The situation
Marco is a student from Italy. He wants to spend six months in England improving his English. He has decided to study in the south of the country, but he cannot choose between London and Brighton.
He has contacted two language schools. Both have sent him a prospectus. Each school is keen to persuade him that its city is the best place to study English.
The schools, course details, prices and promotional claims are fictional. The descriptions use well-known features of the two cities for language practice.
1. Two schools, two prospectuses
London International Language Centre
Discover a city with an extraordinary amount to offer!
Our school welcomes students from all over the world. We offer a wide range of English courses, from general English to examination preparation and business English. There is a choice of class sizes, and students can join a variety of optional activities.
London has a huge number of museums and galleries, including the British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern. There is a wealth of theatres, concert halls and music venues, as well as a vast selection of shops and markets.
You will find a great variety of restaurants, serving food from all over the world. The city also has a large number of parks and green spaces, including Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Richmond Park. There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy sport, walking and outdoor events.
Getting around is easy. London has an extensive network of underground, bus and rail services. There is a considerable amount of choice when it comes to entertainment, culture and travel.
London is a busy and exciting city. It may cost more to live here than in many other places, but the number of things to see and do is enormous. Come and make the most of it!
London International Language Centre – learn English, experience the world.
Brighton English School
Improve your English in a lively city beside the sea!
Our school offers a carefully chosen range of English courses, including general English, conversation, IELTS preparation and English for work. We provide a selection of afternoon activities and a variety of opportunities to practise English outside the classroom.
Brighton has a wide choice of cultural attractions, including theatres, cinemas, galleries, museums and festivals. You can enjoy a large number of cafés and restaurants, with a good variety of food from different parts of the world.
The seafront is one of the city's best-known features. There is a great deal of space for walking beside the sea, and the beach, pier and marina offer a range of seaside activities. Brighton also has several large parks and gardens, including Preston Park and Stanmer Park.
If you enjoy the countryside, the South Downs National Park is within easy reach. It offers a wealth of walking routes, open downland and beautiful views. There are plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling.
Brighton is a compact city, and many places are easy to reach on foot. There is a good choice of bus and rail connections, too. You can enjoy city life while having the sea and countryside close at hand.
Brighton English School – learn English and enjoy life by the sea.
First impressions
Both schools offer English courses, cultural activities, restaurants, parks and good transport connections. London emphasises the enormous scale and variety of its attractions, while Brighton stresses its seaside setting, its more compact character and its access to the South Downs.
Neither prospectus gives Marco every detail he needs. He will have to think about his interests, his budget and the kind of experience he wants.
2. Expressions of variety and choice
We often use a noun phrase with of to describe the things that are available.
| Expression | Example | What it emphasises |
|---|---|---|
| a range of | a wide range of courses | different types or levels within a group |
| a variety of | a variety of activities | difference and diversity |
| a selection of | a selection of afternoon activities | items chosen from a larger group |
| a choice of | a choice of class sizes | options from which someone can choose |
| an assortment of | an assortment of shops | a collection of different things |
| a wealth of | a wealth of walking routes | a very large or impressive supply |
| an array of | an array of cultural attractions | a wide and often impressive range |
These expressions are normally followed by of and a noun or noun phrase. The noun can be plural and countable, or uncountable, depending on the expression and meaning.
- a range of courses / a range of equipment
- a variety of restaurants / a variety of entertainment
- a great deal of choice / a wealth of experience
3. Expressions of number, amount and proportion
| Expression | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a large / considerable number of | plural countable nouns | a large number of students |
| a great deal of | uncountable nouns | a great deal of time |
| a considerable amount of | uncountable nouns | a considerable amount of money |
| a large quantity of | usually uncountable nouns | a large quantity of information |
| a high proportion of | a part or share of a group or amount | a high proportion of students |
| a large percentage of | a percentage or share | a large percentage of visitors |
| plenty of | plural countable or uncountable nouns | plenty of activities / plenty of time |
- There are a large number of language schools in London. (schools are countable)
- There is a great deal of information on the school's website. (information is uncountable)
- A high proportion of the students come from overseas. (a share of the students)
- There are plenty of things to do in Brighton. (informal and positive)
4. Subject–verb agreement
A number of and the number of
- A number of students are interested in the course. (= several students)
- The number of students is increasing. (= the total number)
Expressions such as a range of and a variety of
With expressions such as a range of, a variety of and a selection of, both singular and plural verbs are found. The choice depends on whether the speaker thinks of the collection as one whole or focuses on the individual items.
- A wide range of courses is available. (the range as one offer)
- A wide range of courses are available. (the individual courses)
In careful writing, a singular verb is a safe choice when the expression itself is the subject and is being treated as one collection. A plural verb is also common, especially when the writer is thinking about the individual things in the group.
Plenty of
The verb agrees with the noun after of.
- There are plenty of activities.
- There is plenty of time.
5. Practice 1 – Choose the best expression
Choose the expression that best completes each sentence.
6. Practice 2 – Number or amount?
Choose the correct word or expression.
7. Practice 3 – Subject–verb agreement
Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. In questions 4 and 5, think of the collection as one whole.
8. Practice 4 – Complete the comparison
Choose the best expression for each gap.
9. Marco makes his decision
After reading both prospectuses, Marco made a list of the things that mattered most to him. He wanted to improve his English, but he also wanted to enjoy his free time. He was interested in museums and music, but he loved walking and being near the sea.
At first, London seemed the obvious choice. It offered an enormous range of cultural attractions and a huge number of opportunities. Marco imagined spending his weekends visiting museums, going to concerts and exploring different parts of the city. He was also attracted by the variety of people he would meet.
However, he began to think about the cost. He would need a considerable amount of money for accommodation and everyday expenses. He also wondered whether he would find it difficult to escape from the noise and crowds.
Then he looked again at the Brighton prospectus. There were plenty of things to do in the city itself, and he liked the idea of having the beach nearby. He could spend a morning studying, an afternoon walking along the seafront and a Sunday exploring the South Downs. Brighton also had a good selection of cultural activities and a large number of cafés and restaurants.
Marco realised that he did not need the largest possible choice of everything. He wanted a good English course, interesting people to meet and enough opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. He decided to choose Brighton.
He wrote to the school: “Your prospectus has convinced me. London has a great deal to offer, but Brighton seems to offer the right combination of city life, the sea and the countryside. I hope to see you soon!”
Reading comprehension
10. Your turn – promote your town or city
Imagine that an English-language school in your town wants to attract students from overseas. Write a short section for its prospectus. Try to persuade students that your town or city has plenty to offer.
- the range of courses and educational opportunities;
- a variety of cultural attractions and entertainment;
- a selection of shops, markets, cafés and restaurants;
- the number of parks, sports facilities and outdoor activities;
- the amount of green space and access to the countryside;
- the choice of public transport and places to visit.
Try to include at least six expressions from this unit. For example: a wide range of, a variety of, a large number of, a great deal of, a high proportion of, plenty of, a wealth of.
Discussion
- Would you prefer to study English in London or Brighton? Why?
- What does your own town or city have to offer overseas students?
- Is a greater choice always an advantage, or can a smaller range of options be better?