How to properly choose your language course

The 10 steps of choosing your language course

You always wanted to learn a new language? Searched the Internet for offers and looked through leaflets. You may have already have attended a beginner's course and now you want to take the next step to finally develop your competences in Luxembourgish, German or French. This all takes a lot of time and sometimes feels overhelming. So take a deep breath, you are not alone.
A lot of people have been there and done that. And so am I. To help you go further, here are 10 steps of choosing the language course fitting your needs best.

Communication

Make sure that you can communicate with your new language school in your new language school in your mother tongue, or at least in a language that allows you to clearly express your wishes and needs. Optimal preparation is an important step in reaching the best-possible result.

Preparation

You already possess some language skills or basic vocabulary, that you wish to improve? Then the first step should be an assessment of your language skills. Make sure that this will be done with the necessary care. The assessment test should include a written and an oral part. This is your guarantee for a great start to learning or improving your language

Sustainable Learning

Two things are certain: there is no perfect method of learning, and learning a new language takes both time and patience. The school you choose should be using a specific pedagogical method, that is continually adapted to the client's needs.

Trust your gut feeling: How is the initial contact? Is it right? Are your individual wishes considered? Don't rush into a course you are not sure about.

Balance

The smaller the groups, the faster you will reach your educational goals and the more your effort will be rewarded. It is also an advantage to learn the new language with other students from the same linguistic background.

To find the right group, you could ask the following questions: how big is the group? Who are my fellow students? Will other students be joining the group later on? What happens if the group does not develop gradually?
And if you don't have any doubts, you found the group that suits you the best.

The road map

Make sure that you receive a clear description of the competences that will be reached in your course. Since 2001, language courses are determined by the Common European Frame of Reference. This document, published by the European Council, describes the skills and competences of a foreign language in six levels – A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2 – and is your reference when learning a foreign language.

The Compass

In order to always find your way and be able to practice at home as well as in the course, you should have a range of learning material at your disposal. You should be able to keep the contact to your new language even on holiday or on a business trip. If you don't go to the course for over 2 weeks without your own practice, you will forget a lot of things and have difficulties going back again.

Support

Constantly changing teachers are not the best prerequisite for long-lasting and successful learning. If the same teacher supports you for as long as possible, nothing will stand in the way of your success.

Evaluations along the way

At the end of each course module, you will receive a detailed description of the competences you have attained. This way, you will always know which level you are at, and can continually develop and adapt your language skills. It is very important to speak the language your learning, so find a group that will let you do that. Otherwise you will need to do that on your own. 

The Price is right

Be sure that the course fee does not contain any hidden costs. Nothing is more aggravating than realizing too late that the course is more expensive than initially planned. But beware: a cheap language course can cost you a lot. Currently there are many courses at very low prices on the market. You may find yourself in classes with 20 to 25 other learners supervised by an inexperienced teacher. It is clear that under such conditions it will be very difficult for you to build the lasting and solid foundations of your new language. What you seem to be saving from the attractive entry price you may pay in time as it will take you longer to reach your educational goal. Also, you will save money by finding a class close to your home.

Comfort

You learn best when you are undisturbed. Your language school should be situated in a quiet and convenient location. For your comfort, the classrooms should be sound insulated and comfortably furnished.




A proven way to learn your new language without struggling!