Channel School of English - Country Cousins

Come to Ilfracombe and discover a preserved part of South West England. Our English language schools in England provide students with quality family accommodation and a wide range of activities. Children and teenagers receive here quality English courses in England for all levels and for all requirements (Young learner English courses, Standard English courses, Classic and Intensive English courses as well as one to one English courses). There is no time to waste, come and improve your English language skills while enjoying our activities in one of England’s most beautiful scenery.

Country Cousins has qualified teachers in the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset in the beautiful south-west of England.

All three counties are renowned for their dramatic and beautiful scenery, being some of the most popular tourist destinations for both British people and visitors from abroad alike.

Its seaside resorts provide excellent opportunities for activities such as watersports, as well as the more leisurely pursuit of sunbathing. There are also plenty of opportunities for walking, climbing, birdwatching, mountain biking, horse riding, sailing and fishing to name but a few.

The town

Our year-round centre is based in Ilfracombe, a small seaside town situated on the rugged North Devon coast in the south-west of England. It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the National Park of Exmoor where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Ilfracombe originally grew around the harbour and fishing industry. However, the main industry now is tourism and the town is a favourite with English holiday-makers because of the many beaches and picturesque coves along the dramatic coastline. The popular, sandy, Atlantic beaches of Woolacombe, Putsborough, Saunton and Croyde are only ten minutes drive away and famous for offering some of England's finest surfing opportunities.

The population of the town is approximately 12,000 in winter, rising to around 20,000 in the summer. Channel however, is the only language school in the town and so student population in the town is always low even at peak holiday time. Ilfracombe provides a natural, safe and healthy environment away from the stress of city life and is a perfect destination for all ages. For teenagers it offers the type of freedom they may be unable to experience at home and for adults it is a place where they can still experience some of the old traditional England and where local people still have time to talk to you.

Ilfracombe boasts an excellent indoor swimming pool, good tennis, golf and table tennis clubs, plus the usual seafront attractions including the new and striking theatre. Most of the original harbour remains so there are many opportunities for fishing trips and wildlife cruises.

The centre

Channel School of English is a friendly, family-run business, established in 1973 and run by Patricia and John Swan.

It is a small school, catering for students in multi-lingual groups with up to 33 nationalities per year, and being the only language school in the town, the student population is low, even at peak time.

The school itself is an attractive red-brick building. Situated in a quiet residential area of Ilfracombe, it overlooks the town's main park which contains beautiful gardens, tennis courts and the students' social centre.

All classrooms are equipped with tape-players and black- or whiteboards, and have been specifically designed to encourage pair- and groupwork, thus maximising classroom use of English. There is also television and video, and overhead projector facility.

There is a reception area, interview room and noticeboard which keeps students up-to-date with academic and social programme changes.

There are also showers and changing rooms for the use of sports students, who also have the use of the sports equipment provided free by the school.