Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a selection of the most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any other queries, please feel free to contact us
1. Why enrol on an English Language Course?
A good knowledge of English has become essential for those who want to work or travel in an International environment.
Learning English in an English speaking country, is the best way of gaining confidence and fluency in the language. Our choice of locations gives students the chance to experience different countries and cultures, thereby enriching their experience of the language they are learning and giving them the opportunity to put their language knowledge into daily use.
Back To Top
2. Why choose Anglophiles Academic?
Our philosophy is to:
Be professional, enthusiastic and serious in all aspects of our work.
Offer students courses that are effective, educational and fun.
Do everything in our power to ascertain the physical, mental and material security of the teenagers in our care.
Back To Top
3. What is the minimum age to enrol on a English Language Course?
Our English Language Courses are open to students aged 10 to 17 years old (other ages are possible via special arrangement). For older students, we offer 'Student Stays' or Work Experience programmes.
Back To Top
4. Who looks after the students during the stay?
All our stays (except the "Student Stays") are supervised by qualified teachers and activity leaders who are selected according to stringent criteria and briefed by the Directors of Anglophiles. A large number of our teachers and leaders have worked for Anglophiles for many years and know our methods and expectations. In collaboration with our local team and our very carefully selected host families, they ensure the smooth running of our courses and look after the daily needs of the students in our care.
Our teams are made up as follows:
Family stays: *A Local Director available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. * Qualified Tutors who teach English and lead the activities. *Qualified leaders who are available 24 hours a day.
Residential stays: *A Centre Director, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. *Qualified teachers who teach English and lead activities. *A team of both English and foreign leaders.
Multi –centre stays: Qualified leaders, local teams.
Back To Top
5. Do English Language Courses really allow for progress in English?
Yes, without a doubt, by choosing an English language stay it gives the chance to Consolidate and unlock your existing knowledge of English.
Increase vocabulary.
Acquire a variety of different language functions.
Improve pronunciation.
Gain a deeper appreciation of the host country.
We offer a wide choice of stays including some courses which are more intensive than others, for example our "Language Clubs" range of programmes:
Club 4: only 4 students per class, with 1 teacher
Club 2: only 2 students per class, with 1 teacher
Or we have our Classic Stays where there are a maximum of 15 students per class, with 1 teacher.
Back To Top
6. What is the minimum level of English required?
As a rule, we accept students of secondary level however we are able to make special arrangements for younger students.
Our classes are organised by the age and level of the students we enrol on the course.
Back To Top
7. How are the classes organised?
There is a test on the first day, which allows tutors to quickly establish the level of the group and of individuals within the group.
Lessons are taught by qualified and experienced teachers from the host country. Our teachers are recruited with care by the Directors of Anglophiles and are thoroughly briefed prior to the start of each course on our expectations and teaching method.
In our host family stays, lessons last between 3 and 3 and a half hours a day, depending on the length of the stay. Some of our stays are intensive with reduced numbers in the class. These may take place in the teacher's home.
At the end of the course, a tutors report is written on every student and sent to the client.
Back To Top
8. What teaching method do you use?
The principal objective of these lessons is to unlock the existing knowledge that students possess from their work at school. To help them to be able to communicate and express themselves in real everyday situations, increasing their confidence and fluency by working with a variety of different sources and medium. The role of the teacher is therefore to encourage discussion through the use of debate and role-play, drawing on articles from newspapers or magazines, films or visits. Everyone is encouraged to express their opinion on the subject under discussion. Lessons incorporate the relevant items of vocabulary and grammar related to the discussion. Teachers aim to make the lessons as interesting as possible using stories, pictures, role play and games to animate their lessons.
Back To Top
9. What equipment do we need to provide for the lessons?
All teaching materials are provided by Anglophiles, as well as an exercise book for note-taking. The only thing required is something to write with (pens, pencils, highlighters etc, according to what they normally have).
Back To Top
10. What is the maximum number of students per class?
For the "Classic Stays" there is a maximum of 15 students per class. For the "Language Clubs": "Club 4 = 4 students +1 teacher, "Club 2" =2 students + 1 teacher, or "one-to-one" = one to one tuition with a teacher.
Back To Top
11. What are the different types of accommodation proposed?
Family:
Our host towns come under the responsibility of our local centre directors, who are responsible for meeting and choosing the host families. Many of these families welcome students for us year after year. Chosen with care, they offer the student a "second home" which is welcoming and safe.
