Ideal for students looking for an affordable school with a true family dynamic.
Not ideal for younger students looking for an upscale school with an extensive social programme.
The good
- They foster a real community and a laid-back atmosphere; the director knows every student by name.
- Spacious classrooms with ample natural light.
- It is one of the most affordable schools in Brighton, and it has the best value for money for learning English.
The bad
- It is a very small school and does not have many facilities.
- They do not offer an extensive range of courses.
- Not the best diversity mix compared to other schools (Saudis = 35%, Brazilians = 30%).
My overall take
Interactive English Language School Brighton (IELS) is located in Hove, 15 minutes by public transport from the city centre. In the immediate surroundings, there are a few supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes.
The social programme is limited; unlike other schools, there is no dedicated social programme team, and most activities, if not all, are suggestions for independent exploration rather than planned visits with the school.
The school has an intimate communal break room with access to water and hot drinks. Additionally, there are Mac PCs and a mini pool table, which shows that they put some thought into providing entertainment and resources for the students despite not charging expensive course fees.
There is an undeniable identity at IELS; they focus on fostering a strong community and only accept more mature students aged 18 and over. There is genuine care for the students, and a real emphasis is put on providing the best education for an affordable price.
If you want a quieter, simpler learning experience in Brighton without breaking the bank, this school would be perfect for you. I think this school is ideal for mature and independent students in their late 20s, but there are students of all ages at this school.
Book Interactive English Language School Brighton with exclusive discount
Interactive English Language School Brighton at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.3 (162 reviews) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Average Max. 14 students in General English course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Below average diversity No nationality more than 35% Top nationality: Saudi |
| Learning Intensity | 5 hours of homework per week |
| Number of students | 90 adults in July 60 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 18 years |
| Accreditations | British Council, English UK |
| Course range | General English, IELTS Exam Preparation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: £150 3 weeks: £450 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: £50 Course material fee: None |
| Price Level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | £11.10 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfiltered comments from random students I met at the school and asked about their experience.
“The most beautiful thing about this school is its almost a family, all the people are friendly and they talk to you personally so they can give you personal advice“
Alessandro
32 years from Italy
“The teachers and the managers are really friendly, its not like they say “no, I’m just a teacher” you can ask them anything, not just about things regarding school“
Sami
22 years from Saudi Arabia
Questions to school director
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “We are a family school, and we only cater for adults and we treat all our students like adults“
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “Someone who is independent, and an independent learner, who is curious not just about English but wants to learn more about themselves and about other people too”
Excerpts above from my conversation with Steve Johnston, Director of Interactive English Language School.
School inspection report
Classrooms
There are only four classrooms, but they are all spacious and furnished with large tables, padded chairs and ample natural light. The furniture is a little dated but does the job perfectly. There is also full heating in all the classrooms, and fans are available for the hotter summer months.
The one oddly shaped classroom in the attic has air-conditioning due to its location within the building.
Facilities
The school is not very large and therefore does not have many facilities like other schools. That said, there is a communal area with Mac PCs, a hot beverage station, a mini pool table and various seating spaces where students can relax after class.
Surrounding area
IELS is located in the Hove area, 15 minutes into the city centre by public transport. The school is off a high street, and in the area, there is a large supermarket (Tesco Superstore), many restaurants, cafes, the town hall, and even the Hove Museum of Creativity.
Social activities
The activities are limited, and suggestions are made for places to visit independently rather than as an organised school trip/social activity. Students must be confident in lone exploration for this type of social programme.
Trusted student ratings of Interactive English Language School Brighton on the web
| Total | 4.3 (162 reviews) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.3 (162 reviews) |
Ratings as of June 14, 2024
Why no Google or Facebook ratings? Schools may have requested Facebook, Google or Trustpilot reviews only from those students that previously gave positive after-course evaluations. I only trust ratings from independent booking platforms/agencies, that allow exclusively clients who booked via their platform to rate the schools. I have checked each of these sites above and they have no disproportional number of positive vs negative reviews.
