General English

Flexible group courses for everyday communication and fluency.

Academic English

Prepare for university study with advanced academic language skills.

Business English

English for professional communication in corporate and workplace settings.

Private Lessons

One-to-one lessons tailored to your goals, schedule and interests.

Language Excursions

Learn English while exploring Cape Town with your teacher as your guide.

IELTS Preparation

Get the score you need with targeted strategies and expert support.

Cambridge Exams

Prepare for the FCE or CAE with structured, high-quality training.

TOEFL Preparation

Build confidence and test skills to succeed in the TOEFL exam.

Private Lessons

Personalised one-to-one English lessons delivered online, on your schedule.

Corporate Groups

Live online training for teams, customised to your organisation’s needs.

English for Tech Professionals

Self-paced English course designed for developers, engineers, and IT teams.

Hiddingh Campus

Learn in a historic university campus right in the city centre.

Tours and Activities

Explore Cape Town and make friends through weekly excursions.

Social Programme

Join our schedule of fun events, outings and conversations.

Getting Around

Tips and tools for navigating the city like a local.

Social and Digital

Stay connected online and through our vibrant student community.

The Yellow House

A friendly, sociable student house just a short walk from school.

Adderley Studios

Modern, secure apartments in the heart of Cape Town.

Homestay

Live with a local family and experience South African culture.

Hotels & Aparthotels

Independent options for comfort, privacy and flexibility.

Price List

All tuition and accommodation fees in one clear table.

Booking Information

What to expect before, during and after you book.

Instalment Plans

Flexible payment options for long-term bookings.

User Login

View your bookings, make payments, and manage your details.

Visa Information

Visa options and support for international students coming to South Africa.

Insurance & Travel

What you need to know about travel, insurance and staying safe.

MyELC App

Access your timetable, progress and more on the student app.

Arrival and Orientation

How we help you settle in on your first day in Cape Town.

Certificates and Transcripts

How to request certificates, transcripts, or proof of enrolment.

Terms & Conditions

The small print — bookings, cancellations, and more.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the ELC team by email, phone or WhatsApp.

Privacy Policy

How we protect your data and respect your privacy.

Why Choose Us?

What makes ELC and UCT a great place to learn English.

About the University of Cape Town

South Africa’s leading university and home to the ELC.

About the English Language Centre

Who we are, what we offer, and how we teach.

Our Team

Meet the teachers, support staff and leadership team behind ELC.

Accreditations

Our international quality standards and endorsements.

Media & Press

News coverage, interviews and media mentions of ELC.

Testimonials

What our students, partners and teachers say about us.

Blog

Updates, stories and insights from the ELC community.


Get a Course Quote

View prices and options for your course and accommodation

Get a Quote

Book Your Course

Ready to study with us? Start your booking in just a few steps

Book Now

General English

Flexible group courses for everyday communication and fluency.

Academic English

Prepare for university study with advanced academic language skills.

Business English

English for professional communication in corporate and workplace settings.

Private Lessons

One-to-one lessons tailored to your goals, schedule and interests.

Language Excursions

Learn English while exploring Cape Town with your teacher as your guide.

IELTS Preparation

Get the score you need with targeted strategies and expert support.

Cambridge Exams

Prepare for the FCE or CAE with structured, high-quality training.

TOEFL Preparation

Build confidence and test skills to succeed in the TOEFL exam.

Private Lessons

Personalised one-to-one English lessons delivered online, on your schedule.

Corporate Groups

Live online training for teams, customised to your organisation’s needs.

English for Tech Professionals

Self-paced English course designed for developers, engineers, and IT teams.

Hiddingh Campus

Learn in a historic university campus right in the city centre.

Tours and Activities

Explore Cape Town and make friends through weekly excursions.

Social Programme

Join our schedule of fun events, outings and conversations.

Getting Around

Tips and tools for navigating the city like a local.

Social and Digital

Stay connected online and through our vibrant student community.

The Yellow House

A friendly, sociable student house just a short walk from school.

Adderley Studios

Modern, secure apartments in the heart of Cape Town.

Homestay

Live with a local family and experience South African culture.

Hotels and Aparthotels

Independent options for comfort, privacy and flexibility.

Find the Right Course

Use our Course Wizard to match your goals and level to the best option

Course Wizard

Take the Level Test

Not sure what level you are? Take the test and find out

Level Test

Price List

All tuition and accommodation fees in one clear table.

