LAL Fort Lauderdale is permitted to issue I 20's again

We are delighted to announce that LAL Fort Lauderdale (Florida Language Center) is once more permitted to issue I20's. This means that henceforth LAL Fort Lauderdale can issue I20's and therefore accept students on any course of full-time study. In strict accordance with Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP), full-time courses of study consist of 18 clock hours or more per week and must be a minimum of four weeks in duration. Therefore, in order to maximize choice to our partners our General English program (published at 20 lessons per week: 16.7 clock hours) will be increased to 22 lessons per week - 2 extra conversation classes per week at no extra charge! This means that both General and Intensive English programs can be made to your clients, as well as examination, academic semester/year and other long term programs. Furthermore, please note that students who stay less than four weeks may attend school on a tourist visa regardless of the hours they study (22 CFR Part 41, N13.6 Short Course of Study). We are aware of the confusion at some embassies, but will diligently work with them to ensure these regulations are understood and abided by.

We would like to offer sincere thanks to all of our partners who have supported our school over these past months.

In combination with last years CEA five-year accreditation, LAL Fort Lauderdale is once again an ideal choice for students looking for a high quality language program in Florida. We are looking forward to a very successful 2007!

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Tracy Brylewski, Managing Director of LAL Fort Lauderdale.

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Pre- and post-language course safaris in South Africa!

Some of us are lucky enough to be brought up close to the Bushveld. But for others, a first trip into the bush is a life changing experience. That's why the LAL South Africa English and Safari holds enduring appeal. For some, it is the thrill of riding on an open vehicle taking in the sights, sounds and smells all around you, and opening your eyes to the little things as well as the much-vaunted Big Five.

Come and be part of an unbelievable experience whilst learning English in paradise. Download the itinerary of The Pure Kruger Experience here.

For more information and prices please contact Gavin Eyre.

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Star Gazing at LAL Cape Town

This is a photo of our students on Signal Hill just after sunset watching the Comet McNaught which has been in the South African skies for the past week. The World Famous Table Top Mountain is lit up in the background with the Comet appearing next to Lions Head.
	Comet McNaught

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Is the end of school students’ report based on the Common European Framework?
Yes, our students are tested, assessed and placed into classes according to the ‘can do’ statements, the report written by the teacher at the end of the course will give a grade for listening, speaking, reading and writing.

How is grammar taught?
General English classes follow a course book. These course books are designed to provide the students with a balance of skills work, grammar and vocabulary building. The teachers supplement the books with additional activities according to the individual needs of the class.

Are the lessons based on teaching communication skills?
Effective communication, communicative competence and learner autonomy are the three key aspects of our lessons: students are provided with the opportunity to put it into practice the grammar and vocabulary learned.

Do you give homework, and are the results checked?
Homework is given according to the needs and wishes of the students, as a rule all of the teachers give homework, which is checked the next day, the amount of homework is determined by the students’ wishes.

How do you measure progress?
Continual assessment is carried out by the teachers and as part of the coursebooks that are used. The teachers monitor the students to ensure that they understand the grammar they are being taught before moving on to a new aspect of the language. We have also designed a series of comprehensive two-hour level-change tests, which are available for all students to do on request, these tests are used to assess the students’ knowledge of grammar at their specific level and also contains a written component.

Are the lessons based on eliciting from the student rather than just dispensing knowledge?
Learner autonomy is paramount: the teachers actively encourage the students to answer their own questions wherever possible. We are not huge advocates of a prescriptive approach to learning and prefer to utilise a ‘Guided Discovery’ approach.

How do you manage to build confidence?
The tasks, exercises and activities used by the teachers are primarily designed to build confidence and thus improve communicative competence. Students are encouraged to study aspects of ‘survival’ and ‘everyday’ English.

How would you describe your pedagogic approach to learning?
We have what can best be described as an ‘eclectic’ approach to language learning with a combination of book-based traditional lessons combined with the use of the resources and experiences of our teaching staff. We encourage learner autonomy and oral communication whenever possible and promote the study of authentic listening and practical communication skills.

For more questions on the academic approach at LAL Torbay please contact Andy Tyrrell.

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New Executive Business Classrooms at LAL Torbay

In addition we have now created a classroom environment more suited to high level clients: boardroom furniture, high quality decor and an interactive whiteboard with projector bringing business standards into learning English and matching the high quality of teaching provided.

For more information please email Dean Jones.

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What our students say about LAL Malta

Mr Kenta Nakanishi
from Japan, staying at LAL Malta from November 5, 2006 – March 24, 2007), taking General English Long-term

“Hello everyone! My name is Kenta Naknishi. I come from Japan. I will stay a total of five months in Malta. Now I have been for three months and I am living in school residence. Normally, I go to school weekday. In my case, I study in the school in the morning. I have two lessons, between the first lesson and second, in the break time, I usually have a chat with my friends.

When I came here, at first I was worried about my life because at that time I couldn’t speak English. But a few days ago, my worries of life was disappeared. In Malta and in our school, there are a lot of nice friends and teachers. Every time they help me.

I have made a lot of friends in Malta. and I have felt a lot of kindness for three months. Of course, now I am having a nice time. After school I usually go out with my friends. Our school has some activities, for example a film, mini travelling, dance lessons … etc. every day we can enjoy. I am not feeling bored. Anyway, Malta is great!”

