5 Best English Courses for Kids in Semarang
Choosing an English course for your child in Semarang has become more complicated over the past two years, and not because there are fewer options. This guide covers five established options for children in Semarang, with current programs, age bands, and addresses. At the end there is a section on how to read these options against your own child, which matters more than any ranking.
1. English Campus (IELC)
Learn English the right way
At IELC, children learn English in a comprehensive way so they can speak fluently and confidently. The communicative teaching method encourages kids to be active, brave, and smart in using English, equipping them for a bright future.
programs across every age
IELC runs courses for children, teenagers, and adults, along with IELTS and TOEFL preparation and professional English for business, medical, and legal contexts. Families who start a child in the kids programme can stay within the same institution through the teen years and into test preparation later, which removes the friction of switching schools when a child outgrows a programme.
Modern and interactive learning environment
IELC does not just focus on teaching, but also provides a comfortable and open learning space. Their philosophy highlights the importance of interaction and collaboration, which is why classrooms are designed for kids to learn, play, and express themselves freely.
Kid-friendly spaces and fun activities
IELC Campus features a play area with books, toys, and Lego for kids to enjoy before and after class. It also hosts the Happy Turtle Club, where children aged 6 to 12 can do crafts, listen to English stories, and have fun while learning.
Flexible class options and progress reporting
IELC offers both group and private classes, available in person or online, so parents can choose the format that suits their child best. Parents receive periodic reports on their child’s development rather than having to guess at progress between terms.
Address:
Jl. Dr. Cipto 149, KarangTuri, East Semarang, Semarang 50124
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 08.30 to 20.00, Saturday 08.30 to 17.00, closed Sunday
2. LB LIA Semarang
LIA splits its children’s provision. General English for Very Young Learners is designed for ages 4 to 6, running eight sessions per month with a different theme each month. General English for Young Learners is the primary school programme for ages 6 to 12, built across 12 levels from 1A to 6B, with each level covering 44 sessions over roughly six months.
Varied and engaging materials
Learning materials are adapted to each child’s readiness and age. The methods keep children enthusiastic and motivated to use English in daily life.
Stress-free active learning for the youngest group
The Very Young Learners programme does not require a placement test. Kids engage in cheerful classroom routines like singing, dancing, guessing games, and responding to physical instructions, which suits children who are not yet reading. Older children entering the primary programme do sit a placement test so they start at the right level.
A long-established institution
LIA has been running language courses in Indonesia since 1959, and the Semarang branch also offers TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS prediction tests for older students. Payment can be made in full, which carries a discount, or in instalments.
Address:
Jl. Sugiyopranoto No. 48, Bulustalan, South Semarang
Phone: (024) 8640 1016
3. English 1, formerly EF Kids & Teens
A change of name, not of method
In April 2025, EF Kids & Teens rebranded across Indonesia as English 1, pronounced English One, after 30 years operating under the EF name. The management stated that the teaching method, curriculum, and staff remain the same, with the Learn, Try, Apply structure retained. Parents searching for EF Kids & Teens in Semarang will now find English 1 branches at the same locations.
Programs by age band
English 1 runs five main programs: Small Stars for ages 3 to 6, High Flyers for ages 7 to 9, Trailblazers for ages 10 to 14, Frontrunner for ages 15 to 18, and an International Exam Preparation Course. The age bands are narrower than at some other institutions, which means a child moves programs more often but sits with a closer peer group.
CEFR-aligned curriculum
The curriculum is developed in Lucerne, Switzerland and mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Class sizes are deliberately capped so teachers can give individual attention. Free trial classes are available at each centre.
Early reading and writing skills
In the Small Stars programme, children move step by step from individual letter sounds to words and then to short exchanges. They gradually learn phonics, decoding, and blending, start recognising letters, and progress towards reading short sentences and writing, while also developing fine motor skills.
Three branches in Semarang
A third Semarang branch opened at Citadel Square in Ngaliyan in August 2025, serving families in the western side of the city who previously had to travel across town.
Address 1: Bangkong Plaza, Jl. MT. Haryono No.864-866 C4-5, Peterongan, South Semarang
Address 2: Jl. Prof. Soedarto No. 28, Sumurboto, Banyumanik, Semarang
Address 3: Citadel Square, Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka No. 105, Ngaliyan, Semarang
4. I Can Read
A strong start toward English fluency
The Pre-Reading programme for children aged 2.5 to 6 focuses on developing phonological and phonemic awareness early on. Kids are introduced to English sounds through a fun and holistic approach.
