Frequently Asked Questions – English courses

At what time should I report to school on my first day? 

You should arrive at school between 8.15am and 8.45am. Each school has a different schedule for day one so the exact time will be in the information pack you receive when you arrive at your accommodation. You must bring in your Kaplan Aspect documents, your passport, proof of insurance and a pen to do the initial English test on your first day.

What will I do on my first day?

All students take a Kaplan Aspect English test, meet the school staff and have an introduction to the school, facilities, courses and the local area. You will receive an individual timetable later in the day and your classes begin on the following day. Remember, if you have questions feel free to ask! The school staff are there to help, especially on your first day. 

Will my lessons be in the morning or afternoon?

This depends on the location of your school and time of year – many of the schools run classes in the morning and afternoon so be prepared for this. However, once we have set your lesson schedule we will aim to keep it the same for some time as many students have a part time job. Remember though, that your lessons and school work must come first and any paid work must be scheduled around this.

Do I have to buy my course books?

All study materials for use in class and for structured study will be provided but these resources are usually loaned and have to be returned on the final day of the program. If you wish to purchase books you can do so in school or at a local book shop.

If I have question about my course, whom can I ask?

Each school has a Director of Studies, an Academic Manager and academic team of teachers. You will have a specific teacher or tutor assigned to your course and class. Your class teacher will be able to answer specific questions about your lessons and activities and the course tutor will be able to answer questions on your course and will monitor your progress and attendance on a weekly basis.

Can I have a holiday?

On English Courses holiday breaks will depend on your visa regulations and you must give the school at least one month’s notice if you want to take a holiday. The long term English and University Preparation Programs (Academic Year or Academic Semester, Foundation Certificate, Pre-Master’s or CHEBM) have set holiday dates. These set dates must be followed; therefore you should check them when you book your course so you can plan ahead. You should not take holiday outside these published dates. All schools also recognise public holidays like Christmas, New Year and Easter the school will be closed on these days – please check this out as the dates are published every year.

Are your courses accredited by government or any other official authority?

Yes, all Kaplan Aspect schools are accredited by local government bodies. For example in the UK we are accredited by the British Council and we are members of English UK; in Ireland we are recognized by ACELS and are a member of MEI/RELSA. See a full list of Kaplan Aspect accreditors here.

Could I start to learn a new language in another country even though I don't speak a word of that language now?

Yes. We do have beginner courses in some of our UK and Ireland schools. Please contact us or download our brochure for the special beginner start dates.

How many weeks can I study?

You can start from a minimum of 2 weeks’ study with us and there is no maximum length of time. You can choose the length of your study program according to your needs and what you wish to achieve.

Do I get a certificate or diploma after the course?

You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of your course, which will show your level of English, the dates on which you have studied, as well as your attendance.

How will you know my English language level?

Upon arrival a test will be administered in school, where your grammar, writing, listening and speaking skills will be tested. According to your test results you will be placed in a suitable class. You can take our online English test now to get an idea of what your English level might be.  

How much can I expect to learn after a 2-week, 4-week, or 12-week course?

Every student’s speed of learning is different; however we usually estimate that to get from one level to the next a student will need approximately 10 weeks. See our progression chart.

Will there be teachers who speak my language?

We will teach our courses purely in English. However we will find a translator for any serious welfare issues if necessary.

Will Kaplan Aspect prepare me to take any official exams?

Yes, you can take exam preparation courses such as IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge exams (FCE, CAE and CPE) with Kaplan Aspect. We also offer preparation for SAT, GMAT or GRE. Please note that the exam fee is not included in the tuition price and needs to be paid separately. You will need to speak to our members of staff in reception shortly after your arrival if you wish to take an exam. The staff will then be able to help you with enrolment or advise you on how to enroll for your required exam.

How many students are there per class? 

On average there are 12 students in a class, with a maximum of 15.

How old do I have to be to participate in a KA language course?

For most of our programs you must be at least 16 years old. We have a few summer programs that are open to younger students. For more details please contact us.

When do the courses start?

Courses start on Mondays. If the Monday is a bank holiday and then the course will start on Tuesday. View details on Public holidays in 2008/2009 worldwide.

Are there evening and weekend classes?

We do not offer evening or weekend classes.

What do you teach in your classes?

At Kaplan Aspect we use communicative method. Teachers always try to get everybody involved in conversation and we also make sure all the four skills (writing, speaking, listening and reading) will improve thoroughly.

