How
to choose a Language School
in the UK
Each year over
600,000 students come to the UK to learn English. Many are
attracted by Britain’s reputation for academic excellence;
others are seeking to improve their English before studying
at a British University; others choose UK for exciting diverse
social activities and also because it is a great base for
exploring the rest of Europe after their course.
Whatever their
reason, students are spoilt for choice by the great range
of English language schools and courses available. Yet selecting
a course requires a lot of care and research; unlike other
products it is not one that can be sampled beforehand.
There are over
1,000 English language schools in Britain and they vary
dramatically in levels of quality. That is why we strongly
advise students to choose a school that is recognised by
the English in Britain scheme.
There are 375
establishments in the UK that are recognised by the English
in Britain scheme. The Scheme is run jointly by ARELS, BASELT
and British Council - and it is the only steadfast guarantee
of quality in the UK. Every aspect of the school’s
English language provision has been scrutinised on stringent
criteria, which covers teachers, qualifications, class sizes,
materials, management, accommodation, student welfare and
premises.
In addition,
schools that are also members of ARELS offer students and
their parents additional assurances of quality and extra
peace of mind. Members adhere to a Code of Practice and
students can turn to us for advice should they have any
problems with member schools. With so many schools to choose
from, where do you begin? A good starting point would be
to decide on your checklist. Here are some questions that
may help you to decide on a final checklist:
What are your
reasons for learning English?
There are a wide
variety of English language courses available such as intensive
English courses, preparation for examinations or entry into
British Universities courses, English for Executives, English
for Juniors, English and Sport, English for Teachers. The
type of course you should choose depends on your reasons
for improving your English. It may be to improve your career
prospects, prepare for a language examination, or simply
for fun! Your reasons for studying will determine the type
of course that is best suited to your needs.
What type of
school should you choose?
Students must
be happy in their environment. So the profile and location
of the school are important and it is worth spending a lot
of time getting these elements right. Some students prefer
a small independent school that is able to offer a very
personal service; others may choose a school that is part
of a larger chain offering a greater range of facilities.
Decide where you would wish to study. Would you feel more
comfortable studying in a university town, a city, at a
seaside resort or in a rural environment?
How much can
you afford?
Equally important,
your choice will also depend on your budget. How much do
you wish to spend on your course and living expenses? This
will help you in the short-listing procedure. The price
of a courses reflects the number of hours’ tuition
per week; size of class; location; qualifications of staff;
what is included in the course (for example, does it include
accommodation, meals, social programme, registration fees,
transfers). Remember to make sure you have added ALL of
the costs together before you start to compare schools on
prices.
Once you have produced your checklist you can either approach
a local educational agent in your area for further advice
and assistance, or you can visit the following website for
information on recognised English language schools.
Contributed by ARELS
www. arels.org.uk
You can also visit the British Council
or BASELT websites for further information.
