Welcome to Caledonian Language School!

We look forward to welcoming you to our new school, here in the centre of Edinburgh. But although the school is new, the teachers are highly qualified and experienced. The city centre location gives us access to public institutions, so that as part of your programme, you can visit the Scottish Parliament (designed by a Spanish architect) or the law courts in Edinburgh’s oldest street, the Royal Mile. You’ll learn about Scottish and British culture, as well as improving your English. Depending on your level, you can also do examination preparation.

You’ll follow a well-planned programme, with lots of speaking practice in class to improve your fluency. But what happens outside class is equally important. You’ll have homework. Why? Because it helps you to learn. There will be computers in the school, not just for you to check your e-mail and go on Facebook, but to go on language learning websites, and use materials which suit you as an individual. And let’s not forget that we are in Britain, so we need to get out and interact with native speakers of English!

Students always want to know what they will actually do on a course. Of course, you’ll study grammar and vocabulary, but you’ve probably studied them in your home country, and can understand some or most of what you read or hear in English. We really want to turn that passive knowledge (understanding) into active knowledge (use) of English - that is, to give you lots of practice in speaking in class, and writing tasks to complete as self-study. Improving these productive skills makes you an active user of English - and a more confident one. Studying English here at the Caledonian Languages School will make you a better English speaker.

Principal’s Profile

I can’t believe that I’ve been teaching for thirty years, but it’s true. I graduated in 1981 with a degree in English Language and Literature from Edinburgh University, and went to teach in Italy for two years, with another year in Istanbul, before coming back to the UK. I did my teacher training at London University Institute of Education, which involved a 6-week placement in Madrid. Since then I’ve worked in a variety of private and public organisations, from a small language school preparing post-graduate students for university study in the UK to Edinburgh University Institute for Applied Language Studies as a Course Director for English for University Students.

Since 1993, I’ve worked at Edinburgh’s Telford College, firstly as a lecturer in Communication and English for Speakers of Other Languages, but since 2003 as Curriculum Manager (Director of Studies) for English Language courses in the college. This means that I have a strong commitment to Quality, combined with a good appreciation of what students need to progress. Now that the college has moved away from EFL courses, I want to use my experience to create my own school, where I can use my knowledge and experience to give students the best language learning environment possible.

Helping to do this are staff I’ve worked with for many years in the college. All are qualified to university degree standard, with a teaching qualification such as Cambridge DELTA or a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics. We are committed to providing the experience you want: well-planned classes offering communicative practice to improve your fluency and give you a wider knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Caledonian Language School