Can I practise my speaking?

Yes of course! Teachers encourage you to speak by using the communicative method in all classes which develops confidence and fluency in your spoken English. The schools have an English-only policy and outside the school you will speak English with your host family and new friends all the time.

Do you have private tutors and how much do they cost?

Yes, we offer one-to-one lessons in all our schools. The price varies per school.

Can I have a private tutor if I don't take a class?

Yes, but only if you don’t need a visa or already have one.

How many lessons a week will I get with my English course?

It depends on the course you have chosen. For instance:
Vacation English: 20 lessons of general English
General English: 20 lessons of general English + 7 sessons of Supplementary Structured Study
Intensive English: Same as General English + 8 Elective lessons
Business English: Same as General English + 8 English for Business lessons

How long is a lesson?

A standard lesson at Kaplan Aspect is 45 minutes in length.

What can I expect in a General English lesson?

Kaplan Aspect uses the Communicative Language Approach in English classes. We use real-life situations and encourage communication throughout each lesson. The course content has a solid base of language functions (grammar) and appropriate social language (gestures and expressions). Even in grammar classes, you will have lots of opportunity to practise communication using the newly taught grammar structure as a base. This method puts great emphasis on listening and developing the ability to understand others. You will use lots of different resources in the classroom. Among these, course books act as the core tool which integrates the language and skills input. You will also use audio-visual resources, authentic materials and a wide range of computer-based activities that give you the opportunity to expand your learning through language exercises and the internet. Be prepared to take part in all the class activities, do your homework and go to the structured study sessions – you will then make maximum progress! 

What will I do in Elective Classes?

Elective options on the Intensive English course will depend upon your choice of school and your English level, but may include Vocabulary, Current Affairs, Local Culture or English for Business. English for Business electives may include subjects such as communication in the workplace, participation in meetings, writing skills in business situations and interview techniques.

What is Structured Study?

Structured Study has been introduced to allow each student to customise their own study program in addition to the face-to-face teacher-led lessons described above. Students have the opportunity to participate in a menu of study options including online and offline language activities, study clubs, talks, lectures and project work. These enable students to develop their skills outside the classroom, to manage their study time and work independently. Kaplan Aspect’s Structured Study includes guidance and monitoring from our teachers, giving all students a structured and comprehensive approach to self-study, including help with guided individual study and guidance on practising and consolidating the key language and skills presented in class. This system utilises the following tools:

• An Individual Study Plan in week one for all students
• Student Portfolio for long term General English and Intensive English (min. stay 10 weeks) and AY/AS students
• Guided Study Menus in key language and skills areas at all levels
• Regular progress testing and assessment
• One-to-one tutorials every five weeks in which students are able to have a question and answer session on any aspect of their programme their Individual Progress Reports and Study Plans with their teacher
• Access to a range of computer and paper-based study resources
• Access to a variety of supervised study clubs
• Regular formal and informal individual feedback from teachers and dedicated and qualified Individual Study Guides

Students have access to each centre’s study facilities, supplementary learning resources and guided language activities. Centre facilities and Structured Study activities will vary from school to school, with details given on your first day of orientation. 

How will my progress be monitored?

Your assessment begins with a placement test then when you go into class you will be allocated an Individual Student Record (ISR) to assess your progress on a daily basis. Your teacher will record your class work, spoken participation in class, homework and level test score which takes place every 5 weeks and is followed by a tutorial with your main class teacher. Projects, student portfolios and formal examinations such as IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Examinations also form an important part of our overall assessment

Can choose the start date I want?

Yes, all courses are offered year-round but some have a limited number of start dates. Please check with us for course availability on your desired date.

When should I arrive?

Classes start usually on Mondays; therefore we recommend you arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before your start date.

Do you offer discounted prices?

Yes. The more weeks you take, the bigger your discount will be. The tuition discount is already included in the price list.

How far in advance should I book my program?

In order to have the widest choice available to you in terms of course and accommodation options (should you need accommodation too), we recommend you book as far in advance as possible. If you book fewer than 4 weeks in advance you might incur a late booking fee. For the USA we recommend that you book 2 months in advance to allow enough time for visa processing.

Are there any extra-curricular activities?

Yes. Each school has its own social coordinator who will make sure you have a good time and stay busy during your stay! A full activities program is offered in each school.

Should I be covered by a medical insurance?

Yes, you should have valid Medical Insurance for your whole stay. If you need insurance, we can provide you with cover.