Language immersion

There are two compelling reasons to prefer a language school abroad to courses on the neighboring street. First, as “Karyera” notes, full immersion in the language environment, daily use of lesson material, and communication with native speakers multiply the effectiveness of learning many times over. Second, having parted with work, beloved children, wife, dog, and sofa, one can devote all one’s strength to studies. Moreover, a temporary “switch-off” from the usual circle of cares and an abundance of new impressions cause a spiritual uplift and a positive emotional attitude, which, according to teachers, is the best “sauce” that promotes assimilation of educational material.

“To know a language means to think in the language, which can only be learned in a language environment,” says Irina Chubukova, head of academic foreign programs at Language Link. “That is why classes or simply communication with native speakers are so valued. And if you are surrounded by them every day, it is simply impossible not to echo them, not to copy their intonation, not to use common colloquialisms. However, adults who find themselves in a language environment quite often experience some awkwardness: many people’s sense of responsibility does not allow them to make mistakes. So a person tries first to recall the rules, construct a phrase, and then say it. But gradually in the process of communication, he involuntarily forgets about possible mistakes. That is why we often recommend living not in a residence but with a family. It helps a person master everyday conversational language that is remembered for many years.”

However, there is also a flip side to the coin. Every country and locality has not only its own language but also its dialect, intonations, and pronunciation features. It is difficult to switch from American English to British; many people only understand what Scots are saying on the third try. So full language immersion is not possible everywhere. However, one thing is comforting: in the academic environment, a certain common language standard is accepted.

Some of our compatriots who have applied for student visas to the US and Canadian embassies are refused. It has become easier with the UK — this figure has declined in recent years. Since 2002, visa procedures have been tightened for those wishing to study in Australia. The “refuseniks” do not lose heart and head to language schools in Malta, Ireland, Cyprus, Switzerland, South Africa, and even New Zealand.

How to reduce the risk of refusal? According to experts, 80% of success is a properly prepared package of necessary documents, a logical explanation of the reasons for going abroad, and a justification of the necessity and expediency of studying abroad. Be ready to answer questions: “Why do you need the language?”, “Why in this particular place, this school?”, “Who pays the expenses?”, “Do you have enough money for tuition, accommodation, food?” etc. It is good if, for example, your visa to England is supported by professional consultants.

All documents should be “laid out on the shelves”: the embassy officer needs to make a decision in just 10–15 minutes, so there is no need to make him dig through a pile of papers while listening to confused explanations. How to prepare for the interview? Practice. In some agencies, for example, there is a practice of conducting so-called mock interviews, where the strict judges are department employees. They ask a bunch of questions, try to confuse you, and then advise how and what is best to say in this or that case.

Usually, a language school offers not one but several programs at different prices. They often write like this — “from €300 per week”. And almost never — “up to...”. The lower limit is strictly defined (there is a limit below which a course cannot cost), the upper limit is vague (additional services, increased living comfort, and so on can amount to a tidy sum).

The cost of the cheapest language courses in European countries is approximately €300–400 per week (with a program duration of at least three weeks). Many schools give significant discounts to those who order long-term programs. For example, a three-week Spanish course at the Centre for Cultural Interchange costs €990, that is, €330 per week, and the fourth, fifth, and each subsequent week are “only” €205.

What makes cheap courses different? A group is unlikely to have fewer than ten people, possibly all fifteen. In addition, the school has the right to engage student trainees to work on such courses. The cost (€300–400) usually includes 15 lessons per week and half board with accommodation in a family in a twin room or in a hostel with amenities at the end of the corridor. A private room must be paid extra. The main clientele buying cheap programs are high school students and college students (they, as a rule, are ready to lead a Spartan lifestyle and endure discomfort with greater ease). Moreover, if young people’s reviews are to be believed, the organization of studies, accommodation, and leisure suits them quite well. ...and not so low

A counterweight to cheap programs is the Executive courses. Here the average prices announced by schools range from €1,000 to €3,000 for one week, and this is far from the limit. The director of the linguistic company Arnold Rubinshtein shares his impressions of the Regent school in the village of Trebinshun (Wales, UK): “Trebinshun House is a 16th-century building, very modern and comfortable. Each Executive course student has his own bedroom, bathroom, and study room. The school has no more than six students at a time; they have lunch and dinner together with teachers, the table setting is aristocratic, the cuisine is excellent. You are immersed not only in the language but, above all, in the culture, in the amazing aura of an old English estate. At this school, you admire tea drinking and traditional British conversation about the weather as if it were a theatrical performance!”

