A language course at a language school? Here are 12 criteria for making the right choice

We have compiled the most important 12 criteria for choosing the right language school

1. The aesthetics of the website

The language school's website is modern and attractive and has clear structures.

A clear and orderly concept of the website usually indicates a well-thought-out structure of the language courses. This does not always have to be the case, but very often it is the case that a well-structured design of the website also indicates attractively designed language courses and a solidly run language school. If a language school does a lot of advertising, this is usually a good sign. Advertising is expensive and has to be worthwhile. Advertising expenditure is profitable for a company if the customers are satisfied and recommend the product.

2. The location of the language school.

Choose a place that inspires you. Studies have shown that our motivation to learn is significantly influenced by the environment. It's best to choose a language school in a place where you feel comfortable.

Some prefer large cities and central locations, such as London, New York, Rome, Barcelona. Others feel comfortable in a language school in South Europe a language school in Eastern Europe or a language school in South Eastern Europe, where noise and stress are foreign words, such as Dubrovnik, Malta or Florence. These places captivate with their beauty and stimulate the senses, which leads to a better mood and can greatly increase motivation. The best thing to do before you choose the right language school is to check on Google Maps exactly where the school is and how far it is from the language school to the old town or the most popular beaches. Nobody wants to commute for 40 minutes in the morning and the same time in the evening to the language school or to the beaches through heavy traffic!

3. Post-class activities

A very important criterion for choosing the right language school is the offer of further cultural or sporting activities after class and at the weekend. On the one hand, these activities extend your learning time. On the other hand, they create a feeling of togetherness within the learning group. Everyone feels integrated and part of the whole. It is the best to choose a language school that attaches great importance to these activities. Does the school offer activities after class, such as city tours, sporting events, video evenings, boat trips, etc.? Experiencing something in a group is much more fun and you can make new friends.

4. Does the language school differ from other language schools in an interesting additional offer?

A language school in Florence offers painting lessons or a cooking course in addition to the Italian course! A language school in Buenos Aires specializes in Spanish courses plus tango or cinema courses! A language school in Dubrovnik offers language courses on a ship. While you learn a language, you feel like a pirate, who is taking a great cruise in the island world of southern Croatia! The interesting additional offer of a language school can be decisive for your selection.

5. The size of the study group

The group you are studying in should not be too big and not too small. In learning groups with more than 15-20 students, you don't come across as often and you don't have much contact with the teachers. If there are only 1-3 students in the class, you will be encouraged but you also have to talk a lot, and this can be exhausting. You also don't get to know that many people. In our opinion the ideal size for language schools are class sizes of 7-12 students.

6. Students from different countries

Ask the language school which countries the students typically come from. It would be ideal if there were not so many students from your country, because then you would have to speak all the time in the language you want to learn. Make sure you are not in a group of students from the same country. It would be best if the group was international and no cliques would be formed. Because you are in the language school to learn new languages ​​and make new friends.

7. The time of the language courses

Find out about the courses at the language school beforehand. The courses should not start too early, preferably not before 9 a.m. The courses should also not start right after lunch, because we are still in the digestive phase. The courses should not be in the evening either, because we miss the opportunity to go out in the evening. Ideally, the start of the language courses would be around 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. After all, you're on vacation and shouldn't get up too early. And there is enough time in the afternoon for sun, beach and sea.

8. Compare prices between language schools

The price is often a criterion. You can always try to negotiate with the language school. You can also ask if you can only book the language course and then find your own accommodation where you have a kitchen to cook for yourself. But the best way to really enjoy the language trip and make new friends is to have your accommodation in the language school and eat together in the school restaurant. If you found the ideal language school and language course of your choice, I would not save on the price.

9. The correct number of weeks

1 week is definitely too short for a language course. Four weeks would be ideal for immersing yourself in the language and learning a lot. If you are a hardworking and good student, 2 or 3 weeks can be enough for the language course.

10. The correct number of hours per week

The standard for language travel is 4 hours a day and about 20 hours a week. Of course, you can also study more hours per day and book a super-intensive course. However, you should be aware that you usually still get 1-2 hours of homework or that you go through the course again in the afternoon or in the evening. Or you can repeat vocabulary that you learned again in the morning.

You can only learn 2 hours a day, this may be an option for absolute beginners. Or if you learn a language that is very different from all languages ​​that you know.

In our opinion, a language course of 4 hours from Monday to Friday is ideal. If the language school is by the sea, you can go comfortably to the beach and go out with the others in the evening or experience culture. At the weekend there is time for excursions or for relaxation. After all, you are at the same time on holiday and it is a great chance to make new friends during a language study trip.

11. Adventure

We would recommend you go to a language school where you can also experience new adventures. "Life is short and you are only young once". You should go to a place where you feel comfortable. The entire language vacation should be fun and an unforgettable adventure.

12. High season or low season

In high season there are more students in the language school, which has its advantages and disadvantages. You get to know more people and there is more going on in the evenings. If you go on a language course in the off-season, the groups are smaller. You learn more, but you meet fewer people and you may miss the swimming season.

Summary:

We have now introduced you to the 12 most important criteria for finding the ideal language school and the ideal language course. In any case, we would choose a language school that has a top website, good management and offers professional language courses.

Here is an overview of the most important aspects:

1. City and neighborhood:

choice of city and country? City of millions or a cozy holiday city? Distance to the city center and the beaches should play a decisive role here. Our opinion is: In a beautiful city by the sea, with a blue sky and warm sun rays, our senses open and we are receptive to new learning.

2. Learning group:

Small groups are better for learning, but can also be exhausting. Larger groups are for everyone who likes social contacts and wants to make new friends. A group with students from many different countries would be ideal.

3. Activities:

We recommend a language school that offers many activities after the language course. Activities in the area of ​​sports, the beach and group excursions would be ideal. This creates a feeling of togetherness, you find new friends and maybe also new relationships during a language trip and beyond.

4. Period and number of hours:

Do not put yourself under pressure during a language study trip and do not ask too much of yourself. Especially if the language trip falls into your well-deserved vacation, you should make sure to find a balance between learning and vacation.

5. Culture and Adventure:

The language school should be in a city that offers a lot of culture and promises an unforgettable adventure at the same time.