Solid foundation for advanced language skills
This programme lays the groundwork for a child’s English learning journey, from listening and speaking to reading and writing with confidence. The focus is narrower than at general English schools, which suits parents whose specific concern is decoding and early literacy rather than conversational fluency.
Relocated within the same area
I Can Read Semarang now lists its address at Bangkong Plaza rather than the former MT. Haryono shopfront. The area is the same, but the exact unit has changed, so it is worth confirming before a first visit.
Address: Bangkong Plaza, Jl. MT. Haryono No. 864-866 B-11, Peterongan, South Semarang 50242
5. English Academy by Ruangguru
World-class English preparation
English Academy offers English training based on international standards. Its materials are developed by international and local teachers with international certification, and the Pandanaran centre serves students aged 3 to 18.
Online and centre-based formats
English Academy operates both an online programme and physical centres, now numbering more than 125 across Indonesia. Families can combine the two, and recorded lesson videos are available for material a student has not yet grasped.
Support beyond the main class
Students have access to additional sessions including one-to-one time with a master teacher, EA Clinic, and Catch Up Class for those who have fallen behind. This structure suits children who need repetition or who miss classes because of school commitments.
Placement test before enrolment
Every prospective student sits a placement test, which is conducted only through the English Academy website or the Ruangguru app. Results and a certificate follow within about three working days.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 12.00 to 20.30, Saturday 09.00 to 15.00, closed Sunday
Address: Jl. Pandanaran No.99A, Mugassari, South Semarang
How to choose a course that actually fits
Rankings are less useful than a clear reading of what your child needs right now. A few things are worth checking before you commit.
Match the programme to the current problem, not to the brand
A child who reads English words but freezes when asked to speak needs something different from a child who speaks confidently but cannot decode. Phonics-led programs solve the second problem. Communicative programs solve the first. Enrolling in the wrong one produces a year of pleasant classes and very little change.
Check the actual age band, not the general description
Age bands differ meaningfully between institutions. A six-year-old sits in the youngest group at some schools and the oldest group at others. Being the youngest in a class often means a quiet year. Ask which band your child would join and how old the other children in that specific class are.
Understand the full length of the commitment
Some programs are structured across 12 levels of six months each, which is a six-year path. Others run eight levels. This is not a drawback, but it does mean the monthly fee is only part of the picture. Ask how many levels remain from your child’s starting point and what the realistic completion timeline looks like.
Use the trial class properly
Almost every institution offers a free trial or a placement test. During the trial, watch how much your child speaks rather than how entertaining the teacher is. A lively class where one confident child answers everything is not a good sign. Count roughly how many turns your own child gets.
Ask about class size and teacher continuity
Small classes only help if the same teacher stays with the group. Frequent teacher rotation resets the relationship each term, which matters more for young children than for teenagers. Ask directly how often teachers change and what happens if a teacher leaves mid-level.
Ask how progress is reported
Regular written or verbal reports let you catch a stalling child within weeks rather than at the end of a level. Institutions that report periodically to parents give you something to act on. Institutions that only issue a certificate at the end do not.
Be realistic about location and traffic
A course 30 minutes away in Semarang traffic will be attended less consistently than one 10 minutes away, and consistency matters more than any curriculum difference between two good schools. Online or hybrid options are worth considering if the nearest suitable centre is across the city.
Remember what happens outside class
Two hours a week does not make a child fluent on its own. English exposure at home through books, audio, and simple conversation is what turns classroom learning into usable language. The best course is the one that gives your child enough confidence to keep using English between lessons.
Choose a course according to the child’s character
Every child learns differently. Some thrive in an atmosphere full of activity, others in a structured environment with international benchmarks. The five places above each have their own approach and strengths.
Learning English from an early age is not a matter of how fast a child can go, but of how a child grows into the confidence to become a citizen of the world.
At IELC, we teach English the right way
Our goal is to get you speaking in English with fluency and confidence as fast as possible. We want to give you the skills you need to fulfil your potential!
Our experienced teachers will guide you along every step of the learning process to ensure that you are not wasting your time, money, and energy on useless language exercises & wrong methods.
Our courses
With our modern campus and technology, we are equipped to provide the best possible courses for children, teens, and adults, including:
Online and on campus IELTS courses
Online and on campus TOEFL PBT courses
Online and on campus TOEFL iBT courses
We offer our classes in group classes or private classes.
No matter what your goals are, our team will help you achieve these goals by providing you with Indonesia’s best English courses!
Talk to our team today to get your FREE consultation and take your first step towards success.
Sincerely,
IELC Academic Director
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