Language courses in Torbay 2010  

 Free courses in 2010

Why choose LAL?

The mission of LAL
LAL: six schools located in six picturesque corners of the Earth on three different continents; fifteen years of experience in organizing language courses abroad; the aim - to guarantee ideal conditions for learning the language and discovering the uniqueness of each country and the lifestyles of its inhabitants.

The choice of location

Each of LAL's schools is situated at a location that allows the students to admire the beauty of their surroundings in their free time. As a LAL student you can admire: Torbay with its magnificent coastline and moors; miles of sandy beaches of Florida; wonderful atmosphere of Cape Town in the country of safari and exotic scenery and a Mediterranean island - Malta.

The choice of accommodation
LAL offers you a wide choice of accommodation types at all locations. Most students opt for accommodation with families, all carefully chosen by LAL. This kind of accommodation is an important contribution to the student's education.
Accommodation with a family makes it easier for the student to use in practice what he or she has learned during classes and creates opportunities both for the student and for the family to make new friendships and get to know a different culture and lifestyle. Before departure, all students receive information on families with whom they are going to live. Regardless of whether the student chooses accommodation with a family, in a school dormitory or in a hotel, the director responsible for accommodation will be glad to help if any questions arise.

Wonderful staff and facilities
Every LAL school can offer you best facilities and qualified and experienced staff. All this combined with the most recent teaching materials and teaching methods enables the students to benefit from their language course to the maximum.

Carefully designed teaching programmes
LAL provides a wide variety of high quality language courses on all levels of proficiency for students from different national and cultural backgrounds. Each individual student's request is attended to with care by the LAL staff, which, combined with the maximum size of groups of 5 to 12 students, guarantees accomplishing optimal progress in the course duration.

Individual attention
Apart from regular contact with the directors in charge of teaching and accommodation, the students are always encouraged to discuss any aspect regarding the school's teaching programme with the staff. The reason is that for LAL the students' success in mastering the language and their satisfaction with their stay is of uttermost importance.

Interesting free time possibilities
LAL motto is creating such possibilities for spending free time that they are as interesting for the students as their language classes. All LAL schools offer a variety of exciting sports, cultural and social events and courses, which constitute an inherent part of the teaching programme. During pauses between different classes the students may rest and make new friendships with other students from different countries. In each school, the reception desk offers all information on the courses and free time possibilities.

Care and additional services
The students are attended to from the moment of their arrival until the day of departure. This means, among other things, that the transport from and to the airport is organized by the school. In many cases these fees are included in the cost of the course. It is also possible for all LAL's students to buy a full medical insurance package, covering doctor's fees, dentistry services in emergency cases and medical expenses in case of an accident.
 

Varied age and nationality structure
LAL schools host students of different nationalities and from different age groups. LAL specializes in organizing courses that are tailored to the student's level of knowledge. In the last two years, 26% of LAL's adult students were adolescents between 18 and 24 years old, 25% were persons of 25 to 30, 22% of the students were between 30 and 40 years old, 15% - between 40 and 50, and 12% were persons older than 50. This shows that LAL's programmes are as popular with the older generation as with the adolescents.

Special offers by longer stays
All LAL schools offer special cost discounts by longer stays. Already by an eight-week course you pay only for seven weeks. The longer the course you enrol on, the greater the discount. All discounts have already been calculated in the course prices provided.

Information about courses in Torbay

All LAL language courses guarantee a learning atmosphere and conditions that promote fast improvement of language skills and deriving pleasure from participating in the classes. Each school offers both general and special purposes courses. The courses start every week. Lessons take place in small groups. The school teaches the language on all levels of proficiency from beginner to advanced.

The courses described below constitute the base of LAL language programmes.

First day at school
After arriving in the school, the students receive a warm welcome and then proceed to taking a written and oral placement test, so that a course that would best suit the student's individual needs can be found. Then, a full orienteering trip takes place in order to show the school to the students, present the programmes and introduce the director and the staff, who are responsible for the student's satisfaction with the stay.

