Despite Britain's weakened international reputation post-Iraq, English courses in London are as popular as ever. So, why do so many people want to learn English in London?

Well, London has the greatest concentration of major attractions in Britain and offers an amazing variety of places to visit, including fantastic galleries, museums and theatres. Any London language school should offer you a reasonable chance to explore the city, yet it makes sense to choose wisely as different schools meet different needs!

The Natural History Museum, British Museum, V&A and Science Museum are fantastic homes of knowledge and offer great entertainment, either for a whole day or for a short trip. All offer plenty of food for thought. London’s famous attractions such as the London Eye and Madame Tussauds are well worth visiting if you’ve never been before, but you can also visit some less well known attractions, like Kensington Palace, Dali Universe and Hampstead's increasingly famous creperie.

Thousands of people come to London each year to learn English, and it's easy to understand why: if you're looking for a language school London has some of the most progressive in the world. The city is about more than just exhibitions, museums and schools, though. Open spaces account for 30% of the London area, and the city contains over 140 registered parks and gardens. Short walking paths and nature trails can be found in places like Hampstead Heath and Mile End Park, and at the end of an exhausting day they offer the perfect spot for a picnic.

Sports fans who study English in London are also well catered for. From the Museum of Rugby and Twickenham Stadium Tours to Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum or Arsenal Museum and Stadium Tours, you’ll find something for everyone. The rebuilt Wembly Stadium will be up and running as of mid-2006 and promises to be one of the world's great destination stadiums once again. Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium should be operational a few months later.

People wishing to learn English for business would do well to study in London, as the city a hub of the business world. For people learning English for business London has various schools offering the course, and ample opportunity to practice. This is often overlooked: people who learn business English need a chance to practice, and this is usually harder to come by than for students learning conversational or holiday English. Not to worry, though, as London's gentleman's clubs provide the perfect chance to practice the language in a reasonably formal yet notably relaxed atmosphere.

All things considered, London is the ideal place to learn English. Look out though, as it can prove a very expensive destination!