Toronto is a vibrant city that attracts many people from all over the world. The diversity of its population makes it an ideal place to learn English and improve your communication skills.
But with so many English schools in Toronto, what are the options for every budget and level of proficiency?
Overview
English is the most commonly spoken language in the world, making it an ideal second language to learn. Toronto is a multicultural city with many international students and professionals who speak English as their second language.
There are many schools in Toronto that offer English programs for adults, children, and teens with varying levels of proficiency. You can choose from private or public schools, day or night classes, and full-time or part-time programs—there are so many options that you’re sure to find what works best for you.
While the teaching style at each school varies slightly based on its location (urban vs suburban), size, and budget constraints, all these English schools in Toronto still provide a quality education through certified teachers who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
Accreditation of English Schools in Toronto
There are few bodies that regulate English schools operating in Toronto. But here are the major ones to look out for:
- ALTO, and
- Languages Canada.
Other accreditation organizations for English schools in Toronto include:
- British Council, and
- NAFSA.
All the English schools in Toronto listed in this article have been accredited by major regulating bodies. Here they are:
List of 15 Top English Schools in Toronto
We’ve assembled a list of 15 of the top English language schools in Toronto and Canada, including international schools and local ones near you.
Let’s review them.
ILSC Language School
ILSC’s campus is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, with classrooms and facilities spread across five buildings. This language school has been training students for more than 50 years, and its instructors are known for their experience and dedication to high-quality teaching.
The school offers both group and private classes, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 (class sizes range from two to eight students). Classes run throughout the day on weekdays, as well as during some weekends. Students can learn English or French at this school—or both.
ILAC – International Language Academy of Canada
ILAC – International Language Academy of Canada is a private institution located in the heart of downtown Toronto. It offers English language courses for adults and children. ILAC has a variety of programs that range from general English to business English, as well as intensive TOEFL preparation courses.
The school also offers an Intensive English Program (IEP), which is designed to help adult students improve their overall English skills quickly so they can enter or re-enter the workforce more easily.
The school provides a friendly atmosphere where students can feel comfortable while taking their classes. The teachers are all qualified instructors who have been chosen because they have extensive experience teaching ESL students with varying degrees of proficiency levels.
Quest Language Studies
Quest Language Studies is a Toronto-based English school that offers a wide range of English courses and programs. They are accredited by the Ministry of Education in Ontario and recognized by the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASL).
If you’re looking to improve your English skills, Quest Language Studies has an extensive variety of course options available for students at all levels. These include:
- Business English classes
- General ESL classes
- Professional writing courses
- TOEFL/IELTS preparation classes
ESL courses for children and teenagers are also available. These include Pre-Kindergarten (4–5 years old) Kindergarten (5–6 years old) Grade 1/2 (6–7 years old) Grades 3/4/5 (7–8 years old) Grades 6/7/8 (9–10 years old).
Hansa Language Center
Hansa Language Center offers a wide range of English programs for students of all ages. The school has been in business for over 30 years and has a strong reputation for providing quality education at competitive prices.
Hansa offers both group and private classes, with many different course options available to suit your needs. Whether you are looking to learn English or improve your conversational skills, Hansa can provide the right fit for you.
ACCESS International English Language Center
ACCESS International English Language Center is an international language school in Toronto. It offers more than 10 English programs.
ACCESS offers a wide range of English courses for adults and children at all levels from beginner to advanced (including TOEFL). There are also specialized courses available like conversation groups and business English classes that are designed to help you improve your specific needs.
You will receive individual attention from teachers who are passionate about teaching. They will help you develop basic skills such as speaking, reading, writing, and listening using practical activities that suit your individual needs or interests – whether this involves working on an academic essay or preparing for an interview at work.
You’ll also gain confidence in communicating with native speakers thanks to regular practice sessions outside class time.
OHC English
OHC English is a Toronto-based, internationally accredited ESL school that’s been in operation since 1974. It has several different programs and locations to choose from, including classes for children as young as five years old up to adults who want to take the TOEFL test.
The staff at OHC English pride themselves on their ability to get students to quickly learn how to speak confidently in English. They use different teaching methods depending on what each student needs—whether it’s simply understanding the language or using it in conversation with native speakers.
The average class size at OHC Toronto is approximately 10 people per group with no more than 12 total students per teacher; however, this number can vary depending on each individual teacher’s style of teaching.
Oxford International Education
Oxford International Education is a language school that offers English language classes for adults and children. The company provides its services in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been in business since 1991.
Oxford International Education offers more than 30 different English courses ranging from absolute beginners to advanced levels. The school also has a number of other programs available including TOEIC preparation courses, university preparation courses, and summer camps for teenagers.
For those who are interested in attending one of Oxford’s programs but don’t know where they want to live after graduation yet, there are options available through the company’s partnership with Homestay Canada Inc.
Students can choose from several different locations across Toronto including Scarborough Town Centre (STC), Markham Village Mall, or York University/Steeles Ave East Station, depending on which course they’re enrolling in or what area makes them feel most comfortable.
LSI – Language Studies International
LSI is a world-class language school in Toronto, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Founded by ELS Language Centers (the largest English language school in the world), LSI has been established to provide students with an unforgettable experience while studying English abroad.
