Our handy guide about how to book your language course and what to expect once you get there.
You know you want to go abroad to take a language course. You have an idea of whereabouts you’d like to go and how much you want to spend. But every website you visit overwhelms you with information and you have no idea what the process involves: how to book, which course to choose, how the school puts you in the right class… It’s a lot. That’s exactly why people wanting to study abroad get in touch with Active Languages. Here’s our handy guide to explain what the process involves and what to expect once you get to your study abroad destination.
Step 1 – Contact Active Languages
Email us on info@activelanguages.co.uk and tell us which language you’d like to study, what you’d like to get out of the course, how much time you have available for your trip and what sort of budget you’re working with. If you’ve already read our blog about the right course for your level and goals, then you may already have an idea of which course you want to take whilst you’re overseas. If you haven’t, we can help you choose the perfect course for you based on your reasons for studying a language, your current ability and the different options available at each school. We can also take care of your accommodation; there’s even a half-board option for homestays or all-inclusive summer camps for kids so all you need to worry about is organising your transport to your destination!
Step 2 – Review your quote
Active Languages will send you a quote based on the course you have chosen and any extras you’d like such as accommodation. Once you’re happy with the quote, we will send you a booking form to complete on behalf of your chosen language school.
Step 3 – Booking form and payment
Active Languages will send your completed booking form to your school, who will then email you direct with a secure payment link or bank transfer details for you to make payment. If you need a visa, payment in full is required before the school can send you a letter of invitation for you to present at the Embassy. If you book accommodation, you will be sent information about the address and how to get to the school from your accommodation (metro, bus or walking). If you book a host family, you will receive information about your journey to school from the homestay, information about your host family (hobbies, backgrounds, etc.), the accommodation itself (room types, student bedroom furniture, etc.) as well as contact details if you would like to get in touch with your host family before arrival.
Step 4 – Level test
Your chosen school will send you a level test. The test is on a Word document and contains a few reading and writing tasks for students to complete prior to arrival. The test is then assessed by the teaching staff so that you can be placed in the right class for your ability. Since students are assigned places based on their language levels, so that everyone in class has a similar ability and nobody feels left behind or too far ahead, it is vital that you complete the test without the assistance of AI, ChatGPT, dictionaries etc. and complete the sections you can do. Don’t worry, if you are not to be able to complete the whole test as the test covers levels up to Proficiency Level. The level test is designed to save you time, so you can start your course as soon as you arrive rather than spend the morning doing the test only to start on Tuesday.
Step 5 – Pack your suitcase
Just take the things you need for a regular holiday. If you’ve booked a summer camp for your children, we’ve drawn up a handy list of items you will want to pack for them ready for their holiday to remember. Remember, class doesn’t last all day, so treat it like you would any time off from the daily routine. All classes include teaching materials, so there’s no need to weigh your suitcase down with books or dictionaries. Save a few important phone numbers in your phone just in case you need them on arrival or at school: the out of hours phone number, school reception phone number and phone numbers for your accommodation/transfer.
Step 6 – Time to go
On arrival at your destination train station or airport, make sure you have your transfer and accommodation information to hand so you can find your driver or make your way to your accommodation easily. Don’t worry if you get lost or need help, there is an emergency contact number in your booking documents which you can save in your phone before you leave home as well as contact details for your host family, serviced apartment building and transfer driver.
Step 7 – Your first day of school
The first day of school is always nerve-racking, especially in another country! Make your way to school using the journey details provided in your booking documents and remember, you can call the school at any time. When you arrive at reception, give your name and the friendly team will give you all the information you need to go to your class, etc. and of course never hesitate to come back and speak to them if you have any questions.
Step 8 – After class
Some schools provide after-school activities for students to socialise and explore the area, others take a more laissez-faire approach and let you plan your free time to suit you… after all, it is your holiday. The keyword in everything you do outside school during your study abroad experience is immersion. Get to know your fellow students but avoid falling back on English if you can, remember that they’re all here to learn a language too. The reception team at the school will be only too happy to help you find things to do, places to eat, sights to see and more, so don’t be afraid to ask. Just enjoy yourself and make the most of the experience.
Step 9 – When you get home
Once you’ve settled back into real life at home after your amazing language course overseas, make sure you contact Active Languages to let us know how it went (you’ll get extra brownie points if you write to us in the language you’ve been studying!). If you have any feedback, good or otherwise, which you’d like us to pass onto the school you studied at, we’d love to hear it.
Now you’re all clued up about what the booking process looks like for a language course overseas, you can contact us on info@activelanguages.co.uk and book your study abroad experience.
