Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Language Centers
Student
Handbook
Your guide to the EF experience
Welcome to
the EF Family
Dear Student,
Sincerely,
Your EF Team
3
Contents
What to expect 6
Friendly support 26
Things to remember 32
4
5
What to expect
You’re in store for a great adventure. Know
what to expect from your EF experience – and
what we expect of you.
6
The key to success is simple, seize What to expect from your homestay
every opportunity to improve your lan- • Experiencing a new culture.
guage skills inside and outside of the • Enjoying meals at your homestay.
classroom – and enjoy the journey. • A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s
language center.
What to expect from your • Sharing twin accommodation with a student
language course from another country.
7
Meeting a
new culture
The experience of a lifetime comes with
meeting a new culture. Prepare for your
adventure – and get ready to immerse in your
destination's culture.
8
o d!
New fo
New architecture!
New
friend s!
im es!
New past
New clothes!
New
greetings!
9
Culture
| ˈkʌltʃə |
Behaviors and practices are easy to see, but our attitudes and core values aren’t as simple to
pinpoint. Immerse yourself in a new culture by reflecting on what you’re most excited to try or learn
about your destination’s culture.
10
Culture shock
| ˈkʌltʃə ʃɒk |
Rest assured that this period of adjustment will pass – and we’re here to help. Take intentional
actions toward understanding and living in a new culture like:
• M ake friends from countries other than your own – and spend time with those people.
• Keep busy – from studying to playing a sport
• Sleep on decisions – like changing homestays. These are best made after you’ve adjusted
to your destination.
• Write it down to help sort through how you're feeling.
• Set goals. You’ll be reminded of your Language Course’s purpose.
• Remember that you’re growing through these experiences – overcoming them will make
you stronger.
11
Getting ready
for your trip
Your trip is right around the corner.
Be sure you don’t miss anything before you
leave – from applying for visas to getting
airline tickets.
12
Checklist
A
pply for the required visas
Get travel insurance
Book flights
Arrange transfers
Pack medicine
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
13
made coverage exclusively for EF Students
which includes:
• Unlimited medical coverage (some exclu-
sions apply).
• Flight, hotel and meal costs for 2 family
members to visit in case of a critical illness
or accident.
• Refunded course fee per day that is missed
due to illness or accident.
• Coverage for all EF-organized sports and
activities.
• Coverage in case of theft of personal be-
longings – including valuables and cash.
• Third Party Liability and Legal Assistance.
My EF
Log on to My EF – a social network exclusively Erika has been the exclusive insurance
for EF students. Use it to take your placement provider to EF customers for 20 years. People
test, get in touch with your future classmates, working in the EF schools are familiar with this
reserve an airport transfer, join our Ambassa- insurance company and know what to do and
dor program, practice your language skills or where to call in case of an emergency. They
explore your destination. Check your inbox for also have claim forms at hand to help students
the email you received with login details upon with minor issues.
enrollment – and log on at my.ef.com.
Flights
Passport
Your local EF office can help with arrang-
Make sure that your passport is valid for the ing your flights. Our travel services ensure
duration of your stay abroad and six months competitive prices and flexible tickets – which
after your return. If you’re required to have means you can rebook your flight. Once your
valid identification while at your destination, flight booking is completed, enter your trip
your passport will work for this. Before you details into My EF, so the school staff and your
leave, make a copy of it to bring along to your homestay hosts know when to expect you and
destination and one to leave at home – this will can arrange your transfer from the airport.
come in handy if your passport gets lost.
Visa
We’ll provide the instructions if you need to
apply for a visa prior to departure. You’re
responsible for your visa application – so, be
sure to start applying in time and pay all fees
required for the application process. You can
always get in touch with your local EF office for
more information regarding the visa you need
to travel abroad.
Travel protection
It is mandatory for all EF students to have travel
coverage. Erika Insurance Ltd. offers tailor
14
Transfers Phone numbers and addresses
Your local EF office can help with arranging Make sure that you have the phone number
transportation to and from your destination's and address of your local EF office, airport
airport – which you can reserve over the phone transfer service, EF school and accommoda-
or on My EF. Students who choose to use our tion filled out at the back of this handbook.
transfer service will be met at the airport by an These will come in handy if you need to
EF Representative and driven to their accom- communicate flight delays or changes in your
modation’s front door. Please keep in mind, we schedule.
have many students arriving at the same time
so you may have to wait a little for all students Money
to arrive.
Bring enough money to cover public transpor-
tation expenses for the first week of your stay.
Departure meeting You may want to bring a little extra in case
You’ll find out more about life at your destina- you’d like to purchase snacks or souvenirs.
tion, get a packing list and meet fellow class- You can request the currency used in your
mates at our Departure Meeting – which we destination from your local bank.
recommend you attend. You’ll receive an email
invitation to your Departure meeting, which you
School supplies
can attend either online or in person.
Bring pens and notebooks along with you to
Medicine your destination. Should you choose to bring a
dictionary with you – we recommend bringing
If you take medicine, it’s important that you
one translated into your native language, as
bring enough of your prescription to last for the
well as one in your study language. You’ll
duration of your trip – unless you’re sure you
receive all additional course material upon your
can get a prescription at your destination. Tuck
arrival to school.
away any extra medicine, glasses or contact
lenses in your carry-on luggage.
15
Your language
program
Get everything you need to know about
studying abroad with EF – from what your first
day of school will look like to what to do when
you’re absent.
16
Learning a language with EF is more Your timetable
than just classroom study – you’ll also Your timetable is structured based on which
sharpen your skills by practicing in program you’re studying. You’ll have either 32,
real-world situations and in technol- 26 or 20 lessons per week, each lasting for 40
ogy-enhanced lessons, which we call minutes – mostly organized in double lessons
iLab. Make sure you speak your study lasting one hour and 20 minutes.
language as much as you can – you’ll
Attendance
see the results in no time.
It’s really important to attend all of your classes
Your language level – but, if you’re ill or can’t make it, be sure to let
the Academic Office know.
Before you leave for your course destination,
you’ll need to log on to your My EF account
If you’re ill for three days or more, you’ll need
and take our language test. We’ll use your
to bring a doctor’s note with you when you
results – along with an oral test on your first
return to class. If you’re not sure how to get a
day of school – to make sure you’re in the right
doctor’s note, talk to the staff at your school.
class. There are 6 different stages and each
stage has 3 different levels (i.e. B1-1, B1-2 &
Please remember that we’ll have to send you a
B1-3).
warning letter if your attendance gets close to
the minimum of 80%. If you're under 18, we’ll
> A1 – Beginner
also have to contact your parents or sponsors
> A2 – Elementary
if your attendance continues to decline.
> B1 – Intermediate
> B2 – Upper Intermediate
Changing or extending
> C1 – Advanced
> C2 – Proficiency your program
The Academic Team can advise you on all the
Your first day of school different study programs that EF offers. If you’d
like to change your program or extend your
You’ll start learning on the first day of your
stay, just come see us.
course, and most of our students arrive at their
destination the previous day. Your first day will
We can also prepare you for official language
be spent getting ready for your studies ahead
exams in your study language (English, Ger-
and meeting classmates and teachers. You’ll
man, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and
also receive your timetable, as well as informa-
Japanese) if you reserve them in advance – and
tion about your school and destination city.
they're available at your course center. Talk to
your school's Academic Team to find out more
about exam dates, costs and availability.
17
How you’ll
learn
Our innovative learning method guarantees
that you’ll make maximum progress in your
studies. And you’ll have our support around
the clock.
18
Our learning methodology combines Lectures
classroom lessons with multimedia ma- You’ll have two lecture sessions every week.
terials and EF course books – we call it Each one will focus on a different subject – like
the EF Efekta™ Learning System. It’s history, art, local culture or current affairs.
a blended learning approach, which
means you’ll learn both in class and Outside the classroom
online, using iPads and iLabs. Traveling to another country to learn the lan-
guage means a lot of opportunity to practice.
General language lessons To really advance your fluency, speak the
language outside of the classroom and make
Sixteen of your lessons will focus on general
friends with students from other countries. And
language skills like vocabulary, grammar, read-
remember, don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
ing, writing, listening, speaking and pronunci-
ation. A further four (two for the basic course)
teacher-led lessons will take place in iLab or in Homework
class using interactive iPad activities. Your teachers will give you homework to
complement your work in class. Ask your
Special interest classes teacher if you’d like extra homework, practice
In addition to your General Language classes, or assignments.
you’ll have some Special Interest classes (SPIN
classes) for subjects that you’re interested in Monitoring your progress
or that you’d like to use for your career or ed- To check that you’re at the right learning level,
ucation goals. The SPIN class options you can there will be class tests and quizzes each
choose from depends on what program you’re week. We’ll also give you a progress test at the
enrolled in and which classes are available end of each study stage. You can follow your
during your stay. You can also take online SPIN progress on your iTracker.
classes, which you can complete in individual
iLab sessions.
Proof Of Your Success
EF offers language exams in all the languages
iLabs
that we teach. If you’ve attended at least 80%
iLabs are computer rooms where you'll of your classes, you can take the EF Stand-
complete some of your course curriculum. ard English Test (EFSET) in your final week at
You can also study, complete online work for school (English courses only). This test evalu-
class or just access the Internet to check your ates your language level using the internation-
Facebook. Check the school notice board for ally-recognized Common European Framework
iLab opening times. of Reference standards.
19
A home away
from home
Sit back and relax – whether you’re coming
home to a local family, living at a residence in
the heart of your destination city or staying
steps from your course center.
20
Accommodation FAQs Can I change my homestay host?