Levels of language proficiency

1. Beginner
The student knows a few basic words and expressions but does not understand the language.
2. Elementary
The student has basic knowledge of the language and is able to communicate in some simple, everyday situations.
3. Pre-Intermediate
The student is able to communicate in most simple, everyday situations but he or she makes many mistakes.
4. Intermediate
The student knows the language well enough to communicate freely in everyday situations and to participate in conversations, however he or she still makes some mistakes and has a limited vocabulary range.
5. Upper-Intermediate
The student uses the language quite confidently in most usual situations and uses quite a wide range of vocabulary. However, he or she still makes mistakes from time to time.
6. Advanced
The student uses the language fluently and confidently, has a wide range of vocabulary and can communicate accurately in both informal and formal situations.
7. Proficiency
The student can use the language very fluently and accurately, almost like a native speaker.

Teaching  materials
The course fees include the cost of all teaching materials such as: textbooks, workbooks, photocopies. Apart from this, the students can buy books and dictionaries for individual work in every school.

Certificates
All students receive a participation certificate containing data on the accomplished course. A detailed assessment of the student's progress can be issued on demand if the school is informed about such a request at least a week before the last day of the course.

Teacher - student meetings
The teachers are constantly monitoring the students' progress, who have the opportunity to discuss the teachers' observations during weekly one-to-one meetings.

LAL Academic Committee
The directors responsible for teaching and the teachers' representatives constitute the Academic Committee, whose task is to monitor development and progress in the area of foreign language teaching. This includes organizing training programmes for teachers and constant improvement of the courses' programme. The aim is to maintain the conditions promoting more effective learning on a high level.

Types of courses offered

Available courses
The school in Torbay offers the following of the courses described in the introductory part:
· General English course
· Intensive course
· General English course in a mini-group
· Cambridge or LCCI preparation course
· One-to-one courses
· Intensive course in a mini-groups
· Business English course
· Long-term courses
  Family course
· Children and adolescents programmes

General English course
This course is suitable for all students who want to communicate effectively in everyday situations. The two morning classes stress practical oral communication, with special attention given to grammar and vocabulary, while during the two afternoon classes the group concentrates on improving on their communication skills. Students are encouraged to participate fully in the classes and the individual needs of the students are taken into account in the lesson planning.

Intensive course
This is a course with an increased number of classes weekly. As in the case of the general English course, the morning sessions stress grammar, vocabulary and communication techniques. The afternoon sessions, on the other hand, are devoted to the group's individual needs. The students learn and practise the language needed for effective communication in their private and professional lives. The information provided and the subjects discussed are adjusted to the group's interest.

General English course in a mini-group/intensive course in a mini-group
Overall structure of the course as in the general English/intensive standard courses. The number of course participants does not exceed 8. This is a course for very motivated students. A small number of students in the group allows for greater contact with the teacher. With a little hard work the students make great progress within a short period of time.

Exam preparation courses
These courses allow the students to learn all necessary skills, techniques and strategies necessary to pass one of the  internationally recognized examinations and thus to obtain certificates that confirm the student's language qualifications.

All LAL schools offer Cambridge exams preparation courses that last for 8 to 12 weeks. The centre in Florida also offers a one-month course preparing for the TOEFL exam and the school in Torbay offers one preparing for the LCCI exam twice a year. As the examination fees differ with respect to country and the exam level, they are not included in the course price and must be covered on the spot. The centre in Torbay offers eight- and twelve-week courses preparing towards FCE (First Certificate in English), CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) and CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English).
 

 * - students who wish to take the exam should extend their accommodation by 1 week as the final exam takes place after the course.

One-to-one courses
This is a course in the form of individual lessons, which enables achieving best results as the programme is completely adjusted to the individual student's needs. These needs are identified with the help of a special questionnaire, which is filled in by each student before the course. This allows the teacher to plan the lessons before the student's arrival.

