Essential English Online

Yes. Essential English Online covers the full CEFR range, A1 to C2, so complete beginners join the A1 class and advanced learners continue right up to C2. Learners are grouped by level after a free online level test (advanced C1 and C2 groups open on request). Every lesson is live with a CELTA-qualified teacher, so you practise speaking, everyday vocabulary and grammar in context from your very first class, in a group of no more than 15 students.

Take our free online level test — it takes under 10 minutes and gives you an instant CEFR level estimate with a course recommendation. Based on your result we place you in the right Essential English class, anywhere from A1 to C2 (advanced C1/C2 groups open on request). There is no obligation to enrol, and the level test is a placement guide rather than a certificate.

Essential English Online is suitable for complete beginners (A1) through to upper intermediate (B2) learners. Before your course starts we ask you to take our free online level test (under 10 minutes). Based on your result, we place you in the correct class — A1, A2, B1, or B2 — so you are always studying at exactly the right level. If you are unsure, take the test here — it only takes 10 minutes and there is no obligation to enrol.

All classes are live on the Kensington English Portal with a teacher — nothing is pre-recorded. You join one live 2-hour group class each week, where you speak, ask questions and get real-time feedback in a group of no more than 15 students. After each class you receive a lesson summary, vocabulary lists and practice exercises digitally, and if you miss a class your teacher emails you the notes and materials covered.

All classes are held live on the Kensington English Portal. You will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection. The Kensington English Portal is free to use and opens right in your browser. Once enrolled, you will receive your class link and schedule by email within 24 hours. We recommend using a laptop or desktop for the best learning experience, but mobile devices work well too.

All class times are set in London (UK) time — GMT in winter and BST (GMT+1) in summer — and students join from anywhere in the world. Each class is one live 2-hour session per week; when you enrol, your class link and schedule are emailed to you within 24 hours, so you can convert the time to your local time zone. If you would like to check which class times suit your time zone before enrolling, email admin@kensingtonenglish.co.uk.

We understand that life sometimes gets in the way. If you miss a class, your teacher will email you the lesson notes and any materials covered. We record a summary of key points for absent students where possible. We do not offer automatic make-up classes, but students who let us know in advance of an absence can, in most cases, join a class at the same level on a different day that week. We encourage consistent attendance for the best results.

Yes. When you successfully complete the programme you receive the Kensington English Recognised Certificate — a certificate of completion confirming the CEFR level you studied (A1–C2), the hours of live instruction completed (24 hours on the 12-week programme, 48 hours on the 24-week programme) and your performance across the course. It is awarded by the school and is not an external exam qualification such as IELTS or Cambridge. During the course, monthly progress tests with written teacher feedback show you how you are improving.

Upon successful completion of the course you receive the Kensington English Recognised Certificate. This certificate confirms the CEFR level studied (A1–C2), the total hours of instruction completed, and your overall performance throughout the programme. It is widely accepted by employers, educational institutions, and visa authorities as evidence of English language study. It is not the same as an internationally standardised qualification such as IELTS or Cambridge, but it is a respected and professional award from a UK-based English language school.