I'm on an English course - correct ?

[angelene001]

I know that we can say :
- I'm doing an English course
- I'm taking an English course

but can we say:
- I'm on an English course in London ?

[5jj]

Yes

[billmcd]

I know that we can say :
- I'm doing an English course Not usual/likely in AmE.
- I'm taking an English course Most usual/likely in AmE.

but can we say:
- I'm on an English course in London ? Unusual/unlikely in AmE.

b.

[5jj]

All of the possible sentences are acceptable in British English.

[emsr2d2]

I know that we can say :
- I'm doing an English course
- I'm taking an English course

but can we say:
- I'm on an English course in London ?

I would like to point out that the first two could refer to the present or to the future.

What are you doing this week?
I'm taking an English course.

What are you doing next March?
I'm doing an English course.

The third, to me, is something you would say once you have arrived in London and have already started the course, so I would only use that one to refer to the present.

[Barb_D]

If a BrE speaker hadn't replied first, I (an American) would have given a firm "No" as a response.

[Gillnetter]

If a BrE speaker hadn't replied first, I (an American) would have given a firm "No" as a response.

"I'm on an English course" would make some sense to me if the subject was about a golf course. Not being a golfer, I don't know if there is such a thing as an English course, or, for that matter, a French or a Chinese course. Another meaning could be that you are discussing an elaborate meal replete with many courses and this particular course was called an English course.

[HanibalII]

If a BrE speaker hadn't replied first, I (an American) would have given a firm "No" as a response.

I agree with Barb_D. I have never heard 'I'm on an English course in London'. I have heard, and only ever used either 'I am doing an English course' or 'I am taking an English course'.

Original posters first 2 suggestions are fine in my opinion, but that 3rd is very unlikely to be used, and just sounds very un-natural to me. I

[5jj]

Original poster's first 2 suggestions are fine in my opinion, but that 3rd is very unlikely to be used ...

... in your part of the world. As we've said, it's fine in BrE.

[emsr2d2]

"I'm on an English course" would make some sense to me if the subject was about a golf course. Not being a golfer, I don't know if there is such a thing as an English course, or, for that matter, a French or a Chinese course. Another meaning could be that you are discussing an elaborate meal replete with many courses and this particular course was called an English course.

What do you call a series of classes where you learn a language? I can't think of another term in English except "language course".

- Where is John this week?
- He's on an Italian course in Rome.

- Do you want to learn Spanish?
- Yes. In fact, I've signed up to a Spanish course at my local college.

The only thing I can think of in American English is that you don't have a singular noun for it, but would say "He's taking Italian classes" or something similar. Is that right?