In the list of foreign languages studied by our compatriots, English remains in first place. And this is not surprising, because the facts show that its popularity only increases every year. Thus, at the British Council conference held last year in Edinburgh, dedicated to the future development of the use of English, it was noted that English is now number one in the world. In 2000, the number of English learners exceeded one billion people. According to experts' forecasts, by 2005 this figure will double, and over two billion people will be learning the intricacies of English speech.
As for the country for learning English, the undisputed leader remains Great Britain. Some parents, children, and students still hold the opinion that only in England is classical English taught, while, for example, in Scotland, which is also part of the United Kingdom, everyone already speaks with an accent.
However, a counterargument to this point is the fact that teachers who do not have a diploma entitling them to teach English as a foreign language will not be allowed to work in language schools. And to obtain it, one must pass exams before a commission that does not allow the purity of the language to be distorted. As for communication outside school, the ability to talk with other people using different accents will only be a plus, because in the case of studying at higher education institutions, no teacher of, say, chemistry or economics will correct the peculiarities of their speech.
Demand for England's neighbor, Ireland, is stable in summer, but not very high. Before joining the European Union, the country gained significantly from exchange rates, and studying here on summer programs was cheaper; now, in terms of price, local language courses have no significant advantage over Britain. And regarding visa requirements, it is much easier to get a British visa than an Irish one.
After our winter, which seems to last all nine months, Malta attracts with its sun and sea. Studying here is not so expensive, and the visa is currently obtained upon arrival. One thing to note – besides Scandinavians, who also lack warm days, Russians will be one of the largest groups studying the language here in summer, so interaction with compatriots cannot be avoided.
Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are also countries where English language teaching, including summer courses, is put on an assembly line. These countries differ not only in their distance from us and pricing policy but also in the possibility of obtaining a visa.
If you add the price of airfare to the cost of a language program, Canada will occupy the same price niche as Great Britain, and, excluding summer programs, in terms of long-term courses, it turns out cheaper. Obtaining a short student visa from the Canadian consulate is now equivalent to obtaining a tourist visa, so despite the upcoming visa interview, it is quite possible to prove the purity of your intention to study English in Canada.
For the consular services of New Zealand and Australia, you need to have very compelling arguments that could prove that after more than a day of travel, which cost you a pretty penny, you arrived in the country to attend a local language school for two or three weeks and admire the local beauties.
After English, our compatriots willingly study French. The dominant role in our pragmatic world in this matter is played not by the long-standing traditionally friendly ties between the two countries, but by the possibility of getting free higher education at French state universities. And it is best to prepare in advance to pass the necessary French language exams. Again, climate diversity: you can go to the warm Mediterranean, or the windy Atlantic, and there is plenty to see on the mainland as well.
The approach to German is dictated mainly by its utilitarian nature. Despite the fact that since this year universities in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saarland may charge tuition fees, their amount so far does not exceed 500 euros per semester. And a foreigner applying to a German university must not only pass a language proficiency exam but also provide certificates of having studied it for at least 1,200 hours. And here, certificates obtained from language schools will be very useful.
Spanish is also gaining increasing popularity among us, although it cannot yet be compared with English, German, or French. Although language schools in Spain are located in almost every picturesque corner of the country, our compatriots prefer to go to the sea or large cities, leaving aside the charm of Cordoba, Seville, or Avila. For a minor child to enter a Spanish language school in summer, the school must be able to provide accommodation in a residence. Such are the visa requirements.
The interest of our students in learning Italian is perhaps the least compared to other European languages. And perhaps in vain, because a significant number of companies doing business with Italy are interested in Italian-speaking managers.
For those wishing to study several languages at the same time (which, to be fair, is only possible after you have mastered at least one language perfectly, otherwise you will have a mess of several languages in your head), expensive and respectable Switzerland will suit.
If we move from language and country preferences to a review of summer language programs, they can be divided into several types.
"Language and Leisure" resembles our traditional pioneer camps and implies a study load of 15 (maximum 20) lessons, full board, various extracurricular activities, sports sections, and excursions (as a rule, one full-day and one half-day per week to various cities of the country). Programs differ by type of accommodation. It can be a family or a school (university) dormitory.
"Language and Sport" is distinguished by a greater emphasis on sports activities. Here you can specialize in one sport or choose between several. In other respects, it is similar to the previous one. Sports camps without language learning can serve as a variety of this program. In this case, the language is absorbed involuntarily through constant communication with peers.
"Language and Culture" of a specific country is mainly designed for students over 17 years old who are able to appreciate the specific cultural and historical realities of the country of the studied language.
"Language and Hobby" can be logically combined into one group with the program "Language and Professional Studies," because their content comes down to learning a language and engaging in some activity, such as painting, photography, gardening, cooking, or mastering the art of sommelier.
"Language and Preparation in Individual Academic Subjects" consists of learning the language and additional classes in two or three chosen subjects, in which, for example, one will have to take an exam or study in a preparatory program. General or intensive language courses in summer are mainly taken by school students over 16 and students who will need the language for university admission or further work.
"Language and Practice" are mostly structured as follows: four weeks of language study in a language school (with a language level above intermediate) and at least four weeks of unpaid internship in one of the companies in a field necessary for a future career.
Although many schools now advertise the "Language and Work" program, it is best represented by the American Work & Travel, which is absolutely legal. There is only one problem here – obtaining a visa to the USA.
Which type of program to choose depends on the goals set, which are mainly grouped into three directions: for leisure, future study, or further work. As for pricing issues, many years of experience show that the most expensive and the cheapest programs sell out first. For example, in the Association of Summer Courses of British Boarding Schools (BABSSCо), where the cost of a 20-day course is 2.250 pounds sterling, it is impossible to find a place by the end of February, and applications to the Swiss camp located in Crans-Montana are sent before the New Year.
It is worth noting that last year the summer market of language programs, after the previous year of atypical pneumonia, experienced a real boom, and places in many schools were already booked in March. Therefore, before concluding a contract with a late customer, agencies had to first call the school and check availability. Apparently, this year will resemble 2004, so if you want to go to the school you have chosen and at the necessary dates, take care of it in advance. He who hesitates is lost.
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