Choosing a language school is a very personal decision, it is highly likely that you will spend a good deal of time considering all your options before making that final choice.

If you are not planning to do this then you really should, as all language courses represent a considerable investment of your time and money, so you will want to make sure that you are happy with your decision before making that commitment.

English Language Schools

The good news about English schools in the UK is that there is a very long and established tradition of providing high quality courses to students from all over the world. This means that schools that did not meet the right standards would have been put out of business long ago by more successful and professional organisations, and any potential ‘cowboys’ will find it very hard to establish themselves in such a competitive high quality environment.

However, there are a number of important factors to consider when choosing a course so it pays to take some professional advice from your old English teacher, if you can, as they are going to have the best idea of your own individual needs and abilities as a student.

Important Questions

Before you enrol on a course ask yourself some of the following questions:

-Is the school British Council accredited?
-Does the school specialise in the area I want? (Business, Academic etc)
-How much is it?
-Can I do the exams I want?
-Is it in the town or countryside?
-How big are the classes?
-What are the teachers’ qualifications?
-Will the students in my class all have a similar level of English to me?
-Does it have good transport links?
-Does it offer the exact dates and times I want?
-Does the school have a social programme?
-What is the school’s philosophy on teaching and do I agree with it?
-Does it have the right facilities for me?
-Will the town/area have many other foreign students?
-Is the school too big/small for me?
-If you are coming to the UK specifically for this course, will they pick you up at the airport?

These are just a few of the questions that you ask yourself before proceeding with enrolment, but you have probably thought of some more whilst reading this article, so draw up a list and take your time. Remember the UK is full of English schools so you have the power to choose, do not let anyone pressurize you into making a decision until you feel completely comfortable with it.

USEFUL WORDS

location = the position of the school

range of courses = the variety of courses on offer

student facilities = services and equipment which are provided for students

qualified teachers = teachers who have completed the relevant exams and training to do the job

course fees = prices

course materials = books and other resources used in class

syllabus = a list of topics that students study during a course

timetable = a list showing the times when lessons take place

class size = the number of students in a class

lesson length = how long each lesson lasts

course length = how many days/weeks/months you can study for

placement test = a test to establish your current level of English

accommodation options = places the school offers for students to stay during their course

social programme = organised social activities outside of lesson times

GRAMMAR SPOT

Each other / One another

Tom and Susan mailed each other

Tom and Susan mailed one another

These sentences both mean that Tom mailed Susan and Susan mailed Tom.  The mail went in both directions.

The students helpeach other /one another with their homework

We see each other / one another in the school library sometimes

The possessive form:

Peter and Fred were looking at each other's / one another's dictionaries

There is also a pattern with each/the other:

Each student gave the other a copy of their written work to look at

Each of them was looking at the other's photograph