Meridian School of English
Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth, England, Hampshire P01 2AB, UK
Meridian School of English
Morning Lessons = General English
Afternoon lessons= Exam preparation
On the exam preparation course, participants will:
• Study and practise the elements required in the exam syllabus.
• Take a 'mock' test using genuine material from exam papers.
• Discuss (on a 1-1 basis) student's performance in the test, and your chances in the real exam.
• Develop and practise the techniques required in the exam.
• Provide extensive practice using exam material.
• Give every student a practice oral interview with written feedback.
Expected benefits:
• Greatly increase chances of passing the exam first time.
• Get lots of practice with authentic exam materials and increase overall understanding of English.
• Study with other students from different backgrounds to help and encourage one another.
• Understand the exam syllabus for the IELTS exam.
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 5 students |
Maximum | 8 students |
Age range | 16 years old and older |
Average | 23 years old (18 in the summer) |
Portsmouth, a dynamic and vibrant waterfront city, is situated on the south coast of England 103 km south west of London. A significant naval port for many centuries and home to Nelson’s HMS Victory, its waterfront is dominated by the 170 meters high Emirates Spinnaker Tower. The city boasts unique shops, great places to eat and a rich culture with magnificent theatres, live music, art galleries, museums, and two cathedrals.
The school can be found on the third floor (with lift access) of the historic Guildhall, an outstanding example of Victorian neo-classical style completed in 1890. Located in the heart of the city it is just a couple of minutes’ walk from Portsmouth and Southsea Railway Station.
As well as several classrooms, there is a quiet room for study or contemplation. A dedicated computer room provides internet access, and free WiFi is available too. Students also have access to a library of English language study texts, which can be borrowed.
Many nearby takeaways, cafes and convenience stores offer reasonably-priced food and drinks for snacks and lunch, and the Guildhall also has its own café, open to students as well as the public.
Students are invited to join in a range of free activities designed to provide an opportunity to experience British culture and explore Portsmouth. These include an orientation walk on the first day, social evenings in traditional British pubs, eating in local restaurants, listening to live music, bowling, pool, and skittles as well as shopping. There are also additional cultural trips every Saturday, which are subject to a supplementary charge.
We use a communicative approach to language learning. Our teachers contextualize their lessons which are adapted to the level of the students in their classes and delivered according to their preferred learning style, interests, and motivations.
Wherever possible, and whenever appropriate, the lessons are student led to provide maximum practice in the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, which increases communicative competence and confidence.
By using these various techniques, and encouraging learner autonomy, we provide an enjoyable and effective learning environment and experience for our students.
The nationality and age mix at Meridian School of English varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 23. In the summer, the average age is 18.
teaches students from all over the world, including:
does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.
Portsmouth is only 1hr 55mins from central London by train and roughly 2 hours by coach from Heathrow Airport.
Our Portsmouth school is located on the third floor of the prestigious Guildhall building, which was built in 1890. Its location in the heart of Portsmouth means that it is close to the lively central cafes and bars and the Gunwharf Quay shopping centre.
Surrounded by working docks and historic buildings, the Historic Dockyard is a great place to experience 800 years of naval history. The dockyard is home to many world famous historic ships such as HMS Victory (Nelson’s flagship), HMS Warrior (the world’s first iron-hulled, armored warship) and you can also see the remains of King Henry VIII’s flagship in the Mary Rose museum.
Portsmouth is a gateway to the beautiful Isle of Wight, England’s largest island and smallest county. A catamaran journey takes 20 minutes from Portsmouth harbor across the Solent to the fourth longest and oldest pier in the UK at Ryde or you can try the 10 minute trip by hovercraft from Southsea beach.
Queen Victoria loved the Isle of Wight and you can still visit her favorite home of Osborne House as well as Carisbrooke Castle where King Charles I was held prisoner during the English Civil War.
Helen my teacher very available then the classmates very nice
Show details » Read more...I learned a lot at Meridian school. I enjoyed my stay at Port Smith. It's a good experience to meet different people from different countries.
Show details » Read more...I appreciate everything Meridian School gave me, like English skill, England’s culture and friendly teachers and classmates. This is the best choice I had done!
Show details » Read more...I had been to Meridian School of English for General English lessons for 3 months. It was really great to spend time in such a good atmosphere.
As a computer engineer, English is one of the most important parts of my occupation. My English has improved a lot in Meridian School. I work at a bank now. Receiving English education in Meridian School of English has played an important role in my career.
From the first day of school, all the teachers helped, motivated, and gave courage about learning English to all the students. I really appreciate the teachers’ professional approach and the quality of the teaching. They teach and communicate positively. I’m really lucky that I took lessons from knowledgeable, effective, and friendly teachers.
