Today the world is divided into two categories: those who speak English and those who are going to learn it. Political negotiations and business meetings, lectures at prestigious universities and conversations in social networks are conducted in English abroad. Fluency in English is a requirement for most employers. Knowledge of English is the basis of success and freedom of life choice!
Modern linguists are convinced that 3-4 weeks of studying English abroad correspond to a year of studying a language in a regular school. People who value time choose English courses abroad for themselves and their children. Studying English abroad has many advantages. Modern language courses are based on the principle of constant communication, and this is not surprising: the exchange of vivid impressions in the company of new friends and participation in typical everyday situations stimulate the need to learn new words for everyday use and quickly fill in gaps in language knowledge. Thanks to the mass of positive emotions, the language learns quickly and easily. At the end of your stay, you will even begin to dream in English!
Thanks to modern English language courses abroad, you can not only successfully learn the language, but also get a lot of fun! Many schools deliberately leave a lot of time outside the classroom so that students can fully immerse themselves in the language environment. That is why courses with additional creative and sports activities, as well as a generous list of included excursions and trips, are especially popular today. What is worth just one flight over Niagara Falls from the St Giles school in Toronto!
The total immersion method offered by modern language schools allows students to communicate regularly not only in everyday situations, but also in simulated business meetings and even university classes! For example, at the Embassy Academy language school in Warminster, children study mathematics, art and science just like in a real English school. And while studying at the FLS school in Boston, students attend six prestigious US universities at once, including Harvard, which motivates many in advance to think about entering a reputable university.
Prices for studying English abroad vary greatly. The most expensive and prestigious are considered to be language schools in the UK and on the East Coast of the USA, and yet, the majority of those who want to study the language go here. Those who wish to choose a more budget option will like to study in Malta, where they will be pleased with the combination of the European level of education with low prices. Those who want to learn English in Canada, Australia or New Zealand will be able to choose from a variety of both elite and democratic schools, most importantly, book air tickets in advance at an adequate price.
Our agency offers English language training abroad in the best schools and training centers around the world. Among our offers are vacation programs, children's camps, year-round courses with training from a week to a year and specialized lexical training courses for work and life in English-speaking countries of the world. Master a unique British accent in London or Cambridge, experience the Mediterranean lifestyle in Malta, feel like a Hollywood star in California, enjoy the beauty of protected forests in Canada and discover the coral reefs of Australia.
Combine the acquisition of vital knowledge with a trip to the brightest countries in the world. Check out our offers and - and within a day we will organize the perfect trip for you!
Are you thinking of sending your child to study English abroad during the school holidays? Our helpful tips will help you avoid all the pitfalls and decide on the choice of school.
Traveling abroad, passing a specialized USE or continuing to study abroad - there is nowhere without English in the modern global world.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes quite difficult for a child to learn English in a Russian school, and sometimes, even with a good grammatical base, it is not always possible to express one's thoughts aloud: there is both the notorious language barrier and the lack of conversational practice. The way out of the situation could be English language courses for schoolchildren abroad, held both in the winter and summer holidays. In addition, the cost of such courses is comparable to summer camps in Russia, and sometimes even cheaper.
At what age can you start sending a child?
If you send a small child alone to the courses, it may turn out that instead of excellent speaking practice and friends from all over the world, he will only get stress. Therefore, in order not to urgently buy a return ticket, it is better to wait until the child grows up to adolescence.
General practice shows that 12-14 years old is the ideal age for the first big solo trip. And your child will return home with a lot of positive emotions and excellent English. In addition, the experience of independent living will certainly benefit him. And who knows, maybe he will even start making the bed himself.
Which country to choose?
Of course, English. You can, of course, send your child to study English in Finland or Switzerland, but when the language surrounds the student 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and not just in the classroom, the effectiveness of learning increases significantly. It is also worth considering that in America - American English, and Australia - Australian. Classical English - the language of Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter - can only be found in England. In addition, England is relatively close, while, for example, a flight to New York from Moscow can take up to 12 hours.
How far to go?
Usually the duration of the courses starts from 2 weeks. The most optimal period is 4-5 weeks. During this time, the child will not have time to miss home, will noticeably improve the language and have a great rest. In addition, you can divide education between 2 cities - then the child will be able to travel around the country and make many friends.
How is English taught to children?
Usually English courses for schoolchildren are something like a summer school camp. Classes in the morning, cultural program in the afternoon. It is very important not to overdo it with the intensity of training. Still, it is important that the child not only learn English, but also rest: 20 lessons a week is enough. It is important that the child study in a group: too small classes do not provide opportunities for group work and communication with classmates, and in too large classes it is difficult for the teacher to give due attention to each student. Therefore, the optimal group size is 10-18 students.
