Hello everyone as every Friday.

This we had a visit from INLINGUA CHELTENHAM, this school belongs to Inlingua Group and it was a pleasure for us. 

This school is in Cheltenham, a city in the west of England. Their strongest point is that they guarantee you to be surrounded by British people all the time, what is really good as maybe in other cities we would find more people from our nationality. Therefore you will speak only English.

Here we show you pictures of the shool and some questions that we made them:

Hello, we know that your strongest point is that the school is placed in a typical English city with 100% British people, but we want to know more, does the school offer evening courses?

Yes we offer afternoon/evening courses but not for English, only for languages like German, French, Spanish...

To know more of the lessons, how many students do you have per classroom in Inlingua Cheltenham?

Our maximun per classroom is the 10 students, but the average is 8 students.

We know that in other school the students need to take a level test before enrolling the course, do the student in the school take a test level?

Yes, before enrolling a course, you need to do a test online. Thus we can know the group and level they need. Students can take the exam in the school when they arrive, though.

And to finish, do you prepare exams like IELTS or Cambridge?

Indeed, yes. The most popular course is IELTS as people need it to enter in the University. But also, of course, we prepare Cambridge exams: PET, CAE, FCE, etc.

This is everything.

It is a great opportunity for those who want to stay in a typical British city.

For mor information, you can contact us at: education@polarchoice.com

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Hello people!! :)

This week we visited Inlingua London, this school is near King’s Cross.

We start the visit by looking around the school. The classroom are small with one table and 4 or 5 chairs, this is because the school is more oriented to lessons for 1 or 3 student with a maximum of 4 students, this is, one-to-one lessons.

Also, the group Inlingua has more Schools around England, not only in London.

What does your school offer?

We mainly offer Business English courses for small groups with a maximum of 4 students per classroom. However, if a student is interested in a General English Course we also can offer it.

Due to this, our prices are higher than other Schools. Nevertheless we only work with 1 students which is an advantage as the will learn more.

Then, the school is more like a teacher for you, right?

Yes more or less like this. The students are more “adults” like 30 years on. Also, we have students who are 20.

The room for the breaks where you will find coffee, tea, computers…

Do you prepare IELTS or Cambridge exams?

We don’t have a Course for this purpose, but if the student wants to prepare for example CAE exam we say it to the teacher and they do they do the course.

What we offer is the Business English course for Cambridge.

Do we need a book?

Yes, when the student came to start a Course they have to buy a book which is from this school, Inlingua. Furthermore, teachers work with articles from Internet and radio.

One of the classrooms, the biggest one, so you can see they are for small groups

The last question, do you organise or have activities for students?

Yes, as the majority of the lessons are 1 teacher with 1 student they have a really good relationship and sometimes the lessons have placed outside the school. Sometimes they got o a museum, a pub or to a place which the teachers considers interesting for the student. Also, we plan excursions for students.

One of the teachers in a break

This is everything for today. If you need a Business English, working directly with a teacher, this is your school.

As always you can contact us and ask at: education@polarchoice.com

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Hello everyone.!

Another Friday more we are here to share with you our weekly visit. This week we went to TTI School of English.

This school is in Camden, one of the most charming and tourist places in London.

To start, tell us more of the School’s History:

The school was opened in 1999 and originally it was a training institute or training for teachers as our name said: TTI=Teacher Training Institute.

Nevertheless, 13 years ago the centre was closed as training institute and started offering English courses. We have now 2 buildings, one in front of the other, where we teach English lessons.

How is a lesson in TTI?:

Our school is based on the communication, therefore the lessons are more focus on the interaction between teacher-student and students with students.

We don’t follow a book, except for exams preparation like FCE or CAE.

Teachers prefer to give photocopies of articles, exercises.. And they do the listening with news of the radio, internet, etc. So, we want to offer a more useful English, English for “real life”, let’s say it like this.

One of our member’s staff, she explains the courses, schedules...

And your teachers, how is the relationship teacher-student?

It is one of the things which make us unique. The office, the students and the teachers we are very close. It is like a family as since the beginning we always have wanted to make students feel like at home.

How many students do you have per classroom? Which is the school’s schedule?

The maximum number of students is 15, but the average is 12.

In regard to the Schedule we offer lessons in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. The last lesson is from 19.00 to 21.00 in the evening.

This is the room for the breaks; you can find computers, books and DVDs

To finish, tell us why we should pick up TTI:

We are not a school chain, we are only one. Therefore you will be in contact with our team in every moment, which is important in order to help the students.

The reason why students choose us is because we are a small, homely and friendly school in a huge city as London.