I enjoyed studying a lot at this school. The classes were well-structured, well-organised and the class sizes were small so I could ask a question anytime.
The school staff was very friendly, funny, and helpful as well. There was always someone to answer questions. They were always ready to help.
The school offered many activities and facilities. Every week, new activities were arranged: international dinners, movie nights, bowling, pool evenings, and so on. I've visited new places during the weekend with the school. We had guides who were very cheerful and reliable, and introduced the places. It was amazing to see England’s natural and historical places.
I've met a lot of people from other countries and different cultures so I've learned many things about them. We had such a nice time talking to each other. I still keep in touch with them.
My experience in Portsmouth was an enjoyable combination of studying and entertainment in a safe and lively place. There were many possibilities to encounter there. People who live in Portsmouth are helpful and kind as well.
Before this trip, I was very excited because I didn't know anybody there and I had no idea what would happen, but when I met with my host lady on the first day, all fears were gone. The lady who hosted me was very polite and friendly. I felt like I was at my home.
To sum up, this experience is one of the best things I've ever done. I was really relaxed throughout my stay. I've had many beautiful and unforgettable memories. I've met great people. After taking courses in Meridian School, my English has improved immensely. I participated in the upper-intermediate class after the exam I took. I use English proficiently. It’s been a real pleasure to study at the Meridian School of English. I would recommend Meridian School to everyone!
Thank you Meridian School of English!
I went to Meridian School of English in Portsmouth in the summer of 2012 as part of my university course back in Germany. I stayed six weeks in total and visited the school for 15 hours each week.
I massively enjoyed my stay because every single teacher made us feel absolutely welcome. They always took an interest as to how we were doing whether we get along with our host families (even though I didn't book mine through Meridian, they still made sure I was okay!) and what we wanted to do in class. Gemma Davies, who taught me in my six weeks at Meridian, was a fabulous teacher and helped me improve my English a lot by always varying tasks and making us talk in English at all times.
Meridian School of English is located in the beautiful Guildhall. When I was there the school had just moved so there were still a few things to improve, but overall the facilities were very appropriate for small study groups. Guildhall Square is in the very centre of the city, with the City Centre bus stops only a few minutes walk away.
The social activities varied from trips to Brighton and London to movie nights once a week. Although I didn't really participate as I was there with friends from Germany and we mostly spend time amongst ourselves, everyone made sure we were always up to date so that we could join if we wanted to, which made us feel very welcome and appreciated.
As mentioned above, I didn't book my accommodation through Meridian; nevertheless I've heard lots of positive things about it from other students. Meridian takes a great interest in its pupils feeling as good as possible in their homes, and ask repeatedly if everything is alright. Also, a member of staff is always available for you to talk to if there are any problems at all.
All in all, I absolutely loved attending Meridian School and would come back anytime. What could also be interesting for you is that Meridian is affiliated with Tellus Group, so they offer a range of work experiences which you can do in combination with the language course. I did an internship via Tellus and Meridian in 2013 and it was as great an experience as my time spent at the school.
On top of that, Portsmouth is a very beautiful maritime city with lots of historic places to explore and the impressive Spinnaker Tower to be visited. By the way, if you ask a member of staff about student cards, they will give you one so that you get discounts on museums, the cinema, the Spinnaker etc. during your stay. All you need is a passport photo :)
You should be aware that living in the UK can be quite costly, and I found attending Meridian also quite expensive; if you have the opportunity to do a language course with them though, be assured that the experience is definitely worth its money.
Basically, Meridian School of English is a wonderful school with lots of brilliant teachers and I would thoroughly recommend everyone who wants to improve their English to go there. :)
Hi!
Thank you very much for your glowing review, it is massively appreciated - so thank you ever so much!
I hope you are doing well and you exceeding in whatever endeavour you are undertaking at the moment.
If you're ever in Portsmouth again, please come in for a coffee and a chat.
Thanks again for taking the time out to write your review.
Kind regards,
Andy
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying English in Portsmouth. These homes are often around 35 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.
If you are studying in the UK for over 11 months, you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you need to submit to the UK embassy along with your General Student Visa application. Students who have successfully booked a language course and have paid their fees will receive a CAS from . Please note that UK law states that a CAS can only be issued to students who intend to pursue English language studies for over 11 months.
If you are studying in the UK for 11 months or less, you have to apply for a special visitor visa called a Student Visitor Visa. As a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time while studying. If you plan to study in the UK for 11 months or less, a letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged £ 100 when you register.
Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Portsmouth based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.
Have questions? Get answers from Meridian School of English staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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