Would you like to expand or improve your English language skills and have you decided to attend an English course? The range of language courses on offer in German-speaking Switzerland is very extensive and varied and, as they say, you're spoiled for choice... Are you unsure how to choose the right English course and the right school?
Various points should be considered when choosing a school and course. We have put together a checklist to guide you through this process and provide you with a common thread. Take enough time to decide on the courses and language school and don't rush into anything. This way you will soon be enrolled on the right English course and make good progress with fun and enjoyment!
For an English course to be really worthwhile, it is of immense importance that the learning material corresponds to the current learning level. If you are underchallenged or overchallenged, the fun of learning stops and you will not be successful.
Would you like to avoid this and find out which course level suits your current level of English?
An absolutely solid basis is provided by theEnglish placement testwhich can be taken online at two different levels free of charge and without obligation. It is important for the reliability of the placement test that it is taken without any aids or documents and that no guess answers are entered. This is the only way to ensure that the results are not falsified. After the 10-20 minute test, you will receive a reliable assessment of your level and can use the result to see which English course corresponds to your current level.
Every school and every teacher, and even every teaching aid, brings its own personal touch to the classroom. Lesson design has an influence on learning success that should not be underestimated. However, not everyone has the same type of learner and not everyone prefers the same forms and types of teaching. To ensure that you get your money's worth in your English course, you should therefore find out about the teaching methods of the respective school and teacher and match them to your learning type. First of all, you need to find out how you learn most easily and quickly.
The following table lists the different learning types, linked to the appropriate forms of learning:
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Learner type 1 - English course Needs tight management and structure Needs clear assignments and homework Auditory and visual learning type |
Frontal teaching with structured teaching materials, clear instructions from the teacher, homework control |
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Learner type 2 - English course Would like to remain independent Needs independence Would like to determine own learning pace Pressure creates counterpressure/blockade Communicative and motor learning type |
Online course, e-learning, relaxed language courses, self-learning |
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Learner type 3 - English course Needs pressure to perform Would like to move forward quickly Needs clear assignments and homework |
Diploma courses (FCE, FCA etc.) |
If you can find your way around the table, you will gain certainty about the right type of course and also have helpful points of reference when searching for the right school. The various language schools will be happy to provide you with more detailed information about the teaching structure of their English course.
To get an accurate picture of a school, it is important that all voices are heard. Hardly any feedback is as valuable as that of former course participants. Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch has therefore set up aEvaluation toolcreated. After attending an English course, students have left feedback that says a lot about the individual courses. Tip: Take advantage of the numerous filter options in the left-hand column and display exactly the reviews that interest you. You can filter and sort the reviews according to their number of stars, region, year, school or course.
Social media such as Facebook also allow students to rank a course provider via star ratings. On Google, the 5-star reviews are a meaningful criterion when choosing the right school. In some cases, detailed feedback is also left, which provides a helpful insight into the satisfaction level of former students.
These topics are often the most important criteria when it comes to finding a suitable English course. This is understandable in every respect; time and money are valuable assets and therefore often the main arguments for or against a course offer.
On the other hand, these points should only be considered after the criteria listed above have already enabled a preselection.
The following questions are fundamental to determining the desired framework conditions:
Once you have made an evaluation according to points 1-4, the selection of possible course providers for your English course should already be much narrower than before. Order detailed course documents and information free of charge and without obligation from the schools whose English courses match your wishes and possibilities via the inquiry form onEducation-Further-Education.ch.
You can also use the same inquiry forms to register for information events or book a personal consultation. Take advantage of these two opportunities to gain a deeper insight into the philosophy and teaching organization of a language school. Information events are also an exciting opportunity to get to know the teachers and former course participants and to ask them questions. Individual questions can be clarified in a personal consultation.
All of these options will help you find the right English course at the right language school.
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin