Free or paid English program? Which one should I take?

When students decide to learn English, one of the most important factors to choose a school is the cost. Let's review what is available and see what kind of program would match your goals.

There are hundreds of English programs when looking for the best language schools and sometimes it could be confusing on what to choose. Not all the free or paid programs are for all the students and there are some factors you should consider before deciding the best for you.

Your goals

This should be the first decision-making point to consider. If you plan to learn basic words, 'survival' language, or just to travel around, you should ask for an English program that has few hours of class per week or not that intensive (content or course difficulty). Outside the U.S., you may find English-language schools identified as English as a Foreign Language institution (EFL). If you need the language for further studies or work, you'd better apply for an intensive English program (usually called IEP in the U.S.) since they will offer more exposure in terms of class hours and will offer more specific courses needed for a language requirement if you apply for an undergraduate degree, for example.

Schedule

The time you devote to learn a language will determine how much you will be exposed to a language and, hence, how fast you will learn it. Free -or more affordable- program schedules are usually of 4 to 10 hours of class per week, or not offered continuously. If your availability depends on your schedule, this will give you a better idea of what kind of program you can go to. In the U.S., for example, public libraries offer eight to ten hours of class per week, two or three days per week, and students learn the basics in programs like these ones. The schedule in an IEP is usually 18 to 22 hours of class per week, daytime classes, focused on learning 'deeper' courses which would eventually help with a university degree application. 

You can also see online programs that could adapt to your schedule, which are called 'asynchronous' and 'synchronous' modes. Asynchronous schedules are for those pre-recorded or already designed classes, where you decide how much you interact with a platform and materials. Synchronous classes have 'live' classes, with a hands-on teacher who you can directly interact with.

Free or paid?

A paid program is not necessarily better than a free program. This will probably offer more or few class contact hours, intensive courses, materials or course books, evaluation, number of students per group, curricula, or levels offered. Free programs could be the first step if you plan to start slow or without too much pressure for class evaluation. Make sure the free program follows a daily lesson plan since many students could be absent for many days and classes may not go as fast as you expect. Free programs are not recommended for those who need to apply for a degree program or look to find a better job in the short-run. 

Tuition-fee programs usually have an intensive or ongoing schedule. These usually offer separate courses focused on different skills (conversation class separate from a reading comprehension class) and even with a test preparation class (TOEFL or IELTS prep course), needed to comply with the language requirement to be accepted in a degree program.

Some U.S. universities also offer a pre-college English immersion program, which is a low-budgeted English program for those already accepted in an undergraduate degree but need a semester of English classes first.

Students who need to learn in an English-speaking country to start a degree program and go with a student visa or short-term visa, may not be eligible on an immersion program (usually open to residents/citizens) or free programs (usually open to qualifying residents/citizens) since the visa requirement asks to study in a full-time schedule of at least 18 hours of class per week.

Final decision!

Taking these and more factors will help you decide which type of English program you need in terms of budget, academic or non-academic plans, and personal objectives. Consider a free English program if you want to start small and intensive programs if you want to go faster. Exposure to a language is key when learning English or any other language and this will determine how fast or slow you will learn. If your budget is an issue, you can take a free program and be exposed to the language the rest of day with other resources (music, podcasts, movies, books, etc.). If you need to be immersed within the culture where the language is spoken, but still affordable, find an intensive program that could offer a complete academic program, with many hours of class, and extra offerings (university campus services, library access, etc.).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in learning English? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island/The City University of New York (CUNY). The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City. ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree. Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer. Staten Island Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation. The campus The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts. Campus location The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry. ELI academic program The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension. ELI courses: Reading & Writing Grammar Communications (Conversation) TOEFL Workshop