Today, there are countless online platforms designed to make learning English easier and more effective. With just an internet connection and a mobile device or computer, you can study a new language and work toward your personal and professional goals.
One of the most recognized organizations is the British Council, which promotes English language learning and British culture in over 100 countries. It offers courses for learners of all ages and levels, though it doesn’t necessarily provide unique features that set it apart from other schools.
At Papora, we know you want to make an informed decision, so we’ve analyzed the British Council’s offerings in detail to help you determine whether it’s the right fit for you—or if another option might better suit your needs.
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What is the British Council and how does it work?
The British Council is a world-renowned institution that has helped more than 100 million students master English and all aspects of the language. It offers classes both at its teaching centers and online.
Its educational catalog includes English courses for adults, English courses for children and young people, preparation for official English exams, online English lessons, corporate training, and English assessments.
Once you log in to the platform, you will need to take a free 5-minute test to determine your language skills and place you at the appropriate level: beginner, elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper intermediate, or advanced.
After receiving your results, you can select the monthly subscription that best suits you and customize your study plan with the topics you want to cover.
You will also have a 7-day free trial to explore the site, which you can cancel at any time.
Characteristics of the method:
The British Council offers its students flexible, dynamic, and personalized courses with a wide variety of teachers and schedules to choose from.
You can join 55-minute group classes with a maximum of 10 students, 25-minute private classes, and free 25-minute grammar or pronunciation webinars.
Each class has its own theme (social, cultural, or business-oriented) and consists of six lessons and a final assessment divided into two parts: a challenge with tests on grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, and a 25-minute private oral test.
After completing the tests, you will receive feedback from your instructor and a digital badge for your successful learning process.
Your online resources:
The British Council provides its students with various tools for learning English in order to help them acquire the language effectively.
Among the online resources it uses as a teaching strategy are audio and video files for practicing listening and speaking skills.
In addition, it provides model texts for writing assignments and online exercises to support grammar lessons and validate proper assimilation.
It also uses word games to improve your vocabulary and pair and group activities to assess your communication skills.
British Council face-to-face lessons
It is important to bear in mind that the British Council's strength lies in the education provided at its teaching centers, if your country has one.
In general, face-to-face classes are divided into: general English, IELTS preparation courses, reading and writing courses, and intensive and extensive listening and conversation courses. However, these may vary depending on where you live.
British Council online classes
Online classes are scheduled 24/7 so you can study English according to your preferences. The timetable is displayed according to the local time you select when you log in for the first time.
You will receive group or private lessons in an inclusive and multicultural environment where you choose the topics you want to study. You will also have access to high-quality exercises to practice in your free time.
How much does it cost to study with the British Council?
Prices vary considerably because they depend on your country, your level, when you decide to enroll in the course, and whether you choose in-person or online classes. The best thing to do is to contact the British Council directly using the form on their official website to obtain accurate information on this matter.
What is clear is that the platform offers three monthly plans:
- Silver (5 group classes) at a price of $72 USD per month.
- Gold (10 group classes) at an approximate price of between $137 and $152 USD per month.
- Platinum (15 group classes) at a price of between $185 and $206 USD per month.
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Advantages and disadvantages of learning English with the British Council
If you have decided to learn English at home or in person with the British Council, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of their services depending on what you choose to study one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
Advantages:
Flexible schedules
The website is available every day, around the clock, allowing users to choose the schedule that best suits their lifestyle.
You choose the course topics
The variety of topics covered in British English courses is one of their great advantages, as it gives you the opportunity to study the language through subjects that interest you.
You have the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom to study English
If your plans include traveling abroad to study another language, you may be interested in the scholarships and financial support offered by British English. It is a great option for experiencing the culture and English more closely.
Disadvantages:
Ineffective customer service
Unfortunately, the user is not the priority for the British Council. There are many complaints about their poor customer service because they do not respond to concerns or send the requested information, which is a negative point for the platform.
Not all teachers are native speakers
They do not have a good filter for selecting their teaching staff, triggering dissatisfaction among students who expect to have qualified native teachers to teach the language. This is contrary to what you can find at Papora.
Problems with refunds
They do not return money to users in a timely manner, and when the relevant contact is made to carry out the refund process, no response is received. In other words, many students have complained that they have been robbed.
There is a fee for sending exam results
If you take an exam with a school, it is only fair that they give you the test results at no additional cost, but the British Council charges for this service.
User reviews
To better understand what the British Council has to offer, it is important to read user reviews and analyze them carefully before deciding to take their courses.
“I am fascinated by this school. The investment is well worth it. They offer extra tools at no additional cost, the teachers use a variety of teaching methods that are appropriate for the level of the course, and the groups are made up of students who are very open to learning and supporting you.”
Although the British Council has good methods for learning English and the resources used facilitate language study, you should bear in mind that not all instructors are native speakers. This is in contrast to what you might find at academies such as Papora.
“Terrible service! Most of the teachers are from non-native English-speaking countries. All the good teachers are already booked up for weeks in advance.”
Additionally, communication with users is not very effective. The customer service experience could be improved, as students often do not receive timely information, which can slow down their learning progress.
“I purchased a package of five courses and an exam called Aptis at the end of the package. I never received the information about everything that the package entailed on time. In fact, I was the one who had to communicate about everything. I took the exam more than two months ago because I insisted that they send me the exam date. Today, two months later, I have not been given any reason for the results. Customer service does not respond to any requests, and no one provides any information about your concerns. Very bad experience. I do not recommend it.”
Finally, it is worth mentioning that their value for money is quite questionable. They charge high fees, even for sending the results of tests taken by users.
“It's unbelievable that they charge you an extra $600 to send your IELTS results within Mexico. Even sending documents to another country doesn't cost that much.”
In short, is it worth studying English with the British Council?
The British Council is a great choice if your goal is to immerse yourself in British culture and study English from this perspective, offering a wide range of topics and personalized monthly plans.
However, if you’re looking to build a strong foundation in the language with a guarantee of progress, guided by teachers who are dedicated to creating engaging, high-quality learning experiences beyond traditional methods, you may want to consider a more student-focused platform with premium services.
Why do we recommend learning English with Papora?
Unlike the British Council, Papora is an online platform that understands the importance of learning English. For this reason, it uses modern study methods, designed and taught in virtual classes by native-level teachers who seek to go beyond traditional teaching.
Each class encourages active student participation and explains grammar topics using visual tools such as photos, videos, memes, emojis, and examples from real-life situations. You will study all areas of the language simultaneously.
Papora's approach is to help you develop your communication skills so that you can express yourself confidently in the language from day one. The idea is to complement reading and writing with listening and speaking.
Most interestingly, Papora has a self-guided course for students to practice what they learn in virtual classes, the perfect complement that the British Council lacks.
Papora offers you the unique opportunity to learn English at your own pace.
Our platform offers you access to a comprehensive set of resources and quality content, designed to accelerate your progress in the language.
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