So you want your children to attend an English Language School or, you have decided that you want to attend for one reason or another. Where do you begin? Who do you call? Where do you look for information? What kind of course/s do I look for and on and on and on!

Here is a plan to follow in order to make the best decision and to get your money's worth.

First of all, you have to ask yourself some questions:

1. What is my work/family schedule?
2. When DO I have the time to attend classes?
3. Can I attend classes in the mornings/afternoon/evenings/weekends?
4. Location of school?
5. What is the budget that I have to set aside and should stick to?

Take a hard look at the above questions and you should decide these areas first.

After that, sit down and decide exactly WHY you want to take an ESL class? Do you want to improve your Oral English, Writing Listening Comprehension or if because of your job, there are Business English classes. There are other more specific areas such as everyday conversation, email, business letter writing, telephone conversation and much more to think about but you will need to sort out exactly what you want.

Once this has been completed, you should visit several school s in your area. Get as much information about the courses they offer. Ask about prices for the courses and also ask about VIP courses in case you don't wish to sit in a full class of students. Take an assessment test to determine what level you are at so you will know which classes that you would be eligible for. Talk with the Course Consultants and ask to look at some of the Books/Materials/CD's/Cassettes/Videos they use in the various classes. If possible, ask to speak to one of the Foreign National teachers so you can ask him/her questions about the course as well. Consult with family, colleagues or friends to see if anyone has attended an ESL school or, could they recommend one.

After you have gotten all of the information about courses/prices/times from several schools, go home and take a hard look at ALL of the information and COMPARE all of them to see which school/course most fits what you are seeking. Most importantly, which one fits your budget. After that, sign up and practice, practice and practice.

Remember: Your schedule / Their Class Schedule / Location / Courses offered / Prices / Comparison / Final Decision

Craig E. Powell
EMail: craig(at)craigseslchinaportal.com
URL: http://www.craigseslchinaportal.com