Adults learn practical English language skills in a General English course, British Council Singapore

Get 15% off when you register for 2025 Term 1 English courses for adults + Up to S$500 UTAP funding for NTUC members. Book your preferred class now!

Improve your English speaking skills for work and daily life

The General English courses in Singapore are for adults who want to improve their English language skills for everyday use. These courses focus on improving oral communication and listening skills, developing grammar and expanding vocabulary. You will: 

  • Gain confidence in speaking and communicating in everyday situations, in English
  • Make friends from around the world
  • Enjoy MyClub, a free and engaging social learning experience with extracurricular activities and social events for all British Council adult learners
  • Exclusive access to The English Club Facebook group. Join our online global community of adult English language learners and teachers and practice English at a time that suits you! 

How to choose between General English courses in class or private lessons

Our highly qualified and experienced teachers support you throughout your learning journey. They help you achieve the results you desire through guidance and feedback to suit your goals. You can do these courses in 2 ways:

  • Part-time classes in our teaching centres in Singapore. Classes are just 16 students or less. Classes are kept small, so you get plenty of feedback from your teacher. 
  • 1:1/Small group private lessons for adults. Interact with your teacher at your own pace and time. You can do private lessons at any of our centres, or at your workplace or residence in Singapore.

How to track your English language progress

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) is an international standard for describing language ability. You can use it to know your current level of English  - and Track your progress.

General English courses and content

General English course

This course is for adults who need to improve their English language skills for everyday use. The course improves speaking and listening skills, as well as developing grammar and expanding your English vocabulary. 

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Speak English more fluently and confidently.
  • Listen to English and understand it, more easily understand.
  • Read and understand a variety of reading texts.
  • Write English with greater accuracy and effectiveness.
  • Understand and use a wider range of vocabulary words in English.

This course is suitable for adult students with English at CEFR levels A2, B1, B1+, B2, C1

Speak English with Confidence Foundation course

This course is for students who can use English to communicate at a basic level. The course focuses on improving English speaking skills, including pronunciation. You also learnuseful phrases to communicate in everyday life. 

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Talk confidently to people in everyday situations.
  • Speak English clearly enough to be easily understood by others.
  • Exchange opinions with other people and agree or disagree politely.
  • Understand and use the vocabulary of daily social life.
  • Use a range of English phrases to help you communicate effectively in everyday situations.

 This course is suitable for adult students with English at CEFR levels A1 to mid-A2

Speak English with Confidence Essential course

Our Speak with Confidence Essential course and Speak with Confidence Essential Plus course are for adults who want to improve their spoken English language skills for everyday use. These short 20-hour courses give you the time and confidence to improve your English speaking and listening skills. 

This Speak with Confidence Essential course is for students who can use English quite well, most of the time. The course helps you become more fluent in English. It improves your pronunciation, so people understand you more clearly. You also learn useful English phrases you can use in daily life.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Talk easily with others in common social situations.
  • Speak English more clearly, with better pronunciation.
  • Exchange opinions with others and give your point of view.
  • Understand the English vocabulary of daily social life, and use it with confidence.
  • Use a range of English phrases to help you communicate effectively in different everyday situations 

 This course is suitable for adult students with English at CEFR levels A2 to mid-B1

Speak English with Confidence Essential Plus course

Our Speak with Confidence Essential course and Speak with Confidence Essential Plus course are for adults who want to improve their English conversation skills for everyday use. These short, 20-hour courses give you the time and confidence to improve your speaking and listening skills. 

This Speak with Confidence Essential Plus course is for adults who already use English quite well – but want to be more fluent and natural. This course improves English pronunciation and vocabulary. You also learn colloquial language to suit a range of situations in daily life and work.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Talk easily with others in a wide range of social and work-related situations.
  • Speak clearly and be easily understood by a range of English speakers.
  • Deliver high-pressure communications such as work presentations with greater confidence and clarity.
  • Understand English idioms and colloquial phrases often used in social and work life, and be able to use them confidently. 

 This course is suitable for adult students with English at CEFR levels Mid-B1 and above

English pronunciation course

This 20-hour English pronunciation course in Singapore is for adults who want to speak English more clearly and confidently.

By the end of the course you will be able to: 

  • Pronounce English language sounds and words correctly.
  • Know the differences between similar sounds, in English words.
  • Learn word stress for clear communication.
  • Use sentence stress to make your meaning clear.
  • Understand how sounds connect in speech.
  • Use intonation to communicate your meaning clearly. 

This course is suitable for adult students with English at CEFR levels B2 and above

Prefer to join a full-day workshop?

This course can also be delivered intensively as a full-day Say it Clearly workshop focused purely on skills for working professionals. The course can be delivered over one, two or three days, to suit your schedule. 

 

Funding

The Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) is a training benefit for NTUC members to defray their cost of training. You can use UTAP for this course.

Course dates and fees