Knowing at least one foreign language today is becoming a necessary norm, without which it is difficult to do. A school or university program is often not enough to achieve the required level of language proficiency. Despite the fact that the Internet is full of advertisements for language courses, it can be difficult to choose an organization that provides really high-quality services. Numerous reviews about BKC IH - a representative of the worldwide network of language schools, allow us to judge its high level.
Basic information
Today, she is one of the recognized leaders in teaching a foreign language to children and adults. The organization has existed for more than twenty years and since 1995 has been part of the world-renowned foreign language training center International House, which has offices in 50 countries around the world. For 12 years the center has been the official institution for taking Cambridge exams in Russia. Today, as part of the Russian network of foreign language schools BKC IH, there are more than 40 branches in Moscow and the region.
The school's language profiles include:
- English;
- French;
- German;
- Spanish;
- Italian;
- Chinese;
- Japanese;
- Greek.
The range of programs offered is extremely wide. You can choose the format of classes based on age, language level, priorities, place of residence and schedule.
Adults can take a beginner course, general course, express or intensive course, improve their business English proficiency, become a member of a language club and more.
There are various programs for children from 3 years old and teenagers. The latter can prepare for the GIA and the Unified State Examination and for international exams.
The organizers of the school consider the high level of teachers to be a necessary condition for quality education. At BKC IH Moscow, all teachers are holders of certificates of passing the Cambridge exam. Some of them are native speakers.
Adult Basics
The main part of the English courses at BKC IH is based on the application of a communicative methodology. Its key principles are:
- language skills develop through communication;
- emphasis on the use of phrases rather than individual terms;
- in the classroom, specific language situations are worked out;
- modern authentic teaching aids are used.
In order to choose the most suitable course, you can pre-take a test and determine your level of knowledge of the language. For this, the common European level is used.6 step system (minimum A1 to maximum C2).
Quite often, the choice of students falls precisely on the "General Course". It is designed to develop basic language skills. The duration of the course is 6-8 months (up to 192 academic hours). Classes are held in groups of 5-12 people. The program includes: listening, grammar, speaking, reading, writing and phonetics. The level of complexity of the program is selected individually (from Pre-intermediate to Advanced). After completing the course, students receive a certificate confirming a certain level of language proficiency.
Beginner or Intensive?
English courses at BKC IH are organized in such a way as to best meet the needs of a particular student.
For those who are just about to start learning a language, the English for Beginners course, developed in accordance with the Oxford University program, is perfect. What is emphasized in the learning process:
- communication only in English;
- shaping the necessary reading and writing skills;
- listening to spoken language;
- communication in everyday situations.
At the end of training, a certificate is issued. Course duration: from 60 to 144 academic hours. Before the start of classes, you can take a test and determine your level, as well as attend an open lesson and evaluate the work of the teacher. Training takes place in small groups. You can choose a convenient schedule and location for classes.
If youyou need to master the language in the shortest possible time - you should pay attention to the various options for intensive English learning programs. During such courses, the standard program is mastered 2 times faster due to the increase in the number of classes (without sacrificing quality). An intensive schedule contributes to a deeper immersion in the language environment.
Recruitment in groups takes place throughout the year, the time of classes is selected individually. The following programs are in operation:
- weekday/weekend intensive course (1.5-4 months);
- "English for the month";
- super intensive course (1-2 months);
- Intensive Career English (2 weeks);
- conversational courses;
- grammar course.
Express programs and trainings
Situations often arise when it is necessary to “pull up” a particular section or direction in language learning. A number of positive reviews about BKC IH are dedicated specifically to the ongoing express courses and trainings. In the Moscow branches of the network of schools you can go:
- Intensive course "Phonetics + listening", developing the skills of perception of various dialects (3 days, 24 hours);
- "Grammar", aimed at replenishing the used speech grammatical forms;
- Fast Starter Program (3 days);
- "Conversational English" (fluent and competent oral speech skills);
- Business English (1 day).
You can also sign up for specialized trainings lasting one day (6 hours). For example, "Business training" is intendedfor specialists in various fields of activity (marketing, management, advertising, etc.). They are held in the format of a thematic business game (business etiquette, negotiation, business correspondence, interview, presentation). There are also trainings in phonetics (improving pronunciation), grammar (working out grammatical structures), writing an essay (for admission to foreign universities).
Conversation clubs and business English
One of the most effective ways to learn a language is constant communication. Particularly effective are conversations and dialogues on topics of interest to the participants, as well as leisure activities. That is why BKC IH Moscow has created conversation clubs and applied courses for learning English.
To overcome the language barrier, you can attend club dialogue classes or the thematic club "English + Theater" (2-4 months). You can work out and improve your oral speech skills as part of a super-intensive conversational course. A literary and conversational and film course will help you enthusiastically immerse yourself in the language environment.
At meetings of the conversation club, depending on the level of knowledge, the following topics are discussed: life abroad, art and culture, work, family, transport, holidays, world events, etiquette, sports, shopping, beauty, innovation, life changes, travel, cultural values, famous people, behaviors and more.
