our courses, teaching methodology and schools
Our network of global partners have been carefully selected with regard to well established institutes, interesting school locations, flexible start dates and course lengths, class sizes, qualified teachers and teaching methodology.
teachers and methodology
All our teachers are qualified, native speakers who possess the educational credentials to teach their native language to foreign students.
We also insist that all our teachers are highly motivated, creative and enthusiastic about teaching. We believe the best way to learn a language is based on effective communication and we encourage students to actively participate in lessons, through guided dialogues, interviews and role-plays. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country and culture.
Our programs cater to all levels of language knowledge and we offer suitable courses, from complete beginner through to advanced in most of our schools. However, complete beginners are advised to start on set beginner start dates which are available every month.
Our programs are very flexible and most offer year round start dates for all levels. The student can choose the length of their course (depending on location) and the minimum duration for a course is usually 2 weeks,
however in some cases we do offer one week intensive courses. Our most popular length of course is 4 weeks and students normally start seeing results in the 3rd or the 4th week of the course.
Each student will be asked to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning (unless they are a complete beginner), this test normally lasts no more than 20 minutes. The results then allow the teachers to evaluate the students language skills and level. Based upon this information, they can then place the student in the correct level of class.
language courses, levels and class sizes
We usually offer three types of programs in our schools but depends on the location:
Standard group course:
This is our most popular course and is the perfect compromise between learning and allowing enough free time for cultural activities and excursions. The Standard course offers 4 daily lessons, normally starting at 9 am, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday).
Four lessons daily guarantees effective learning, while the afternoon remains free for afternoon cultural activities. In order to make sufficient progress and gain the maximum benefit from the course we recommend the following minimal duration: Beginner (8-12 weeks), Intermediate (4-8 weeks) and advanced (2-4 weeks).
Intensive group course:
This course is most popular with those students who have a limited amount of time to learn the language and can only study for a few weeks. The intensive course offers 6 daily lessons normally starting at 9 am, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday).
Six lessons daily guarantees intensive learning for those students who need to pick up the language quickly and are not as concerned about having the free time in the afternoons.
Private Individual course:
One on one language training is the quickest and most intensive way to learn a language or improve your language abilities. This course can be designed to suit your own requirements and is very flexible.
Through out our web site and brochure we mention class hours, these hours are similar to University hours and the average length of a individual lesson is between 45 - 50 minutes, this is standard practice with most language schools and universities. In most cases, lessons are held in the mornings leaving the afternoon free for activities.
Our standard class sizes differ in size depending on which location you choose. For example many of our European schools offer class sizes of between 8 - 10 students, however many of our Latin American schools offer class sizes of between 2- 4 students or less, please see the program information on your particular location for exact size of class. Most of our programs offer a "Certificate of Proficiency" which students will receive on the last day of their course upon request.
We can also help prepare students for internationally recognized language exams. Most of our schools offer set start dates for long-term study towards these internationally recognized certificates and courses normally run between 8 and 12 weeks. Please see your chosen school for course start dates and the cost of the exam is paid directly to the school upon arrival. Below are some examples of certificates available:
DELF - Diplome d`Etude de Langue Francaise/DALF - Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francaise
DELI - Diploma Elementare di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" AIL
DILI - Diploma Intermediodi Lingua Italiana "Firenze" AIL
DALI - Diploma Avanzado di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" AIL
CILS - Certificazione di Italiano como Lingua Straniera
DELE - Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera
KDS - Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom
GDS - Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom
TRKI Language Exam and EPLE - Ensino de Português Língua Estrangeira
additional language course options
Live and learn program: Live and study in the home of your own personal teacher, a very unique individual program.
Children and teenager programs: which is aimed for ages between 8-17 years. Corporate programs: which offers business orientated courses for professionals and executives.
Our experience in teaching foreign languages has provided us with the knowledge of the most efficient ways to keep the students motivated and enthusiastic. Our teachers maintain constant teacher student interaction by assessing students on a weekly basis and by guiding each student individually.
Our programs are ideal for students looking to improve their skills and marketability in the academic world, for business people with assignments in foreign countries or, just for fun, as a
learning holiday.
