SCHOOL SELECTION

All schools have accreditations, and guarantee that their teachers are professional and give high quality classes. Language schools are selected based on the opinions of past students.

ACCREDIATIONS

We are aware that a language study stay is the key to significantly improving language level. For this reason we pay special attention when selecting the schools to put on our site. All estabilishments selected are accredited and internationally recognised to provide you with a high quality service which is essential to the success of your stay. Schools on holingo.com have one of the accreditations below (to name a few):

Accet, ALTO, British Council, CEA, Eaquals, English Australia, English New Zealand, English UK, English USA, Feltom, Languages Canada, IALC, Quality English...

MIX OF NATIONALITIES

Every year, schools listed on holingo.com welcome students from all over the world who want to improve their language skills. This is a great opportunity for you to meet people of other nationalities and discover new cultures. You will be able to find information on the diverse nationalities in your school directly on the school's Website.

ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

In order to fully enjoy their immersion abroad, students have the opportunity to discover all aspects of the host country's culture. To help them do this, the partner school regularly organise sports activities, and social and cultural outings. This is the best time to connect with other students outside school hours. Each week, excursions such as going to a restaurant, a bar or pub, visiting a museum, going to the cinema or a concert are regularly organised by the schools.

Some sports activities can also be organised on the school grounds free of charge and students are encouraged to get involved. Other more specialized sports can be organised at competitive rates.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

In the case of an emergency, students can contact school staff directly. If students wish, they can be provided with an emergency number.

END OF STAY EVALUATION

At the end of your stay, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your language stay experience. You opinion will be posted on www.holingo.com and will be used to inform other students of your impressions of the school and your chosen destination.

Before your departure you will also be able to read the different opinions offered by past students of this school in order to help you choose a language stay that suits you.

LANGUAGE COURSES

Language schools offer a wide range of tailor-made courses. There are many different options available that will cater to the priorities and needs of different students. Each program is optimised to help students quickly acquire linguistic skills and progress in their learning in a personalised way.

ASSESSMENT OF ENGLISH LEVEL

In order to progress easily, it is important for students to feel confident in a class and that the classmates all have a similar language level. English language evaluations are systematically given to students in order to test their level at the beginning of the programme and to place them in a class most suited to their level. This does not prevent students from changing levels if they feel capable of another level. Other language tests may take place during the stay to regularly test the achievements of each student.  At the end of their stay, students can be tested on their language level using internationally recignized tests, should the student wish. The following english exams can be taken by students directly in the partner schools: FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS, TOEFL, and the TOEIC.

COURSE CONTENT

Students have the option to choose from general english courses to more specific courses.

General courses can be followed in standard or intensive format. These courses are designed to improve student'S language skills by focusing on various themes such as: economy, society, culture, art, music and history. These topics are covered using a range of different activities such as group work, projects, interactive activities, outings etc. StUdents prOgress quickly and develop comprehension, oral and writing skills all at the same time.

Standard format: Allows students extra free time to sight see and practice the language in real life situations in the country.

Intensive format: Is based on the standard format but has more class hours and a more sustained work pace. This allows for faster and longer-term progress.

Official exam preparation course: Should a student wish to pass a recognized language test for their studies or future professional career, they can take courses that are specifically designed to prepare students for these exams (FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC).

LANGUAGE LEVEL AND PROGRESSION

Every student has a unique learning style and no two students progress in the same way, nor at the same speeds. The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) has defined 6 different language levels:

> A1 beginner level: No or little prior language of the language. The student interacts in a very basic way with a limited vocabulary.

> A2 Elementary level: The student expresses themself in a simple way with a very academic vocabulary. They understand basic phrases and knows how to reuse these phrases in writing an orally.

> B1 Intermediate level: The student can read and write simple texts. They have a good understanding of basic and familiar subjects. Their grammar and vocabulary are still a bit lacking.

> B2 Upper Intermediate level: The student is comfortale with the language of veryday life. They can speak fluently with native speakers on various subjects. With this level it is possible to work in international companies.

> C1 advanced level: The student is very comfortable speaking and writing with complex expressions in a variety of contexts. They can understand native speakers almost entirely.

> C2 Native Speaker fluency: The student is fluent in the foreign language. They can use idiomatic expressions to perfection and is almost as comfortable as a native speaker.

Upon arrival The student will be placed in a level group that corresponds to them. This will enable them to learn in the best possible conditions with a program suited to their level.

DATES AND HOLIDAYS

Public holidays for each school are listed on www.holingo.com.

On these dates, the courses of partner schools will not be insured. They cannot be replaced, compensated for or refunded.