Where to Study English in Orlando

International students, business executives, and even the numerous tourists who visit Orlando can leverage local opportunities to improve their English language skills or prepare for a U.S. education by enrolling in one of Central Florida’s numerous ESL (English as a Second Language) programs.

Also known as ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), these programs help students and employees who are not native English speakers acquire or enhance their skills before they start college or enter the workplace in the United States. The scope of ESL programs range widely. Refresher classes for students and professionals who learned English in their native countries focus on American variations in pronunciation, vocabulary and verbalization. Others provide a basic introduction to the language for those who speak little or no English. Courses can also prepare students to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam, which is required by many U.S. institutions of higher learning.

Orlando remains one of the top five U.S. destinations for international travelers. Entertainment, shopping, dining, and nightlife venues offer a broad range of opportunities to experience the local culture. The city is best known as a major tourist hub, driven by such global must-see amusement parks as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Legoland. However, Central Florida has long been a popular vacation playground, with a lush semi-tropical warm climate that supports massive citrus groves. Beyond the hundreds of nearby lakes and rivers, Orlando is only two hours’ drive from the white sandy beaches of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The pleasant climate and thriving economy also draw international business executives, expat retirees, and the foreign students who flock to the Sunshine State’s public and private colleges and universities.

This influx of people from around the world has also created a favorable climate for a wide range of ESL programs offered by private educational companies, public universities, and private colleges. These programs enable students to acquire new skills or enhance their command of the English language. Some offer in-person training, while others provide online opportunities so foreign students can learn the language before arriving in the United States.

Private ESL Schools Offer Variety of Programs

Numerous private institutions offer ESL classes in Orlando and adjacent counties in Central Florida. Some are local entities with decades of experience, while others are branches of national educational companies that provide similar services across the country. (NOTE: While most schools have reopened in Florida, some institutions only offer remote learning opportunities, so check their websites for current in-person training options.)

Orlando area private ESL schools include:

  • The Orlando Language School (https://ols4u.com) offers online classes on a part-time basis. Their programs include Intensive Conversation, Intensive Grammar, Super Intensive, and preparation for standardized TOEFL exams. Private lessons are also taught in person at the school. 
  • Open Hearts Language Academy, or OHLA (https://www.ohla.com/best-language-school-orlando-ohla-schools), has three campuses in Winter Garden, Celebration, and downtown Orlando. Programs include intensive courses, one-on-one lessons, youth camps, and preparation classes for standardized exams such as TOEFL.
  • The global Berlitz Corporation’s Orlando Language Center (https://www.berlitz.com/language-centers/orlando) is a Berlitz Study Aboard location that functions as a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. Berlitz offers language training for youngsters, teens, and adults, plus language, intercultural and business solutions for corporate clients who speak other languages.
  • Uceda School (https://www.ucedaschool.edu/schools/florida/orlando-i) has two Orlando locations that provide English language programs and services to both local and international students.
  • The Language On Orlando School (https://languageonschools.com/locations/orlando) offers intensive and semi-intensive English; business English; accent reduction; and kids and family English programs.
  • English for Life Orlando (https://www.englishflorlando.com) has classes in conversation, business, and academics, as well as educational adventure tours.
  • Bishops Gate English Experience is part of the IJCA Bishops Gate golf training complex in Howey in the Hills (https://ijga.com/bishops-gate). The program combines three to four hours of English language development classes each day with up to four hours of athletic development (https://www.languageinternational.com/school/bishops-gate-english-experience-65830#courses).

 

College Classes Assist Non-Native English Speakers

Many public and private colleges and universities in the Orlando metropolitan area also offer ESL classes. Some are geared towards students enrolled in a degree program that those institutions, while others are available to non-traditional students.

The largest institution of higher learning in Orlando is Central Florida University. With more than 59,000 undergraduate students, UCF’s suburban campus covers 1,415 acres while another 10 regional campuses stretch from Daytona Beach to Ocala to Cocoa Beach. The UCF English as a Second Language for Academic Purposes (ESL/EAP) program (https://www.cf.edu/admissions/information-for-students/international/english-as-a-second-language-for-academic-purposes)

helps students improve their English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills before beginning academic classes. The curriculum also includes CPT Placement and PERT Placement for Non-Native English Speakers.

Other area colleges and universities with ESL programs include:

  • Valencia College in Orlando offers two ESL programs (https://valenciacollege.edu/students/intensive-english-program/) for visitors, local residents, and international students. The year-round Intensive English Program for ages 15 and up helps students improve their English skills before entering a degree program. Valencia also offers ESL youth programs for ages 10 through 14 during the summer and winter months. The three-level program (beginner, intermediate and advanced) improves proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing/grammar.

Many other public and private schools can be found at sites such as https://www.languageinternational.com/english-schools-orlando-23115. These classes and others provide extensive opportunities for students and other newcomers to Central Florida to obtain and/or enhance English language skills.

Other things to consider:

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Please contact our company if you are interested in studying English in Orlando or have questions about the Orlando area.  Using our network of colleges and universities in the United States, we may be able to help you select the right school for your specific educational goals.  Please email Michael at michael@visasupply.com if you have questions or require assistance.