Do you want to find a way to get ahead in your career? Perhaps you're looking for a skill that will give you the edge over your contemporaries, or you want to expand your horizons by gaining abilities that will help you to do business all over the world. Legal English

If this sounds like you, there's one thing you can do that will make you stand out from the competition when you apply for a new job or a promotion: learning English.

Being able to speak, read, write and understand the English language can be a huge benefit in almost any career. With English being the international language of business, and spoken by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, it's easy to see why more and more people are choosing to learn in London, in order to enhance their career prospects.

Do I have to go to London to learn English?

Of course, it's not absolutely necessary to spend time in the capital city of the UK to learn English. There are plenty of English language courses available in all countries around the world, and you can even learn English online if you wish. However, if you really want to improve your English language skills, there's no substitute for interacting and practising your new language knowledge with native English speakers. Immersing yourself in British culture and going about your everyday life in London will give you limitless opportunities to stretch yourself and really put your new skills into action, which is the best way to learn.

What kind of English language course should I take?

There are lots of different London language schools, each offering a range of courses suitable for different abilities and interests. Here are some of the things you should consider when deciding which English course is likely to be right for you:

Your ability: if you're a true beginner, then be honest about this and book onto a course that's suitable for beginners. You might not end up with a full knowledge of how to do business in English, but it will give you a solid grounding in the core skills you need to take your English language skills further.

Your area of work: many London language schools offer courses tailored for people in certain occupations. So you could, for example, choose courses like Business English, Medical English, English for Aviation, Legal English, and more. Some London language schools even offer tailored one-to-one courses if your need is more specific.

Do you want the opportunity to put your skills into practice?: Perhaps you want to do more than learn English in a classroom and in everyday life. Maybe you want to gain some practice of actually working in an English workplace. Some London language schools offer the opportunity to combine your English language studies with work experience in your area of expertise - this could mean you could be learning English in the morning, then working in a business during the afternoon, for example. Your London language school may even be able to arrange your placement for you.

Find the right London language school

There are lots of ways to find out about a London language school: you could check their website, look for independent reviews online or ask other people you know who've studied English in London for recommendations. Be sure to find out whether the courses your preferred London language school offers are suitable for you and meet any specific requirements you have.