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Our top FAQ!
Why should I choose ILC?
School
Why IBES?
I have never heard of ILC IBES. Why not?
Is the school accredited?
Accreditation – what does it mean?
What is the average student like?
When should I make a reservation?
How do I make a reservation?
Do you have individual lessons as well as group classes?
Do the teachers speak Polish?
What does the typical study plan look like?
How many students do you have at one time?
What makes your school different from all the others?
What makes you different from other schools using the Callan Method?
Do you issue certificates or transcripts?
Lessons
How long is a course?
When can I start lessons?
What is the average length of study?
You say that you have native speakers, but so do all the other schools when in fact they do not or have only one or two. How many native speakers do you have?
Is there homework?
How do you correct pronunciation?
What do you focus on in the lessons?
On which holidays is the school closed, and are lessons made up?
Do you have classes for children?
Which textbook does the school use?
What is the minimum age my child has to be to take lessons?
My friend and I are at different ability levels of speaking English. Can we still study together in pair lessons?
How long will it take me to learn to speak English well?
Getting to the school
How do I get to the school?
I have car. Do you have parking at the school?
How do I get to the school by tram?
How do I get to the school by bus?
Planning
What materials do I need for class?
Can you help me find a job?
Is the school open during the summer?
Am I too old, or are my children to young, to learn English?
Payments & Money
How can I pay for lessons?
Do you accept credit cards at school?
Does the school charge a service fee for credit card or bank transfer payments?
How does Pay Pal work?
Is there a registration fee?
How do I make a deposit?
If something happens and I can’t continue my lessons, can I get a refund?
Is there a cancellation fee?
Miscellaneous
What kind of Internet services do you offer?
Are activities included in the tuition cost?
Do you have special trips for students?
I want to study and/or work overseas. Does your school have any programs for me?
Can you supply references from former students?
Our top FAQ!
Why should I choose ILC?
For many, many reasons!
- Jedna z najlepszych szkół, a tym samym zapewnienie rozsądnych cen
- Prawdziwi Native Speakers, z wielu różnych krajów anglojęzycznego świata
- Tylko wykwalifikowani lektorzy
- Akredytacja Małopolskiego Kuratorium Oświaty
- Sprawdzona histoia współpracy z niektórymi z największych przedsiębiorstw w Polsce
- Metoda Callana oraz tradycyjne kursy języka angielskiego
- Prawdopodobnie najszersza oferta kursów językowych
- Unikalne języki w ofercie, takie jak arabski, hebrajski czy japoński
- Przeciętna ilość osób w grupie – 4 do 6 (80% zajęć odbywa się w grupach mniejszych niż 6 osób)
- Maksymalnie 10 uczniów w grupie (gwarantowane!)
- Darmowe lekcje próbne
- Wyspecjalizowane programy, unikalne dla naszej szkoły
- Program JUNIOR – kursy języka angielskiego dla dzieci
- Kursy językowe za granicą
- Pomoc w znalezieniu pracy
- Rozpoczęcie i zakończenie kursu w dowolnym terminie
- Dodatkowe zniżki dla uczniów szkół średnich oraz studentów
- Goszczący u nas Amerykanie oraz Brytyjczycy z Wall Street, z doświadczeniem w bankowości oraz prowadzeniu przedsiębiorstw
- Dodatkowe, unikalne usługi (tylko dla naszych studentów)
- korekta języka biznesowego
- korekta korespondencji biznesowej
- e-lekcje
School
Why IBES?top
Why are we sometimes referred to as IBES? International Language Centers (ILC) was originally named IBES, as we had a unique and intensive plan of study for those wishing to learn Business English (IBES stands for Intensive Business English School in English). As IBES’ popularity grew, we changed our name to International Language Centers IBES. ILC IBES is also part of an international chain of schools, which only further guarantees commitment to quality of service.
IBES still exists as part of ILC as an independent program specifically for students learning Business English and for our corporate clients.
I have never heard of ILC IBES. Why not?top
ILC has been around for almost 10 years. However, we do not frequently advertise. We believe that a small school means that we can pay more attention to our students, as they deserve. Despite our small size, we have taught at some of the largest companies in Poland, who stay with us on average three times longer than with any other school. Our general students also appreciate the personalized attention and small class sizes that we offer.
Is the school accredited?top
Yes. The school is recognized and accredited by the Ministry of Education. Out of all the schools in Krakow, only 4 have this unique recognition. ILC is proud to be one of them.
