Contrary to what you might believe, not all language schools are created equal. Just because you're going to study French at a school in Paris does not guarantee you a learning experience "par excellence." Putting in the preliminary research to determine the right school for you will make all the difference.

Location, location, location.
If your foreign language is spoken in more than one country, your first consideration is likely to be which country to study in. Take Spanish, for instance. Do you want to learn the language imbued with the accent, vocabulary and cultural nuances of Mexico or would you prefer to learn Spanish with a Castillian bent? Once you've decided on the destination, ask yourself whether you'd prefer studying in the heart of a cosmopolitan capital, a quiet provincial town or close to the beach.

Hark, who goes there?
Make sure you feel comfortable with the general makeup of the school's student body. Does the school attract mainly teenagers and young adults or corporate executives on a crash course? Ask the school to provide its demographic breakdown. If you want a truly international experience, select a school that draws students from Europe, Asia and South America rather than one which caters mainly to Americans, Brits and Australians. Find out whether or not the school teaches English to native speakers, an added bonus if you're interested in meeting and speaking with the locals.

A little ambiance.
Language schools vary dramatically in atmosphere. Decide what kind of environment will be most conducive to learning for you -- a typical classroom setting in a 19th-century Parisian building or a modern campus on the Costa del Sol? If you're looking for something a bit more intimate with local flavor, perhaps an authentic two-story carmen tucked away in Granada's Albaicin is more your style. Find out how many students can be accommodated at any one time. There's a big difference between a school that can accommodate only 30 students and one that has room for 400.

Member of the club.
Membership in a professional language associations says that the school is committed to quality standards. Organizations like the International Association of Language Schools (IALC), The European Association for Quality Language Schools (EAQUALS) and other mother tongue associations like SOUFFLE in France and CEELE in Spain evaluate schools on the qualifications and experience of the teachers, the teaching materials, the management and premises, accommodations, social activities and even the veracity of their advertising material. A word of caution, though. Many smaller but high-caliber schools cannot afford or simply do not wish to pay for the expensive membership fees that come along with a "club" endorsement. So don't automatically discount a school which does not boast a stamp of approval. Do your homework to determine the quality of the courses and the school's environment.

All work and no play?
The best way to reinforce your language skills is by practicing them in real-life situations. How you spend your time after class is just as important as the course. Look for a school that provides a full roster of weekly social activities like discussions on music or politics; dance and cooking lessons; visits to museums; sports activities; beach parties and barbecues; and outings to the theater, cinema or even the neighborhood disco.

Advice from someone who knows.
You'll probably get the best composite picture from someone who has studied at the school. Ask the school for a list of former students whom you can talk to; otherwise, contact a language travel specialist. A reliable one will have personally visited the language schools it promotes or at least met with school management to get an overall sense of the school's style and integrity.

This article first appeared in the July/August 1999 issue of American Language Review.

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