Academy SJW London

Established in 1952, Academy SJW London is a small English language school with ten classrooms and a maximum of 100 adult students. The school has been officially recognized since 1955, and is fully accredited by the British Council. SJW is unique in London, with a maximum of 8 students per class on Maincourse and Cambridge University Exam courses, and 10 on Summercourse. These very small classes maximise the contact time between the teacher and the students. Computers are never used inside the classroom - SJW teachers are very aware that student travel to London to learn English with real people, not machines! The minimum age of SJW students is 18. The average is 25 to 30. Most SJW students are professional people who need English for their careers - company managers and employees; government workers; teachers or University students. Some are retired. Recent SJW students have included actors, architects, professional footballers, musicians and soldiers. Academy SJW is located in Boundary Road in the elegant residential area of St John\'s Wood in inner London, just fifteen minutes by bus or underground from Oxford Street. Boundary Road and nearby Abbey Road (where the Beatles made their famous recordings!) contain numerous restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and shops.

London is the capital city of England and the UK. It is a vibrant location, containing some of the world\'s best cultural and entertainment facilities - theatres, concert halls, opera, rock music, Premier League football, magnificent galleries and museums, parks and gardens, shops and department stores. It is also a world centre for education and employment. A stay of two or three weeks in London merely skims the surface - to really get to know the city takes months!

All SJW courses offer 25 lessons of 50 minutes per week - 5 lessons per day, Monday to Friday, 0900 to 1420. All courses cost 180 GBP per week in 2004. Classes are offered at all levels from elementary to advanced. Apart from one-to-one courses, there are no classes for absolute beginners. Courses offer a careful balance of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Role-play and simulation are used at all levels; grammar skills are practised regularly! All students are thoroughly tested on arrival at Academy SJW, and placed in the class level which will enable them to solve their language problems. A teachers\' meeting is held every week to review student progress and decide which students need to move levels. A Certificate of Study is awarded at the end of the course. With a maximum of 8 students per class on Maincourse Intensive English and in Exam classes, and 10 on Summercourse, the teacher-student contact time is maximised. This is vital for rapid progress. Students attending the full 14 week Cambridge FCE and CAE Exam courses receive an Exam Pass Guarantee - students who fail the exam may take the course again without cost.

Most SJW students choose the convenience and economy of homestay, living with a local host family. Academy SJW checks, grades and allocates all host families to ensure the maximum quality of the homestay experience. Homestay can be arranged on a half board basis - breakfast and dinner every day, which costs 120 GBP per week in 2004 - or with breakfast only, at 90 GBP per week. Double rooms can be arranged for couples. Religious and dietary preferences can be taken into account. Some students - especially those sponsored by their company or Government - prefer to stay in a local apartment or hotel. Although more expensive than homestay, this option offers more independence, and is often chosen by older students.

The Social Activity programme is an important part of the course at Academy SJW. It is a great opportunity to mix with people, make new friends and practise speaking and understanding English. Events held inside SJW are free. Many other events are also free, but some (cinema, theatre etc) cost from 5 GBP to around 25 GBP (weekend excursions etc). Of course, it is not compulsory to join in the Social Programme, and many SJW students prefer to organise their own entertainment. After all, it is almost impossible to be bored in London!