One week at Trebinshun House costs 1,595 pounds sterling. And at the Park House language center (on the border of England and Wales) they offer three Executive programs: "Club", "Leader", and "Premium" costing 1,385, 1,845, and 2,235 pounds per week respectively. To get into such a school, you need to know English at a level not lower than Intermediate.

The choice depends on the student's goals and financial capabilities. According to Irina Chubukova, immersion in the language environment becomes more complete if the language is studied individually or in a teacher's family. In the latter case, the student is surrounded by correct speech 24 hours a day. He does not have the opportunity to talk to other foreign students who could spoil his pronunciation, introduce their own mistakes, incorrect stress, etc.

It is worth remembering that the motto of a good language school is "Study should be a holiday." The administration and teachers consider a friendly atmosphere and high spirits in the classroom to be the key to success. "I started learning English when I was almost forty," says Vladimir Areshkin, who was preparing for the IELTS exam at the European School of English (ESE) language school in Malta. "At ESE I was taught by two young female teachers, I just couldn't believe my eyes seeing how hard they tried. I know many people who struggle to suppress a yawn when they hear about lessons and tests. Personally, I was never bored: in class we always discussed something interesting, argued about new films, cloning, the death penalty... When I went to the exam, my teachers, knowing that I had little practice, worried about me, in their own words, 'worried to the point of trembling knees'.

Features of National Study

Spanish teachers are renowned for their charm and professionalism, but that is not the only thing that attracts foreigners to the country's language schools. Spanish ranks fourth in the world in prevalence (after Chinese, English, and Hindi). But since the Chinese and Indians prefer to learn English, in reality Spanish is the second language of international communication after English.

The tourism and hotel business is developing in Spanish-speaking countries, there are many Russian tourists at resorts, so Russian-speaking employees with good Spanish and English are in demand here. Specialists engaged in international transportation (flight crews, flight attendants, and some ground service personnel) are required to know English, and additional knowledge of Spanish increases a specialist's value. Spanish language schools take this into account and offer special courses for workers in the restaurant business, travel and airline companies.

In France, the number of foreign students studying a language for pleasure only was 22% in 2003, and already 29% in 2004 (according to the Open Door organization). At the same time, more and more people want to obtain a 'local' higher education after completing language courses (the Chinese lead here). Only in France can you supplement a language program with a tour of the most famous castles and cellars of wine-producing provinces, and taste vintage wines under the guidance of experienced sommeliers.

The German government has been discussing the introduction of paid higher education for foreigners for several years. But so far it remains free, and this inspires students to learn not the simplest of European languages. In connection with the expansion of the EU, Germany has seen an increase in students from Central and Eastern Europe. If earlier employment services could offer a foreigner only vacancies that had not been in demand by the local population for several months, now all EU citizens have been 'equalized in rights', and foreign students go to Germany hoping to receive a free higher education and earn a living while studying.

Everyone has heard of the unique nature reserves of the Southern Hemisphere, of the opportunity to take a photo hugging a koala bear cub or a kangaroo. But for those who are going to study first and foremost, the following should be interesting: New Zealand families hosting foreign students share first place in the world with Irish families in the number of enthusiastic reviews about warmth and hospitality. Some even find that in the breadth of their souls, the Irish and New Zealanders are very reminiscent of us.

The education system here is British; after language courses, you can continue studying at a secondary specialized or higher educational institution. Australian and New Zealand diplomas are accepted by employers in all English-speaking countries. By the way, there are more men than women in Australia, and this demographic feature increases the chances of foreign female students to arrange their personal lives.

The United Kingdom attracts the most ambitious students. Schoolchildren come here for a British school diploma, and later a university degree. Managers come to maintain their business English. Oil workers gather in Aberdeen, maritime transport specialists in Portsmouth and Southampton, bankers and stockbrokers in London, closer to the City, one of Europe's main business centers. A line on a resume about an internship at a British company makes the most favorable impression on HR officers. Most major language schools accept applications for internships in one's field. A typical 'language course + internship' program lasts eight weeks: the first four weeks are classroom lessons, and then four weeks of practice (the intern is not paid for work; it is assumed that he himself is ready to pay for the additional opportunity for good employment in the future).

It is generally believed that nowhere are activity and enterprise welcomed as much as in the States. In any case, Vsevolod Rodionov claims that this is exactly so: "In my fourth year, I went to the USA for the summer under the Work & Travel program. I got a place in the office of the organization Alliances Abroad, which accepts foreign students for temporary work. I processed their visa documents, negotiated with employers, rushed about with stacks of papers to various offices, called endlessly, coordinating and aligning. Anyone who has done something similar in our country will understand with what enthusiasm I worked: in America you can, without delay, finalize and resolve any matter; everything turns out as you planned; here they quickly find a solution even to the most complex problems."