LANGUAGESCHOOLS

A languageschool is a place of learning where one can study a foreign language.

In most cases, classes at a language school are geared towards, but not limited to, communicative competence in a foreign language.

Language learning in such schools typically supplements formal education or experience in a foreign language.

Foreign Language Students vary widely by, among other factors, age, educational background and work experience, as well as language proficiency. Teachers are expected to possess native fluency or acquired competence in their target languages; formal qualifications to become a language teacher, however, vary by school, region or country.

Most language schools are for-profit; that is, students contract with a school for lessons in a foreign language. Costs vary depending on demand for the language in the area in which a certain school is located. In a city such as New York with a large immigrant population and a great demand for English, intensive English classes may cost $240 (US) per week, while the same amount of money may pay for classes in other languages over a six-week period.

Language schools are either independent entities or franchises for corporations. Berlitz Language Schools is one of the largest franchises in language schools in the world. It purports to have over 600 schools worldwide, with classes teaching over 50 languages.

ESL (English as a second language), ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) and EFL (English as a foreign language) all refer to the use or study of English by speakers of other languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is described below. These terms are most commonly used in relation to teaching and learning English, but they may also be used in relation to demographic information.