Also, most of our staff is students. For example, we offer free coffee to our students, all they want and when they want. For this, we have 2 people who serve the coffee as a deal they study here for free.

We also plan activities every week, we sell tickets for musicals, excursions, museums, etc.. For example today we have sold a cake and with the money raised we have given to charity

This is the terrace of the school which s very used in summer but it is always available

Well, that is everything for today. TTI School of English, for those who are interested, feel free to contact us at education@polarchoice.com

You always can find us on facebook and twitter: polarchoice.

And on our webpage: www.polarchoice.com

Happy weekend J

Hello everyone again and happy Friday, today atarts the weekend. J

This week we were in Grafton College of Management Sciences in London. Our contact was Diana. She works in the Recruitment Department.

She told us this….

Hello Diana, tell us more about how the school started:

Yes, of course. We started in Ireland and then, we came to London in 2003. So we are offering English courses for 10 years. We also prepare exams like IELTS and Cambridge, but mostly IELTS.

Tell us more about the school:

We have morning lesson available which start at 9 and end at 12.10.

The lessons are daily, 3 hours per day.

At the moment we are not offering afternoon or evening lessons, however we have Speaking lesson from 18.00 p.m. to 20.00 p.m.

Entrance of the school

Do the students have the possibility of combining or mixing the courses?

Exactly, they can’t mix all of them, though. I mean, if they want to prepare IELTS they can do at the same time General English, so the course will be General English+IELTS.

Talking about the courses, what do the students have to do? Do they need a book?

Our students have to take a level test at the beginning.

The maximum number of students per classroom is 15, but the average is between 8 and 9.

In regard to the books, it depends on the teachers. Generally, in the lowest level students use a book, but the other courses sometimes the use photocopies instead of a book.

Anyway, you can find the courses here in the school or on Internet, they are easy to get.

One of the classrooms

And about the teachers, what can you tell us about them?

All of them are qualified and we have a popular teacher who teaches the IELTS course. Our teachers are British except one but she is living here for many years.

And the last question, why should we choose Grafton College?

Well, good question. Our school offers every kind of equipment or facilities, this is, we have Wi-Fi, computers’ room and library. What we like the most is our social activities or programme because we offer trips to our students. We have events during the week such as Fitness First which was talking about how to carry on a healthier life and advise the students as well as give us special prices for the gym.

Another activity is to go with the students to the libraries so they can know where they are placed if they need them.

The look of the school outside

This was our visit, I hope you like it.

If you want to know more about the school:

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As always you can find us at: education@polarchoice.com          

Or check our webpage: www.polarchoice.com

YOU CHOOSE WE GIVE you the DISCOUNT!

Hello again J we come back again with the visit to Oxford House College in the center of London, in Oxford Street.

This time we have interviewed Hugo Brent the marketing manager of the school.

Can you tell us more of the school’s history?

The school was founded in 1994 and its main goal was to offer a valued education.

The school is opened to students from every country.

The school is called like this because originally the school was placed near the Oxford Circus Market and its name was Oxford House.

However, 10 years ago we decided to move into this building because it is bigger.

You have more Schools not only in London, where are they?

Indeed, we have another 2 schools in Oxford and in Stratford-upon-Avon. Thus, we give the opportunity to students of choosing among different places but with the same courses.

Entrance of the school in Oxford Street

What we really want to know is how it’s a lesson in Oxford House College, how are your teachers...:

Generally, most of our staff is young and all of them are British.

When you start your first day, you have to take a level test, furthermore, you have to talk with our team reception in order to check which your Speaking level is. Then, we could guarantee you the course which suitable you the most.

If you don’t like the level of the class you can change the lesson.

In every course you need a book for doing exercises.

You prepare exams like IELTS, Cambridge, etc:

Yes, we have specific courses for these exams. Furthermore we are an examiner centre. So, students can do here the Cambridge exams. The length for these courses is 12 weeks and in the last one you would have your exam.

To guarantee that the student will be successful, we have a level test, so if can recommend you to do first a general English course or place you straight in the course for the exam.

Talking about IELTS, this exam is different. People take this exam for something specific, especially for the University. However Cambridge is more recognised for studies, jobs, travel...

 This is the library of the school, which is quite big with 2 floors

I see that the school has a lot of students, where are they from?

Mainly they are Spanish and Italians, following German, French, Brazilians, Japanese and Korean.

We have a maximum of 16 students per classroom.

There is something more you want to tell us:

Yes, it is something really interesting. Every Friday students and teacher go to the Pub near us for talking and knowing more from each other, there is a very good relation teacher-student.

Also, we have a social programme with different activities during the week like football, parties, excursions, etc.

