Our School
Live Language has been welcoming students to the wonderful city of Glasgow since 2002. In that time, we have helped thousands of students from all over the world achieve their language goals. Student success is our passion, and we look forward to making sure you accomplish your goals too. Our teaching team has 100+ years of experience and use every minute of this experience to benefit you. And our friendly support staff are there to help you with anything else you need while you are in Glasgow. We are here to make sure that living away from home isn’t going to be stressful. You can just relax and enjoy your stay in Scotland’s biggest city.
Testimonials from our students
At Live Language, I can improve my English skills thanks to our well-informed and professional teachers. Furthermore, I can meet and have a good relationship with people who come from all over the world.
Haya, Saudi Arabia (September 2024)
Thanks to the staff [who] are friendly and helped me on my first day, it was easy for the rest of the week.
Haya, Saudi Arabia (September 2024)
I enjoyed very much the three weeks at Live Language, because they helped me to feel more confident with speaking. I am really satisfied with the teachers and all the staff.
Stefano, Italy
Important Information
Your Student App
Did you know we have a free student app? The app has all the information you need about your course and the FAQ section helps you with life in Glasgow.
On the app,
· You can check your attendance.
· You can see your progress reports from your teacher.
· You can find important documents related to your course.
· You can message your teacher.
· You can check links for travel.
· You can see things to do in Glasgow.
· And so much more!
Having fun in Glasgow
Glasgow has the nickname ‘The Friendly City’ and is famous for its culture, museums, music, nightlife and shopping, but most of all for its people.
Glasgow is a small city and it is easy to get around by public transport or on foot.
Our school is located near the city centre and the vibrant West End so all of Glasgow’s attractions are close by. What’s on in Glasgow? is a great website which shows all the events happening in Glasgow. You can search by date or type of activity. Glasgow has many festivals so keep an eye on what is going on at the weekends! And don’t forget to check the People Make Glasgow website. It has a ‘Glasgow on a budget’ section which helps you see the sights for as little money as possible.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and has a population of over 600,000 people. One great thing about Glasgow is that easy to walk everywhere. After you have finished studying for the day, there is a lot to keep you entertained. It is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music and was voted European City of Culture. With so many museums and art galleries, including the European Museum of the Year, you will always have something to do. Glasgow has 4 universities and 11 colleges. With the largest shopping area outside of London, hundreds of restaurants, cafes and nightlife, and great sporting and leisure facilities, there are lots of opportunities to practise your English.
Our Social Programme
If you are not sure what to see in Glasgow, we can help. Join the Social Programme and go on trips with your classmates. It’s the perfect opportunity to practise your English outside of school.
We have local student trips every Wednesday where we go out to somewhere in Glasgow such as Kelvingrove Museum or a game of bowling. Additionally, we have a weekly conversation club so our students can practice speaking and listening in a relaxed environment with a cup of coffee. Once a fortnight, we go a trip further afield, for example we have been on recent trips to Loch Lomond and Edinburgh Castle.
You can book your place on your student app. Most of the trips in Glasgow are free, but some have an additional cost.
Staying in Glasgow
If you are planning on studying with us, you may need to find accommodation for when you are in Glasgow. There are many different options out there (see below), depending on what you’re looking for.
If you would prefer to stay with a local family during your stay in Glasgow, we offer half-board homestays where breakfast and dinner is provided for you. Living with a family helps you get to know more about local life in Glasgow, as well as giving you the perfect chance to practise your English.
All host families are inspected to British Council standards, and most of them have been working with us for years. Be prepared to add travelling time to and from our school as the host families don’t live in the city centre. The maximum travel time is 60 minutes. Homestays are very popular so make sure you tell us in advance if you are interested because the places get booked quickly.
Getting Around
Getting around Glasgow is easy and you have plenty of choices.
Unfortunately, only student cards from universities, colleges and ISIC are accepted on public transport. Live Language won’t be able to provide you with a student card, but you can apply for an International Student card here. You will need a passport photo and a confirmation of your student status which you can get from reception.
Live Language is a 2-minute walk away from the closest bus stop and a 10-minute walk away from the closest train station.
In December 2024, we are moving premises so we will be based in Glasgow’s City Centre. Our new location is a 2-minute walk away from Glasgow Central train station and 10-minute walk away from Buchanan Street Bus Station.
If you travel by bus, buying a weekly or monthly ticket is less expensive. You can download the First Bus app and buy your ticket there.
