From what age can children be sent to study abroad? How is their safety guaranteed during their stay abroad?
- For objective reasons, most language schools abroad prefer to work with children of adolescence and older, and only some have official permission to work with younger children. To avoid psychological shock in a child, experts strongly recommend not sending children under 8 years old with zero knowledge of a foreign language and without skills of prolonged stay without parents in an unfamiliar environment (school, summer camp, kindergarten, etc.) to language programs. For the safety of the child during their stay abroad, full responsibility lies with the host party, as well as, within its competence, the insurance company that issued the client an insurance policy.
Are there foreign language courses abroad for those over 40, and can one start learning a language from almost zero level at that age?
- Yes, such courses exist in all countries, and one can learn a foreign language from scratch. However, programs for older students, like programs for beginners, are organized not regularly but only at specific fixed times. Moreover, when issuing visas, embassies of most countries may require such clients to have serious motivation for the need to study a foreign language abroad at that age or from that level.
I want to send my son to learn English, but only to a language school where he would not communicate in his native language with other children. Is this possible?
- Parents often approach educational agencies with such requests. The quickest answer is for the child to study and live with an English teacher's family. In all language schools, English is studied not only by our compatriots but also by children from all republics of the former Soviet Union. Therefore, we can recommend educational institutions that consciously strive to have an international mix of children and regulate the number of representatives from each country, and also carefully ensure that children communicate with each other only in English.
I heard that learning foreign languages in international children's groups is only possible in summer, and at other times language schools abroad only accept ready-made groups of schoolchildren with their own leader, or one has to study with a private tutor. I would still like my daughter to study with foreign peers, help me find such courses.
- This is true: if the child is under 16 and you want to send them to an international children's language program, it is better to do it in summer. After all, school holidays in July-August coincide for children in many countries, but not always at other times of the year. For this reason, in the "off-season," most schools gladly accept ready-made groups of children. However, there are schools that conduct classes in international groups throughout the year.
Advise me which countries can combine learning a foreign language with a seaside holiday?
- You can sunbathe and play beach volleyball even on the coast of Great Britain. As for swimming and water sports, for learning English experts recommend Malta, Cyprus, Barbados, South Africa, Florida (USA), Australia, and Switzerland (Lake Geneva); for French - the French Riviera and Lake Geneva; for German - the lakes of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, etc.
Please explain what the "Foreign Language Plus Internship" programs are. How long does the internship last, and will I be paid any salary?
- The "Foreign Language Plus Internship" program is designed for a minimum of eight weeks and typically consists of language courses (four weeks) and an unpaid internship at a company. If a student studies in an eight-week program, during the internship they are offered mostly unskilled positions that allow them to improve their language skills and familiarize themselves with the workings of a foreign company. As a rule, placement in firms happens during the course of study based on interviews with potential employers. Of course, specialization preferences are considered, but serious internships (in finance, law, and economics) are only possible for a period of six weeks or more excluding the language program. Internships in the hospitality sector are organized most effectively (partial payment is sometimes possible).
Do educational agencies send students only to private fee-paying schools, or can one get into a public school? Is it possible to study abroad for free at all?
- As a rule, only residents (persons who are citizens of that country or have a long-term residence permit) can count on free education in public schools in most European countries. Free academic education in public secondary schools is possible only within the framework of special programs of state and public organizations. For an ordinary child, a public school in America or Canada will still be cheaper than a private one. And such programs exist.
What level of English is needed to enter a good school in the UK?
- Of course, the child's knowledge of English must be sufficient to understand spoken language, to be able to express their thoughts freely and clearly in oral and written form, and, of course, to successfully acquire knowledge. Also, upon admission, it is necessary to pass a number of language tests. If preliminary preparation is required, it is necessary to take a course for further academic study.
Are there preparatory programs for admission to British universities?
- Due to existing differences between educational systems, not all Western higher education institutions accept graduates of domestic schools without additional preparation. There are several ways to enter British universities. The most well-known are two: the two-year A-Levels program, available in private schools or Six Form Colleges, and the one-year Foundation Year program at universities. There are two versions of the Foundation program: one for future specialists in business and humanities (Social Sciences), and another for future medical professionals, specialists in exact sciences, and technical specialties (Science and Engineering).
Successful completion of a university Foundation program guarantees the student a place in the first year of the university where it was taken, and also gives the right to apply to other universities (the Foundation Year diploma is recognized by all higher education institutions). Unlike British universities, American, Canadian, and Dutch universities can accept our school graduates directly.
What is needed to enter a university in Germany?
- When studying in German, you need a certificate of German language proficiency at minimum Mittelstufe I. Due to differences in secondary education systems and the age of graduates, our school certificate is not recognized as equivalent to a German document. After finishing school, you must study for two years at any domestic higher education institution. After that, you can apply to a German university. However, without a completed higher education, you can only apply for the specialties you studied at home. Only with a domestic higher education diploma in hand do you gain freedom of choice.
In which European countries is free higher education possible for foreigners? In what language is instruction conducted there?
- Free higher education in Western Europe can be obtained at public universities in France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and the Czech Republic. Instruction is conducted both in the language of the host country and (in some cases) in English.
Can I work in Great Britain with a student visa?
- Having a UK student visa gives the right only to student part-time jobs (no more than 20 hours per week).
When does study start at foreign colleges?
- As a rule, the academic year starts in September-October. Although some educational institutions accept students as early as January, depending on availability of places and the program.
Which English language exam is better to take: IELTS or TOEFL?
- It depends on what the exam results are needed for. IELTS is more of a British standard, recognized in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, while TOEFL is mainly useful in the USA and Canada.
Which accommodation option is better to choose?
- The main options are homestay, school residence, or hotel. The first option gives the opportunity to get acquainted with the daily life and traditions of the country, the presence of constant language practice is also not unimportant. But you will need to respect the traditions existing in the host family, in a word: "feel at home, but do not forget you are a guest." School residences provide much more independence in this regard, when it comes to adult learners. For children, on the contrary, studying with residence in a boarding establishment provides even more care and control.
In which country is it better and more interesting to study English?
- Each of the English-speaking countries has its own advantages. Great Britain is the birthplace of this language, a country with rich traditions and culture, interesting for those who love sightseeing tourism. In Malta, English is an official language and the quality of education in schools is no worse than British, and the Mediterranean climate, warm sea, and gentle sun will be a gift for those who prefer beach holidays. Canada is one of the most prosperous countries in the world, with nature and climate very similar to ours. Here you can study not only English but also French, which is also an official state language. New Zealand and Australia are famous for their nature, fundamentally different from ours, and of course, culture.
English – the faithful companion of a traveler!
• Dozens of peoples inhabit our planet, and each nation has its own features, its own traditions, and its own native language. From time to time, residents of one state visit other nations for various purposes. And to be able to communicate with residents of another country, they have to thoroughly master their language – at least at a conversational level. Since English is one of the most popular languages in the world, a qualified English language tutor at home can impart their knowledge to anyone willing in just a few months. Anyone can master the language of King Arthur and William Shakespeare, only desire and diligence are needed. To make learning as fast and high-quality as possible, lessons with a tutor can be usefully supplemented with aids such as dictionaries, textbooks, self-study guides, and special video cassettes.
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