Family life allows the student to become familiar with the lifestyle of the host country, and encourages them to express themselves in English in a friendly and understanding environment.
Residential:
Residential stays take place in colleges or in one of the Funcoast World amusement parks. In Cyprus, the stays take place in a hotel.
In colleges – The students are lodged in comfortable rooms with between 1 to 8 beds, with toilets and showers on every floor. Full board is provided with 2 hot meals a day. Lessons take place in the mornings and the afternoons are dedicated to visits or sporting activities such as tennis, badminton, swimming, football, basketball, treasure hunts, archery to name just a few examples.
Activities are also organised after dinner, (disco, fashion contests, films, games etc).
Football stays "David Beckham Academy" – accommodation is provided in either University Halls of Residence or in a youth hostel, with breakfast and dinner provided. Lunch is provided by the David Beckham Academy or a packed lunch is provided on days when students are not at the Academy.
At Funcoast World – Students are accommodated in apartments with 2 to 5 beds, all apartments are comfortably furnished and have their own bathrooms. Full board is provided, including full English breakfast for those that want it! Funcoast World is a mini amusment park, visited by English families. The site offers a fantastic range of sports and leisure facilities; a fantastic tropical swimming pool with wave machine and giant flumes, an open air swimming pool, ping pong, tennis, basketball, football, volleyball, miniature golf, bowling, go-karting, funfair, films, beach games, evening entertainment, disco etc and 1 or 2 full day excursions during the stay.
Cyprus – Students are accommodated in a comfortable hotel in bedrooms with 3 or 4 beds with en suite facilities. Full board is provided with 2 hot buffets. The hotel has its own swimming pool and there is a beach nearby. The programme is packed with visits and activities.
Disney world – Students are accommodated right in the heart of the park, at the hotel Disney's All Star Resorts. This hotel offers original fantasy decor on the theme of sport. Double rooms are provided with full board.
Back To Top
12. How are the host families selected?
A lot of our families welcome students for us year after year, often they then recommend other members of their family, their friends or neighbours. Over the years we have therefore built up a network of loyal and welcoming families.
All of our new families are scrupulously inspected by our Centre Directors and are only accepted if they meet our criteria.
Back To Top
13. What do we mean by host family?
Our families are representative of the social-economic environment of the host country, either couples with or without children, single parents, retired couples or single ladies, the last of these often have more time to dedicated to their young guest.
Among our criteria are a warm and friendly welcome and that they show an interest in their student guest.
Back To Top
14. How do you choose which students go with which families?
We use the information that you give on the enrolment forms to choose the placement which seems to be the best fit, according to for example hobbies, allergies etc.
Back To Top
15. What is the time difference?
UK and Ireland: 1 hour behind mainland Europe (1pm in Europe = 12pm in the UK and Ireland).
Cyprus: 1 hour ahead of mainland Europe (1pm in Europe = 2pm in Cyprus).
Canada: 6 hours behind mainland Europe (1pm in Europe = 7am in Canada).
Back To Top
16. What travel documents do I need?
Please check with your local Embassy.
Back To Top
17. What will happen if my child is ill while they are away?
Your child will be taken by a member of our local team to either the hospital, a medical centre, the dentist or the opticians as appropriate. In the UK, all healthcare is free, except for dental treatment and the replacement of glasses. For other destinations in Europe (eg. Ireland and Cyprus) it is necessary for members of the European Union to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). In some cases medical fees may apply and an advance may be required, in which case you will be informed.
Back To Top
18. Placement seul ou avec un autre francophone ?
Nous recommandons, pour la pratique de la langue, que votre enfant soit le seul francophone de la famille d’accueil. Ainsi, nos familles sont recrutées sur la condition qu’elles ne recevront pas d’autre jeune francophone pendant la durée du séjour de votre enfant.
Cependant, sur votre demande et dans la limite des places disponibles, nous pouvons considérer de placer votre enfant avec un autre francophone, si celui-ci en a également fait la demande. Ceci s’applique aux jeunes à qui l’idée d’une immersion dans une famille étrangère peut être source d’angoisse avant et durant le séjour.
Back To Top
19. Some useful links - Visa information
Back To Top