Accreditation – what does it mean?top
Wszystkie ze szkół należących do sieci ILC, posiadają akredytację Ministerstwa Edukacji kraju, w którym są zlokalizowane. Spośród około 100 szkół językowych w Krakowie, tylko 4 posiadają tę akredytację, a jedną z nich jest właśnie ILC. Dla naszych indywidualnych klientów z Polski, oznacza to, że koszty poniesione za lekcje języka, mogą być odpisane od podatku (*niektóre Urzędy Skarbowe mogą nie brać tego jednak pod uwagę). Obecnie toczą się dyskusje w polskiej legislacji, aby ten proceder rozszerzyć na klientów korporacyjnych.
What is the average student like?top
Our students vary between the very young to the working person. They come from all walks of life: university students, business professional, and working man or woman. The average student age is 28, however we have had students from 5 to 65, and it is a good chance one if not several students around your age will be studying at the school during the same period of time as you will be, so it is quite easy to meet new friends. One of the many benefits we provide is matching our student not only to others at their level of language ability, but also age group.
When should I make a reservation?top
We prefer an advanced reservation, so that we may amply create groups best for you. Once you are relatively sure that you would like to attend lessons, it is best to make a reservation and then change the arrival date or cancel later if needed.
How do I make a reservation?top
If you would care to make a reservation, it is best to contact the school. You may call, email, or simply walk right in! If you are interested in English lessons, you may also go to our "Online test" link on our web site and take our short test. Then all you will need is 5 minutes at the school to take the verbal part of the test, and then one of our friendly secretaries and teachers will sit down with you and let you know the classes available to you. It is that easy!
Do you have individual lessons as well as group classes?top
Yes. Generally classes are held for couples or groups of three or more. If private lessons are taken and then some students want to form a class together, we allow this and give a discount off the tuition as well.
Do the teachers speak Polish?top
Most teachers speak Polish, even the native speakers!
What does the typical study plan look like?top
We do not have a set course description besides that listed on our web page for several reasons, mainly because we have students of all different levels, who come for varying amounts of time, and who wish to study a language for all sorts of reasons. After a placement exam and needs analysis, we create a program of study based on the student's unique, personal needs.
How many students do you have at one time? top
It really depends on the season, and can range quite a bit. The learning center is quite large with outstanding facilities; however we limit our student enrollment to 100 (this includes lessons at different times of the day, so there are never near this many students at any one time at the school) in order to give our students more personalized attention. We also limit our English class size to 10, and other languages to only 8! This ensures you receive the attention that you deserve.
What makes your school different from all the others?top
We are a full-service learning center, with excellent customer service, and the most program and lodging options of all the schools in Krakow. We are also one of the few accredited schools in Krakow. Furthermore, we have Internet connection available with hi-speed and Wi-Fi access. Despite being a premier school, our prices are much below the average for top-end schools in Krakow; some schools charge the same, but most charge a lot more. Our prices are extremely reasonable, and on the lower end of the spectrum for the reputable schools in Poland. What our students also get is personalized attention from start to finish. From quick replies to inquiries, assistance throughout the educational process, we are there for our students. In addition, we have helped our students find jobs after their studies were completed, arrange for specialized testing, and plan for study abroad trips - all at no extra charge. Students are well cared for, from before their arrival, until the completion of their stay with us. In addition, you may look at www.languagecenters.net for information on all of our language schools, and what sets us apart from our competitors.
What makes you different from other schools using the Callan Method?top
Our administrative staff is friendly and helpful, willing to assist with any problem or question that you may have. All of our teachers undergo a rigorous training program, which is always ongoing; training never stops. Classes are well structured, yet fun can be had, as our teachers are adept at putting the student at ease and encouraging learning. Classes are also limited to 10 people, rather than the norm of 12 at other schools. However, our classes are usually much, much smaller with an average of 4-6 people per class. Having more than 7 is very rare. You can also change classes and days of study anytime! We offer various programs, including weekend intensive courses, overseas work/study programs, children's classes, and the opportunity to study 10 other languages besides English, including German and French, and more obscure languages such as Hungarian, Hebrew, and Arabic! Finally, teachers' accents from 6 different English-speaking countries will acclimate you to the different ways of speaking English.
Do you issue certificates or transcripts?top
We issue certificates to those who wish. Our certificates can state the number of hours studied, and any course content you would like to include.
