Beginner· A1–A2Study & school7 min

Signing up for an English course

Ask about classes, levels, times and prices, and sign up at a language school.

The scene

You want to take evening English classes. You visit a language school's front office to ask questions and sign up.

Speaker A
School receptionist
Speaker B
You (new student)

Your goals

  • Ask about course levels, times and prices
  • Give your personal details
  • Understand next steps like a placement test

Key vocabulary

Press the speaker to hear each word or phrase.

  • to sign up

    to put your name on a list to join something

    I'd like to sign up for a course.

  • to enroll

    to officially join a course or school

    You can enroll online or here.

  • placement test

    a test that shows which level you should join

    First, you'll take a placement test.

  • term

    a period of study, often a few months

    The next term starts in January.

  • fee

    money you pay for a service

    The course fee is three hundred dollars.

  • schedule

    a plan showing the times of events

    Can I see the class schedule?

  • in person

    physically present, not online

    Are the classes in person or online?

Useful phrases

  • I'd like to sign up for …

    Saying what you want

  • What levels do you offer?

    Asking about levels

  • When are the classes?

    Asking about times

  • How much does it cost?

    Asking about price

  • Are the classes in person or online?

    Asking about format

  • What do I need to do next?

    Asking about next steps

Practice studio: speak the dialogue

Pick your role and press Start. Your partner's lines are read aloud; then say your line into the microphone (or type it) and see which words you got right.

Your role

  1. School receptionist

    Good afternoon. How can I help you?

  2. You (new student)

    Hi. I'd like to sign up for an English course, please.

  3. School receptionist

    Great. Do you know your level, or would you like a placement test?

  4. You (new student)

    I'm not sure about my level. I think I'm a beginner.

  5. School receptionist

    No problem. The test takes about twenty minutes. Do you prefer day or evening classes?

  6. You (new student)

    Evening classes, please. I work during the day. When are the classes?

  7. School receptionist

    Evening classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from six thirty to eight thirty.

  8. You (new student)

    That's good for me. How much does it cost?

  9. School receptionist

    It's three hundred dollars for a ten-week term, including the book.

  10. You (new student)

    OK, thank you. What do I need to do next?

You speak 5 lines as You (new student); School receptionist is read aloud for you.

Speech recognition is done by your browser (in Chrome and Edge this uses the browser maker's online service). Nothing is stored by AltFTool.

Your turn: speak freely

Answer out loud in your own words. There is no score here: aim for full sentences and fewer filler words.

  1. 1. Say which kind of course you want and when you can study.

  2. 2. Ask three questions about a course before you sign up.

  3. 3. Describe your English level and what you want to improve.

Quick quiz

Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.

  1. 1. What is a 'placement test'?
  2. 2. Which sentence asks about price?
  3. 3. What does 'sign up' mean?
  4. 4. 'In person' classes are…

0 of 4 answered

Common mistakes

  • Avoid: I want to inscribe in a course.

    Say: I'd like to sign up for a course.

    'Inscribe' is a false friend; in English you sign up, register or enroll.

  • Avoid: How much it costs?

    Say: How much does it cost?

    Questions need 'does' and the base verb.

  • Avoid: I am beginner.

    Say: I'm a beginner.

    Use 'a' before a singular job or role noun.

Tips

  • Write your questions down before you go to the office.
  • Ask whether the book or materials are included in the price.
  • Take the placement test seriously; the right level makes classes much more useful.

Questions about this lesson

How do you sign up for a course in English?

Say 'I'd like to sign up for…' and ask about levels, times and price: 'When are the classes?' 'How much does it cost?'

What is the difference between 'sign up', 'register' and 'enroll'?

They are very similar. 'Sign up' is the most informal; 'enroll' is often used for schools and official courses.

Finish the lesson

Finish the practice studio and the quiz and this lesson is marked complete for you.

Next lesson: Planning a group project

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