This is the reception of the school which is on the second floor of the building

This is everything about Oxford House College, if you want to know more about this school or you are interested.... we are always on:

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Of Course, feel free to send us an email: education@polarchoice.com

If you prefer it, you can get a look through our web page: www.polarchoice.com

Hello people, today we interview Olga a student at Wimbledon Language Academy.

The first thing is to thank Olga for the interview.

How is going the experience in this school?

Good, I started almost 2 months and it is good.

I changed the course because initially I started in the upper intermediate level but I went to the Advanced level which is the highest level and I would like to have a certificated. Therefore, we do exercises for taking the CAE (Cambridge Advance Exam) and I like it.

So, they prepare you for the CAE exam, right?

Yes, we have a book for preparing the exam, for those who are going to enrol the course more than 3 weeks it is recommendable that they buy the book because all the exercises are orientated for the exam.

We do everything, maybe reading not a lot and we don’t have homework. We do every exercise at school. The problem is that sometimes we talk too much; we practise a lot the Speaking part. 

Entrance of the school

How is one lesson at Wimbledon Language Academy? Do you understand the teachers?

You understand them really well because the teachers adapt to your level.

My teacher asks the students about us, so we have to talk therefore we will not need an additional speaking lesson.

Basically, we do the speaking exercises between the partners and the writing exercises individually, but later we comment them all together.

How many students are there per class?

It depends on the week because you can start any day you want so there are always people. But, I would say we are between 10 and 15.

Do you want to tell us something special about this school?

The good thing about this school is that it’s cheap, the prices are good. Furthermore, as I booked the course through POLAR CHOICE I got a discount and therefore the course was cheaper.

If what you are looking for it is speaking, meeting people and doing grammar, this school is very good as you can stay more weeks because it is cheap.

Outside the school we find some tables and a ping-pong table

There is something I would like to highlight as interesting:

The school organise a lot of activities for students, such as going to theatres, musicals, cinemas, etc. And the price is quite good as the tickets are cheaper. One example: I went to The Miserable Musical and I paid £22,50 when the ticket costs £64. We have the cinema for half price on Wednesday.

The truth is that they do everything they can in order to get cheaper ticket, you can go to football matches or concerts. You just have to tell it to your teacher and he looks if they can get you cheap tickets.

I really like it because you can know more about London and without spending a lot of money.

If you are interested in this school or you want to study English in UK not only in London contact us:

e-mail: education@polarchoice.com

Webpage: www.polarchoice.com

Also, as always you can follow us either on Twitter or Facebook: polarchoice

See you next week.! J

Language Show Live

Hello guys, we have more things for you. This time we have visited a fair in London.

The fair is Language Show Live, the truth is that the fair was more orientated for teachers and translators as the fair offers them several methodologies for teaching with new technologies like iPad. Also, it offers several courses to get the certificated to teaching as a professor.

There were different countries and Languages, such as Spanish, Italian, Russian, German, Chinese, etc. Furthermore, you could find sections with books for teaching children in different languages, but also books for students and adults.

The Chinese stand

In this fair you could find spaces where people give talks about several matters. We were in one called Culture in business language training.

It was about the magnitude of the culture in the business world as it depends on the people with who you make business you should act in one way or other because of the culture. It was very interesting I have to say.

One of the spaces for the talks

After the talk, we were looking around and we saw some organisations which we are members like British Council and English UK. In this area we also find several Universities and Schools with courses’ offers, but just some.

The stand of British Council

Some of the Universities and the schools which were there: UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER, GOETHE INSTITUT, UNIVERSITY OF KENT,  LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH, CLAC (CAMBRIDGE LANGUAGE AND ACTIVITY CENTER)

Different stands in the fair

We had fun and it was amusing with different performances such as oriental dances, songs in different languages, etc.

See you next week and of Course you know that you can find us at:education@polarchoice.com or visiting our webpage www.polarchoice.com

Don’t forget we are on Faceebook and Twitter: polarchoice

Have a great weekend J

We interview Leydi a students in The English Studio

This time we have interview a student of The English Studio, her name is Leydi and she is Colombian.

In this way we can now closer what is going on within the lessons. J

The school is placed in Holborn, in Central London, it means, in the center.

It is very easy to find the school, when you get out of the tube station (Holborn) you can see it in front of you.

Let’s see how Leydi is enjoying her experience in London and in this school.

Entrance of the school

Hello Leydi, tell us something about you.

Well, I came to London to study English because I need it for my degree. I have studied systems engineering and it is very important to be bilingual in my country in order to get a job.

Why did you choose The English Studio?

Because of the prize and the school is really good. Also, I chose it because for my visa it was easier. They sent me the letter of acceptance and after POLAR CHOICE sent me the original letter, so I could show it in the embassy.

