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EC Virtual Standard

The ideal choice for working students, this two days per week English language course will enable students to improve their English, at a time of their choosing. Accredited by the British Council, powered by National Geographic Learning, and with access to EC Online to provide an effective and learner-centred English learning experience.

Included with every course:

  • Live classes at a time chosen by individual students. Multiple time zones available 
  • Lessons delivered by qualified, experienced English teachers
  • 2 days of 90-min face-to-face virtual English classes
  • 30 mins a day of structured classmate collaboration
  • Unlimited self-study with access to materials on EC Online
  • Learner Oriented Assessment
  • FREE access to Microsoft Office for the duration of the course, including Word, PowerPoint, and much more!
  • Ability to upgrade and add one-to-one lessons

Sign up for a FREE trial lesson

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Meet our teachers from around the world here

This course is suitable for students who

  • who want to build or improve their English ability in all areas and skills
  • who want to learn before/after full immersion
  • who cannot travel or are quarantining

What can you expect on this course?

Why Choose EC Virtual?

1. Smaller Classrooms (10 students max)
  • Allows for more intensive learning
  • Increased time for teacher-to-student interaction
  • Closer monitoring of speaking and listening
  • More personalised feedback from the teacher
2. Collaborative Sessions
  • Students work freely and independently with each other, replicating real life workplace collaboration
  • More time for student reflection and interaction
  • Microsoft Teams allows students to message, video call and share documents
  • All collaborations are monitored by the teacher, but the main interactions are among students
3. Classroom Dynamics
  • Whole-class activities with participation from all students
  • Collaborating in a multi-cultural environment
4. Curriculum
  • Virtual classes will follow the same in-school EC curriculum
  • All classes use National Geographic Learning eBook adapted for online delivery
  • Learning is supplemented by our learning platform, EC Online
5. Flexibility
  • 2 different time zones
  • Classes are held 2 days per week so will not interrupt other commitments
  • Option to boost their English further by adding private classes (€50 per 45-minute class)

What can you expect on this programme?

How does it work?

1. Before class (15 mins)
The teacher will set up a pre-class assignment with relevant questions for students to prepare for the class. This can be anything from reading or listening from the course book, a relevant video or article, or a Flashpoint from EC Online. Students are able to come to class prepared to fully participate and get their best from the lesson. 

2. During class (90 mins) 
Small groups of 8-10 students from around the world collaborate via video call with their teacher. They outline objectives and goals, discuss the questions and task(s) from the pre-class assignment, review any questions and set up the post-class collaborative activity as well as the pre-class assignment for the next day.

Students should be prepared for a much more intensive class than a normal face-to-face session!

3. After class (30 mins)
Students are asked to work on a writing or speaking post-class collaborative activity, which they upload on Teams. Each assignment has clear success criteria to help students self-evaluate, set their own goals and see their progress. They discuss virtually with their group and the teacher monitors the chat.

Sample Timetable:

Class Time Zones
Students can choose between their school’s local time zone or the following time table (in case the student is back in-country).

Please note that the clock changes in the UK in the last week of October and last week of March. This will impact the local time of lessons.

Student Testimonial

EC virtual is really good solution when you don’t have a possibility to visit actual English classes. At the same time, you fill like attending a real school, where you can meet other students from far and wide. I have learned a lot of new information during my studying and my level of English became much better. All lessons were interesting, positive and effective, and teachers were very supportive and helpful. My advice for other students is: don’t hesitate to ask questions. It was great experience and I would recommend EC for my friends and acquaintances.

Olga, from Ukraine
Ukraine