Accreditations and Memberships

The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,

Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol

and Bournemouth are:

EF Dublin is accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers

in the USA are members of:

The EF Internation-al Language Cent-

ers in the USA are accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in

Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:

EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue

Etrangère.

EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.

All EF Courses are certified by Southern

New Hampshire University.

EF Education is an active participant in

the Comité Européen de Normalisation.

The EF International Language Centers

in Brisbane and Perth are mem-

bers of:

The EF International Language Centers in

Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are

accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,

Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bourne-mouth are members of:

All EF Courses are recog-nized by Hult International

Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

LondonEurope’s largest city is a colourful mix of cultures and

languages, designer boutiques and funky street mar-

kets, old tradition and high fashion. The EF school

is just a short walk to the River Thames, Covent

Garden and Trafalgar Square.

Contact details:74 Roupell StLondon SE1 8SS, UKTel: +(44) 2074 018399

EF London

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFLondon

Section ......Topic

1 ........... Introduction to EF

2 ...........Welcome to the UK

3 ...........Weather watch

4 ...........Travel & transfer service

5 ...........School information

6 ...........Academics

7 ...........Accommodation & meals

8 ...........Money matters

9 ...........Phones, faxes & Internet

10 .........Health care & insurance

11 .........School activities & excursions

12 .........Transportation

13 .........Expectations

14 .........UK culture & living tips

15 .........Adjusting to a new culture

16 .........EF school calendar & holidays

17 .........Checklist

Contents - London

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing to study in London. You have made

an exciting decision, as there is surely nowhere in the English-

speaking world that can combine centuries of tradition with a

cosmopolitan and modern outlook on life as well as London.

EF London has a friendly atmosphere where staff will take time to

help you with any aspect of your stay. The school is both large and

well-equipped, offering classes for all abilities, as well as iLab com-

puter rooms for online learning and wireless access for personal

computer use. If you require help enrolling for exams, would like to

gain work experience, or are interested in studying at an English

university, we have experts available to help you. Our friendly staff

can help you with every aspect of your stay, whether it involves your

lessons, accommodation or your social life.

We are situated on a peaceful street, where during breaks from

your lessons you can relax under the shade of the trees in our

private courtyard. At the same time, we are just a few minutes

walk from the heart of the city, the River Thames, and the nightlife

and theatres of Covent Garden.

And remember that only you can decide how much English you

will learn and how much you will benefit from living in this city. As

well as your passport, you will need to bring determination, an

open mind and a willingness to learn. So welcome to the capital

city of England: EF London looks forward to meeting you.

Best wishes,

Helen Deex, Executive Director

EF International Language Center, London

3 London, UK

2. Welcome to the UK!Congratulations on choosing one of the most in-

teresting and varied countries to study in! Britain’s

character has been shaped by its position as an

island. It has not been successfully invaded since

1066 and its people have developed their own

distinctive traditions.

The Roman invasion of AD43 lasted for 350 years

and helped bring culture and civilization to the

islands. This was soon replaced by the culture

and language of the Northern European settlers

that followed.

For a small island, Great Britain encompasses

much variety in its regions. Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland are ruled through London but

they remain separate countries from England.

Many have their own regional language as well

as English. Even the landscape, architecture and

food can vary from region to region, from the

mountains of Wales and Scotland to the rolling

hills of the south and west and from the haggis

of Scotland through to the fish and chips of

England.

Over three quarters of the land is set aside for

agriculture but during the 19th and 20th centuries

there was a huge growth in the urban population.

Britain became the first industrialised nation and

thousands of people moved from the countryside

to the towns and cities near mines, mills and fac-

tories. The effect of this can still been seen today

with many of Britain’s streets containing small

residential terraced housing that was originally

built to house the influx of people.

The British love their countryside and animals.

There is a great enthusiasm for country and city

parks with many wildlife nature reserves across

the country. This even extends to the home where

many gardens are lovingly tended and it is com-

mon to find a cat or dog as a pet.