The individual courses may be comprised of any number of hours weekly. It is also possible to run a half-individualized programme for two students at the same level..

Business English
Students attend a general English course in the morning (20 hours a week) and in the afternoon they participate in Business English classes (10 hours a week). The afternoon classes deal with subjects such as presentations, business correspondence, phone calls and negotiation.

Family courses
 

LONG-TERM COURSES - ACADEMIC SEMESTER / YEAR COURSE

Academic year/semester in England
Spending an academic year in England guarantees gaining fluency in using the language. This is an ideal opportunity for experiencing life in an international community on a much larger scale than a short-term course offers. This course is a perfect option for students who wish to take a gap year at the university or prepare for studying abroad. 20 hours a week of general English plus 4 hours a week of Cambridge or IELTS exam preparations. The school's staff will offer some advice to the students who wish to study in England on the choice of university. Additional, extracurricular classes will ensure that on completion of this course the participant will know not only the language, but also the culture of England. You need to book accommodation for 35 weeks.

For students wishing to devote less time to their stay abroad, we offer an academic semester. The only difference is the duration of the course - 20 weeks.

Free time

The language centre in Torbay offers a great number of trips round the south-western part of England, organized with the school's minibuses. The trips constantly on offer are walking tours on the sea coast, bus trips to picturesque towns of Dartmouth, Totnes and Brixham and to historical cities such as Plymouth and Exeter. During the weekends trips are organized to the beautiful Dartmoor National Park and to Cornwall, which is famous for its picturesque fishing villages and spectacular coastline. Evenings in the 'old village pub', often accompanied by jazz or folk music are also popular. Going to the theatre is also a possibility.

All minibus trips are led by professional drivers and guides, who provide information about the visited spots and the English lifestyle.

For students who enjoy doing sports, there are 9 golf courses and a tennis course in the vicinity. Within 10 min. walking distance from school lies the Torbay Leisure Centre, where you can play squash, badminton, volleyball or swim. Information and advice on the possibilities of spending free time is available at the school's reception desk.
 

TORBAY - adult courses (16+) - Prices 2010

The prices in the table are given for one week of a course (a course cannot be shorter than 2 weeks) in British pounds.

*Individual lessons can be taken in addition to any course. If individual lessons are not taken as an addition to another course, but as a one-to-one course, an additional registration fee of 50 GBP is added to the price.

The prices listed above include the general course, the administrative fee (covering all formalities), course materials (books, etc), a course graduation certificate. 1 lesson lasts for 45 min. Max group size: 15 students.

All prices are given in British pounds.

Courses start every Monday.
 

ADDITIONAL FEES:
- additional fees charged for each additional day of accommodation (before or after the course) vary between 6 to 16 pounds depending on the type of accommodation and the season
- fees charged for providing transport from and to the airport are as follows: £95 from Heathrow, £210 from Gatwick, Luton and Stanstead, £160 from Bristol, £110 from Exeter.

Types of accommodation

Accommodation with an English family
Living with a family creates unique possibilities of getting to know the English lifestyle. The knowledge acquired during classes is practised at home. LAL places students with carefully chosen families, where they have their own room or share a room with another person and where they are provided with breakfast and dinner. Living with a family allows you to get to know the English traditions and culture.

The part of Paignton where most families live is a housing district, less than 20 minutes by bus from school.

Accommodation in the Matilda House dormitory

Another interesting possibility for students and adults is accommodation in the Matilda House dormitory. It is located within 5 minutes walking distance from the main building of the school in Paignton. This newly renovated building houses 25 students. The rooms are either single or double, the students have access to the schools kitchen and lounge. The rooms are furnished according to high standards and are cleaned daily by the cleaning staff. The showers and bathrooms are located on each floor. There is access to a telephone booth and a direct telephone line to the school's staff. The course participants may obtain any help they might need by phoning this line 24 hours a day. On the same street where Matilda House is located, you can find a number of cafés, pubs, restaurants and a laundrette. This dormitory is a perfect option for students wishing a bit independence.