POLAR CHOICE helped me a lot.

Tell us about a lesson in the school.

There are people with different nationalities (Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Italians...) and the lessons are very good because the teacher starts with a very common topic to expand it after.

Our teacher is British and I understand her very well. Also, she makes comparison with the American English. This is so good for me because in Colombia we have a lot of influence of American English. 

One of the classrooms!

What kind of student do you think they will be suitable for this school?

For example, this school suits to shy students because a lot of activities consist in speaking by groups.

Also, they offer speaking lessons.

Are you enjoying the experience?

Yeeeeeeees, it is being really good. However, the most difficult part for me it is to get used to the time because I have 6 hours of difference with Colombia.... so, when it is time to sleep I don’t want to. Apart from this, I like London. It is a beautiful city and you have things to see in every place.

The English Studio, 113 High HolbornWC1V 6JQ, London. Tube station: Holborn.

Are you interested in this school or in other?

Come on; get a look to our webpage: http://www.polarchoice.com/ 

Feel free to contact as and GET DISCOUNTS in your courses: education@polarchoice.com

Anisha Thapa welcomes us at LSSE

This week we were in the heart of London, Leicester Square.

In the middle of this square, with its exiting life and its hundreds of tourists, it is placed Leicester Square School of English (LSSE). 

Near the school, there are fans that are waiting for the premiere of a movie and the arrival of their movie stars.

The entrance of the school. The fences in the right are for preparing the premiere of a movie

  

Thank you for the interview. Do you mind if we start by talking about your job in the school?

My name is Anisha and I’m the school Manager. So, I have to do lot of bookings because everything is forward to me. I also work on the School Bookings database of the students, consultations...all of this.

 Then, your work allows you to be in contact with the students, right?

Yes, if they have any problem or doubt, they come to talk to me.

Would you like to be a teacher?

I like my job, however yes. Sometimes I think i would like to be a teacher. Teachers interact with the students even more than me, you meet a lot of people with different cultures and this is amazing. But, I would not like to mix teaching and being a manger.

This is the desk of Anisha and where the interview takes place.

Can you tell us something about the history of the school?

It starts in 1922; we have been working about 20 years more or less. All the classrooms are in the same building. We are a small school with a reduced number of students per lesson and great atmosphere with teachers. That is what we offer.

We are recognized by British Council and we are members of English UK, so we help students in order to have their visas. We offer General English courses, exam preparation courses and also we have social activities which depend on the weather, we visit museums and so on. It is good because if you go with them to a pub, there you are not their teacher; you are their friend, so they talk to you more natural.

How is a lesson at LSSE? What methodology they use?

Well, first of all inside LSSE lessons we teach English, obviously. At your first day you have to take a level test which consists in grammar and speaking. We place you in a class or in another depends on your results. Furthermore, we show them around the zone, where the bank is, the library, the supermarket.... after that you are ready to start your lessons.

Talking about the methodology, our classes are divided by different lesson: lesson of “structure” which is writing and grammar and lesson of communication. The minimum number of lessons per week is 15, having 3 per day: the maximum is 30 lessons per week, having 6 per day.

If you choose 3 lessons per day, you will have 2 hours of grammatical structure (vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing...) and 1 hour of communication (listening, speaking, interaction...).

Altogether, our method is focus on making students feel confident with their English in every aspect, not only one concretely.  

One of the classrooms in LSSE. 

Do you mind if we talk now about the training of your teachers?

Yes, we train them twice per month. Of course, all of our teachers have to be recognised by English UK, have the CELTA certificated and have a graduate degree recognised by British Council.

We give internal training as we have a studies director with a certificated to train teachers, so every 2 month, it depends on the situations, we do workshops and courses for our teachers.

To finish, what does it make different LSSE?

Well, if you want to study in the center of London this is exactly its heart.

The zone is good and the atmosphere as well.  We have students from around the world, maybe in a class you can find 10 students from different countries (our maximum per class is 15 students).

As we are a small school you will always find someone who can help you in a more personal way. This is one of our strongest characteristics.

The other one, just look through the window... we are in Leicester Square, we are near the cinemas where the premieres are showed. In how many school you can see Tom Cruise through their window?

Also, we are not an advanced school from a technological point of view, therefore we are not going to charge you more like school which are.

Thank you, Anisha.  

The sights from the entrance of the school. The fences are waiting for the arrival of the Celebrities

______________________________________________________________

Leicester Square School of English. 22 Leicester Square WC2H 7LE London

Are you interested in this school or in other?

Contact us and GET you DISCOUNT at:

education@polarchoice.com