How to choose a course
When choosing a course, you should get relevant information before you sign the contract. As a general rule:
- Understand what's in the contract;
- Don't sign if there are blank spaces;
- Write all promises that are made to you on the contract;
- Make any changes before signing;
- Get a copy of your contract when you sign it.
What's above, is the final step, as before it, you need to collect three group of information:
1) About the school/university/teacher:
- Where is the school/universtity/teacher located?
- How do you get there? Is the school/university/teacher close to public transport? How much does public transport cost?
- How can you register? Is it simple or complicate?
- How much is the tuition/registration fee?
- How can you pay your tuition/registration fee?
- Are there extra fees?
- What do you have to do to receive an acceptance letter?
- Can they help you to apply for your visa?
- Do they arrange week-end excursions and in general, social activities?
- Do they provide free email/lnternet access? Is the service free?
- How much money will you need a week for day-to-day expenses?
2) About the course:
- How many levels are there?
- When can you start your course? Is the date acceptable according to your needs?
- What is the minimum stay at the course? Do you have to pay some money should you decide to leave the course in advance?
- How many students are there in a class? The less, the better, if you want to learn English, the more, the better, if you want to meet new people ...
- What is the average age of the students and what is their nationality? You should avoid meeting people from your country! The less, the better!!!
- How do they find out what your level is? How do they place you in the right class?
- What teaching method do they use?
- What exams do they offer? Is it possible to take ufficial exams inside the school/university? Is the teacher connected to famous schools or universities where to take ufficial exams?
- If you wish to take an exam, how do you know if your level is good enough to pass?
- Are they willing to supply you with full information about their staff?
- Will you get a certificate at the end of your course?
What kind? Is it free of charge?
3) Accommodation
- How far is the host family to the school/university/teacher?
- Will somebody pick you up at the airport?
- Can you still go to the host family should you arrive late in the evening or at night?
- Will you have your own bathroom or share it with the other members of the family/students?
- Will you get breakfast, lunch and dinner at the host family?
- Can you prepare your own meals at the host family?
- Can you use the refrigerator and the washing machine at the host family?
- Can you change your accommodation should you don't like it? This situation occurs very often!!!!!
- Can you stay in a student residence?
- Can you arrange accommodation in an apartment or flat for you?