases, so it’s more suitable for advanced students of English. Listen to this piece here!

Wonderwall - Oasis

If you are a fan of pop music and would like to combine your love of music with learning English outside the classroom, then you should definitely listen to Oasis songs, like Wonderwall. This hit describes an imaginary loved one who supports the poetic persona in any and every situation. Because of its complicated structures and combination of past tenses, it’s most suitable for higher-level learners of English. By listening to this song, you will also become familiar with informal expressions and contractions like “gotta” or “should’ve”. Listen to this piece here!

english Entertainment

Game of Thrones- TV Series

Game of Thrones is one of the most popular series of the last decade and not without reason! It has an epic story with a plot that thickens with every season. Game of Thrones is set in a fantasy world where contending families fight to become king. From dragons to sorcerers, you will discover a whole world while getting to know the colourful characters that make up the families of House Stark, House Targaryen and House Lannister. Although everyone can enjoy this amazing series, beginner students may have trouble understanding the archaic English that some of the characters use when talking to each other. Fortunately, subtitles will be of help here! Find here more information about this amazing series!

english Entertainment

Harry Potter- Movie

Ever since the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone screened in 2001, the series of movies, based on the books by J K Rowling, has captivated children, teens and adults. The first film is about a young boy who discovers he is a wizard and follows his adventures in Hogwarts, an ancient school of magic. There, he makes friends with Hermione and Ron and realizes that in the magical world he is very special: Harry is the only person to ever survive the dark sorcerer, Lord Voldemort. The saga is incredibly entertaining and very useful for becoming acquainted with the British accent and culture (it turns out that tea time is sacred, even in the magical world). Learn more about these great movies here!

Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event that has been organised since 1966 on the streets of the Notting Hill, London, every August. The carnival is hosted by the British West Indian community and is one of the biggest street festivals in the world (attended by more than two million people every year). You can also take part in the street processions if you like (as long as you wear a costume) and enjoy music by bands and artists from all over the world. Plus, you will find more than 240 food stalls, where you can practise your English by ordering something delicious! Learn more about this carnival here!

english Youtube Channels

BBC Learning English

This YouTube channel is an asset for anyone studying English as a second language. It’s full of free resources to put your listening skills into practice, learn more vocabulary, fine-tune your pronunciation and increase your understanding of specific topics, as well. For example, they feature a section on the daily news, so you are always informed about what is going on in Britain and around the world. They also have a playlist dedicated to pronunciation, where they explain how words and names that are not intuitive to pronounce, like Siobhan, are said in English while giving tips on how to improve your diction. Click here and check out the channel.

english Youtube Channels

LinguaMarina

LinguaMarina is a YouTube channel run by an American ESL teacher who is also multilingual (she speaks Spanish, Italian and a few other languages, too), so she knows exactly what are going through as a foreign language student. Marina mostly focuses on pronunciation and intonation, so you can sound as native-like as possible, and she does this not only through theory and examples, but also by giving you advice from her own experience. Plus, she recommends lots of TV shows, music and films you can use to improve your English skills even more while having some fun. Click here and check out the channel.

Ted

If you would like to acquire English while learning something interesting, you should subscribe to TED’s YouTube channel. TED is one of the most well-known organisations in the world, hosting conferences around the world that brings together experts from almost every field to deliver short and engaging talks. The channel is divided into subjects, so you can easily find what interests you, and you don’t have to worry about your English proficiency. While advanced learners listen to the talks without any help, beginner-level students of English can watch the videos with subtitles. Click here and check out the channel.

english Youtube Channels

BBC Learning English

english Youtube Channels

LinguaMarina

TED

Testimonials

From our clients all over the world

"I am very satisfied with my lessons and with Terry, the teacher, of course. I can see some progress in my speaking English and I am very happy."

Natasza lech

English course in Birmingham.

"My first lessons have gone very well. I’ve found the course very interesting and my teacher Jacklynne is very nice. I am looking forward to my upcoming classes!"

Thomas Joulain

English course in Dyce, Front Office Manager, EUROCOPTER North Sea Service Center.

"The lessons are really good. Jana is very professional and it is a pleasure to have weekly classes with her."

Michele Linehan

English course in Online.

"I am actually doing fine and enjoy my lessons with Sybille my teacher. She is really good and patient."

Anna Tauro

English course in Derby, Veterinary Surgeon, Abbey Vet Group.

"We like our teacher, Fiona, who is very nice and patient. She gives us written exercises as well, which we complete outside of the lessons as homework."

Roberta Polidori

English course in Online.