Our mission

At Big Ben, we expect high standards of ourselves and our students and have proven success in external examinations. Our aim is to create a learning environment which is exciting to be in, where everyone feels valued and safe and where all students’ needs are met, including children with special needs and AMEA. 

Our philosophy

Believing that children learn better when they are happy, we cater for the pastoral as well as academic needs of our students and provide free extra tuition to any student when necessary. We guarantee to keep class sizes small and use carefully chosen material blended with up to the minute technology and equipment in every classroom.

We don’t adhere to a single method, rather a combination of methods tailored to suit the needs of the students at different times. We use games, music, projects, theatre and clubs to consolidate classroom learning which is all in English and keep our lessons varied.

Regarding assessment, we use both formative and summative approaches and have regular contact with parents. Our parents always have the chance to speak privately about their child’s progress. No student is represented simply as a number, which ensures that everyone is working together towards our combined goals and that the students themselves fully understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Read more Read less

Our certificate

Big Ben , is a Bronze Preparation Center that prepares learners for Cambridge English Qualifications. Cambridge exams are held in more than 130 countries, with 5.5 million students taking them every year. The certificates are recognised by 100% of British universities as proof of English language proficiency. 20,000 universities, employers and government organisations around the world recognise Cambridge English exams. See the certificate HERE.

our classes

All of the classrooms at Big Ben are fully equipped with interactive whiteboards and have full internet access, with equipment for both face to face teaching and hybrid teaching. At all levels, only English is spoken in the classroom and students are taught using experiential methods. Our material is all Cambridge based.

Juniors

Here at Big Ben, we tackle the first years of English language learning slightly differently.

In the first year our students cover material from Junior A class with reinforcement from our own Junior B material. The purpose of this is to avoid having so much material that the children are overwhelmed and to ensure that there is time for revision and a solid foundation. The happy introduction to foreign language learning, with methodology designed to suit the needs of young learners.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

Junior 1

Junior 2

Monday
16:00 – 17:30

Wednesday
16:00 – 17:30

Monday
18:00 – 19:30

Wednesday
18:00 – 19:30

Junior 3

Junior 4

Tuesday
16:00 – 17:30

Thursday
18:00 – 19:30

Tuesday
18:00 – 19:30

Thursday
18:00 – 19:30

A class

Emphasis on basic reading and writing skills with methodology used by UK primary schools.
At the end of the year we encourage students to sit for LAAS (palso) examinations.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

A1

A2

Wednesday
16:00 – 17:30

Friday
16:00 – 17:30

Monday
18:00 – 19:30

Wednesday
18:00 – 19:30

A3

A4

Tuesday
16:00 – 17:30

Thursday
16:00 – 17:30

Tuesday
18:00 – 19:30

Thursday
18:00 – 19:30

A5

A6

Tuesday
16:00 – 17:30

Friday
16:00 – 17:30

Wednesday
18:00 – 19:30

Friday
18:00 – 19:30

B class

An introduction to more sophisticated grammar points with emphasis on structure.
At the end of the year we encourage students to sit for LAAS (palso) examinations.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

B1

B2

Monday
16:00 – 17:30

Wednesday
16:00 – 18:00

Monday
17:30 – 19:30

Wednesday
18:00 – 19:30

B3

B4

Tuesday
16:00 – 17:30

Thursday
16:00 – 18:00

Tuesday
17:30 – 19:30

Thursday
18:00 – 19:30

B5

Tuesday
17:30 – 19:30

Friday
18:00 – 19:30

C class

All of the previous years’ knowledge put into practice with an emphasis on free project work.
At the end of the year we encourage students to sit for LAAS (palso) examinations.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

C1

C2

Monday
16:00 – 18:00 

Wednesday
16:00 – 18:00 

Monday
16:00 – 18:00

Wednesday
16:00 – 18:00

C3

C4

Tuesday
16:00 – 18:00 

Thursday
16:00 – 18:00 

Tuesday
17:30 – 19:30 

Thursday
17:30 – 19:30 

D class

The first year/s working towards formal certification with emphasis on oral fluency.
At the end of the year we encourage students to sit for LAAS (palso) examinations.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

D1

D2

Monday
19:30 – 21:30

Wednesday
19:30 – 21:30

Monday
19:30 – 21:30

Wednesday
19:30 – 21:30

D3

D4

Monday
16:00 – 18:00

Thursday
16:00 – 18:00

Tuesday
19:30 – 21:30

Thursday
19:30 – 21:30

Lower class (B2)

A one-year class, consolidating learning until spring, diagnostic testing to establish students’ suitability for either Cambridge FCE or Michigan ECCE examinations, with examination practice in the final month.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

L1

L2

Monday
19:30 – 21:30

Wednesday
19:30 – 21:30

Monday
19:30 – 21:30

Wednesday
19:30 – 21:30

L3

L4

Tuesday
19:30 – 21:30

Thursday
19:30 – 21:30

Tuesday
19:30 – 21:30

Thursday
19:30 – 21:30

Proficiency (C2)

For students wishing to attain a level of near native fluency, this class can last from one year to eighteen months for Cambridge proficiency CPE.

Program

/

up to 8 persons

P1

P2

Monday
19:30 – 21:30

Wednesday
19:30 – 21:30

Tuesday
19:30 – 21:30

Thursday
19:30 – 21:30

P3

P4

Tuesday
19:30 – 21:30

Thursday
19:30 – 21:30

Wednesday
16:00 – 18:00

Friday
16:00 – 18:00