Accommodation at the Hunters Lodge Hotel
Hunters Lodge is an ideal choice for persons wishing to live in a student hotel which is in possession of the school. It is located within 10 minutes walking distance from school and its windows face a beautiful view on the bay. This hotel offers you:
· 30 rooms
· TV room with a video player
· bar and a restaurant club
· game saloon
· disco
· telephones with direct connection to external numbers
· mini bar
· coffee and tea machines
· sauna and solarium
· beautiful gardens
· garden beer bar with grill
Hunters Lodge is a wonderful place for student get-togethers. Every Monday there is a welcome party for adult students. In most other evenings various events take place: discos, billiard tournaments, karaoke evenings, evening barbecues in the summer. There is also a sauna in the hotel, available free of charge to all students.

Courses for children and adolescents 2010

Accommodation with a family
All students are accommodated in the houses of carefully chosen families, in single or double rooms. The families provide breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. The families usually house two or three students and the students may ask to be accommodated in different families than the peers from their own country.

Course for children (10-12)
This course is intended for children aged 10 to 12. It includes a full day programme and the children are under constant supervision of the school staff. In the morning they are brought to school by the families with whom they live and in the evening they are driven to the nearest bus stop. The course comprises of 4 lessons a day (8:30 - 12:00 and 14:15-17:30), 45 minutes each, Monday till Friday. The lessons take place in groups of up to 10 participants.

Course for adolescents (12-17)

This course is offered on all levels of proficiency and includes conversations (role-plays, discussions), grammar exercises, listening, reading and writing activities. In advanced groups the students also discuss English literature and subjects such as politics and current affairs. This course comprises of 4 lessons a day (8:30 - 12:00 and 14:15-17:30), 45 minutes each, Monday till Friday - like in the case of children's courses. The lessons take place in groups of up to 10 participants.

Public transport
Some students may need to commute to school by bus or may wish to move freely around Torbay. Weekly bus tickets are available at a price around £ 9

Evening events
Apart from one evening party, other evening events are offered, all fully organized and supervised by the guardians. These include barbecues, karaoke evenings, boat trips, etc. If the students wish to take part in these, they can be paid for directly in the school.

Summer course in Kelly College - Residential (9 - 17)
Kelly College is beautifully located on the outskirts of a little town - Tavistock, 15 minutes walking distance away from the centre, near Dartmoor National Park, 20 kilometres from Plymouth. There is a maximum of 12 participants per learning group. Groups in the residence are of maximum 15 students. The students live in the residence, in bedrooms of 2-6 people. Each student has of course their own bed and a lockable wardrobe.

Price of a two weeks' programme:
· transport from and to Heathrow or Gatwick airport
The time of arrival should be provided at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the course.
- Planes should be scheduled to land on Heathrow between 08.00 and 16.00
- Planes should be scheduled to take off  Heathrow between 13.00 - 20.00
· 10 days of English lessons (4 lessons every morning in groups of up to 15 students)
· One full day trip to Exeter and Plymouth,
· a trip to Woodlands - one of the most famous amusement parks
· two half-day trips, including a shopping trip
· afternoon and evening extracurricular classes, including sports classes (football, volleyball, basketball, tennis and squash), discos, karaoke, bonfires, television, video and other games and competitions
We guarantee 24-hour care and supervision of the students. Our staff is ready to help and to advise the students anytime.
 

PRICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS COURSES 2010

The price includes a registration fee, course materials, a programme of trips with 6 events a week, transport from/to the airport (Heathrow), accommodation with families in separate rooms with full boarding. 1 lesson lasts for 45 min. A maximum number of students per group is 12, in a residence - 15. Transport from/to the airport every Sunday (Friday in the case of Kelly College) is free of charge. Transport from Bristol costs 20 GBP.

Transfer from the airport (courses for adolescents)