British cities are melting pots for people from all

over the world. Since the 1950s hundreds of

thousands of immigrants came from the former

British colonies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

This ensured a steady supply of labour into the

country. Today nearly 10 per cent of Britain’s 58

million people are from non-white ethnic groups

and over half of these were born in Britain. In

larger cities such as London, this

figure reaches nearly 40 per cent. As a result

Britain boasts a wide range of music, art, food

and religion - giving you the student exciting new

experiences.

When you are studying you will notice how Britain

has changed over the years. While still holding on

to traditions such as the Royal family and the legal

and Parliamentary systems, Great Britain will offer

you the chance to experience varied historical,

cultural and vibrant ways of life. We believe that

living abroad and learning a language will give you

valuable insights into the culture, customs and

history of your host country and give you many

essential skills to take home.

3. Weather WatchSituated in the southeast of England, the climate

is rarely extreme but the weather can be variable.

Make sure to pack an umbrella for the rainy days.

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 3° to 19°C (37° to 66°F)

Summer: 9° to 25°C (48° to 77°F)

Autumn: 3° to 18°C (37° to 64°F)

Winter: 0° to 9°C (32° to 48°F)

4. Travel & transfer service Transfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be

confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service

from the airport to your accommodation for an

additional fee. We highly recommend that you

take advantage of this service.

At least one month before your arrival, you must

inform the EF Office in your home country of the

exact details of your flight (airline, flight number,

date and time).

When you arrive in London, pass through

customs and wait at the information desk in the

arrival area for an EF Representative to meet you.

1. Introduction to EFEF Education First welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language where it is natively spoken. Our innovative curriculum, the EF Efekta™ System, integrates face-to-face learning in a classroom with studying outside the classroom using the interactive learn-ing tools in our online iLab. An intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and social activi-ties results in a fast and fun way to learn a language.

EF students come from diverse back-grounds and like you, they have chosen a program to enhance their language skills as part of their academic or career plan. Many have planned for years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of EF students apply their new language skills by taking a recog-nized exam, such as Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS. Successful completion of such exams provides the necessary language qualifications for university and for professional endeavors. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives while im-proving language and study skills. Students wishing to study at university can access information and make informed academic choices through our EF University Place-ment Service.

A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission - breaking down barriers of language and culture.

4 London, UK

Do not go to another part of the airport unless an

EF staff member tells you to. If, after approxi-

mately 30 minutes you still have not met with

your greeter, go to the information desk and ask

for help, or call the EF school emergency number

for assistance. You will receive the emergency

number and other important contact information

from your local EF office prior to departure.

We would ask you to be extra vigilant on arrival

at the airports as there have been a few incidents

where students have been picked up by Taxi

Touts, who frequently target foreign students.

They convince them they are EF Taxi drivers, drive

the students to their destination and then charge

them for the transfer telling them that they can

then claim this money back from the school. This

is not true, so please make sure that you do not

go with any driver who is not holding an EF sign.

If your luggage doesn’t arrive on time and the

airline sends it to you, please make sure you give

the school address as the delivery address.

Independent Travel

If you wish to make your own way to your ac-

commodation, the best route to take depends on

which airport you arrive at.

z From London Heathrow Airport: you can catch

the Heathrow express, which takes you into

Paddington Station. You can also take the

underground, Piccadilly line, which will take you

into central London.

z From London Gatwick: you can catch the

Gatwick express which takes you into London

Victoria Station.

z From Stansted or Luton airport: you can catch

a coach service which will take you into London

Victoria or London Liverpool Street Station.

From any of these mainline stations, you can

connect to other transport services to complete

the remainder of your journey. If you travel to

London by train, you will most likely arrive at

Kings Cross St. Pancras, from where you can

connect to other transport services to complete

the remainder of your journey.

5. School InformationThe School Director is assisted by an accom-

plished staff of teachers and administrators.

