The end of the school year is coming and once again thousands of students have to take a very hard decision: shall I spend the summer at the seaside, or shall I take an English course abroad? As language teachers, we are often involved in these decisions. What advice should we give? Well, studying abroad can turn out to be a very exciting experience, not to mention how useful it is! If well organised, it can definitely become an unforgettable holiday, where fun, culture and the language can be easily combined. Taking an English course in the country where the language is spoken is fundamental, not only for improving language skills but also for learning about the local culture and people’s way of life. And one of the best ways to practise English is to stay with a host-family in their home.

We should also remember that the English language is not confined to Great Britain alone: study holidays are possible in many other countries too, like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malta or even South Africa! So, with all these different possibilities available, when our students ask for our advice, what should we tell them?

Most importantly, before your students book a language course abroad, they should always check for the quality and accreditation of the schools in the location they are considering. If they wish to go to Great Britain, they should make sure that the school is recognised by the British Council and is a member of Arels (Association of Recognised English Language Services), which is the representative body of private accredited language schools in the UK. The British Council regularly inspects these schools to make sure they respect the guidelines: a qualified Director of Studies and teachers with specific qualifications in teaching English as a foreign language (see below), who are regularly observed with their students in class as part of the school’s quality control, are amongst the requirements. If, on the other hand, the prospective destinations are not in the UK, then your students look for a school which is recognised by the local Department of Education in that country.

As mentioned above, an important aspect you should consider when recommending schools for study abroad is the issue of the teachers’ qualifications. As experienced professionals ourselves, we know that good teachers make a difference and that being mother tongue is not enough. Professional schools always hire teachers that possess at least the CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults) or an equivalent certification, to guarantee the appropriate use of methodology and correct class management. If in doubt about schools, it is usually a good bet to opt for those schools that are open all year round. Those that exist only as summer-course centres are unlikely to be employing experienced professionals who teach English for a career. A good suggestion to follow wherever feasible is to choose an off-peak time to take the course, in order to avoid masses of Italian students. June is in the Italian school’s summer holidays but tends to be less busy than July and August. If July and August, however, really are the only time your students can take off, then choosing less well-known destinations can be the best solution if they are to make a lot of foreign friends. Places which are historically centres for language schools like Brighton, Bournemouth and Hastings can get absolutely packed in the summer months.

London is obviously the most popular UK location, a city for those who love fashion and big-city life with the endless attractions a city of its size and dynamism can offer. It’s worth remembering, however, that, apart from the number of foreign students there over the summer, it might not be the best option for younger students. Bath, famous for its Roman baths and Victorian architecture, is an easy day trip from London and just along the road from Oxford. A small university city, it is less well known for study abroad and, being small and friendly, provides more opportunities to get to know the locals. If your students are determined to go to the sea, Torquay, with its lovely beaches and breathtaking scenery is another option that can offer contact with local residents and other non-Italian foreign students.

Another option is for your students to go to the north of England where, as yet, the English language business has not reached the dimensions common in the south. Newcastle, rarely considered as a holiday destination, has been voted best party town of the year and offers excellent opportunities for excursions in the spectacular countryside around the city. Ireland is now increasingly popular, thanks also to the legendary friendliness and hospitality of the Irish, and Dublin has recently become one of the most visited destinations, ideal as a place to study, perfect as the starting point for weekend getaways off the beaten track.

For a total full immersion in the English language and culture, there is also a programme called InTuition where students have a tailor-made, one-to-one course living in their teacher’s home. This is obviously the most effective way to learn the real language, but is more expensive than group courses and not really suitable for younger students who don’t usually take full advantage of the opportunites offered by actually living with their English teacher.

If all this is firing you up too, even teachers of English can benefit from study abroad. If you wish to develop your language and teaching skills even further, there are specialised courses of study abroad for English teachers. One example of a school offering this service is International House London, one of the largest teacher training organisations and language schools in the UK, which organises special courses for overseas teachers in “Language Development and Teaching Skills”, “Contemporary British Culture”, “Practical Teaching” and “Current Trends: Theory and Practice in English Language Teaching”.

*Francesca Pola works at International House Milan where she has specialised in providing consultancy for students wishing to study at language schools abroad.

fpola@ihmilano.it