Lessons
How long is a course?top
Our courses are semester-based. However, we realize that in today's busy world it is often difficult to find the time for learning a language, or it becomes necessary to stop classes for a time. Thus we allow for payments in rates, and also some courses are ongoing, and it is possible to stop and start at anytime. When can I start lessons?top
Lessons can be begun on any day of the week except on Sundays and holidays, although most students prefer to arrive Friday or Saturday, and begin lessons on Monday. However, midweek arrivals are not a problem. Times of study are generally sometime between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon, and 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
What is the average length of study?top
Generally our courses are semester-based. Our students enjoy a plan of study designed around their schedule and according to their specific learning needs. We also offer specialized programs for those in business. Typically, our students study 2 hours per day, twice each week. The number of lessons and length of study program, however, is entirely up to each individual student, and private instruction can be had for as little as one lesson to as many as you like.
You say that you have native speakers, but so do all the other schools when in fact they do not or have only one or two. How many native speakers do you have?top
In Poland, the law states that a school may advertise that it has native speakers as long as their teachers have 'native-like' proficiency in English; they could all be Polish! At IBES, a full half of our teachers are native speakers, and 90% of those were born in an English speaking country, and are in fact true native speakers!
Is there homework?top
There is no mandatory homework; however we strongly suggest completing any assigned homework as the more practice you have the better you will speak the language you are learning! Exercises and practice are provided during the lessons as well. For really motivated students, we can put together challenging work for them to take home. So do not worry about this; nothing is forced!
How do you correct pronunciation?top
For pronunciation correction, repetition can work to a limited extent. Our teachers are experienced at developing a student’s errors into correct pronunciation. In part this is done by pointing out the differences between sounds, giving examples, explaining position of tongue, lips, etc.
What do you focus on in the lessons?top
Why learn what you have already learned in primary school, or using the same books you have used a million times before, especially when you mostly need to know how to SPEAK the language? Of the four main language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), we focus on conversation the most, but the others are covered. We thus place an emphasis on speaking because many students need this the most, plus reading and writing can be mostly practiced at home and corrected later with the instructor. This maximizes your lesson time with a teacher. Sometimes we have students who are academics or for whatever reason wish to concentrate more on reading or writing. This is possible, as we develop a lesson plan around the learning needs of each student.
On which holidays is the school closed, and are lessons made up?top
For the complete listing of holidays which we are closed, please view our policy in the Terms and Conditions. We are closed all national holidays, and generally about 1 week around Easter and 2 weeks around Christmas/New Years.
Do you have classes for children?top
Yes. We have teachers that specialize in teaching children, and the prices are very reasonable. We have classes for children of all ages. Taught by experienced Polish and native speakers, our classes our structured and supportive in your child's pursuit at acquiring the skills needed to communicate in English. We recognize the advantage of close interaction with young learners, and so limit each class to eight children. Free trips to the zoo or park, or themed parties with multiple teachers are made at the end of each semester. For parent/child study opportunities, please contact us.
Which textbook does the school use?top
Our focus is on communication, hence we focus less on the usually boring standard textbook. You can only learn so much from a book, and with language the most important thing is to start speaking. We realize that some students are visual learners, and prefer to use such a book. We therefore of course do use course books. However, we do not use just one as many schools do. We wait to see which book each students in any particular course has already used, so that a repetitive and thus uneconomical situation is not created.
What is the minimum age my child has to be to take lessons?top
Contrary to many peoples’ beliefs, there is not minimum age – in fact, the younger the better.
My friend and I are at different ability levels of speaking English. Can we still study together in pair lessons?top
Studying together, even though you are at different levels, is really your choice. We generally recommend that people who are at different levels should not study together. However, if you feel your levels are close enough and the two of you are comfortable studying at the same level, then you should try it. You should know, however, the teacher will teach material at the level of the lower student – so both students will understand.
How long will it take me to learn to speak English well?top
It really depends on each individual student, and how many breaks they take. Our students start speaking English right away, and are able to effectively communicate after a few short months. To reach the FCE level, it takes the average beginner approximately one and a half to two and a half years.
Getting to the school
How do I get to the school?top
The school is easily accessible by tram, bus, or automobile, and private parking is available free of charge near the school. Please refer to our map under the "MAP" link.
I have car. Do you have parking at the school?/Posiadam samochód. Czy szkoła posiada parking?top
Niestety szkoła nie posiada prywatnego parkingu, aczkolwiek w okolicy jest dużo miejsc w których można zaparkować, zwłaszcza w godzinach porannych oraz po godzinie 17. W okolicy naszej szkoły nie obowiązuje strefa parkowania.
How do I get to the school by tram?/Którym tramwajem dojadę do szkoły? top
Można do nas dojechać tramwajem nr 3 i 7 wysiadając na przystanku „Nowy Kleparz”.