There is also an Activities Coordinator who

organises EF activities and excursions.

The school offers the following:

z iLab computer rooms for classes & self-study

z Computer lab

z Wireless internet throughout the building and

courtyard for personal computer use

z Student lounge with TV

z Cafeteria

z Notice boards to tell you what is happening.

z Private Courtyard with pool table and table

tennis

6. AcademicsEF language courses give students the opportu-

nity to study the English language and the local

culture for as long, and with as much intensity, as

suits the student and his or her needs.

EF Level Placement Test

Within 24-hours after booking your course, you’ll

receive your personalized EF username and

password for the online EF campus called My

EF. Before traveling, you will take the EF Level

Placement test online. This test will measure

your language level and ability, grammar and

listening comprehension abilities. Using your test

results, our academic team will place you in one

of six different language levels. As your English

language skills become stronger, you will be

promoted into the next language level. You may

speak with your teacher if you feel you have been

placed into the wrong level.

Orientation

During your orientation you will receive your class

schedule and other important information about

the school and the city. Fun activities are planned

to help you meet students and staff. Staff are on

hand to help you with any questions or concerns

during your first few days.

General English Classes

General English classes focus on the develop-

ment of the four skills of speaking, listening,

reading and writing. They also include work on

grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Each

lesson is 40 minutes in length.

Special Interest Classes

Depending on your course type you may also

select a number of special interest (SPIN)

classes. SPINs allow you to improve your English

through the study of a wide range of subject

options. Admission to some of these will depend

on academic and linguistic level and availability

of places. The selection of SPIN classes varies

throughout the year and a student may not be

able to repeat the same SPIN class. Each lesson

is 40 minutes in length.

Class size

The average class size is 15 students with a

maximum of 17 students.

Class Schedule

The EF London school is open six days each

week. Students studying less than 6 months

will be on a Tuesday to Saturday timetable (with

Sunday and Monday free). All other students will

be on a Monday to Friday timetable (with Satur-

day and Sunday free). Classes will be scheduled

between 8.30 am and 7.30 pm 5 consecutive

days per week and may be in the morning or the

afternoon.

Peak Summer Season Timetabling

During the summer between the first week of

July and the third week of August, the school

is open for classes Monday through Saturday.

Your schedule will be either Monday to Friday or

Tuesday to Saturday between the hours of 8.30

am and 7.30 pm. Your timetable will confirm your

schedule.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes. Consis-

tent failure to attend class, for whatever reason,

may result in expulsion from the program with no

refund of course fees. In order to be eligible for

an EF certificate and in order to take the EFCELT

departure exam, students are expected to

participate in class and must attend at least 80%

of all classes.

Please note: EF complies with UK Border Agen-

cy regulations regarding periods of absence.

Homework

You are expected to complete all assignments

set by your teachers in General English and

Special Interest classes. If you are taking an

examination preparation class you should expect

at least one hour of homework per night.

Assessment

You will be assessed at regular intervals through-

out the course. Assessment is based on atten-

dance, participation, attitude and performance.

5 London, UK

Course books

You will have paid for your course books when

you booked your programme. The exact number

of books that you’ll need is determined by your

academic level, progress and choice of special

interest classes. If you wish to buy additional

books you may need more money. The books

you buy are yours to keep, write in and take

home with you for future reference.

iLab Learning

All English language school courses include six

iLab sessions per week. iLab sessions comple-

ment and reinforce classroom learning in an inter-

active online learning environment. Please note:

iLab is not included in the EF Basic Course.

Exams

You may enrol for several different public

examinations during your course. For example,

Cambridge and IELTS exams are popular with

students. These must be taken at an external

examination centre and booked several months

in advance. You will need to pay fees to register

for public exams in the UK. This is typically £90

to £110 for each exam. Advice as to the most

appropriate examination to sit will be given to you

by your Director of Studies.

