Language courses in Cyprus

Advantages of language courses in Cyprus

• British system. For many years, Cyprus was a British colony. This affected many areas of the country — including education. English is taught according to the British system, and among the teachers there are many native speakers from the UK, New Zealand, and Ireland.
• Prices. A week of study is relatively cheap — 247 USD, as well as accommodation — 118-214 USD. For comparison, courses in the USA average at 430 USD/week, in Canada — 350 USD/week, and in Australia — 296 USD/week.
• Visas. Nationals of some countries can get a pro-visa — this is a simplified short-stay visa. You can apply for it online, and the registration itself only takes a few days. It lasts 90 days, like a Schengen visa. For longer courses, you need to obtain a national type D visa for the entire period of study.
• Summer and family courses. There are many courses in Cyprus available for toddlers, teenagers, and their parents. In family programs, groups are divided not by language level, but by age. There are even special kindergartens with English courses for children 1-3 years old. In the morning, they learn the language in different groups, attend excursions, and relax together. For teenagers, there are a variety of summer and winter camps with accommodation in residences.
• Ideal vacation. In Cyprus, there are about 320 sunny days a year, along with beaches, mountains, and many attractions — castles, ruins, and temples. Rest can be combined with study in combination courses.

Disadvantages of language courses in Cyprus

• Divided country. The northern part of Cyprus is occupied by the unrecognized state of the TRNCTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Calling the relations between both sides “cool” is putting it lightly. Even the capital of the two countries is common, being divided into two parts — Nicosia. You can get into it only by land or through the airport belonging to the TRNC.
• Few courses. If you have chosen Cyprus for university admission rather than vacation, it will be difficult for you to find a suitable program. There are almost no preparatory courses for future students. The same applies to more specific programs. Only a few schools offer courses for doctors and lawyers.
• Additional summer fees. In the summer, prices for courses are 107-161 USD higher, reaching the costs of more expensive countries. Accommodation also becomes more expensive. For example, a week in a residence costs 268 USD in October, and in June — 482 USD/week.

Cost of language courses in Cyprus

Types of language courses in Cyprus

Learn more about the types of language courses in this article.

General English and Intensive English. These are general English programs. They differ only in the number of hours per week. Courses are suitable for all language levels, from beginner (A1) to advanced (C1). The course takes place according to a standard scheme — students practice their speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills, simultaneously mastering vocabulary and grammar.

Business English. In this course, students become familiar with professional vocabulary from different areas of business, learn how to make presentations for business partners, answer questions from clients, as well as write resumes and pass interviews. In addition, there are special courses for certain specialties — for example, medicine, law, and even accounting.

One-to-One — individual programs with a more flexible curriculum. The student himself can choose the intensity of the courses and change the curriculum together with the teacher.

IELTS Preparation — preparation for the IELTS exam, which is often necessary for university admission and employment. The minimum language level for these courses is B1. Passing the exam itself is carried out for an additional fee (214-247 USD) at official IELTS testing centers.

Summer programs — short-term language courses for children and teenagers. Accommodation, meals, and entertainment are included in the price. Children 9-10 years old live with their parents in a hotel, and teenagers 11-18 years old live on campuses.

Family programs — joint programs for children and parents. Classes are held in the first half of the day, while excursions and recreational activities take place in the second. Children are divided into groups according to their age (from 1 to 16 years old), and parents according to their language level.

Combination courses. At some schools, general English courses can be combined with additional modules. For example, you can partake in sports with an instructor in the morning, relax on the beach during the day, and study the language in the evening. There are also more specific combinations — for example, English for agro-tourism or hospitality.

University courses

Most universities have free language programs, but only as electives for already enrolled students. For everyone else, there are not many options. Such courses are offered by the University of Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology, and just a few others.

There are also few programs available. Most often these are preparatory courses for the IELTS exams or English for Academic Purposes (EAP) — academic English to prepare for studies at the university. Anyone with a B1 language level can enter them.

Features of admission to language schools in Cyprus

To enroll in a language course, you need to fill out an application form and send it to the school's email address. There you will need to indicate passport data, the name of the program, the date of arrival and, if desired, the accommodation option and additional services. At some schools, a deposit of 30-50% of the total course cost is required during the application process.

When the school confirms the registration, all that remains is to pay for the studies. After that, it will send you an invitation letter necessary to apply for a visa.

Learning process at language schools in Cyprus

Before starting classes, you will pass an entrance test to determine your language level. Schools form groups depending on these results. However, your course may be changed if you do not meet the language requirements. For example, if you have basic knowledge and are enrolled in Business English — you will be assigned to General English until you improve your English to the Intermediate level. If you decide to leave the school after that, you may not be able to get your tuition refunded, so check the terms of the contract beforehand.

Teachers focus on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are held according to the communicative method. The curriculum is designed in such a way that students communicate in English as often as possible. Even new grammar rules are practiced in speech.

At the end of each school week, students take a language test so that teachers can track the progress of students and pay more attention to any weaknesses in the following lessons. At the end of the course, the student receives a certificate — but only if he attended 80% of the classes.

Accommodation options while studying in Cyprus

Additional expenses

Cost of UniPage services

Visa for language courses in Cyprus

For language courses lasting up to 90 days, will you need a short-term category C visaSchengen visa. Required documents^[1]:

• Completed application form
• 2 photos
• Passport
• Round trip airplane ticket
• Proof of financial solvency for the duration of the course
• Invitation letter from a language school

Courses longer than 90 days require a national D visa. You will need:

• Passport
• Completed application form in English
• 1 color photo 3x4 cm
• Invitation letter from a language school
• Course payment receipt
• Proof of financial solvency (certificate of employment, sponsorship letter, or bank statement for the past 3 months)

Most popular language schools in Cyprus

English in Cyprus

English in Cyprus is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus and is a member of ELSACEnglish Language Schools Association of Cyprus, an association that monitors the quality of education in participating schools.

It offers general English programs with an intensity of 20-25 hours per week, IELTS preparation courses, and individual programs. In addition, English in Cyprus has many options for children and their parents:

• Young Learners program for children 5-15 years old
• Larnaca Summer Camp (12-17) and Limassol Day Camp (7-15)
• Family programs with shared accommodation and extracurricular activities, but separate courses — Parent & Child.

XENION Education

XENION is a private school founded in 1980. One of its divisions — The Cyprus School of English — specializes in teaching English. The school has its own boarding house and a residential complex in the Paralimni area near the beach. It has 36 rooms for one or more people, internet, a library, and many other amenities.

XENION offers programs for adults, prospective university students, children, and teenagers:

• General English
• Intensive English
• Exam Preparation
• Crash Course Exam Preparation
• Tailor-made courses
• One-to-One
• International Summer Camp
• Summer Camp Introduction to Medicine
• School Immersion

Best cities to learn English in Cyprus

Limassol

The second largest city in Cyprus and one of the most popular tourist centers. People come to Limassol to enjoy its beaches and the calm pace of life. Here you can wander through the numerous cafes and shops of the Old Town, get acquainted with ancient architecture, and take a walk around the Castle of Kolossi.

Larnaca

Larnaca is located on the southern coast of Cyprus. According to the European Environment Agency, here is the cleanest sea in the EU^[2]. Students in Larnaca enjoy diving, snorkeling, fishing, and hiking.

The country has many historical churches, mosques, archaeological sites, museums, galleries, gardens and other tourist attractions. Among the most notable are the Larnaca Fort on the seashore, the Church of St. Lazarus, and the Salt Lake on the outskirts of the city.