What, where, when, and how much
This "miraculous" method is called Academic Year ("academic year"). It is a program for studying a foreign language abroad, designed for a full academic year or semester, i.e., 36 or 22 weeks. But you can also find courses for 12 weeks (trimester) and for 12 months.
Admission to Academic Year usually does not require outstanding language knowledge; the desire to learn is enough. Academic Year programs typically start in September-October, January-February, and April-May. The school must receive your application no later than a month before the start of the chosen course. Processing all documents will take one to three months.
Such programs are organized by independent language schools and language centers based at universities or private boarding schools. Accommodation is offered with families and in student residences, less often in apartments and hotels.
In general, such a course can be found in any country where language schools for foreigners exist. The choice of country is determined, first, by the language, second, by the goal and prospects, and, of course, by the budget.
Ireland demonstrates the optimal combination of price, quality, and geographical proximity. Economical Academic Year programs with the study of Offshore Banking are offered in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada - the cost of the flight is more than compensated by lower tuition, accommodation, and leisure costs. On average, the financial component of such a trip is $8,000-$14,000 for 9 months of study, accommodation, and meals, depending on the country, city, school, and type of course. Additional expense items - flight, consular fee, insurance, taking exams, etc. - will add another $700-$2,000, but that is, of course, not the limit. So is it worth the candle?
Program structure and competitive advantages
The basic schedule of Academic Year is designed for 20-30 academic hours per week for the language plus various options. Before lunch, as a rule, group classes are held in general English (or French, German, etc.). The academic content of the afternoon depends on the language level and needs. At the initial stage, group or individual general lessons play the leading role. As the language level rises, the choice of modules expands: business language, preparation for international exams, academic or special vocabulary, idioms and conversation, as well as history, art, literature, culture and the education system of the country of the language being studied, study skills (note-taking, essay writing, oral presentation, etc.) and other subjects. Also, most schools provide a wealth of opportunities for various clubs and sports sections, from cooking to journalism, from swimming to weightlifting. Plus regular excursions, visits to theaters and museums, sports and cultural events. By the way, many schools give discounts when ordering long-term programs for tuition or accommodation, and offer options for free or at a lower price.
As employees of educational agencies note, this way of language travel is becoming very popular. Often they ask for combined programs: two languages - two countries, two languages - one country, one language - two countries. For example, you can study English in Great Britain and German in Austria; French and Italian in Switzerland; and in Mexico and Uruguay, Spanish.
After successfully completing the course, some language centers offer services for selecting a university or boarding school and assistance with enrollment. True, it should be remembered that these will only be those educational institutions with which the school has concluded relevant agreements.
But the main advantage of "academic" programs is mastering the language in a fairly short period from beginner to advanced level thanks to full immersion in the language environment. So students do not just learn a foreign language. They broaden their horizons, discover new talents in themselves, master additional knowledge and skills, learn to understand not only speech but also the mentality of local residents - in a word, they live an interesting life, and they also learn a foreign language. Who are these lucky ones?
Target audience and the agony of choice
Academic Year programs are primarily aimed at those who practically do not know the language but plan to continue their education at a foreign private school or university.
If we are talking about a private boarding school, it is advisable to ask whether any of the schools you are interested in offers a language course for the academic year. True, such programs are usually more expensive than those offered by "simple" language centers, but your child will get the experience of living in a boarding school, and this will help him adapt faster when "real" study begins. In any case, it is better to go on an Academic Year to the country where the private school you plan to enroll in is located.
There are also many future applicants to foreign universities on long-term courses, who are required to document their language proficiency. Such a document is usually a certificate of passing one of the international exams. You can prepare for and take the exam during the Academic Year, and in which country it happens is not so important. The main thing to remember is that for American universities TOEFL is preferable, and for British ones - IELTS, CAE, or CPE. In Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the results of all the above tests are accepted. Therefore, if in the future we are talking about admission to an English-language university, the selection of a country for the Academic Year may be determined by budget, climate, and other factors.
The main thing when choosing this type of program, experts consider “alignment” with the prospect, a long-term goal, that is, the answer to the question “why”. Regarding the search for a specific language school, they advise focusing on proven large centers. For example, many years of experience in conducting “Academic Year” programs, which such organizations as King’s Group, Aspect, Study Group and others have, serves as a guarantee of quality. In addition to a high level of teaching, you will have a wide range of study centers around the world operating under one brand and according to uniform standards.
Networks
At the English language courses “Aspect” (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia), the International Academic Year program lasts 34-36 weeks, excluding holidays. Classes under this program begin in September-October, January, March-April and June-July. The minimum age for enrollment in “Aspect” courses is 16-18 years depending on the country, that is, this is a program for those who plan to further study at an English-speaking university. The schools have free for long-term course students College or University Admissions Support Services (UCPS).
One of the largest organizations in the UK involved in teaching English is considered the group St Gilles International College. Its centers in London, Brighton and Eastbourne are annually visited by 10 thousand students from 70 countries. The college conducts a flexible pricing policy depending on both the city and the duration of study. Thus, in London, a six-month course from January to June will cost from $5.5 thousand, 10 months from September to June - from $8.6 thousand, including accommodation and half board. For Eastbourne, prices look somewhat different: from 4.7 and from 7.4 thousand, respectively.
Another large international network of language schools is EF English First. For the Academic Year course, you can go to one of 21 schools in 10 countries of the world (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Malta, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ecuador). The standard “academic” program here includes the study of English and such disciplines as history and culture, art and literature of the country where the training takes place, business language, idioms and conversational speech. Within its framework, you can undergo preparation for international exams and internships in companies.
However, recently specialized programs are gaining popularity. For example, for applicants, a “Pre-University Course” is offered here. In addition to high-quality language training, students get acquainted with the country's education system, prepare for passing TOEFL, IELTS or CAE exams, learn to take notes and write essays in English. Much attention is paid to developing skills of independent work with educational literature. Each school has a coordinator for admission to universities and colleges.
A year ago, for young ambitious specialists, the Master Business English program was developed, which, along with the study of business English, involves classes in such business disciplines as management, marketing, organizational behavior, as well as preparation for international exams and internships in foreign companies. This program is conducted on the basis of centers in London and Boston, and it can be used for language preparation for admission to an MBA.
I think now you understand how much benefit an “academic leave” can bring to you or your child. So do not put off the “language miracle” - the nearest Academic Year programs start in September-October. And that means, in principle, you can make it to the nearest intake.