Your child will learn naturally through play and Timmy's stories

Introducing English to your child between the ages of three and five allows them to learn the language when it comes to them most naturally. 

The British Council's early years specialists have designed Learning Time with Timmy to be fun and engaging for your child. Our approach to learning nurtures your child's creativity, critical thinking and social skills as they learn English. It boosts their self-confidence and helps them develop communication skills and good pronunciation. Find out more about how we teach.

We have partnered with Aardman animation studios because the stories of their world-famous character Timmy, star of Timmy Time, enable your child to learn new words in context. Timmy and his friends will capture your child’s imagination. This connection deepens their engagement in the learning process.

Improve your child's learning with our world of English expertise. 

Course details, fees and FAQs

What will my 4-year-old child learn?

At this stage your child will:

  • listen to stories in English with increasing attention and recall
  • begin to be aware of the way stories are structured
  • identify main story settings, events and principal characters
  • explore the meaning and sounds of new words in English
  • join in with songs and nursery rhymes in English
  • enjoy rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories
  • hear and say the initial sound in words in English
  • begin to describe the texture of things
  • respond to simple instructions in English
  • sometimes give meaning to marks as they draw and paint
  • use some number names and number language spontaneously
  • begin to represent numbers, using fingers, marks on paper or pictures
  • enjoy joining in with dancing and ring games.

What will my 5-year-old child learn?

At this stage your child will: 

  • join in with repeated refrains in songs and stories
  • be able to follow a story with pictures or props
  • be aware of the way stories are structured
  • listen to stories with increasing attention and recall and anticipate key events
  • extend vocabulary by grouping and naming objects
  • say the alphabet
  • begin to talk about size of everyday objects, e.g. 'big' and 'small'
  • give meaning to the marks they make as they draw, write and paint
  • use three fingers (tripod grip) to hold writing tools
  • understand and use some positional language
  • look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change
  • recognise and recite numbers in order to 15 and use some number names accurately in play
  • count and record using marks they can interpret and explain.

Coimbra – course details and fees

Learning Time with Timmy (4 to 5-year-olds) 

Annual registration fees:

Duration Annual Payment Termly Payment Monthly Payment

30-week course

1050€

380€

Contact our team to find out about monthly amounts

+ Annual registration fee

60€

60€

60€

The course takes place once a week on Saturday, and lasts for 2 academic hours of 50 minutes, with a 20 minute break.

Foz do Douro – course details and fees

Learning Time with Timmy (4 to 5-year-olds) 

Annual registration fees:

Duration Annual payment Termly payment Monthly payment

30-week course

1050€

380€

Contact our team to find out about monthly amounts

+ Annual registration fee

60€

60€

60€

The course takes place once a week on Saturday, and lasts for 2 academic hours of 50 minutes, with a 20 minute break.

Lisbon – course details and fees

Learning Time with Timmy (4 to 5-year-olds) 

Annual registration fees:

Duration Annual payment Termly payment Monthly payment

30-week course

1050€

380€

Contact our team to find out about monthly amounts

+ Annual registration fee

60€

60€

60€

The course takes place once a week on Saturday, and lasts for 2 academic hours of 50 minutes, with a 20 minute break.

All images © Mat Wright 2018.