What will the child do after class?
Pay attention to what program of extracurricular activities the school offers, because it is after classes that the material learned in the classroom is practiced. Every child is sure to find something interesting for themselves: whether it's going to the cinema, or bowling, or kayaking, or an excursion to a neighboring city. Be sure to check if these activities are included in the course fee.
Where will the child live and what will they eat?
Usually 2 accommodation options are offered - a local host family or a hostel with a common dining room. For younger students, it is recommended to opt for a family: they will better look after the child there - they will feed him, control the time of coming home. For older students, the hostel will be an ideal choice. This option implies greater independence, however, the child will not be left without proper supervision and control.
How will the child arrive / fly away / find a school / live alone?
Courses for minors are under special control of the regulatory authorities, and they are subject to increased requirements. From the moment of passing through passport control until the moment of boarding the plane, the child is accompanied by school staff. The transfer ensures the safe transportation of the child - both to and from school. In all schools and dormitories, staff will always be ready to answer any questions or help the child.
What to pay attention to
Does the school have state accreditation?
By choosing a school with state accreditation, you can be sure that you will receive a high-level education for the money you pay. Accreditation from organizations such as the British Council (UK) or ACCET (USA) means that schools are regularly reviewed and meet the highest standards of education.
Are all four major language skills emphasized in the lessons?
To master a foreign language, you need to evenly practice and develop the four main skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening. Lessons built around developing these skills will benefit the child the most.
Do teachers have certificates of relevant qualifications?
Make sure that the child will learn from teachers who have completed a full course of training, because the quality of the education they receive depends on them. If the teacher has a CELTA, TESOL or equivalent diploma, rest assured that the teacher is highly qualified and has teaching experience.
Does the school have a help desk in case of questions about studying or living?
It is extremely important that there are people in the school to whom the child can turn for any question regarding education and living. Even if he or you never have to use this service, the support service will guarantee a calm learning for the child.
Does the school have courses for adults?
If you are afraid to let your child go alone and want to combine business with pleasure by improving your English on vacation, be sure to find out about the possibility of studying at the same school with your child.
TOP-3 - the best English cities for learning a language
baht
The ancient city with the legendary Roman baths is a monument of the Classical era, listed as a World Heritage Site and located just 2 hours from London. The city simply breathes history - the child will definitely not be bored!
Torquay
The pearl of the English Riviera. The quiet town on the coast is a great option for both summer and winter. In winter, the climate is mild and pleasant, and in summer you can sunbathe.
London
Where else to learn English, if not in the capital - London? An ancient but very modern city - a living textbook of the English language. Tip: to avoid the bustle of the city, it is better to prefer a school located not in the city center.
Ksenia Sesikova, 13 years old
Last year I went to the amazing Stafford House camp, at the English private school Bearwood College. The camp had an interesting training program, fun and educational games that introduced us to the history of England. All day long we had fun, went on excursions and danced until we dropped in discos. I met guys from other countries who told me a lot of interesting things about the customs and culture of their countries. I especially liked that in the lessons we didn’t cram textbooks, didn’t write tests, we weren’t given grades, but we made up our own comics, put on skits, wrote stories and just had a good time. If you come to Bearwood College, you will be stunned by the sight of the castle in which English schoolchildren live and study. They say that there are even ghosts there, but it's a pity that I never met them! The territory of the camp is striking in its size: there is a lake near the main building, near which one could see wild deer in the early morning, and the camp itself is located in the forest. After the camp, I began to feel more confident in English, became more independent and remembered these three weeks of fun with new friends.
Misha Maksimov
Initially, I wanted to go to Malta, as I had heard from my friends about studying in Malta. Well, I wanted not only to study, but also the sun, the beach and fun parties in the evenings. However, when they found out that I was running my own video blog, the STAR Academy staff advised me, after all, to make a choice in favor of England, and so that I would not be bored, they offered combined training: one week in coastal Brighton and two weeks in London. I am happy that I managed to visit all the places in London that I have been dreaming about for so long. Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the giant London Eye, from which you can see the whole city at a glance, the Camden Market crazy shopping district, Madame Tussauds, M&M's World, Platform 9 and 3/4 of the famous King's Cross Station and much, much more another that I had only seen in videos and movies before. At school, I met guys from Russia, and together we also visited Thorpe Park, where we rode roller coasters and had an unforgettable time. The school in London was not far from the center, and every day after school we went to walk around the city and practice English in real life. Three weeks of my trip were filled with so many impressions and emotions that they are enough for two feature films! I shot videos about all my travels and shared my impressions with my subscribers.