Summer school

Please note that during the summer months we

operate two EF London schools. Depending on

your course of study you will attend classes at

either our EF London school in Roupell Street, or

EF London Summer School in Portland Place,

near Oxford Street. At both locations you will be

met with prime learning facilities and an active

student life.

Cancellation of course or school transfer

If you decide to downgrade, cancel or transfer

your course to another EF school within the UK,

please talk to our Customer Support team. They

will advise you of any transfer charges and visa

restrictions.

EF University Placement Service

EF International Language Centers offer a

university placement service that provides expert

advice on applying for university in the UK and

Ireland. If you are interested in continuing your

studies, you are encouraged to talk with the

University Pathways Manager at your school.

University Transfer Credit

Through our partnership with Southern New

Hampshire University (SNHU), EF students may

be eligible to receive university credit for their

coursework.

7. Accommodation & MealsHomestay and student residence accommoda-

tion are available at the EF school. All homestay

matters or student residence issues during your

stay should be directed to the Accommodation

Staff.

Homestay accommodation

Students staying in a homestay will have the

opportunity to experience British life and also

have the chance to practice their new language

skills with fluent English speakers. Students who

choose homestay accommodation should do so

because they want to live in a home environment

and interact with the members of the household.

Our homestay hosts choose to host international

students because they want to learn about

other cultures and people. Students who live in

a homestay must respect the family and their

home. Likewise, the hosts will respect the stu-

dent. As you get an in-depth look at British life,

you will realize that British culture is not the same

as your culture, and therefore, home life may be

quite different.

The relationship between husband and wife, the

roles of family members, the relationship with or

discipline of children and the relationship with

pets are just some examples. If you are open-

minded about these differences, life in the family

will be a great learning experience.

There is no stereotypical family. Hosts may con-

sist of 1) mother and father without children, 2)

single mother with children, 3) mother, father and

children, 4) retired couple, 5) widowed woman,

or 6) single father with children.

EF has two different types of homestay accom-

modation; Homestay, which has a maximum of

four students per house and two students per

room; and Homeshare which has up to eight

students in one house and two students per

room. Homeshare offers a more independent at-

mosphere and students have less direct contact

with the homestay hosts.

You are responsible for all transportation costs to

and from the host’s home. You may be placed

up to one hour away from the school.

Before you leave your home country, please let

your homestay hosts know the date and esti-

mated time of your arrival to ensure they are at

home to welcome you when you arrive.

Laundry and Facilities

Your homestay hosts will change your towel

and sheets every week. You are responsible for

your own clothes. If you want to use your host ’s

washing facilities, there will usually be a charge of

approximately £4 - £5 per week.

You are responsible for your personal items such

as shampoo, conditioner, soap and other items.

6 London, UK

In England not all bathrooms have showers – it is

very common to just have a bath. You will prob-

ably share the bathroom with others. This means

that you may need to be flexible about shower

and bath times.

Always remember to keep your room clean and

tidy. Make your bed, and put your belongings

away. You are also responsible for cleaning up

after snacks and for washing your own dishes

after breakfast. It is also polite to help clear the

table after dinner.

Telephone use

To call your friends and family you will need to

use a prepaid telephone card, which is available

at the school. Your family can telephone you, but

please ask them not to call too late. Remember

that you are sharing the telephone with the rest

of the people in the home. Do not spend more

than 15 minutes on the phone at any time.

Requests for change

Homestay accommodation is booked for your

entire course. You may only change homestays

for very serious reasons. Requests for change will

be considered on an individual basis. No refunds

will be granted for students who choose to leave

their homestay for personal reasons.

Meals in a homestay

Your homestay hosts provide breakfast and

dinner Monday to Friday, and all meals on the

weekends. You are responsible for your own

lunch during the week. Meals will only be pro-

vided when you are home to participate. Please

be sure to call your hosts if you are going to be

late or if you are not going to be home for a meal.

