Adults - Practical information

General language courses typically start every Monday. Some schools offer beginners courses on more limited fixed start dates. Official exam preparation courses (e.g. DELE, DELF) are offered 2 to 3 times per year on fixed dates. 

If you've made up your mind to travel abroad, don't delay your enrolment. By enrolling early, you benefit from more attractive prices on your flight and have more time to complete the necessary administrative steps (visa request, extension of your health insurance, informing your job of your departure, etc.). In addition, your accommodation preferences will be more easily fulfilled if we receive your booking well in advance. We recommend booking at least a couple of months in advance to ensure you get the course and accommodation you want, especially if you’re traveling during the busiest time of year, from June until August.

You have three options:

1. Fill out the enrolment form that you can find at the back of our brochure and send it to us.
2. Complete the online enrolment form on our website.
3. Call us to set up a time for us to meet and help you fill out your form or complete the enrolment over the phone.

We'll confirm the enrolment within seven days of receipt of your enrolment form. This confirmation has all the details of your course, accommodation and transfer (if booked). A deposit is then to be paid within 10 days.

If you request it on the enrolment form, we will put you in contact with our trusted flights partner.

We will send you the final invoice 5/6 weeks before your departure. You must pay the outstanding amount, in pounds sterling or another currency before your departure.

ESL - Language Travel can refer you to a good quality travel agent who can find flights to all destinations at very competitive prices. Do not hesitate to ask us for more information. If you mention it on the enrolment form, we will put you in touch with our trusted flights partner.

Depending on the destination and duration of your stay, you may need a student visa. We'll be able to advise you on the application procedure and obtain the necessary documents for your visa request. You will be responsible for paying any visa fees. The formalities as far as visas are concerned are generally the same for people coming from EU countries. If you have an EU passport, you will not need a visa to study within the EU. The majority of the other countries, apart from Russia, Egypt or China, allow you to study for up to 12 weeks as a tourist. For stays of more than 3 months, a student visa is sometimes required.

Travel insurance with Mind The Gap Year
We ask you to make sure you have Travel Insurance in place before your trip with us. At the time of your reservation, we introduce to you Mind The Gap Year: they provide cover for travellers going overseas for longer durations, studying, working and volunteering. Make sure you have cover for Emergency Medical Expenses - which includes repatriation, and Personal liability. You may also want to consider cover for cancellation & curtailment, personal effects, legal expenses, bereavement etc.

Do you wish to travel abroad in the next few days? If circumstances don't permit you to book in advance, we'll do our very best to organise your language study trip in the space of a few days but no later than the Wednesday prior to your planned departure date.

• Europe
  The arrival day is Sunday, and the departure takes place on a Saturday. It's possible to arrive before the weekend on request. In this case, any additional nights will be invoiced.
• Worldwide
  The same goes for the majority of schools overseas. Nevertheless, due to the time difference and the long journey, we recommend that students travel during the week before the course starts. In this case, additional nights can be booked.

All of your travel documents will be sent to you approximately 10 days prior to your departure. They include a travel guide and a detailed description of your accommodation, as well as general information about the school and your destination. In addition, we'll provide you with documentation on your chosen country that is as complete as possible. 

Teaching does not take place on bank holidays (national holidays, etc.). If the classes missed are not made up by our partner schools, the missed hours are not refunded. Our website contains details of when our partner schools are closed for public holidays.

Small schools (S)
Studying in a school with 30 to 70 participants has many advantages: a relaxed friendly environment, engaging teachers and small classes. However, the full range of levels and course types is not always available during quiet times of year.

Medium-sized schools (M)
With 70 to 150 students, these schools combine the advantages of small and large schools: good technical equipment, a wide range of activities, many levels, personal contact and good flexibility. On the other hand, not all exams are always offered.

Large schools (L)
Schools with 150 to 350 students offer courses for almost every level, an excellent technical infrastructure and a wide range of activities.

Very large schools (XL)
Schools with over 350 participants offer the same advantages as large schools, although it will be very difficult for you to meet all the other students! On the other hand, there will be a broad range of nationalities and a wide selection of courses.

Course dates and fees as featured online are valid for the current year. If you're planning your language course for next year, you can use this information as an indication. Prices and dates for next year are usually available from July on. Don’t hesitate to call us for up-to-date information on dates and prices before their publication (end of September). We receive many enrolments several months in advance so that we can guarantee popular courses or accommodation or satisfy your specific wishes. By enrolling before November, for the following year, you will usually pay the same price as for the current year. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for more info.