How do I get to the school by bus?/Którym autobusem dojadę do szkoły?top
Można do nas dojechać autobusami o numerach: 114, 115, 120, 130, 132, 137, 139, 154, 159, 164, 169, 179, 192, 207, 208, 217, 220, 227, 237, 240, 247, 257, 277, 287, 292, 297, 501 – wysiadając na przystanku „Nowy Kleparz”.
Planning
What materials do I need for class?top
A good dictionary is about all you need, as the school has books and other learning material, but students may bring their own material if they wish. We also have many DVDs, books, and videos available to our students to borrow – free of charge.
Can you help me find a job?top
Yes! We have a special agreement with a free job and accommodation service in the UK. This service is provided for our students free of charge!
Is the school open during the summer?top
Yes. The school is open year-round, with breaks only for national holidays. Any days missed due to school closures will be credited to the student's account.
Am I too old, or are my children to young, to learn English?top
No. The Callan method is suitable for all students between 15-90, and we have classes for children from 5 to 15 years of age.
Payments & Money
How can I pay for lessons?top
Students may conveniently pay by bank transfer to our account or simply in cash in the school office.
Do you accept credit cards at school?top
We do not accept credit cards at the school. However, we do allow payments by credit card via the Pay Pal system for a small surcharge.
Does the school charge a service fee for credit card or bank transfer payments?top
Yes. Credit card transactions incur an extra fee. Our students may safely make a payment with their credit card using the PayPal® system for only a 4% surcharge. Once a reservation is received requesting credit card or bank transfer payment, we calculate the total and send a request for payment, which is an email from PayPal® containing a link. Simply click on the link in the email message, add the credit card information, and send. It’s that easy.
How does Pay Pal work?top
How it works is once we have all of the reservation details finalized, we send a request for payment. Pay Pal then sends you an email with the request, and provides detailed instructions how to either create an account, whereupon you may pay by credit card or transfer the funds from a bank account, or simply enter your credit card information. Pay Pal payments must be received at least one week prior to course start date.
Is there a registration fee?top
No, there is never a registration fee. For certain programs or private groups (say a group for only you and some of your friends), a small deposit is required as these programs depend on a certain number of attendees.
How do I make a deposit?top
Once you sign up for a special course, we will let you know all details. As above, usually a deposit is not required - only in special circumstances.
If something happens and I can’t continue my lessons, can I get a refund?top
Unlike most other schools, we offer a refund within the first week for any classes not taken. This gives you the option of withdrawing if you are not satisfied with the results. Even past the first week a refund may be given. In most cases payments may be applied towards future study, within one year of original reservation. As we are quite flexible, so we also allow your payment – at anytime during your study - to go to another person not currently at the school, say a friend or colleague. Please see our General Terms and Conditions for more information.
Is there a cancellation fee?top
You may cancel your reservation within 1 week after scheduled course start date without penalty, less any possible bank transfer/Pay Pal fees or special group course deposits, for a full refund. After this time, there is still the possibility of a refund in certain circumstances, and in then a 50 zloty administrative fee applies, deducted from the amount to be refunded. Deposits for group classes and special school trips usually cannot be refunded.
Miscellaneous
What kind of Internet services do you offer?top
We have are very own Internet café, where students have unlimited use Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings. There are cables available for people with their own laptop computers. We also have Wi-Fi, enabling anyone with wireless capabilities to access the Internet anywhere on the school grounds. Internet access is available in our apartments and rooms, 24 hours per day for those bringing their own computers.
Are activities included in the tuition cost?top
Yes! All weekday activities, except such things as museum entrance fees, are included in the cost. Some optional special activities may require a small fee. Weekend excursions are arranged upon student request for a nominal fee.
Do you have special trips for students?top
Yes! We often have trips around Poland for our student sand staff. We also have overseas trips, usually during the summer months. From time to time we also have trips to our sister school in Budapest, where you can take a weekend off, or even star for a week and apply your payment for a week of English learning in Hungary!
I want to study and/or work overseas. Does your school have any programs for me?top
Yes! In response to Poland joining the EU, we have programs for those who want to study English or Spanish quickly in an environment surrounded by native speakers. For English, we have three schools in England from which to choose, and we can also help you to obtain legal work and accommodation in England! For Spanish, our school in Guatemala "Land of the Eternal Spring" is superb, and for studies of two months or longer it is actually cheaper than studying privately in Poland! Click on the link “Uniklne uslugi” or contact the school for more information.
Can you supply references from former students?top
Yes! We have a list of former students who are willing to provide references for our school. While we have some for specific programs/situations, the majority of students are references for the general study atmosphere at ILC. Please contact us if you would like us to supply a reference for you. If you are a former student and wish to be a reference, please also let us know by emailing us at: info@ibes.pl
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