A NEW language school, specialising in teaching English as a foreign language, is set to open up in Southampton city centre.

Eurospeak Language School, which was established in 1991, has been been granted permission to begin teaching students from the premises of an office at Cumberland Place, near Bedford Place.

The plan was submitted to Southampton City Council to turn the former commercial property agents into the school.

The application was created by Sarisbury Green architects Knight Architectural Design.

Agent Ian Knight said Eurospeak Language Schools were keen to add a south coast option to its current institutions.

He said: “There would be numerous classes held at the school, which would benefit those using a multitude of languages and would focus on international students by using a range of class room techniques and e-learning.

“The location makes it ideal due to the public transport surrounding it, meaning that there would be no car parking requirements.

“There would be little impact on the Grade II listed building and one of the reason for choosing it is because it has some historic and elegant features which makes it a very attractive proposition to overseas students as a learning venue.”

Mr Knight added that Eurospeak were hoping to get the school up and running soon.

At present, there are a number of language schools near the site, including TEG English Southampton, which operates on the same road, Lewis School of English, on Palmerston Road and Bfluent, on St Mary Street.

According to Eurospeak, each year it welcomes more than 1,349 students from over 71 nationalities to study with it at locations across the world.