Please come see the Accommodation Team
What should I do if I damage something in at your EF school if you're not comfortable –
my EF Homestay? as it's one of our top priorities. Changes are
At an EF Homestay, any damages or breakag- usually made on the weekend – and we'll need
es you cause should be resolved between you parental consent if you're under 18. Please
and your homestay hosts – but we can help if keep in mind that it is not possible to change
needed. It’s best that you offer to pay for any your homestay based on distance from school
damages you cause or claim them on your and that it may not be possible to change your
insurance. family immediately during busy times of the
year.
How do I keep my valuables safe?
Keep your passport, return ticket, money, Can I stay in my own accommodation?
traveler’s cheques and anything else valuable If you’re between 12 and 15 years old, you
in a safe place (i.e. your locked suitcase). Tell cannot stay in your own accommodation. If
your school staff immediately if anything goes you’re 16 or older and staying in your own or
missing. private accommodation, you must tell EF about
address and telephone number and update
Do I have a curfew time? us of any changes during your time with us.
If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you have a curfew Remember, it’s your responsibility to deal with
for returning home. This may vary from destina- landlords and letting agents, not EF’s.
tion to destination but please respect the times
you are given, they are for your own safety. If What is a typical EF Homestay like?
you’re between 12 and 15 years old, your cur- Our homestay hosts come from all walks of life
few is 22:00 every day – including weekends. and from a wide range of ethnic and religious
backgrounds, reflecting the multicultural society
What should I do if I want to stay out? of your destination. Our homestay demograph-
You may only do so if you’re over 18. Always ic is represented mostly by middle-income
tell your homestay host or Residence Advisor if households. There’s no typical homestay.
you’re not going to spend the night at home or Among EF hosts there are people of all ages;
going away for the weekend. If your hosts are including young professionals, middle-aged
expecting you home and you don’t arrive, they or retired people, couples without children,
will report you as missing to the police. When families or single parents with children of any
going out, it’s a good idea to only carry exactly age, single people. This means that there might
what you’ll need – like small amounts of cash, not be children of your age in the homestay. It’s
your EF ID and a copy of your passport. one of the reasons why we usually try to place
you with students of your age range. However,
you may be the only guest in your homestay.
21
EF Homestay
Stay in an EF Homestay for maximum cultural exchange. Keep in mind, each homestay host is
different and unique – just like your family back home.
22
EF Residence or EF Campus
Staying at an EF Residence or EF Campus gives you the chance to meet new friends and share
your experience of living in another country. An EF Residence is usually off-site, while an EF Campus
is usually just steps from your classes. The location of EF Residences can vary, but they’re always
located near local amenities and public transport links.
23
Your free
time
Make the most of your trip abroad
– explore your destination city, go
on a weekend getaway or just play a
game of cards.
24
Our Activities Team fills the weekly EF student card
schedule with fun activities for you You’ll be given your EF student card on the first
to take part in. You’ll find a variety day of school. Always keep it with you, as it will
of day, evening and weekend excur- be used to identify you within the school or EF
sions, events, sports, parties and visits accommodation. You can usually use this card
to attractions including theme parks, to get discounts around the city in restaurants,
shops and attractions – find out more at your
museums and iconic landmarks.
school’s Activities Office.
25
Friendly support
We’re here to help you. Regardless of
whether you have a question or just need
some friendly advice – we’re here for you.
26
Your school’s team
You
Teachers
If you think you’re in the wrong
class level, let your teacher know
– and they'll give you the support
you need.
27
Our school
code
You deserve the best experience
– that’s why we have a school
code. Follow our guidelines for the
experience of a lifetime.
28
Our school code was created together by EF school staff and students to make sure
our course centers are happy places to be. It’s essential that you stick to the follow-
ing guidelines at all times:
29
Become an
Ambassador
Earn rewards by simply sharing
your EF experience. There’s no
commitment – share as much or as
little as you’d like.
30
How it works
Join an international community of EF students and earn rewards by sharing your EF experience.
Signing up is easy. Go to my.ef.com/ambassador or to the Ambassador tab on your My EF profile
to sign up. Any questions? Give your local EF office a call.
Become an EF Share all about Soak in your Attend a Join our top
Ambassador EF with your EF experience study abroad ambassadors
as soon as you friends – and abroad. Tell fair with EF’s at one of the
enroll in your invite them on your story and international International
course. the adventure remember it all staff – and tell Ambassadors
of a lifetime. with a blog. everyone about Meetings.
your EF trip.
31
Things to
remember
This contact information will come
in handy during your stay. Be sure
to fill it all in before you leave for
your adventure abroad.
32
Important addresses and phone numbers
My local EF office
Address: __________________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________________________________
Skype: ____________________________________________________________________
My transfer service
Address: __________________________________________________________________
My EF school
Address: __________________________________________________________________
My accommodation
Address: __________________________________________________________________
33
The place for The place for
#EFMoment #EFMoment
34
Notes
35
The world is waiting.
www.ef.com