Booking Information

What to expect before, during and after you book.

Instalment Plans

Flexible payment options for long-term bookings.

User Login

View your bookings, make payments, and manage your details.

Visa Information

Visa options and support for international students coming to South Africa.

Insurance & Travel

What you need to know about travel, insurance and staying safe.

MyELC App

Access your timetable, progress and more on the student app.

Arrival and Orientation

How we help you settle in on your first day in Cape Town.

Certificates and Transcripts

How to request certificates, transcripts, or proof of enrolment.

Terms & Conditions

The small print — bookings, cancellations, and more.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the ELC team by email, phone or WhatsApp.

Privacy Policy

How we protect your data and respect your privacy.

Why Choose Us?

What makes ELC and UCT a great place to learn English.

About the University of Cape Town

South Africa’s leading university and home to the ELC.

About the English Language Centre

Who we are, what we offer, and how we teach.

Our Team

Meet the teachers, support staff and leadership team behind ELC.

Accreditations

Our international quality standards and endorsements.

Media & Press

News coverage, interviews and media mentions of ELC.

Testimonials

What our students, partners and teachers say about us.

Blog

Updates, stories and insights from the ELC community.

Arrival and Orientation

What to expect and how we’ll support you

What to Expect on your First Day

Starting a new course in a new country is exciting, and our Arrival & Orientation process is designed to help you settle in quickly. This schedule ensures that you have everything you need to begin your studies at ELC with confidence. From placement testing to getting to know the campus, each step is carefully planned to make your first day smooth and stress-free.

Your first morning at ELC is designed to help you settle in, meet your teachers, and get to know your classmates. You'll also explore the campus and gain a clear understanding of how everything works. By the end of the orientation, you'll know your class level, have your course materials, and be ready to start learning.

Make sure you arrive on time, complete your Online Placement Test in advance, and bring any required documents. Our team is here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Below is your Arrival & Orientation Schedule so you know what to expect.

Before arrival

Do the Online Placement Test

You’ll receive an email with a link to the online placement test two weeks before your course starts. Complete it in advance to start on day one—late completion means starting a day later.

8:30

Arrive at the School

Arrive at ELC in good time to check in, meet other students, and get ready for the day. Punctuality ensures a smooth start, allowing you to focus on your placement and orientation activities.

9:00

Speaking Test

Teachers conduct brief one-on-one speaking assessments to complement the online placement test. This helps determine your level and place you in the right class, ensuring the best learning experience.

10:00

Welcome Presentation

An introduction to ELC, your course, and student life. This session covers key policies, study expectations, and resources, so listen carefully to get the most from your time with us.

10:30

Campus Tour

Take a guided walk around the Hiddingh campus and our Adderley Street location. You’ll see classrooms, student spaces, and key facilities, helping you settle in and feel at home in Cape Town.

11:30

Class Allocation

Return to receive your class level, meet your teacher, and collect your coursebook. Your placement ensures you are in the right group to support your progress and language development.

12:00

Begin Class

Start your first lesson at 12:00, joining your classmates in the final morning session. Students on intensive courses will also have an elective class in the afternoon as part of their program.

First Day Schedule

Before arrival

Do the Online Placement Test

You’ll receive an email with a link to the online placement test two weeks before your course starts. Complete it in advance to start on day one—late completion means starting a day later.

8:30

Arrive at the School

Arrive at ELC in good time to check in, meet other students, and get ready for the day. Punctuality ensures a smooth start, allowing you to focus on your placement and orientation activities.

9:00

Speaking Test

Teachers conduct brief one-on-one speaking assessments to complement the online placement test. This helps determine your level and place you in the right class, ensuring the best learning experience.

10:00

Welcome Presentation

An introduction to ELC, your course, and student life. This session covers key policies, study expectations, and resources, so listen carefully to get the most from your time with us.

10:30

Campus Tour

Take a guided walk around the Hiddingh campus and our Adderley Street location. You’ll see classrooms, student spaces, and key facilities, helping you settle in and feel at home in Cape Town.

11:30

Class Allocation

Return to receive your class level, meet your teacher, and collect your coursebook. Your placement ensures you are in the right group to support your progress and language development.

12:00

Begin Class

Start your first lesson at 12:00, joining your classmates in the final morning session. Students on intensive courses will also have an elective class in the afternoon as part of their program.

Contact Us

Want to know what to expect when you land? We’ll walk you through it.

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