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Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently asked questions
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. 

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.

 

We are members of:

 

ABLS  (The Accreditation Body for Language Service)

ABLS Accreditation is a UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) approved accreditation body for the purpose of accrediting private education providers that wish to recruit students that need a visa to study in the United Kingdom.  It is an independent limited company which undertakes initial and repeat inspections to ensure that stringent quality assurance criteria and UK legal requirements are adhered to.

 

UNOSEL (Union Nationale des Organisateurs de Séjours Linguistiques et des Ecoles de Langues). This Union regroups language schools who adhere to a strict code of conduct and apply a certain level of quality control and safety to all the programmes they organise.

 

BETA (British Educational Travel Association). This association is the umbrella body representing producers and suppliers of youth, student and educational travel related products.
3. What is the minimum age to enrol on a English Language Course?

Our English Language Courses are open to students aged 6 to 17 years old (other ages are possible via special arrangement).

 

For older students, we offer 'Student Stays' or Work Experience programmes.

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 Organiser 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: A Group Manager, qualified leaders and a team of English and foreign leaders. 
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 with options of English classes.

 

Classic: average class sizes 12 to 14 students, with a maximum of 16, with 1 teacher.

Club 5: maximum of 5 students per class, with 1 teacher.

6. Which programme should you choose ?

If you need any advice on the best programme to choose for your child, please feel free to contact us by email or by phone. We will be happy to help you!

7. How long do our programmes last for ?

 

We have programmes for up to 4 weeks. Sometimes, it is possible to combine 2 or more programmes, so to be able to come for longer.

 

If you can't find dates that would suit you, please feel free to contact us.

8. What is the minimum level of English required?

We accept students from 7 to 17, however, we are able to make special arrangements for younger and or older students.

 

Our classes are organised by the age and level of the students we enrol on the course. 
9. 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 Director of Studies. They are thoroughly briefed prior to the start of each course on our expectations and teaching methods.

 

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 tutor’s report is written on every student and sent to the client. 
10. 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.

11. 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).

12. What is the maximum number of students per class?

For the "Classic Stays" there is a maximum of 16 students per class.

 

For the "Language Clubs": "Club 5 = 5 students +1 teacher

13. What are the different types of accommodation proposed?

Family:

Our host towns come under the responsibility of our Local Organiser, 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).

 

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, table-tennis, 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.

 

USA stays and Discover UK/Ireland: students are accommodated in youth hostels in dormitories. Usually students prepare    breakfasts and packed lunches in the hostel's kitchen. Dinner is taken in local fast food restaurants.

14. How are the host families selected?

A lot of our families welcome students for us year after year, often they then recommend by 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 families are scrupulously inspected by our Local Organisers, yearly,  and are only accepted if they meet our criteria. 

15. 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.
16. 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.

17. Placement in Host Families

For the 11 to 13 years old: we automatically place them two foreign students per family. Unless, otherwise, requested by the client. We, however, highly recommend that they are double placed, as the students need to daily travel in to the tuition centre by bus.

 

For the 14 to 17 years old:  They will be placed into a family, as the only foreign student of that nationality. However, there may be two other student there of a different nationality.

Your child doesn't share his/her host family with another student who speaks the same language. It is possible that a student of a different nationality will share the same Host Family.

18. When do you receive the Host Family's details

You will receive your Host Family details 8 to 10 days before departure.

19. How to pay for the Course

Payment can only be done by bank transfer.

20. What about the journey ?

Depending on what arrangements have been made between us, you will normally be met at your point of arrival in the host country and taken to your centre of residence for the duration of your course. At the end of the course, you will be returned to the airport or station as per agreement

21. 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/USA east coast: 6 hours behind mainland Europe (1pm in Europe = 7am in Canada/USA east coast)
22. What travel documents do I need?

Please check with your local Embassy.

 

Useful links for VISA information

 

United Kingdom

 

Ireland

 

Canada

 

USA

 

Official site to apply for entry on USA territory  : ESTA

ESTA

23. How much pocket money should my child take ?

All programme costs are included in the price you have been given. Your child will only need money for his own personal purchases or maybe to buy a telephone card to contact you etc.

 

It very much depends on what your child plans to buy while on holiday with us and how much he or she usually spend.

 

Your child can check online how much things cost in the host country on popular sites like Amazon. Please note that if your child plans to buy video games or DVD's, he/she will need to check the zone these will be useable in, as it might differ from his/her home country zone.

24. Cancelling your enrolment

Please contact us if you need to cancel your holiday with us. We will determine what cancellation charges will apply.

25. 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.

 

YOUR CHILD MUST TRAVEL WITH THE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR THE COUNTRY VISITED.

 

It is necessary for members of the European Union to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive free treatment in England. EVEN IF YOUR CHILD TRAVELS WITH THE EHIC, HE/SHE MUST BE COVERED BY A TRAVEL INSURANCE THAT WILL INCLUDE RAPATRIATION TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND OTHER SERIOUS MEDICAL COSTS THAT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE EHIC.

 

In some cases, medical fees may apply and an advance may be required, in which case you will be informed.

26. Travel Insurance

Please do not forget to subscribe to a travel insurance before leaving your home country. Anglophiles can arrange cover for you at an additional cost. Please contact us for details