English language courses near Cape Town, South Africa

The International English School, Cape Town:
The International English School is located in Somerset West outside of Cape Town in South Africa. We have been offering English classes since May 1995 in this safe and small town and enjoy an excellent international reputation. The School caters to the international and local market and has shown remarkable growth since its inception. The school specialises in both academic and business English. The programme for academic English is unique in the Western Cape. Over 350 business students ranging from pathologists, accountants, top management to middle and low management, secretaries and receptionists have successfully completed courses with TIES in the last 10 years.

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We have fantastic English speaking home stay families where students live in luxury while they study. Our school cares - that's why our students return to us year afer year.

SMALL FRIENDLY SCHOOL: Students are part of the family and get lots of individual attention with a maximum of 6 students per class

ESTABLISHED IN 1995: We have many years of experience in looking after our students and in English education.

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STAFF: Our staff are dedicated, qualified teachers, assisting students both in and out of the classroom.

CARING HOMESTAY FAMILIES: Our families take superb care of our students and in return our students stay in luxury homes.

PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE: With our range of academic, business, and social English classes, along with private lessons and intensive programs, all the way to our excellent teacher training programs, we offer something for everyone. We accept all ages and cater for all budgets.

ACADEMIC TRANSFER MADE EASY: Many of our students love South Africa so much they never return home We can assist with transfer to high schools, colleges and universities locally.

VISA OFFICER ON SITE: If you need any advice regarding visas we have an immigration officer at school.

BEAUTIFUL AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT: Somerset West is the first choice for foreigners coming to live in South Africa.

VALUE FOR MONEY: With an excellent exchange rate your standard of living will be very high and your English classes the cheapest in the world.

TOURIST MECCA: The Western Cape is the premier tourist destination in South Africa, offering wine, mountains, magnificent beaches and friendly English speaking people.

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN: We love SA and once you are here we are confident that you will too. We have the most progressive constitution in the world, our banks are rated 10th in the world, we have had single digit inflation since 1993 and we pay the cheapest electricity in the world. Our wines win many international awards, our drinking water was found to be the 3rd cleanest in the world and SA breweries produces 50% of China's beer and is the 4th largest brewery in the world. And not forgetting Nelson Mandela who, an international icon of forgiveness, tolerance and humanity, is our favourite son.

We invite you to explore all that The International English School has to offer....

- A friendly and comfortable learning environment
- Personal attention and support from instructors and staff to help ensure student success
- Dedicated and accomplished teachers who encourage student participation
- Small class sizes that offer one-on-one time with the instructor
- TIES are open all year round

International students are integrated into a privileged South African lifestyle and participate in all aspects of academic life with students from around the world. Students enrolled in upper level English programs may choose to register for teacher training courses.

Course Overview:
- GENERAL ENGLISH: 20 hours per week, small classes, all levels

- BUSINESS ENGLISH: 30 hours per week (20 hours in class, 10 hours individual tuition) all levels

- INTENSIVE IMMERSION PROGRAM: 30 hours per week (20 hours in class, 10 hours individual tuition) all levels

- PRIVATE LESSONS: 10, 20, 40 or 60 hour contracts, individual tuition, hours and days to suit. Academic, business and social English offered. We accept all levels and all ages.

- TOUR GROUPS: 15 - 20 per group, all levels, maximum 5 students per class, short 2 - 3 week tourism and English program, High school, university, business and tourist groups welcome. 

- TEFL TEACHER TRAINING CERTIFICATE: 4 week intensive course, minimum 100 hours, the theory and practise of English language teaching, class observation, practical teaching, language awareness forum.

Somerset West offers a large variety of accommodation. There are hotels, private flats, cottages, home-stay families and guesthouses.

We highly recommend staying in an English speaking home as this will maximise your learning experience. We also offer accommodation to high school aged children who wish to attend high school once their English programme is complete. We do not have accommodation for younger students.

Home-Stay Families and Accommodation
Host families are chosen for their interest in other cultures and their willingness to help students adjust to the South African lifestyle. They are all English speaking. A family could be a single person with or without children, two people living together but not married or a married couple with or without children. Living with home-stay families is a good way to learn and practice English. Once you book home-stay accommodation, you are expected to stay for at least 4 months. One month's notice to leave is required. You will get a large fully furnished private room in a local home. Services include transport to and from school if not within walking distance, laundry and cleaning. Included in the price is two meals a day. Often food is available for students to make their own breakfast, and dinner is a hot meal shared with the family.

Room and Private Flat Rentals
We have several families who offer self-catering room or flat accommodation.

The campus of The International English School is located in Somerset West, a small picturesque residential town about 48 kilometres from Cape Town, the premier tourism destination in South Africa. Somerset West has Mountains, Sea, Vineyards, and a pleasant town atmosphere all blessed with 39 weeks of summer annually.

There are many opportunities for sightseeing and hiking as well. It is very close to the premier wine area of the Cape, and the historic town of Stellenbosch, famous for its wines and University atmosphere, is 16 kilometers away.

Where is the Cape Province region?
The Cape region is on the Southern tip of South Africa. The school is in Somerset West, one of the most beautiful towns in the Cape.

Why choose the Cape Province region?
- Safe & clean environment
- Scenic location
- Excellent outdoor recreational opportunities

A Natural Wonder
Beautiful Helderberg Mountain towers over the Somerset West. While climbing her magnificent slopes take a moment to enjoy the rest of the wonderful scenery that the coastline with long white beaches can offer. With long, hot summers and fairly mild winters, Somerset West offers residents and visitors year-round natural wonders.