With over 55 years of experience teaching English as a second language, LSI has developed a great reputation for offering excellent and innovative courses for all levels from beginner to advanced.
Students can choose from over 50 different courses ranging from general conversation classes to TOEFL preparation and business courses. Students will benefit from small class sizes, expert instructors, and personalized attention at LSI – Language Studies International.
Upper Madison College
Upper Madison College is a private English language school in Toronto. It offers English courses for all levels, from beginner to advanced, and has a campus in downtown Toronto and another in Mississauga.
The school also provides cutting-edge technology, including language labs and tablets that students can use for their daily assignments.
If you’re looking for a flexible schedule, Upper Madison College has options for you. You can choose to study either full-time or part-time depending on your needs.
The school also offers a variety of programs and courses, including TOEFL and IELTS preparation classes. Upper Madison College is a great option for those who want to learn English in an environment that promotes success.
EC English Language School-Toronto
EC English Language School-Toronto is another top private English language school in Canada. EC English Language School-Toronto offers a variety of programs for students from all over the world.
They offer both part-time and full-time courses for students of all levels, from beginner to advanced. The school also offers a number of special programs, including English for Medical Purposes (EPIC) and TOEFL Preparation.
St. George International College
St. George International College is an English language school located in Toronto. The school offers a wide range of courses and programs to help you achieve your goals, whether you’re looking for a quick refresher or want to prepare for an important exam or certification.
Sprott Shaw Language College
The English language school at Sprott Shaw was created to make the English learning experience in Canada the best it can be. They have a slew of friendly and knowledgeable instructors who will help you reach your goals in all areas of learning, from general conversation to business English.
Sprott Shaw offers a variety of courses from beginner to advanced levels, including General English, and TOEFL Preparation (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
CES Toronto
CES Toronto is another top English school in Toronto that teaches the language to students who either want to prepare for an IELTS exam or want to learn the language to communicate. This school also doubles as an IELTS-EOM examination center; they offer masterclasses to help students prepare better for the exam.
This school also offers university pathway programs and educational testing.
ALPADIA Toronto
ALPADIA Toronto is a school founded by English teachers. It offers English courses to students of all ages, from preschoolers to adults. The school is located in downtown Toronto.
ALPADIA Toronto offers English classes for learners of all levels—from beginners to advanced students. The school provides a friendly environment for students to learn English and make friends from around the world.
Kaplan International
Kaplan International is a leading provider of English language training and education. They offer an extensive range of English courses for students, professionals, and business people at all levels of English proficiency.
Kaplan’s programs are designed to help you achieve your goals – whether you are preparing for a career in international business or academia (they also offer business programs), or simply learning English as a second language.
With their wide variety of courses and locations throughout the world, Kaplan has something for everyone.
Tuition Information of English Schools in Toronto
You may be wondering how much it would cost you to learn the English language in Toronto. Well, it’s not a lot. English schools in Toronto usually start charging around C$230 to as much as C$800 to teach you standard, general English (average price region).
However, this will largely depend on what you want to study (whether it is for TOEFL or general English), and the duration of the program. TOEFL training, for example, is usually known to cost much more.
Here is the tuition information of some select English schools in Toronto:
| ILSC Language School | Starts from C$190; up to C$17,000 |
| Quest Language Studies | Starts from C$180 |
| Oxford International Education | Starts from C$213 |
| CES Toronto | Starts from C$373 (Intensive General English) |
| ALPADIA Institute | Starts from C$300 |
| ACCESS International | Starts from C$215 |
| Upper Madison College | Starts from C$283; up to C$4,880 |
What is the Best English School in Toronto?
There is no one right answer to this question. If you are looking for English schools in Toronto to study at, there are so many options for you.
And all of these schools have great English courses that will help you learn the English language.
However, based on reviews on Yelp, the most-reviewed English schools in Toronto seem to be Upper Madison College, ILSC, ILAC, ACCESS, and Oxford International.
How Much Does it Cost to Study English in Toronto?
The cost of English classes in Toronto varies widely depending on your level, the program you’re taking, and whether or not you’re eligible for government financial aid. You can expect to pay between $300-$500 per month for group classes at an English school in Toronto.
Intensive summer courses may cost more than this amount because they require more time spent outside of class. If you’re studying one-on-one with a private tutor, your costs will be higher still—usually around $800 per month.
How Long Will it Take Me to Learn English Language at an English school in Toronto?
This largely depends on the school you’re enrolled in. Many of these schools offer various English programs of varying lengths. But most of these programs take as little as 4 weeks to 12 weeks to complete.
Final Thought
There are many options for learning and practicing English in Toronto. If you’re looking for a school that’s close to home, consider one of the many options in the GTA. But if you want the best quality education possible, there are also options outside of Toronto.
Finally, remember that while it’s important to get good grades at an English school, it’s even more important to enjoy your time there.
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, this list has helped you find the right English school for you. It can be hard to choose between so many options, but just remember that they’re all great. We would recommend visiting them all before making any final decisions.
You never know what might catch your eye. Also, keep in mind that there are other types of English classes available in Toronto if these 15 don’t seem like quite what you’re looking for.