From February 28 to March 4, at the invitation of the Cebu Association of Language Academy (CALA), the Tourism and Science Services Company Limited (TASS Co. Ltd) under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities participated in a tour and survey of 10 leading English training schools in Cebu, Philippines. This is one of the Company's efforts to expand its network of links with overseas educational institutions to diversify its educational tourism products, especially creative English summer camp products for young Vietnamese people.
Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy (Director of TASS Company) took a photo with the Principal of EMO Academy
The schools visited this time include: Blue Ocean, Cella, CG, CPILS, English Fella, EMO, EV, Philinter, SKK, and UV. The survey is the basis for evaluating the learning model, teaching quality, facilities, and at the same time, having a real experience of life in the Philippines by trying out some classes, experiencing food and accommodation services at some schools. At the same time, the company also signed principle contracts and received official representative certification in Vietnam.
Certificate of official representative in Vietnam of TASS awarded by CPILS Academy
The Philippines is a country that is highly regarded for its English communication ability thanks to the natural advantage of its throat structure. Therefore, among the countries with compulsory English education in Asia, Filipinos speak the best, surpassing even Singapore and India. In education, learning English is compulsory from grade 1 and English is a second language, not a foreign language. Their way of learning also creates a way for learners to think directly in English instead of translating from their native language to English as we still learn today.
Philinter Academy's Reference Curriculum
The Philippines has more than 300 international English schools for international students, most concentrated in Cebu and Baguo. Most of the schools are designed according to the campus model combining lecture halls with closed dormitories, and are all invested by foreign enterprises, typically from Korea, Japan, Russia, France, etc.
Green campus of EV Academy
Some schools, in addition to regular study programs such as ESL, TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, also have intensive English courses in many fields such as business, academics, aviation, etc., training for teaching English as a Second Language (TEASOL), university preparation, English summer camps or internships at international companies.
EMO Academy's program structure for teenagers (studying with international school students)
Another big difference is that the 8-period study period per day is usually structured into 4 or 5 one-on-one lessons (based on the student's level), 3 or small group lessons (less than 10 people), so students have more opportunities to practice all their skills. In addition to the 8 mandatory lessons, students can also choose 2 more self-study lessons with many interesting topics. Not only that, the English Zone in the dormitory and kitchen also requires students to only use English. If they violate the rules, they will be punished with assessment points, some schools will fine them or other forms such as not being allowed to go out on weekends. With the SPARTA standard curriculum, official school hours end at 8pm and self-study is until 10pm, and they are not allowed to go out on weekdays. The J-SPARTA program is a bit easier when they are allowed to go out in the evening. Because of living and studying in such an environment, many students, although their IELTS input is only above 3.5, can reach 6 or 6.5 after 3 months of training.
1:1 Class at Philinter Academy
Small group classes at Cella Academy
The facilities of the schools are all modern and convenient with swimming pools, outdoor and indoor gyms, saunas or massage rooms, cinema rooms, libraries, etc. Dormitories have many options from single rooms to rooms with 4 people. For teenagers and children participating in English summer camps at the school, the dormitories have teachers' beds for more convenient care.
Dormitory room for children with teacher-care beds at EMO Academy
Buffet Meal at CPILS Academy
Studying hard during the week but the weekend is a chance to relax and have fun with international friends with many extracurricular activities and picnics. Cebu is an ideal tourist destination with clear blue sea water, many interesting diving services from snorkeling to scuba diving or swimming with whales. The extremely rich marine ecosystem brings wonderful experiences. From Cebu, you can also travel to many neighboring destinations such as Bohol and explore more than 1700 green hills (chocolate hills) as well as many beaches in Boracay, Palawan...
Glass bottom boat diving in Cebu
Applying for a visa to study English in the Philippines is quite easy. If you study for less than 1 month, you do not need a visa and just go as a normal tourist. If you study for 2 months, you can apply for a 59-day visa at the Philippine embassy in Vietnam at a cost of about 790,000 VND. If you study for more than 2 months, you can extend your visa once a month at a cost of about 3,500 pesos/time and some other costs for a temporary residence card for foreigners (3,000 pesos) or an SSP certificate for foreigners studying English in the Philippines (6,500 pesos). However, schools often waive these fees for students if you register for long-term courses. English courses and summer camps are quite diverse in duration from 1 week to 6 months or 1 year. Tuition fees are flexible and reasonable depending on the programs and institutes, ranging from $1000 - $1500/month for an average of 8-10 hours of English study per day with many diverse forms of study.
TASS Creative English Summer Camp held in Malaysia, Singapore in 2016
Following the creative English summer camps in Malaysia and Singapore in 2016 such as the Asian Science, Mathematics and Arts Camp, the Asian Young Leaders Forum, the English summer camps in Cebu (Philippines) of the Tourism and Science Services Company Limited (TASS, USSH) will be the highlight in the system of educational tourism products in 2017.
Thu Thuy - TASS
Author:Thu Thuy - TASS
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