Ms Lee Yoo Jung
from Korea, staying at LAL Malta from January 21 – March 3, 2007), taking General English

“English has become an international language. So, if you want to find a good job or to go travelling you need to be able to speak English. I want to improve my English skills and to speak English fluently. I need to study English for my major. So I came here to study English. I have studied at LAL Malta for 3 weeks and its better than I expected.

In my class there are ten students, they come from different countries. So after I have studied here, I have made various friends from different nationalities, example from China, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Japan. When I talk to my new friends, I learn a lot about their countries and culture. Its very interesting for me. The reason for coming here that I have to speak English all the time. I’ve been studying at LAL Malta for just 3 weeks, but I think my English skills have improved a lot. I am going to be here 5 more weeks and I expect my English to improve more. I am very satisfied now. in my free time I usually use school leisure programme to travel and see Malta. I think it was my best choice to study at LAL Malta.”

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Coalition of academic, exchange and trade groups releases new visa policy recommendations for the USA

A diverse coalition of organizations concerned about the current state of U.S. visa policy and its impact on the country's competitiveness as a destination of choice for academic, exchange, and business visitors from around the world today announced a new set of visa policy recommendations. The coalition partners – the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange, the Coalition for Employment Through Exports, the Heritage Foundation, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and the National Foreign Trade Council – set out a series of specific action items for Congress and the Executive Branch, urging "more fundamental reforms… that address legitimate security concerns and keep our nation a welcoming nation."

Entitled "Realizing the Rice-Chertoff Vision: A National-Interest-Based Visa Policy for the United States," the new policy proposal emphasizes the important role that visa policy plays in both the security of the United States and its capacity to attract the best talent from other countries, whether to study, conduct research, or do business. While acknowledging the progress that has been made over the past several years to address serious problems in the visa issuance process, the coalition recommendations highlight several areas in which serious barriers remain that hamper the ability of legitimate visitors to come to the United States.

"America is a great country because for 250 years we have welcomed people from all over the world. Their creativity, their inventions, and their hard work have been instrumental to our economic and social growth. Our current visa policy jeopardizes all that because it tells people they are not welcome here," said National Foreign Trade Council President Bill Reinsch. "The result is that we are encouraging smart people to go elsewhere, and we are encouraging American businesses to move their innovation capabilities outside the U.S. so their foreign engineers and scientists don't have to run the visa gauntlet. That is bad for our economy, bad for our competitiveness, and bad for our security. We need to change our policy soon before more damage is done."

"The efforts of the United States to reach out to the world, whether to recruit talent, train the world’s future leaders, or improve our image abroad, continue to be ill-served by the visa system that is currently in place," said NAFSA: Association of International Educators Executive Director and CEO Marlene Johnson. "The diverse voices of this coalition urge the government to take a number of key steps to ensure that the United States presents a truly welcoming face, both in word and in deed, to the academic, exchange, and business travelers that are so important to our global leadership, competitiveness and security."

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Divers' paradise Florida - Great specials at LAL Fort Lauderdale!

Fort Lauderdale is not only home to 23 miles of golden sandy beaches but also to an array of dive sites and marine life. Fort Lauderdale's underwater world is awash in spectacular sea life. Enjoy tropically warm blue waters and Caribbean quality visibility.

Home to a great diversity of artificial reefs in depths ranging from 15 to over 200 feet, there are dive sites just perfect for the snorkeler, the sport diver or the technical diver.

Some of the most famous wrecks lie in this area. Huge, gentle Whale Sharks cruise over the wrecks in their annual migratory sojourn. Lobsters, hard and soft corals and every kind of fish call their home South Florida.

Fort Lauderdale was named Top Ten World's Best Wreck Diving, Marine Life and Value Dive Destination by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine. Immerse yourself in our turquoise waters with our February snorkeling/scuba diving specials.

For bookings and payments made before March 26, 2007 for courses ending on or before April 27, 2007 special rates apply for the following 2-3 week courses:

Vacation English + 1 activity (for example snorkeling) per week
Vacation English + 2 Dives per week
General English + 2 Dives per week

For prices please go to the Agents' Area of this website or contact Ilona Alves, LAL Fort Lauderdale's Marketing and Sales Manager.

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International Teacher Training in Cape Town

Back by popular demand our LAL Cape Town English as a Foreign Language Development Course for non native speakers.

The second course of 2007 will be running from the 23 April, 2007 until the 04 May, 2007.

This 2 week course is aimed at the qualified English Language teacher whose first language is not English and whose job is to teach English for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary students.

Please contact Gavin Eyre for more details.

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Get out more with LAL Torbay: Free excursions

Discover the stunning south west of England with two free excursions for each week of study at LAL Torbay!

Study with us on any adult course and take advantage of our good weather and great location with our great special offer:

Quote ‘Free excursions’ when you book an adult course of six weeks or less and receive two free excursions for each week of study before 22nd June:

One week: two excursions
Two weeks: four excursions
Three weeks: six excursions

Dartmoor Pony	Thatched Cottage

We enjoy a wide variety of organised excursions, which vary from week to week. All are led by our experienced guides and include transport. Examples of our tour destinations include:

For more information contact Dean Jones.

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