English
General English and more
Grammar, writing and confident speaking, from first words to academic English for study abroad.
Read moreCover storyp. 04
Speak French
by Easter.
Uyo is two hours from Cameroon. A twelve-week evening course takes you from bonjour to a full conversation at the market in Ikom. Here is how our students do it.
Most adults in our French classes arrive with the same story. They learnt a little at secondary school, forgot it, and now need it for work: a customs office, a supplier in Douala, a scholarship form. Twelve weeks later most of them are having real conversations.
The secret is not talent. It is two evenings a week in a class of no more than twelve, homework that takes twenty minutes, and a teacher who will not let you hide at the back. Our head of French grew up between Douala and Calabar; he teaches French as it is spoken, then fills in the grammar once you have something to say.
Every course starts with the free placement test, so nobody repeats what they already know or sinks in a class that is too fast. Take it now, it takes ten minutes.
Languagesp. 06
Five languages, taught properly
French
General French and more
Uyo is two hours from the Cameroon border. French opens trade, travel and jobs across the region.
Read moreGerman
German A1 to B1 and more
For nurses, engineers and students heading to study or work in German-speaking countries.
Read moreMandarin
Mandarin starter
A first year of spoken Mandarin and characters for traders and curious minds.
Read moreIbibio
Ibibio for newcomers
For newcomers to Akwa Ibom who want to greet, shop and be welcomed in the local language.
Read moreI failed French at school. At 34 I passed my B1 exam with Penstroke and got the job at the border office.
Listingsp. 08
Starting in January
A selection from the timetable. Seats are limited to twelve a class.
Full timetable| Course | Level | When | Where | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General English | A2 | Mon and Wed, 5:30pm to 7:30pm | In class | 4 left |
| General English | B1 | Tue and Thu, 5:30pm to 7:30pm | In class | 2 left |
| Academic English test prep | B2 | Sat, 9am to 1pm | In class | 6 left |
| Academic English test prep | B2 | Mon to Thu, 7pm to 8:30pm | Online | 9 left |
| Business English | B1 | Tue and Thu, 8am to 9:30am | In class | 5 left |
| General English | C1 | Sat, 2pm to 5pm | In class | 7 left |
Methodp. 10
How a Penstroke class runs
- Ten minutes of talk. Every class opens with pairs talking about their week, in the language.
- One new idea. A single grammar point or set of words, taught clearly and practised hard.
- Real material. Radio clips, menus, forms and letters from Uyo, Calabar and Douala.
- Twenty minutes of homework. Short, marked and returned next class.
Lettersp. 12
Letters to the school
My daughter joined the Saturday junior English club shy and quiet. Now she reads the news to us at dinner.
The German for nurses course was hard and exactly right. I start in Hamburg in March.
I moved to Uyo for work and took the Ibibio course. The market women now greet me by name.
Noticesp. 14
Term dates
Spring term 12 January to 4 April. Summer term 27 April to 18 July. Example dates.
Fees from ₦95,000
For an eight-week group course, two evenings a week. Pay in two parts. Work out your fee
Scholarships
Four free places each term for secondary school leavers from Akwa Ibom. Apply by 15 December.
Open evening
Thursday 27 November, 6pm. Meet the teachers and sit a taster class.
Next term starts 12 January
Find your level in ten minutes.
Take the free placement test, then book a short speaking check with a teacher. We put you in the right class, not the nearest one.