English in York update

Since reopening English in York has welcomed learners from Turkey, Libya and some of the Gulf states. The school's face-to-face courses at present are a mix of General English and exam preparation for Academic IELTS.

It is truly heart-warming to enjoy pleasant merriment in the school's coffee lounge once again: the positive, cheerful atmosphere of the school had seemed a rather too distant memory! Although York is of course in lockdown, the students are still enjoying its green spaces and beautiful, historic sites. They are looking forward to fully exploring the city once restrictions are lifted.

In online lessons, the school's teachers are putting into practice professional development they undertook during the first lockdown by teaching a range of virtual courses. English in York has been busy with three projects with university students in France: TOEIC exam preparation for first-year Bachelor’s students, TOEFL exam preparation classes for second-year Master’s students, and flipped General English classes for first-year Master’s students. They hope to welcome the first group to York for a ‘Business Intelligence’ course next year. It will be wonderful to meet them in real life after such extended ‘screen time’!

The school's Director of Studies enjoyed researching and delivering a summer Webinar as part of the Quality English series sponsored by Macmillan, and recently co-hosted an online English UK North ‘Teacher Hub’ session on the topic of ‘Extending learning beyond the classroom’.

The York Associates division has been very active online, delivering training to companies in Germany, and to doctors as far afield as Asia and Latin America at all hours of the day and night!

English in York is encouraged that their adaptability and positivity in the face of challenge has certainly resulted from great team work. As Franklin D. Roosevelt noted, ‘a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor’! They are hopeful that 2021 will be a kinder year to us all in the industry and send good wishes to our colleagues in the Quality English Network.