What to look for in a good language school

When you want to learn a new language, it can be difficult to choose the right school. There are so many things to consider: how long are the classes? How often do they take place? What is the setting like – are there group lessons? 

Learning a new language is challenging on its own, but it shouldn’t be stressful. All these things can make the decision overwhelming, so we’ve created a quick and easy guide on what to look for in a language school to make sure you choose a reliable language centre:

Key qualities of a good language school

Qualified and experienced teachers: Of course you want to go to a school with excellent teachers. You cannot expect good teaching if the teacher doesn't know how to teach the material. Teachers should the right qualifications (usually a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate) and appropriate language teaching experience. Teaching is not just about putting the grammar on the board and teaching the rules – it’s about talking with the students and making them feel safe enough to make mistakes, comfortable enough to use the language in class, and confident enough to take what they learn in class and use it in the real world. 

Class size: It’s important that classes are big enough to keep the conversation interesting, but they must also be small enough to make sure each student gets the personal attention they deserve. We all learn languages differently and we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, so the teacher should be able to walk around the class and help students with their specific needs. 

Course material:   Making sure that your school uses internationally recognised course material is important.  This helps to ensure that the course content is well suited to the level, and that the teaching approach is carefully balanced so that the grammar and vocabulary you learn can be practised in context through appropriate speaking, listening, writing and reading activities.

Accreditation: Along with qualified teachers, your school also needs to be accredited to ensure your qualifications are recognised once you pass the language courses. The Centre for Language Learning is part of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria (UP). The University of Pretoria is a registered training provider with the Department of Higher Education and Training. 

Support services: A big part of learning a language is using it outside the classroom. It’s important that you experience the language naturally, so your school should provide you with the opportunity to do this. Here at UP, we organise activities for students to speak with other students, eat and enjoy traditional foods from different countries, and even go on fun outdoor activities, like nature walks and hiking.

Accommodation:  One of the main reasons to travel to South Africa in order to study English is to immerse yourself in the language.  The University of Pretoria has a range of accommodation options specifically for international and postgraduate students.  Most of the University residences are set in beautiful surroundings within walking distance of the campus, and with excellent security.  We also encourage the South African students to welcome and make friends with international visitors, so you have many opportunities to interact in English with local students.

So, now you know! These are a few of the things you can consider when choosing a language school. Are there any other questions you ask before you join a school? Let us know in the comments.