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English is increasingly
becoming the language of discourse in many international
professional environments. Therefore, fluency can open the
door to numerous opportunities. An effective option for
those wishing to perfect their language skills is to take
an English language course. The Indian Student's Editor
investigates why each year over 300,000 students come to
Britain for language training and why with a hundred years
experience behind it, Britain can still confidently claim
to be a world leader in the range and quality of courses
available.
I would like to improve my English
in the UK, where would I go to find a good course?
 The
British Council together with ARELS (the Association of
Recognised English Language Schools), BASELT (the British
Association of State English Language Teaching) run the
' English in Britain' Accreditation scheme for the 380 accredited
private language schools and centres throughout the UK and
also the various EFL (English as a Foreign Language) departments
in the UK colleges and universities.
If a course is "English in Britain
accredited" it means that it has been rigorously inspected
by independent experts. That:
- The publicity materials accurately reflect
the reality of the centre or course
- Students progress is accurately monitored
- The premises are safe and suitable for teaching
- The resources for learning (computers,
work-sheets etc.) meet their academic standards
- The teachers are properly qualified
- The lessons are monitored by inspectors
to see that the lessons are assisting the students with
their English to a satisfactory level.
What age do you have to be to study English
in Britain?
Language schools offer excellent courses for
all ages including 'juniors' which combine a fun holiday
with learning English. However, any other body apart from
the British Council does not normally routinely inspect
them. The British Council inspectors take the care and teaching
of juniors very seriously, particularly when they are staying
in the school's residential or home stay accommodation.
They check that the homes they stay in are suitable, that
they are properly supervised at all times and that people
who shouldn't work with children don't have any access to
them. They also check that the teachers are properly qualified
and that the way younger students are being taught, and
the leisure activities provided are suitable for their age
group.
Where can I find information about the
course available in the UK?
There are a number of resources available to
help you find the course you want. A guide listing all the
accredited centres, the 'English in Britain' Guide to Accredited
Courses is available at most British Council offices overseas
and also in the UK, as are the guides listing members of
ARELS and BASELT, all of whom are accredited.
If you enjoy surfing the net, the same interactive
database is available at www.EnglishinBritain.co.uk.
Other useful website addresses include. www.baselt.org.uk
and www.arels.org.uk
Are the EFL courses flexible at the
centres?
One of the main advantages to the EFL courses
in the UK is indeed their flexibility. Because of the variety
of courses available their should always be a course to
fit in with your own specific needs, so don't be shy in
making your preferences known to the centre before you start.
Many students tend to study English for Academic purposes
and take the IELTS (International English Language Testing
System) to establish their proficiency in English to be
able to join degree courses. Whereas other students may
wish to learn or update their English purely for recreational
purposes.
You can study in a group or one-to-one, intensively
or in a more relaxed manner, focussing on speaking and listening
or improving your writing and reading skills.
Wherever you feel you may need the work there
will always be a course to suit you. One-to-one classes
are very effective for some people, but others learn better
in the friendly atmosphere of a class (and of course being
in a class will help you to make friends - always an advantage
if you are new to the country!)
Plenty of centres now specialise in 'Professional
English, where you can learn English directly relating to
your job. Intensive English courses are an ideal way of
making rapid progress in a very short time. Comprising at
least 30 lessons per week the course can be as long or as
short as you want and can be taken at any time of the year.
Another possibility is to do an 'English Plus' course, where
you can study English for part of the day and another subject
for the rest of your time.
Some people want a teacher who is young and
enthusiastic, others want a more 'professional' approach
from a mature and experienced teacher. You may want a teacher
with qualifications in profession such as law or medicine
as well as English. It really helps to spend a moment thinking
about yourself as a learner (especially if you haven't followed
a course for a while) what situations have helped you be
a successful learner? What situations didn't work for you?
Etc.
For more detailed information
on studying English in Britain then contact one of the three
main accrediting associations:
The British Council ARELS
BASELT
10 Spring Gdns 56 Buckingham Gate Cheltenham + Gloucester
London London College of Higher Education
W1A 2BN SW1E 6AG Frances Close Hall
Swindon road, Cheltenham
GL53 4AZ
+44 (0) 1242 227 099 +44 (0) 207 930 8466 +44 0207 802 9200
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