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Language tour operators - the alternative
Extensive contacts
Language holiday packages
Individual assessment
Optimal care
Specially selected host families
Insider know-how
Quality assurance
Associations for language travel agents
Extensive contacts
Travel agents have a portfolio of well-established, high quality schools in a variety of locations. They deal with all these leading language schools and course providers and are always informed about their courses availability and ongoing changes. If you book your language course with a certain travel agent you can also take advantage of the company's contacts with travel suppliers including airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, hotels and tour guides. Travel agents are always ready to help you and use their contacts with lots of institutions which allow them to search through literally thousands of different options to find the right choice for you.
Language holiday packages
Language travel agents will not only help you find the right course in the best language school but will also plan your trip and provide you with a full travel package including: - Door-to-door transportation on arrival and departure (including bus, train or plane transportation, transfers to and from the language school, etc.)
- Visa assistance (approved travel agents can apply and get you a visa if needed)
- A specially designed language course programme
- Accommodation with/without catering (in hotels, hostels, host families, etc.)
- Organisation of additional sport and leisure activities as well as excursions and events (you can choose from a variety of offers from golf to water rafting)
Individual assessment
If you want to find the 'right' course that matches your language skills, you need to take part in a special entry-level test that will establish your level of knowledge. Depending upon your language entry level results, you can follow one of offered courses and find the optimal way to improve your language skills. Optimal care
Travel agents are flexible and will readily answer all your questions concerning your language holiday. Advisory services and special events prior to your language learning trip are often advertised and provided by most of the agencies. In this way you get interesting information about your destination, list of cultural attractions and sights. These briefings give details about the organization and planning of the trip. Travel agents are always there for you when you have questions, problems or any special wishes and they take care of your trip at home and abroad. Specially selected host families
The most popular type of accommodation providing a total language immersion environment are the host families. It is very important that travel agents find a good host family match for each student. Host families are usually experienced and are regularly inspected by travel agents to ensure that the service and standards are maintained at a high level and that learners improve their language skills in a friendly and homely atmosphere. Insider know-how
Travel agents will not only help you choose a matching course that corresponds to your level of knowledge, but will also assist you in finding the best location for acquiring new language skills. They are familiar with the language learning programmes as well as with the country's people, their habits and lifestyle. Travel consultants can give you important information about local sport, cultural and leisure offers and give you valuable insider tips along with general tourist information. Quality assurance
Travel agencies inspect all the schools featured in the company's portfolio and in this way give a 100% guarantee for the offered services and educational programmes. Language travel agents audit the schools on-campus, review thoroughly the classroom settings, check the available study materials, assess the course structure, professional qualifications of the teaching staff and the students care provided by the school. Travel agents also take into consideration the location of the school and the satisfaction of teachers and students attending a particular school. Associations for language travel agents
In case you have already decided to book a language learning holiday, it is important to find a qualified and renowned provider of language travel services. By contacting official national organisations and associations, you can get a list of members that can help you choose the best agent for your language holiday. National associations set guidelines and specific regulations as well as controlling the quality of services offered by their member agencies.Quality guidelines usually focus on the following points:
- Booking and payment methods
- Travel documentation (bus tickets, airline tickets, bus and plane timetables, vouchers, information about the guide and the accommodation, information about the support and care services, travel and destination bulletins, etc.)
- Competency of the employees worldwide
- Customer care worldwide
- School settings and equipment
- Course arrangements
- Entry-level tests
- Graduation certificates and diplomas
- Accommodation
- Leisure activities and special offers
National associations review language travel agency catalogues and brochures as well as conducting on-campus visits of language schools. In order to become a member, travel agencies have to meet the above listed predetermined standards and the criteria of the national association.
Most countries have their own national associations and organisations but there are also international associations who accredit members from different countries all over the world.
Here you will find a comprehensive list of contact details for associations of language travel agencies.