English courses in the Philippines

Features of admission to Philippine language schools

Admission takes place in three stages. First, you register on the school website and submit an application. During peak seasons — from March to June — you need to register at least a month in advance.

After the registration is confirmed, the school will send you an account number. Within seven days, you need to transfer a deposit (300 USD) in order to reserve a place in the course.

The remaining tuition and accommodation fees must be paid one month before the start of the course.

If you have attended more than 90% of the classes, you will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

Learning process in Philippine language courses

Students study 5 days a week at Philippine language schools. Most of the teachers are citizens of the United States, Canada, or Australia. There are few local teachers here. The islands have inherited a lot from the Americans, as they have been under their patronage for a long time. This is reflected in the language — American English is used most of all here.

One of the characteristic features of all English language programs on the islands (with the exception of Private lessons) is a combination of individual and group lessons. Here, it is customary to pay special attention to both. The number of people in a group rarely exceeds 10 people, while in the US and UK up to 20 students attend a class. It is important for teachers that the student not only listens to the teacher, but also actively practices — talking and receiving corrections and recommendations for mastering the material.

Teachers in Philippine schools are distinguished by their diligence — the intensity of classes can reach up to 10 hours a day, while in other countries the maximum teaching time is 8 hours (except for master classes and intensives).

Teachers often use the Callan method^[1]. The purpose of the method is to develop fluency and teach you to think in English, not wasting time translating in your head. It is based on the "quick question, quick answer" principle. The teacher constantly repeats the questions, and the student gives detailed answers using the same vocabulary that was voiced in the question. So he learns to build sentences, expands vocabulary, masters grammar, and immediately puts it all into practice. This does not mean that students only talk and answer questions — the lessons also include work with a textbook and dictations to reinforce the material.

Visa for language courses in the Philippines

To travel for the purpose of studying at language schools, it is enough to obtain a tourist visa and a special SSP student permit, which will allow you to take courses. You can apply for a visa at the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate in your country.

The Special Student Permit (SSP) is valid for 6 months, though it can be renewed. You can get it from your language school in the Philippines. If you wish to change schools while studying, you will need to apply for a new permit.

If you study for more than 30 days, you can apply for a visa extension already in the Philippines — your language school will help you with this. You can apply for an extension immediately upon arrival at the Immigration Service office located in the airport. You need to pay the fee, fill out a visa application form, and attach the required documents. You can also apply for a visa extension at any of the Immigration Service offices after 14 days, but it will cost more.

If you are planning to stay in the Philippines for more than 59 days, you will also need to apply for a visa extension and receive an I-CARD. This is a plastic card that serves as a local identity card. It contains information about the traveler, his residence address, and a photo. The I-CARD is valid for 1 year and allows you to legally reside in the Philippines and open a local bank account. You can also acquire an I-CARD at the Immigration Service office. To do this, you need to pay a fee (about 56 USD) and fill out an application. It takes 1-2 months to process and receive the card. They are made only in Manila, so you will have to wait for delivery if you plan to study in another city.

The term for issuing a visa is from 2 to 5 days.

Visa extension fee:

• First month: 68 USD
• Second month: 85 USD
• Third and subsequent months: 55 USD

Most popular language schools in the Philippines

SME Education

SMEAG Global Education has 3 campuses in Cebu City. This is the largest English academy in the Philippines, which can accommodate up to 1000 students, and the only place that conducts IELTS, TOEIC, TOEFL, and Cambridge examinations. SME Education has its own dormitory with rooms for up to 5 people and three meals a day. On weekends, students go swimming in the sea or travel around the islands.

Genius English Proficiency Academy

This is a multinational school right on the beach. It is located on the territory of a hotel with its own beach, which students can use. Students from more than 10 countries study here. Teachers not only come from the Philippines, but also from the United States, Australia, Canada, and other countries. The most popular courses are General English, Business English, and IELTS / TOEIC / TOEFL preparation. Classes are held in small groups of up to 8 people. The Academy is the owner of several awards — including the People’s Choice award, which is granted for the highest percentage of students who return to continue their studies.

All infrastructure (recreation room, gym, swimming pool, dining room, and bar-restaurant) is located in one building. Therefore, students do not have to travel anywhere. In their free time, the school organizes various interactive activities and games: zumba, volleyball, karaoke, and table tennis.