Student Feedback

Tune your goals with your course modality: "exam preparation course" could be more than that

Nagore, 27, from Spain – June 25, 2013

Stay: 3 weeks, Course Start: 2012 , Accomodation:

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The Good & the Bad - what did you like best? What least?

I took my course during the 2012 summer holiday, and many people do so. Therefore, I guess teachers are told to take that aspect into account when suggesting homework for students. However, I felt that the activities that we were proposed to do at home were too disparate with regard to the demand level. That is, some days a pair of grammar activities and others a presentation or a seudo project that would take us some hours.

I would not like to sound picky with this, as it could have been myself, that I didn't perceive clearly what level of demand where teachers expecting. Whatsoever, I did well and enjoyed.

Moreover, I would recommend the school to give the oportunity to the students of trying different course modalities (general vs. course preparation). I had what I expected in GLS in 2012, but from my experience as a languages student, it is not always easy to know what type of course you are looking for. The exam preparation courses may sound as too focused, but if you feel the need to improve your grammar skills, even if not exam directed, I think it is better to join the exam course. It goes without saying that the choice between general courses or exam preparation courses does not affect the proficiency level. If you are a B1 student, you must join the B1 exam or general course. The fact of targeting a more grammatical course, does not imply that you are entitled to join a higher exam course.

We, students, need to clearly understand what the courses are about, no matter how they are named("exam preparation course" is not only valid for exam preparation). Besides that, students should feel free enough to ask and try. Sometimes we do not even think of it;even if we feel that the course does not cover our needs, we keep on going; that is why I would recommend the school to insist on that aspect at any time of the learning stay in the school. Ask students, remind them... they might feel that something is wrong but might not be able to identify it.

Your recommendations for other students

We, students, need to clearly understand what the courses are about, no matter how they are named("exam preparation course" is not only valid for exam preparation). Besides that, students should feel free enough to ask and try. Sometimes we do not even think of it; even if we feel that the course does not cover our needs, we keep on going.

I think it is good to keep in mind why we decided to take the course and what are the results we expect from it. In that way we will always be able to retune our course choice and avoid time and money waste, and language-learning effort!!!