A comparison between LISC and other study centres or language schools.
| |
Most Other International Study Centres |
LISC |
Most Language Schools |
| Learning English |
English classes are combined with mainstream education (as in boarding schools with EAL); most pupils are able to speak their own language outside the classroom |
There is specific focus on full immersion in intensive English, both in & outside the classroom - English at All Times (EAT)©; educated families specifically engaged to give linguistic support |
English practised in a classroom; host family not involved in language support |
| Special features |
Good for social contacts and making friends with students from their own or other countries; no regular contact with English family |
English spoken 24 hours a day - in the classroom and at home with an educated family; excellent for rapid progress in the language & in cultural orientation |
Less intensive exposure to the language; good for students focused on social life or entirely self-motivated |
| Number of English lessons per week |
Usually 10 - 15, but depends on needs |
25 per week for Intensive English or 15 if combined with academic subjects |
Usually 15, or more on intensive courses |
| Mainstream subjects |
Included in the timetable and usually a minimum one-year course |
Optional subject tuition at any time plus also 11+, CE, GCSE, AS/A level, University entry; option of 1 yr GCSE |
Not offered |
| Courses offered |
GCSE, IGCSE, A-level, Preparatory courses for the above |
Preparation for GCSE/IGCSE/A level, IB; summer/school holidays; English for Academic Purposes; 1 yr GCSE |
Traditional English language courses only |
| Accommodation |
In a boarding house, with many other international students |
With caring, educated families offering linguistic support, guardianship care and integration |
Families: no specific language support |
| Other activities |
Mainly in the boarding campus; social and sporting activities; cultural activities depend on location and facilities |
Cultural integration with an English family; trips to places of interest - London, the countryside, Brighton, Oxford, Windsor, Stratford; sport |
Mainly social activities, some cultural trips |
| Class sizes |
Average 6-10 |
Average 4 |
Average 10-20 |
| Teacher ratio |
1:2 - 1:8 |
1:2 |
1:15 |
| Age range |
Mainly 11-18 |
8-19 |
16+ (some - any age) |
| Gender |
Usually co-educational |
Co-educational |
Co-educational |
| Target students |
Who wish to enjoy a prolonged experience in an international environment |
Who wish to make maximum linguistic/academic progress in a shorter period of time |
Who are mainly interested in shorter (holiday type) courses and are 16+ |
| Cost |
£6,000 - £9,000 per term |
£4,950 per term, £450 p/w (25 lessons of English) £635 p/w (15 lessons of English plus 12 lessons of 3 academic subjects) |
£250-£600 per week |
| Entry times |
Termly |
Flexible, all year round (weekly, monthly, termly) |
Set dates |
| Location |
Varies (mostly provincial) |
Heathrow/Gatwick (29/42 km) and easy access to Central London |
Varies |
| Programme rigidity |
Set courses and dates |
Tailor-made programmes, meeting individual needs; diversified subjects |
Set courses and dates |
| Guardianship |
Required but not included in fees |
Required and included in the fees; accredited by AEGIS; careful selection of families (checks, visits); students with own pre-arranged guardianship arrangement also accepted |
Not required |
| Course type |
No. of English lessons pw. |
Mainstream subject lessons |
Cost |
Included in fees |
Payment method |
Other information |
| Registration fee (except for Easter revision) |
- |
- |
£150.00 |
- processing of the application and dealing with related issues
|
payable with application - by cheque, or online with a credit card |
- |
| Every course deposit |
- |
- |
£200 - £1000 (depending on course duration) |
- emergencies
- travel
- airport pickups
- entrance fees to cinemas, museums, etc.
- personally owned textbooks
- sport club activities
|
payable upon the receipt of an invoice, at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of a course - by cheque, Giro, bank transfer or online with a credit card |
- |
| Intensive English |
25 |
- |
£400 per week or £450 p/w (for courses shorter than 12 weeks) |
- tuition fees
- accommodation with an educated English family
- 3 meals per day (full board)
- AEGIS accredited guardianship
|
payable upon the receipt of an invoice, at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of a course - as above |
suitable for students of any level of English - needing General English, English for Academic Purposes, IELTS exam preparation |
| Easter/half-term holiday revision |
- |
min 10 lessons per subject |
depends on the number of chosen subjects and the level of study (please ask for details) |
- tuition fees
- accommodation with an educated English family
- 3 meals per day (full board) AEGIS accredited guardianship
|
payable upon the receipt of an invoice, at least 1 week prior to the beginning of a course |
particularly popular among students preparing for GCSE & A level exams in May/June |
| Short-term academic courses |
15 |
12 |
£635 per week (additional mainstream subject - 4 lessons p/w - £105 p/w) |
- tuition fees for both English and mainstream subjects
- accommodation with an educated English family
- 3 meals per day (full board) AEGIS accredited guardianship
|
as above |
particularly suitable for students preparing for GCSE/IGCSE/A level/IB |
| One year GCSE |
15 |
12 |
£7,620 per term (additional mainstream subject - 4 lessons p/w - £1,260 per term) |
- tuition fees for both English and mainstream subjects
- accommodation with an educated English family
- 3 meals per day (full board) AEGIS accredited guardianship
|
as above |
particularly suitable for students too old to enter GCSE and not strong enough to cope with A level/IB |
