International House Torquay is a premium English Language Learning Centre that welcomes students from all walks of life. Known for its warm and caring environment, the school has built a loyal following of returning students and business clients. The tranquil setting surrounded by lush gardens and exclusive partner hotel – Ferndale Lodge, located just across the street – offers students the perfect haven to learn and relax. With a commitment to excellence in education and a focus on making each student’s stay unforgettable, IH Torquay is a great place for those looking to explore the beauty of Devon while mastering their English.

IH Torquay is known for catering to a more mature clientele, with an average age of 48 among students attending the school’s popular MAX4 30+ classes.

Last year, IH Torquay welcomed students from 35 countries. The fulfilment of individual learning needs and highly personalised customer service are at the centre of the school’s ethos. IH Torquay is the perfect learning environment to improve your English, develop your interests and make new friends. 

History & Overview

IH Torquay is an independently owned school that started back in 1972.

Accredited by the British Council and EAQUALS, we are also members of TEN and Quality English.

Our owner, Kevin McNally, is the President of the International Association of Language Centres (IALC) and organises one of the industry’s biggest annual workshops.

We rely a lot on word-of-mouth and are proud that many of our students return year after year and recommend us to family, friends and colleagues. We are now welcoming students from the third generation of some of our families…

The school is surrounded by large gardens and is just a few minutes on foot from the town centre. There are 20 classrooms, a quiet study room, and a spacious student lounge. All classrooms are fitted with interactive whiteboards. Our partner hotel, Ferndale Lodge, is opposite the school. Most students walk to school from their accommodation, and our busy social programme ensures they enjoy their free time and make friends.

Clever lesson timetabling for more free time

Our innovative timetables mean adult students can study…

• 15 hours per week across 4 mornings between Monday and Thursday – so all afternoons + all day Friday free

• 19 hours per week across 5 mornings – free every afternoon

• 23 hours across 5 mornings and 2 afternoons – 3 free afternoons a week

IH Torquay has recently increased the minimum age for students attending the school to 21, which creates a more focused and mature learning environment that aligns with the needs of adult learners.

Our higher minimum age policy makes IH Torquay a unique option for adult learners looking for a focused, sophisticated, and professionally relevant language learning experience. This is especially true during peak times such as summer, when many language schools in the UK and Ireland are viewed as ‘off limits’ to adult students due to the high volume of young learners. At IH Torquay, adult students benefit year-round from a quieter and less disruptive learning environment where they are more driven to achieve their language learning objectives.

Year-round daily social programme

Our timetables allow more time for private study and, more importantly, more time to practise English while enjoying our busy social programme. We run daily sign-up excursions and activities – take a look at this month’s calendar of events to see the kind of stuff we do.

Accommodation

More time outside school also means more time chatting to your host family in English.

Homestay is one of the hardest things to get right. With over 50 years of experience, we are proud to have among the very best homestays in the UK.

• Hosts with beautiful, spacious homes and gardens. Many homes in Torquay were built in the Victorian era on a grand scale.

• Great home-cooked food and evening meals with the family around the dinner table

• Our guarantee that your students will be the only German-speaking guests

And in addition to our partner hotel, the school also has exclusive apartments for families and couples.

Our Courses – Adult programmes

MAX4

• Maximum 4 per class

• Minimum age 30+

• Average age 43

• Needs-based syllabus, negotiated weekly

• Private arrival transfer by chauffeur-driven car from any UK airport included

• Includes networking lunch with tutor & fellow MAX4 students at local restaurants and delis, Monday to Thursday

• 15, 19, 23 or 30 hours per week

• Access to our smart e-learning app

English + Golf

• Maximum 4 per class

• Minimum age 30+

• Average age 52

• 3 rounds of golf at Torquay Golf Club

• Homestay can be arranged with golfing family

• Needs-based syllabus, negotiated weekly

• Private arrival transfer by chauffeur-driven car from UK airport included

• Includes networking lunch with tutor & MAX4 students at local restaurants and delis, Monday to Thursday

• 15 or 19 hours per week

• Access to our smart e-learning app

English & Wellbeing (Premium)

• Maximum 4 per class

• Minimum age 30+

• Average age 46

• Needs-based syllabus

• Private arrival transfer by chauffeur-driven car from UK airport included

• Includes networking lunch with tutor & fellow 30+ students at local restaurants and delis, Monday to Thursday

• 1 week programme

• 15 or 19 hours of classes per week

• 4 afternoons of private yoga training sessions on Kundalini Yoga, Mindfulness, Yin & Yang Yoga, Sound Healing, and Yogic Sleep

• Full-day excursion to Bath can be added for £50 per person

• Access to our smart e-learning app

English for Families

• Parents join MAX4 15-hour / General English 15-hour classes

• Children from ages 6+ taught in small classes according to age and level

• Homestay can be arranged with family with children of same ages

• Private arrival transfer by chauffeur-driven car from UK airport included

Bildungsurlaub

IH Torquay is an approved English Language School for Bildungsurlaub ‘Educational Leave’ courses.