Learning in Cyprus

Enjoying a break on a beautiful Mediterranean island with the added benefit of learning English is an idyllic vision… and yet Cyprus combines the two beautifully to offer a sunshine or activity holiday with a quality learning experience. As part of the British Empire for over 80 years, the island has a very high proportion of English speakers, with 80% using English as their second – and fluent – language. The standard of English language schools is also very high with students from all over the world choosing Cyprus for their studies, and many Cypriot educational institutions have a British university affiliation. Add to this the range of specially created English as a Second Language (ESL) courses – scheduled to allow free time for exploring the island – and you have the perfect opportunity to learn whilst visiting Aphrodite’s famed birthplace.

Aside from the structured lessons, students – and holidaymakers in general – are exposed to the English language through road signs, shop signs and menus, allowing them to practise what they have learnt whilst experiencing Cyprus and its sights.
Overseeing the provision of lessons, and ensuring that all language schools provide tuition to the highest of standards is the English Language Schools Association of Cyprus (ELSAC), which is the island’s regulatory body for the teaching of English.

Wide Range of Courses
Cyprus schools provide general courses ranging from Basic English to Advanced Level, focusing on all four skills; speaking, reading, writing and listening, in order to help students develop effective communication and fluency in the language.

Another option is the Intensive English course that prepares students for the IELTS exam for the purposes of higher education, immigration and employment, or a Business English course, which is aimed at professionals who make use of English in their work, and who want to increase their fluency and confidence in speaking for social and day-to-day business activities.

Alongside the above, there are also a variety of courses designed for professionals in specific careers who want to increase their knowledge of terminology within their chosen fields, such as English for sports, actors, photographers, and the agrotourism or hotel industries.

Some schools offer the option to choose either a family programme or an individual programme, where students can stay in a hotel, or at a quaint and traditional agrotouristic house in one of the island’s picturesque villages.

High Course Standards
As all schools must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus, the quality of English language schools is high, as is the calibre of teaching staff, which consist of qualified native English speakers. Moreover the ELSAC oversees the provision of lessons and ensures that all language schools provide tuition of the highest standard.

As a general rule, classes usually start around 09:00, and finish around 13:00. After lunch, schools can arrange activities or field trips in the local area, or all over Cyprus. Depending on the school, weekends can be spent freely, or could include more activities and field trips.

Give your Children the Souvenir of English
Cyprus has always been a popular holiday destination for families, and children between the ages of 10-17 can also return home with a special ‘souvenir’ – the skill of speaking the English language!

The ELSAC has created special English language courses for one, two and three week durations, which fit in perfectly with a family holiday, or can enjoyed alone for the older age group. Children attend the English lessons from around 9am until 1pm, then have the rest of the day to enjoy the island and all it offers. The residential summer camps are the perfect way to combine a fun-packed trip with the lasting and useful gift of studying English, which in turn will open doors for future prospects in further education, employment or global travel.

And with a reputation as one of the safest places in the world – along with the island’s compact size – parents have the luxury of peace of mind, knowing that their children are learning in the best of locations.