FAQ - Teens - English - British Council Thailand

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	Teens

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		Before studying English at the British Council, what should my child do? Will there be any tests?

Your child will need to take a placement test. This is to gauge your child’s level of English and place him/her at a level where he/she will learn best.

To arrange an appointment please contact our centres. The placement test fee is 600 Baht for testing at Bangkok centres or 350 Baht for testing at Chiang Mai centre.

		How many terms are there for the Teens courses?

Bangkok centres: There are three terms each year. Term A runs from May to September and Term B runs from October to March. Summer term runs from March to May.

Chiang Mai centre: Weekend courses run for two terms each year. Term A runs from May to September and Term B runs from October to March. Chiang Mai also provides intensive courses during school holidays in March and October.

		When can I apply for a place for my child?

Bangkok centres: For Term A, we start accepting applications for Teens courses from February or March onwards. For Term B, we start accepting applications in September or October onwards. For Summer term, we start accepting applications for Teens courses from February to March.

However, the start date for accepting applications may vary from centre to centre. Please check for the specific date and month at each centre. Prospective students need to take a placement test before they can apply for a course. Students may be accepted to register for the second half of each term (from July or January) depending on the teacher's recommendation and their placement test result.

Chiang Mai centre: For weekend courses Term A, we start accepting applications from March to April. For Term B, we start accepting applications from September and October. And for intensive courses, we usually accept applications two weeks before the term start. Please check for specific dates and months with our Customer Relations staff.

		When can my child start studying Kids or Teens courses?

Bangkok centres:

Kids courses are for primary children (Prathom 1 to 6)

Teens courses are for lower secondary students (Matthayom 1 to 16 years old)

Chiang Mai centres:

Little Learners (LL) are for students aged 5–6 years.

Primary Learners (PL) are for students aged 7–12 years.

Secondary Learners (SL) are for students aged 12–15 years.

		Are the teachers native English speakers?

	Yes, they are.

		What qualifications have your teachers got?

	All our teachers are qualified as ESOL/EFL teachers and many of them have additional specialist qualifications.

		If my child is studying in an International School, do they need to take the placement test?

	Yes, they must still take a placement test to find their correct level of English.

		If my child is absent, do you provide make-up classes? If not, how can you help them catch up if they miss a class?

	No – the British Council only provides make up classes for lessons it cancels. This hardly ever happens. Your child’s teacher could refer him or her to the materials covered in that lesson.

		Will there be any tests during the course?

	Yes. But these are at the teachers’ discretion as to what form they will take and when they will be. These decisions are based on what is thought to be best for each particular class.

		How do you evaluate students at the end of a course?

	We assess students during the course and the end of course evaluations can take many forms,for example,a presentation, role play, presenting project work, or a spoken interview.

		Do you fail students?

	Yes. We do occasionally recommend that students repeat a level because they have not made sufficient progress to be able to move on to the next level and would find it too difficult and therefore demotivating.

		What activities does the teacher use in the classroom?

The teacher uses a variety of child-friendly activities to practise language points and/or skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Activities include stories, songs, rhymes, chants and games. During classes, learners often work in pairs and groups. This helps them to communicate in English, develop confidence and learn from each other, as well as develop the skills of team working and sharing.

We are aware of the diverse ways in which children learn. Teachers include a variety of activities to appeal to visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning styles as well as a range of multiple intelligences. Children also use a course book. We have carefully selected course books with interesting, relevant content and a range of communicative activities.

		How many students are there in one class?

Bangkok centres: The maximum class size is 16.

Chiang Mai centre: The maximum class size is 18.

		Can the teacher manage the whole class?

	Yes, at the British Council we have an unrivalled team of very qualified and experienced teachers. These teachers share ideas on a range of issues, including classroom management.

		What are the criteria for each level?

	The content of our courses varies at each level. Course outlines are available at our centres.

		Can times of classes be changed for individual students?

	No, unfortunately not. Our timetables are designed around times that are the most convenient for the majority of our students.

		How long does the placement test last?

	The written test is 40 minutes and the speaking test is around 10 minutes.

		Is it possible for my child to move up a level?

No, children are placed at the level that is most appropriate for their level of English. At the British Council we have the best interests of your child at heart.

Placing a child at a level too high for them could damage their confidence and attitude towards learning English.

If a teacher notices that a child’s level of English is considerably higher than that of his or her classmates, then he/she will recommend that child moves up a level.

		Do you give homework every week?

	The amount of homework each child gets varies depending on what they have been studying in class.

		Is there a term break?

	There is a term break every 10 weeks (Christmas/New Year, Songkran, July and October).

		Do we change the class teacher during the term?

	It is very rare that we change a teacher during term time. There will be occasions when a sick teacher is replaced by another teacher.

		Do we guarantee that students will be successful after studying with the British Council?

We aim to ensure that children who continue to study at the British Council will develop their communicative ability, confidence in English and an enthusiasm for learning English.

Being successful in any language takes time and a lot of hard work, but starting early will give your child a head start.

		Is the teaching standard the same at every Centre?

	Yes. Policies, training and teaching standards are measured against consistent targets across all our centres.