Elina Kim
My trip to Ireland was wonderful. I lived in Dublin, in a large family, where other students lived besides me. In a large and friendly house, 9 people lived at the same time as me, among whom were Spaniards, Italians, Russians and a boy from Switzerland. The owner of the house was hospitable and cooked delicious food.
School time at the Oscars flew by very quickly. We had the best teachers - sociable and friendly, however, like all people in Ireland. We communicated with them freely, on an equal footing, understanding each other perfectly.
In the evenings and on Saturdays we had interesting excursions or entertainment. We were dog racing, bowling, shopping. In addition to Dublin, we visited the cities of Kilkenny and Wexford. Our program also included visits to many castles and parks. The trip was well organized and I really enjoyed it!
Yana Gabrielyan, 14 years old
I really enjoyed Kingswood Camps and would love to go back to the days I was there. There was always a good and friendly atmosphere in the camp, teenagers of our age were constantly sitting in the foyer, and as soon as you descended, you were called to join the company and it didn’t matter what country and nationality you were from. We have always had fun together. Our group had English lessons in the morning. Our teacher was the most friendly person, during the lesson he turned on the music to make us relax, and we often discussed exactly the topics that worried us. Because of this, the lesson became interesting and dynamic. In the evenings, we had some new event every day, but the most interesting were the campfire nights and popcorn parties. On them we felt like one whole, one family, as if something united us besides the camp itself. And trips outside the camp were always unexpected and fun. I think we will remember this summer for the rest of our lives.
Elizabeth, 40 years old
I want to thank you again! Everything is very good, the school is really good, the family is wonderful, the conditions at home are at the highest level, the sea is warm and clean, in general, everything is fine! Thank you!
After graduating from university, I plan to work in a large multinational company, and perfect command of English is very important to me. After consulting with my parents, I decided to go to a language course in the USA in the summer. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the specialists of STAR Academy, who helped me decide on the choice of school. We stopped at St Giles in New York. Despite the short duration - the courses lasted only 2 weeks - I managed to improve my speaking skills, soften my accent, replenish my vocabulary. And, of course, get a lot of pleasant impressions!
Masha Shapovalova
I was very struck by how many pluses this country contains. The people are very kind, sympathetic and free: people do whatever they want. Canada combines very beautiful nature and, at the same time, developed infrastructure. Toronto just amazed me with its architecture, you still need to look for such skyscrapers. Everything is created for people: at the airport, in the subway, even just on the street, be sure that you will not get lost. In Canada, people with disabilities are very taken care of, many elevators, free wheelchairs and special promotions make life easier for them in this country.
Canada is gifted with incredibly beautiful nature, as soon as you leave the city, views that cannot be expressed in words open up before your eyes! A huge number of forests, animals and just unusual places. Speaking of nature, one cannot fail to mention the Niagara Falls: an unreal spectacle that everyone should see. When I stood at the very edge of the waterfall, I wanted to cry with happiness, I felt all the power of water - for the sake of such beauty it is worth living and traveling!
I went to Canada not just to admire the country, but to study English at the ILAC Academy of Foreign Languages. Upon arrival, the guys and I wrote an introductory test to determine the level of the language and then went through a three-week training course, at the end of which we received certificates. A huge plus of the ILAC Academy is that everything is done to maximize communication with foreign students, so the round-the-clock practice of the language has no doubt benefited us.
Summing up, I want to say that Canada is a must-visit country! Having been there, I realized that this is a strong state with a pleasant mentality and amazing flora.
Feedback from mom Olya, 14 years old
I want to express my gratitude to you for organizing the training of my daughter Olga in Kaplan (Bath) in July. And training, and excursions, and various activities - everything was at the highest level, the family took care of Olya - they were attentive to all her questions and problems (Olya got a little sick last week). As you promised - our desire. so that there was less Russian - everything came true - really about 2% of Russians studied there - in any case, Olga crossed paths with Russian speakers only at the beginning of her stay and at the end. Meetings, seeing off, transfers, everything was organized clearly, on time. We are also very pleased with the visa department (Andrey Voevodkin worked with us)
Maya, I hope for further cooperation with Star Academy in the future - maybe you can look for us next year something similar to Kaplan only in another region of England (with a small percentage of Russian speakers).
Thank you very much for your attention and clear organization of our trip!
