All our staff at ‘ELC’ are friendly, experienced and well qualified in the teaching of English using the ‘Laugh, Learn and Succeed – Osmosis Technique’ . Lesson planning with exam preparation, progress checking and innovative teaching methods ensure that you will learn English well and rapidly providing that you have the correct attitude to learning and the motivation to improve.
Mr Séan Mc Burney
The Principal / Director & Teacher – ‘Designated Prevent Strategic Lead’ – ‘First Aider’
Educated in England, Ireland and France. He completed a University of Oxford Certificate in Education 1972 and qualified as a Ministry of Education teacher in English, French and drama / theatre. He has visited many countries in Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, as well as Africa – learning about different cultures and traditions.
He has been preparing student customers for the IELTS, Cambridge and TOEFL examinations for entry to UK Universities, Higher Education Institutions and Company Training Courses for over 40 years.
As a Northern Irishman he enjoys fishing, reading newspapers, watching rugby and telling stories over a glass of ‘lemonade’ .
Mr McBurney (McB) is a member of Reading Abbey Rotary Club – https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=563
I have a great memory of all at ‘ELC’, excellent teachers, friendly staff and meeting lots of new friends.
Gabriela, Italy
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‘ELC’ experience for me it has been an amazing experience because I'm confident person when I speak English with people. ‘ELC’ is a friendly school. I recommend ‘ELC’ because I hve learnt a lot, the teachers are very professional. Mr McBurney is a good man. I love ‘ELC’ school.
Alison, Spain
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I improved my English day after day. Thanks to ‘ELC’. Reading is a very nice town, great, lively and quiet. I chose ‘ELC’ as my best friend advised me.
I would recommend ‘ELC’ as it is interesting to meet people from different countries and there is nice, friendly atmosphere here.
Adrien, France
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Thank you ‘ELC’ for the period I spent with you. It was one of the best experience of my life.
I would like to greet Mr McBurney and fantastic teachers when I return to Reading.
Alessandro, Italy
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I have met some good friends at ‘ELC’ from other countries. I will always keep in touch with them. When I came to England my English was rubbish. I see, it’s better now.
Bianca and Mr McBurney are really good teachers. Especially, McBurney teaches very well. I will never forget his different stories and vocabularies. Thank you ‘ELC’.
Busra
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I have had a great experience at ‘ELC’ school not only about the professional teachers but also about the organisation in general. Olena and Mr McBurney, both are very helpful and kind people and they provide you with the best option to attend your classes and also the best home stay accommodation. I strongly recommend the college and the tutors to anyone to coming in UK to learning English.
Beatriz
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I learnt a lot of valuable skills and information. The course content met my expectations. The teachers were very knowledgeable in the subject and presentation of lessons was easy to follow and understand. The teachers made course interesting and stimulating. Thanks ‘ELC’. I had a very good time.
Doriana
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I arrived here by coincidence and I couldn’t be happier. I met a lot of great people and had fun in the classes and I learnt a lot of English too. I would recommend ‘ELC’ if you want to learn English it is the best way to do it, it’s not like learn in a job, because they can correct your mistakes. You meet a lot of people with more or less the same level of English as you and it makes it easier to go out and communicate with other people.
Gonzalo
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On my first day at ‘ELC’, I was afraid that I might not have what it takes to get the grade I needed, but as soon as I met the whole staff, teachers and the principal it all changed . I didn’t thought that they will be so friendly and helpful . When I started to study, teachers really helped me to work on my weak points and to improve what I am good at. Whenever I had a question they always make sure to give me that I need. I recommend ELC to any student who wants to learn English in an academic and a friendly environment. I am sure that all students will feel like home and if you are a student you will get excited to attend every class and every debate.
Husain Abdul Wahid
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‘ELC’ is a good combination of intensive, productive work and a friendly atmosphere. I improved my English and it makes me feeling more confident.
Above all, tutors and all staff of ‘ELC’ is very attentive to every student, every question and wish.
