The English language school in Brighton is located on a beautiful square 5 minutes' walk from the sea and close to the city centre. ELC Brighton is a large, spacious school combining modern facilities with a unique historic interior. It offers a good nationality mix and a friendly, caring and safe learning environment. 

Fact File

• Founded: 1962
• Classrooms: 32
• Students: peak 320; off-peak 120
• Maximum class size: 12
• Average class size: 10
• Minimum age: 16
• Free wifi: throughout school and in accommodation

Facilities

• interactive whiteboards, iPads, smart TVs
• 2 student lounges
• student 'kitchen'
• Study Centre and Computer Room
• bookshop
• Business Centre
• large Lecture Hall
• patio garden

They exist because of their students. From the beginning the emphasis in teaching at the English Language Centre was on giving students the opportunity to use their English to communicate in speaking. Their students come from all over the world - more than 50 different nationalities each year. In addition to learning English language and English culture, they also communicate through English with each other, learning about different cultures and different traditions.

ELC, therefore, is not just about learning English - important as that is - it is about learning from each other; teacher to student, student to student and student to teacher.

The original idea for the school came from Sweden when Ian Dunlop, then Director of Studies of the British Centre (part of the Folk University of Sweden) suggested the idea to Peter Hammarberg, then Rektor of Stockholm University Extra-Mural Department and of the Folk University of Sweden. Peter Hammarberg immediately started to turn the idea into a reality.

The original building at 33 Palmeira Mansions was found by John Orpen whose wife Marianne was a member of the Board of ELC from its inception. Glen Davie was appointed Principal, a post he was to hold for the next 25 years. Ian Dunlop was Academic Director.

With a Board, a building and a Principal in place, The English Language Centre welcomed its first students in April 1962.

The school continued to expand and started to use 35 Church Road, the building opposite 33 Palmeira Mansions. The greater space allowed the introduction of Multi-media rooms, video rooms and teaching of new types of courses. This period also saw ELC run the RSA Certificate in English Language Teaching courses for teachers (now Cambridge ESOL CELTA).

In keeping with its history and ethos, The English Language Centre continued to develop. A technology strategy saw significant investment in technology in the classroom at both centres with the introduction of class sets of iPads, SMART TVs, projectors and Apple TV installed in many classrooms. Sadly 2014, also saw the passing away of 2 well-loved and important people in the history of ELC, Robert O'Neill whose association with ELC went back to the 1970s, and Glen Davie the founding principal of ELC.     

The quality of the school and its development continued to be recognised by external accrediting bodies. A monitoring visit by ISI in May found the school continued to 'exceed expectations' in all categories. In the British Council inspection in June 2015, the school achieved 12 out of a possible total of 15 'areas of strength'. This made ELC 'a centre of excellence' and the top-ranked language school in Brighton and in the top 4% of schools in the UK, according to EL Gazette's review of British council inspection reports.

As part of the technology strategy the first Activeboards were installed. 

2016 was a busy year. A full inspection by ISI in May saw the school once again achieve top marks. The inspection report used the word 'excellent' 41 times to describe the school. 2016 also saw a re-brand of the 2 schools run by The English Language Centre, with new websites, a new joint brochure and new logos.

Their aim today is the same today as when they started in 1962 – to provide the best teaching and learning facilities that they can.

ELC Eastbourne - The beginnings, 1936

Eastbourne School of English was established in the summer of 1936 by Miss Frances Batchelor.  She had the dream of encouraging young people to learn the English language and to build friendships between the nations of the world.  Miss Batchelor was well travelled and was a member of the United Nations Association. 

The school moved to its present building at Graham House, 8 Trinity Trees in 1947. At first the school took only girls and the students had bedrooms in the building.