Romanova Kristina, 21, César Ritz Hospitality College
I took a five-week training last winter in Switzerland. There were no problems during the entire training process. The lessons are very diverse plus it was the practice that I liked the most. The teachers did not let me get bored, as a result, in 5 weeks I managed to noticeably improve my language. Improved speaking and writing skills, all information was useful. The college provides a large program of entertainment and excursions. There were not so many Russian speakers, in any case, everyone spoke only English. The impressions from the training were the best, I plan to go somewhere else according to the school's programs.
Knowledge of at least one foreign language today is an absolute necessity. When applying for a job, this is almost the first thing an employer looks at. Therefore, for the most part, applicants for master's programs of foreign universities, specialists who are actively building their careers, business leaders and business owners go to foreign language courses abroad. All of them are motivated people who set themselves a utilitarian goal - to improve the level of the language in a certain period of time. This makes language programs for adults even more attractive, thanks to the circle of communication and the atmosphere in which the classes take place. However, the doors of the courses are not closed for those who, combining business with pleasure, study the language "for themselves".
Types of language courses for adults abroad
The educational market offers a great variety of language courses for adults in various countries of the world. To maximize the effectiveness of a trip to courses abroad, you need to choose the right educational institution, country, and level of study.
Whether you want to start from scratch, continue it, delve into your professional field or learn all the intricacies of business English - we have something to offer you.
Permanent presence in the language environment
Opportunity to exchange experience with people from other countries
A huge number of programs for different levels of language proficiency
Choice of any language you are interested in
Learning the language in parallel with getting to know the country and its culture
How to choose a country
The choice of the country where you would like to study in a language course depends entirely on your preferences. If you want to learn English, you can go to the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Malta for example. French can be taught in France, Switzerland, Belgium. And for German, they usually go to Germany or Austria. As you can see, the choice is quite wide, so everything is limited only by your imagination and budget.
The cost of language courses for adults abroad
There are many long-term programs for traveling abroad, including internships, work abroad, immigration and training programs. You can also combine business with pleasure and go to language courses for a short time. But all these programs require certain efforts and costs, especially if you want to go for six months or more. If you want to go abroad, while not spending too much money, there is an easy way - the Au Pair and Demi Pair programs. These programs are designed for young people who want to live in another country, while having the opportunity to learn a foreign language and get acquainted with the culture of another country.
Among the English-speaking countries, you can go to the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
USA
The most popular and affordable program in the USA. Basic requirements: age from 18-26 years old, basic knowledge of English and experience in working with young children. The family buys an air ticket, pays for insurance, language courses and pays a stipend. You can go to any state and, if you like, extend the program without leaving the country. The only catch may be that participants with a driver's license and extensive experience working with children under 2 years old are often required. You must match one of these parameters.
United Kingdom
The second most popular program in English-speaking countries. If you want to leave quickly, then this program is for you. processing takes 2-3 months. The first month you will attend college language courses 15-20 hours per week. The remaining 5 months you will live and work with a family as an Au Pair. You will be provided with your own room, meals, a stipend of £100 per week. A good opportunity to live in London for six months.
Canada
There is a Demi Pair program in Canada, which allows you to live in Canada for 4 months and study English in college courses. Upon completion of the course, a special certificate is issued. You can extend the program and participate again. Because Canada is a rather expensive country, this program is beneficial in that housing, food, and the Internet will be provided free of charge in exchange for 20 hours a week of babysitting. A good option for those who plan to move to Canada in the future or work on the live-in-caregiver program, want to look around a little and make friends.
Australia
With the help of the Demi Pair Australia program, you can go to Sydney for 4 months and, if you like, extend the program, or re-participate later. You will attend college English courses while working with your family up to 20 hours a week. Accommodation, meals, Wi-Fi are provided free of charge, and a scholarship of 600 AUD per month is also paid. An excellent opportunity to improve English in the country of the language being studied, while paying only for tuition and flights.
New Zealand
The Demi Pair program in New Zealand also gives you the opportunity to combine your language courses with a host family. The program lasts 4 months, you can extend and participate again. You can go to Auckland or Wellington. In exchange for 20 hours of babysitting, you will receive a private room, meals and a stipend of NZ$60.00 per week. A good chance to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world!
Expert advice. If you are aiming for intensive language learning in a short time, then you are better off choosing Canada, Australia or New Zealand. If you want to live abroad for quite a long time, then I can advise you the US or the UK. If you cannot decide, then contact the program coordinator and he will advise the most optimal option for you!