Reading is a small, nice and beautiful town, situated on the river, not far from London, Oxford and Windsor, so you can combine both studying and a good rest, going sightseeing. Life in Reading is calm and slow and people are polite and friendly, I like it very much.
At the same time you can find everything here – nice restaurants and pubs, shopping centres and concert halls. I’d strongly recommend ‘ELC’ because you feel at home here from the 1st day of classes. You get attention both as a student and a person. Personal of ‘ELC’ is high qualified. At the same time price is very reasonable. Location is also very good – in the centre of the town with its infrastructure. So, it’s the best school so far. If I have chance to come back to ‘ELC’ again, I’ll be happy! Thank you, ‘ELC’!
Irina
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Ellie's class is perfect for me. I really like her and her teaching style and I learned a lot during my stay in 2012. Therefore, I am very happy to continue in Ellie's class. I haven't taken any of IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge exams yet, because my University here in Germany didn't accept any of them. The University has its one placement examination which one has to pass in order to study English. Would you recommend that I take one of them? And if yes, which one?
I really look forward to coming back.
Katharina
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Dear Mr. Mc Burney,
I hope you are fine and in good health.
I am one of your students I had my best English course ever in 2011, you may not remember me but l'll never forget you. You just came across my mind and I can't stop smiling while remembering all that happy moments you let us feel. I really wish to study with you again and wish you all the best Mr. Mc Burney.
Afraa
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Olena
Bursar – school fees and financial affairs.
Having first visited and studied in the UK from 1999 – 2003 she moved here permanently in 2004. She is University educated and formerly worked in the Pathology Department (Haematology) of The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading for four years. She speaks Russian and understands Ukrainian, enjoys meeting new students, cooking, swimming and the sauna.
Lynnie
Teacher – Academic Manager – ‘First Aider’ ‘Designated Safeguarding Lead’
With a BA in Languages and Linguistics, she has taught and travelled all over the world, from Europe to Africa, Asia, Australia and beyond!
She is passionate about helping students achieve their goals through language and communication and she is happiest when her students can see the progress they are making. She loves teaching in an environment of small classes where learning with fun can have a real impact on how quickly students improve.
When she is not outside horse-riding or kayaking along The Thames, she is following her other passions – music and theatre.
Chrissie
Cover Teacher and support to the ‘Academic manager’
She is a Trinity Diploma (DELTA) qualified English language teacher with a P.G.C.E in adult education with over thirty years’ experience of teaching at colleges and language schools in Devon, Madrid, Reading college and now at ‘ELC’ where she has taught for over three years.
She has taught many different courses during her teaching career including the Cambridge suite of exams (KET,PET and FCE), ESOL City and Guilds at various levels and Business English. Recently she has also been an examiner for the ESOL City and Guilds speaking and listening exams. She loves teaching and getting to know students from around the globe and enjoys an excellent rapport with learners which she believes brings out the best from them, increases their confidence and fosters a co-operative friendly atmosphere in which learners can flourish. She is also a strong believer in student centred well-structured lessons using a variety of teaching methods to suit the varied student needs and preferences and most of all she believes that learning should be fun!!
When not teaching, Chrissie enjoys travelling, learning languages, reading historical novels and visiting places of historical or geographical interest. (She is a keen member of the National Trust). Chrissie looks forward to welcoming you to the ELC and can assure you that your learning experience will be a rewarding and enjoyable one!
Paul
Teacher
Paul holds the Cambridge DELTA and DTLLS, as well as a Joint Honours degree in English and Drama. He has been teaching English since 1993, and in that time has been Director of Studies for one of the largest language schools in Turkey, and lecturer and Programme Leader at Reading College. As well as teaching at ELC, he also lectures at Reading University. He has also presented at ELT conferences on a wide range of topics, from the theoretical to the practical. Paul’s main interests in language teaching are materials design and blended and distance learning using online education platforms.
Paul speaks fluent Turkish, having taught himself, and has a wide interest in other languages. Outside of teaching, he is a Voice Artist, making recordings of audiobooks, elearning, gaming and adverts for clients around the globe. He has also returned to performing on stage in recent years, and has been in several stage and film productions.