A separate thematic area of conversational courses is business speech and communication situations. Duration of visiting such courses: from 1 to 6 months. Herebusiness and business communication skills are being developed (terminology, etiquette, professional literature, business writing, etc.).
Foreign language for children: from 3 to 12
Specialists of the BKC IH English school pay special attention to working with children. It is the early age that is the most favorable period for learning languages.
The school has developed a special course for kids 3-6 years old Playway according to the "English + development" method. The course is aimed not only at learning English, but also at developing horizons, memory, speech and thinking. Judging by the reviews of BKC IH, this program also takes into account the age-related characteristics of perception, working with children of 3 years old is different from the techniques used with older children. The teachers working under this program have received special training, have IHCYL certificates and can build an individual learning path for each child.
Classes are held in the morning and afternoon in the format of full immersion in the language space (children draw, sing, play). The duration of the course is 192 academic hours.
Children 10-12 years old can take the Prepare course. The program is aimed at developing speaking practice, as well as writing and reading in English. Upon completion of all levels of the course, the student is fluent in the language at the intermediate level (Intermediate), can freely communicate on everyday topics. The duration of the training is 144 hours.
Teen programs
At English schoolBKC IH offer a range of programs for teens and graduates:
- English in Mind (13-16 years old);
- preparation for the OGE and the Unified State Examination (+ intensive course);
- preparing for IELTS, CAE, FCE and other exams.
The general course was developed according to the Cambridge program, aimed at developing lexical, grammatical, communication skills, writing, and includes 5 levels.
Cambridge exam preparation courses are taught by professional and experienced teachers. Exams are taken at an authorized BKC IH Cambridge center.
The course for preparing for the OGE and the Unified State Examination includes all the necessary areas of language learning: listening, grammar, speaking and writing, reading. The program was developed by the author of a number of textbooks - W. Rimmer.
The program "Academic English" will be useful for those students who plan to study at universities where teaching is conducted in English (domestic and foreign). The emphasis is on developing the skills of oratory, debate, and the study of specialized disciplines.
If a graduate plans to study abroad, he can take a special International Foundation Year course, which eliminates differences in the duration of school programs in Russia and in the West.
Training for educators and corporate training
The list of offered English courses at BKC IH in Moscow has interesting options not only for students, but also for those who teach foreign language themselveslanguage. Since 1996, the Center for the Training of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language has been operating at the base. It was opened with the support of International House (an international linguistic organization).
Today it is the only center in Russia offering a wide range of seminars and courses for English teachers. Among them are Cambridge programs (CELTA, Delta) and trainings developed by the center's specialists. The center also oversees the process of professional development of teachers of the BKC-ih school itself.
Program for teachers "Method + Language". Duration - 3 months. It is aimed at teachers who are not native speakers. The course helps to maintain the required level of foreign language proficiency, and also introduces the latest teaching methods. Each lesson includes language practice (work on pronunciation and fluency, analysis of speech errors and idiomatic expressions) and a methodological part.
Get Certified: International Exams
Many reviews about BKC IH are often associated with another area of their activity - the organization of international exams at various levels. Here you can:
- learn in detail about all the main types of English language exams (there are about 15 of them);
- sign up for exam preparation programs;
- pass mock exams;
- register for Cambridge exams and IELTS.
Speaking of the latter, it is worth emphasizing that there are representative offices of the registration center not only in the capital, but also in a number of other cities. For example,You can sign up for this exam at the BKC IH Moscow IELTS Center in Samara. The main thing is desire.
IELTS is an international English proficiency test. Often, it is he who is handed over if it is planned to move abroad for work or for permanent residence. Its results are relevant for 9,000 global organizations. The certificate is accepted by educational institutions, specialized companies in Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and others. To successfully pass the exam, the highest level of language proficiency is required (score on a 9-point scale). Provides two types of test: for everyday communication and professional communication skills.
English courses at BKC IH: reviews
Opinions about the network of schools for teaching foreign languages and evaluation of their activities can be heard both from those who have been trained, and from the staff and teachers of the center. And the vast majority of these estimates are with a plus sign. BKC IH networks really have something to be proud of. Many years of tradition, several dozen centers in Moscow and the Moscow region, professional teachers, many of whom are native speakers, a huge range of various training programs.
Most of those who took courses at BKC IH note that their level has increased noticeably, language barriers have disappeared. Some students have successfully prepared for international exams. Many note the special friendly and informal atmosphere in the classroom, the individual approach and the skill of the teachers. For example, one of the trainees inbranch of the BKC IH at "Kantemirovskaya" (metro station in Moscow) writes that the extraordinary approach of the teacher and her willingness to help each student were of great importance for their successful completion.
On the net you can also find a number of grateful reviews from those English teachers who have passed through the advanced training center.
BKC IH schools are located in Moscow at the following addresses:
- st. Kantemirovskaya, 12/1;
- st. Krasnaya Presnya, 13;
- 1st Frunzenskaya, 5;
- st. Yablochkova, 21/3.
A new level of knowledge of a foreign language - new heights of life!
