Finding the Right Language Course
Here are our Smart TIPS to find the best (FREE?!) language course.
Family and au pair should work together to find the right language courses and it may be difficult to arrange these in advance as a local test is often required to make sure classes are at the right level.
The information below is correct for most locations. Smartaupairs provides all au pairs in Kent with a contact list for FREE English classes - what a bonus!
EFL = English as Foreign Language
Advantages • Highly recognised Cambridge certificate • Regulated language schools accredited by English Council • Easy to find on English UK www.englishuk.com • Mostly high quality locations • Often additional extras included such as a social/excursion program • Flexible start dates and durations (usually) • Open to all nationalities
Disadvantages • Expensive • Fewer au pairs attend
To Find
ESOL = English for Speakers of Other Languages
Advantages • Internationally recognised Trinity Certificate • Non-commercial, part government funded, so CHEAPER • Many other au pairs to meet • Government approved
Disadvantages • Some locations are a bit less desirable • More difficult to find out details on how/where/when etc. • Only usually open to EU au pairs • Can be inflexible on start date and duration (September & January)
TO FIND – try typing in Google: for Kent Adult Education ‘ESOL classes [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘ESOL courses [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘Adult education [name of town/area of host family]’ And/or ask your host family to call the local council office and/or local college.
SKILLS PLUS or SKILLS FOR LIFE (ESOL) Designed to teach English to foreigners moving to Britain
Advantages • Non-commercial, government funded, so FREE (EU only) • Many other au pairs to meet • Government approved • Usually flexible on duration and start date
Disadvantages • Exam recognised by OCR (UK recognised – limited internationally) • Some locations are a bit less desirable • VERY difficult to find out details on how/where/when etc.* • Limited availability, some towns non at all • Can be overbooked/overcrowded and sometimes waitlists • Only open to EU au pairs
TO FIND – in Kent go to skills-plus website or e-mail info@smartaupairs.com, we have an additional contact list for FREE classes in KENT Outside Kent try typing in Google: ‘ESOL Skills for life classes [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘Free ESOL classes [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘ESOL Skills for life courses [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘Adult education [name of town/area of host family]’ And/or ask your host family to call the local council office and/or local college.
TEACHER TRAINING CLASSES (TEFL/TESOL)* Attend classes where the teacher is learning to teach English.
Advantages • Totally FREE for all nationalities! • Many other au pairs to meet • Government approved
Disadvantages • No exam (attendance certificate only) • VERY difficult to find out details on how/where/when etc. • Limited availability, some towns non at all • Often in the afternoon – may not fit in with host family schedule
TO FIND – in Kent, Christchurch College in Canterbury often has these courses if you are not near Canterbury, try typing in Google: ‘TEFL classes [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘TESOL classes [name of town/area of host family]’ ‘Teacher training courses [name of town/area of host family]’ And/or ask your host family to call the local council office and/or local college BE PREPARED FOR SOME SERIOUS SEARCHING! These are not ‘official’ courses and no money is used for advertising them so ASK ASK ASK!
EXTRA SMART TIPS: Use teacher training as extra classes and to meet another network of people A Cambridge English Exam can be booked separately in some places, in addition to any of the above language classes or no classes at all.
All information and tips provided are for information only. Although every effort is made to ensure it is accurate and up to date, smartaupairs makes no guarantees and accepts no liability.