FAQ

If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us and we will happily answer it for you.

Course information

We offer a wide selection of courses to suit all levels of ability and experience, ranging from complete Beginner to Advanced. Please check your current language level HERE.

When you enrol we ask you to give us an indication of your language skills. But don’t worry if you’re unsure. You’ll take an assessment test on the first day of your course so that your teacher knows your exact level.
Some teachers test their students in advance so after you have booked, we may send you a written test by email to complete.

We invite you to check our Language Levels and Teaching methods page to learn more about the language level you may currently have.

Classes generally start every Monday (except when Monday is a public holiday). For more information please contact us or check individual destinations on the website.

In most cases, courses are offered throughout the year from Monday to Friday (unless otherwise stated). The arrival is generally on a Sunday and the departure on a Saturday. Group and individual courses are a minimum of 1 week with no limit in time.

School or teachers supply the course material and authentic documents you require for your course. However, if you opt for an individual course and want to study a specific subject (technical terminology, exam preparation, translation, etc) then you can bring your own textbooks or professional documents to assist you.

The minimum age varies between 16 and 18.

The teacher determines when the lessons are held. Courses are generally scheduled in the morning although this can vary depending on the sociocultural activities which are part of your program (e.g. going to market in the morning, weather conditions, season, special events). Afternoon classes are generally scheduled when 20 or more hours per week have been selected. Your needs and requirements may be accommodated in terms of your timetable, subject to teacher availability. Please indicate your preferences at the time of booking.

Unless you are attending an English language course, English is not spoken during the lessons. Some teachers may not speak English. However, at the beginner level, some teachers may offer some explanations in English.

Progress may depend on:

  • Your current level of the language
  • The course you choose
  • The intensity and the duration of your course
  • Your language learning ability
  • Your knowledge of one or several foreign languages
  • Your personal motivation

Obviously, the longer you are able to study a language, the better. It is of more benefit to stay more weeks and not study too many hours per day.

All our programs include individual tuition so you can expect rapid and substantial progress due to the personal attention you are given.

Our programs allow you plenty of time to experience the city/area you are staying and the culture after class.
An extra-curricular leisure and cultural program is offered within and beyond the city/town/area.

Sometimes there is a small fee for these and other times they are free.
The cultural activities are a great opportunity to practice your new language skills in the ‘real’ world beyond the course.

Morning Afternoon Evening
Sunday Arrival between 3pm and 9pm Orientation, introduction to the programme of the week, settling in. Optional walk in the neighbourhood, dinner, conversation with your host.
Monday Breakfast – Morning lessons Lunch – Optional afternoon lessons. Free time/Cultural activities/Excursion. Dinner – Outing or Free time or time spent with your host family/teacher.
Tuesday Breakfast – Morning lessons Lunch – Optional afternoon lessons. Free time/Cultural activities/Excursion. Dinner – Outing or Free time or time spent with your host family/teacher.
Wednesday Breakfast – Morning lessons Lunch – Optional afternoon lessons. Free time/Cultural activities/Excursion. Dinner – Outing or Free time or time spent with your host family/teacher.
Thursday Breakfast – Morning lessons Lunch – Optional afternoon lessons. Free time/Cultural activities/Excursion. Dinner – Outing or Free time or time spent with your host family/teacher.
Friday Breakfast – Morning lessons Lunch – Optional afternoon lessons. Remittance of the certificate of attendance & comment on your course achievement. Advice on your future language studies – Free time/Cultural activities/Excursion. Dinner – Outing or Free time or time spent with your host family/teacher.
Saturday Breakfast – Departure (in the case of 1 week course) Full day or afternoon excursion. Dinner – Outing or Free time or time spent with your host family/teacher.

All courses provide a certificate of attendance upon completion of the course.

At least 4 weeks before the start of the course. For courses taking place in Europe during summer, we strongly recommend you book your course 2 to 3 months in advance.

All teachers have been trained and/or granted an official degree from a university in their own country to teach their native language as a foreign language. They all have a teaching experience of a minimum of 2 years. Most of the time, they have taught their native language to a wide range of students ranging from young learners, university students, professionals, business people, diplomats, and individuals with various language requirements.

Accommodation

You certainly can.

Most of them speak one or several foreign languages, often English, but it’s not the aim of the program!
They are used to communicating with foreign students and will speak slowly and clearly.
Be sure to pack a dictionary just in case!

There is no ‘typical’ family structure. The family can be a couple, a single parent, a large family or someone living alone.

If you require a personal train station or airport transfer, in most cases our school partners can arrange this.

The cost will be advised at the time of booking.

In some cases yes. Please enquire first and if it’s possible, simply indicate your friend’s name on the enrolment form and we will confirm the additional cost for their accommodation with you.
Please note you may be offered a double bed and not necessarily a twin bed.

Our school partners have great success in matching our students with suitable, warm and welcoming families. However, if you feel your family is not suitable, we will do our best to find you another host family.

It’s usually not a problem to change families outside of the busy summer season but it may take a few days before the change is made.

Yes, in most cases. Please enquire about the availability at your earliest convenience.

Payment

In Euro or Australian dollars.

You can pay by credit card (Visa/MasterCard, American Express) which implies a 2% booking fee. Or by bank transfer with a minimal fee to cover bank charges.

Full payment must be made at least 3 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.

Yes, when a booking is made, you must pay a deposit of 450€ which includes a non-refundable enrolment fee of 65€.

The balance must be paid 3 weeks before the course commences.

Once you have received your letter of acceptance, booking alterations will incur a charge of 100€.

Please see the Terms & Conditions for more detailed information on course cancellations.

Generally, the program fees include:

  • Your chosen language individual tuition designed to meet your request and needs
  • Approximately 30 to 60 mins personal work each day
  • Personal assessment at the commencement of the course
  • Course material
  • Progress report and certificate of course completion
  • A program of sociocultural activities accompanied by your teacher or a guide
  • Free internet access
  • A private room and 2 or 3 meals a day depending on the type of accommodation included in the package.

Note: we recommend you refer to your chosen destination for the exact price inclusions of the programme you have selected.

Travel air or train fare, airport/train station/bus terminal transfers to the family/accommodation, some entrance fees, in some rare cases daily commuting costs, passport and visas, travel insurance, personal expenses (other than specified in the program).

Please contact us by email.
We may even speak to you via Whatsapp or Skype if you prefer.