Speaking practice helps you use the grammar and vocabulary you learn in real-life situations, not just in exercises. At English Path, lessons are communication-based, so you speak in pairs and groups, not just listen to the teacher. This builds your confidence, improves your pronunciation, and prepares you for everyday situations like work, travel, and social life. When choosing a school, always ask how much real speaking time students get in each lesson.
Choosing a language school is an exciting step, but it’s also a big investment of time, money, and energy. You want to be sure that the school you choose will help you improve your English, feel confident, and enjoy your experience in a new country.
Our sales team speak with hundreds of students each week and have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to recommending the right options. Here are some key questions they recommend asking that can help you decide if a school is right for you.
How much speaking practice will I get?
For most students, speaking is the number one priority. You probably want to feel more confident in social situations, at work, or whilst studying. It’s very important to ask how much time in class is really spent speaking, not just doing grammar exercises or listening quietly.
As Emma McGill explains, “An important question students should ask before confirming a course - How much speaking practice will I get?”
At English Path, the answer is clear: lots! Our teaching methodology is communication-based, and teachers plan interactive lessons so you can practise speaking in pairs, groups, and whole-class activities. This helps students build real-world skills and confidence using English outside the classroom.
How will this course help me achieve my goals?
Every student has different reasons for learning English. Some want to improve their skills for work or career growth. Others need English for university, an exam, or an official certification. When you choose a school, it is important that the course supports your personal goals.
Federica Serafini recommends that students always ask how the course will help them achieve their goals.
She told us, “It’s important for students to understand their study goal and their timeline. Do you need English for a job interview in three months? Are you preparing for an exam like IELTS or another academic pathway? With this information, providers can suggest the most suitable study plan for you. This might be a more classic General English course, an intensive option with more hours per week, or adding specific one-to-one lessons to focus on your weak areas.”
What does a typical class look like?
Before you start, it’s natural to feel curious or nervous about what will happen in your first lesson. Asking “What does a typical class look like?” can help you imagine your day and check if the school’s style matches how you like to learn.
Mina Guirguis explains that a good answer should include the maximum number of students per class.
“Smaller classes usually mean more attention and more chances to speak,” he said. “It should also explain how the four main skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—are covered during the day.”
At English Path, lessons are interactive and go beyond just using the book. You can expect activities like role-plays, discussions, group tasks, and games that help you practise language in realistic situations.
What is the nationality mix of students?
One of the best parts of studying English abroad is meeting people from all over the world. A good nationality mix means you will hear many accents, learn about different cultures, and be encouraged to use English as the common language both in and out of class.
Cagri Bagci suggests that students should always ask about the student nationality mix and what percentage of students come from which countries.
“At English Path, schools welcome students from many different countries, and the environment is highly multicultural. Understanding which locations have a nice nationality mix can help you choose a school where you will not just speak your own language with classmates, but truly live in English every day.”
How flexible are the course start dates?
Life plans can change, and not everyone can start on one fixed date. Asking about course flexibility helps you see if the school can fit around your schedule, holidays, work, or university commitments.
Course flexibility is a big advantage at English Path that is highlighted by Diego Velasco. Courses start every Monday throughout the year and are counted by weeks, so students have the freedom to choose when they want to begin and how long they would like to study.
“This makes the experience more personal and adaptable to different goals and schedules,” Diego explained.
“Some other schools only offer ‘intakes’, where everyone starts on the same day. This can be good for students who prefer to begin as a group, but it may be less flexible if you need specific dates.”
How will you determine my English level?
To learn well, you need to be in a class that is right for your level—not too easy and not too difficult. It is important to ask how the school will assess your English before you start and how they will monitor your progress during your course.
Diego mentioned this placement test as an important step for students to take before trying to budget for a course.
“Before students begin, many schools do a placement test to understand their current level and place them in the right class. Students arrive with all kinds of starting points: some can already have basic conversations, while others begin with numbers, colours, or even learning the alphabet,” he said.
“The important thing is that the course adapts to you and supports your progress step by step, with clear levels and regular feedback from teachers.”
Are all the teachers native English speakers?
Students sometimes think they must only study with native English-speaking teachers. It is a good idea to ask about teacher backgrounds, but what really matters is quality, training, and experience—not only nationality.
Maria Hernandez explains that whilst English Path has many amazing native English-speaking teachers, this is not something we would want to emphasise. As a proudly multicultural language school, we believe that being a native speaker is not important; being a good teacher is far more important.
Reflecting on her own journey, she told us, “There are teachers whose first language is not English, but who are highly qualified, certified, and have years of teaching experience.
“From my own experience, one of the best English teachers I ever studied with was from Taiwan. Having a teacher whose first language is not English can be very beneficial because they understand the challenges of learning a new language and can adapt their teaching methods to support you.”
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Why is speaking practice so important in an English course?
How can I decide which English course type is best for me?
First, think about your goal: do you need English for work, university, exams, or travel? Then consider your timeline and how many hours per week you can study. Providers like English Path can suggest a classic General English course, a more intensive option, or extra one-to-one lessons if you need faster progress or specific skills. Speaking with an advisor and explaining your goals clearly is the best way to find the right course type.
What are the benefits of a multicultural student mix?
A good nationality mix means you meet classmates from many countries and cultures, so you are more likely to use English as the common language all day. This helps you become more confident and fluent. At English Path, schools are highly multicultural, which creates a friendly, international environment. You also hear different accents and communication styles, which prepares you for real-world English in work and travel.
How does a placement test work at an English school?
A placement test usually checks your grammar, vocabulary, reading, and sometimes listening or speaking. The aim is not to “pass” or “fail”, but to understand your current level so the school can place you in a class where you will feel challenged but supported. Many students at English Path start from very basic English, while others are already intermediate or advanced. The school then monitors your progress and can move you up when you are ready.
What should I look for in an English teacher?
Instead of focusing only on whether a teacher is a native speaker, it is better to look at their qualifications, experience, and teaching style. At English Path, teachers are qualified and often have many years of experience teaching international students. Non-native teachers can also be excellent, because they understand the difficulties of learning another language. Good teachers make lessons interactive, clear, and supportive, and they give regular feedback to help you improve.