When you open the app, a map will show you the area near you and the buses arriving at the nearest bus stops. And if you are under 22 years old, you can apply for free bus travel in Scotland. If you have children, you can also get free bus travel for them. All the information you need is in the How to Apply section of this link.
Staying Safe
Our students often speak about how welcome they feel in Glasgow and how friendly people are. Of course, like in every big city, it’s important to be cautious. You can read more about how to stay safe in the British Council’s Safety First booklet.
In the case of emergencies, call 999 to get in touch with the police, ambulance or fire department.
If you need to report lost property, you can complete this form.
Getting to the school
Glasgow International Airport:
Taxis are available at the airport 24 hours a day or you can book a transfer through Airports Taxi Transfers. You can also take a bus from the airport. The shuttle bus leaves every 10 minutes and is available 24 hours per day. It only takes 25 minutes to get to the city centre and is £10 (single) or £16 (return).
Glasgow Prestwick Airport:
Prestwick airport has its own train station. Trains go directly to Glasgow and take about 45 minutes to reach the city. There is also a bus, the X77, which will take you directly into Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station. Taxis are also an option.
Edinburgh International Airport:
The cheapest way to get from the airport to Glasgow is by bus. There is a non-stop service from the airport to Glasgow city centre and is around £15 for a single. You can find information on the Citylink website. Taxis are also available on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park.
Our Environmental commitment
At Live Language, we believe that learning should nurture both minds and our planet. As proud signatories of the Green Action ELT Pledge, we’re committed to creating a more sustainable future for education.
Our Green Initiatives: • 10% group course discount for students choosing bus, train or ferry (foot passenger) travel options • Digital-first approach to reduce paper waste • Energy-efficient premises surrounded by public transport options • Plant-based catering options at school events • Environmental themes integrated into our curriculum • Sustainable procurement policies • Staff development in environmental best practices
We’re actively working to reduce our carbon footprint through: • Minimising single-use plastics • Prioritising renewable energy sources • Supporting local environmental projects • Encouraging sustainable travel choices • Implementing waste reduction strategies
Join us in making a difference. When you choose Live Language, you’re choosing a school that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Together, we can create positive change while achieving your language learning goals.
Living in Glasgow
We understand how difficult it can be to navigate a new home. You may need help getting access to a GP. See below for all the information you need.
Hopefully you won’t need any medical help when you are in Glasgow, but here’s the information you need to be prepared.
You can find details of the healthcare services available in Glasgow at NHS services. It includes everything from doctors, dentists to emergency departments. You need to pay for treatment if you are studying for less than 6 months, so we strongly advise you to take out a private health insurance policy before you arrive to cover medical expenses.
If you are studying for longer than 6 months, you will have to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of your visa application. This means you will not have to pay to use NHS healthcare services, but you must remember to take your BRP card to the hospital and doctor’s surgery.
You should register with the closest GP to your postcode and you can find your local surgery in this GP directory. To register, you may need a letter to prove you are a student living in the UK. You can get one from reception or check the Documents section of the app as you may already have it.
Care of Under 18's
If you are under 18 years old, we like to make sure that you are well-looked after in the school. This is called safeguarding and it means there are extra checks we perform while you study with us.
First of all, we ask for your parents / guardians to complete a detailed consent form before you arrive. While you are in the school, all staff will know that you are under 18 and be looking out for you.
Students aged 16-17 are not supervised outside class and have to travel independently to and from the school. If you have any problems, no matter how small, we have staff who are specially trained to deal with the issues you may have. You can download our full Safeguarding Policy here.
This is what makes us different
Hear from our students
Jose is such a brilliant teacher- patient, warm and funny. He makes learning a joy.
Anonymous (Spring 2024)
My English is far better now and most of the credit goes to all the Live Language teachers. I am still in touch with all the teachers and staff members. Thank you so much.
Muhammad, Saudi Arabia
The friendliness of the teachers and the way of their teaching the language to people of different nationalities and without the use of a translator. This allows a total immersion in the language
Maria Antonietta, Italy
My teacher was very patient and friendly, went at a good pace and you could work on what you had learned at home to consolidate what you learned in class. Loved it.
Janice
At Live Language, I can improve my English skills thanks to our well-informed and professional teachers. Furthermore, I can meet and have a good relationship with people who come from all over the world.
Yuang, Indonesia
The kindness of the staff who work in it
Hector Jose, Spain