There will be no refund for meals not taken at

home with your family. There is an EF Cafeteria

at the school, where you can purchase food and

drinks throughout the day.

Residential accommodation

Please note: towels are not provided in any of the

EF London residences.

Ability Towers

The Ability Towers residence is located between

the trendy areas of Old Street and Upper Street.

Central London and the West End are about a

10-minute ride away. The closest underground

station is Old Street Station, which is about a

5-minute walk. The trip to the EF school takes

approximately 35 minutes.

z Video entry phone

z Fully equipped kitchen with washer/dryer,

dishwasher and microwave oven

z Lounge with colour TV

z 24-hour security

z Once a week cleaning with linen change

z Elevator to all floors/levels

Manna Ash Summer Residence

(July & August only)

WIth a fantastic location in Zone 1 near Waterloo,

Manna Ash is just a 10-minute walk from the

school. This area is also very close to the city

centre (20-minute walk) and around it are many

good restaurants and other amenities. There is a

student lounge with a TV, coin operated washing

machine and bicycle parking, monitored 24

hours a day.

z Single room

z En-suite bathroom

z Self-catering shared between 6-8 students

z Summer only residence (July & August only)

Please note: towels are not provided in any of the

EF London residences. You will need to pay for

replacements of lost keys, damage, or fines if you

break our health and safety guidelines.

8. Money MattersCurrency

British currency is in pounds sterling (abbreviated

to GBP, Great British Pound, or nicknamed quid

by the British). The symbol for this currency is £.

The pound is divided into 100 pence (abbrevi-

ated as p). If you purchase something that is 95

pence, for example, you will probably be told that

the amount is “95 pee” rather than 95 pence.

You will see amounts written this way: “95p” or

“£0.95.”

Banknotes come in denominations of £5, £10,

£20, and £50. They will each be a different size

and a different color to allow you to tell them

apart more easily. Coins come in denominations

of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence, as well as 1 and

2 pounds.

Banks

For short stays it is not possible to open a bank

account, however It is a good idea to open a

bank account if you will be staying more than

6 months. If required you can hire a safety

deposit box at a bank, please ask the EF office

for advice.

Spending money

We recommend that you bring about £100 for

your first days in England to cover costs such as

travel to school, lunch, and telephone calls.

We recommend that you bring £100 - £150 for

each week you plan to stay in England. This

should cover lunches, laundry, travel to and from

school, and EF Activities mid-week. For weekend

excursions, shopping and depending on what

you choose to do during your leisure time, you

may need to bring more. Please also remember

you will need to pay for any language proficiency

exams you plan to take.

Only carry as much money as you need for one

day – remember thieves exist everywhere in the

world! The safest way to carry money is traveller’s

cheques. Many places also accept major credit

cards.

Changing money

When changing money in the UK always go to

a recognised bank or travel agent. Commission

rates will vary so check first for the best rate. We

regret that we are unable to change money in the

school.

Credit cards

EF strongly recommends that students travel

with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards

enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms, and

do various activities, which may be more difficult

with cash or traveller’s cheques.

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

All long distance calls must be collect calls,

charged to the person you are calling, or charged

to a prepaid telephone card, which can be pur-

chased at the EF school. We recommend that

students expecting to stay for a long period of

time come with or purchase a mobile phone.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. You can send and receive faxes from

this machine for a small fee, although you are

encouraged to limit the use. When you receive

mail or faxes at the school, these will be kept in

Activities for you until you pick them up.

7 London, UK

There are also many places close to the school

that send faxes and charge for the time used.

Ask the front desk for directions to the nearest

fax machine you can use.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless

Internet. Students are highly encouraged to bring

their personal laptop computers for email and

Internet use on the wireless network.

10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend nearby hospitals

and doctors offices if you need medical attention.

Please ask the EF staff or your homestay hosts

for assistance if you need medical attention. If

you have any personal problems there is always

someone who you can talk to confidentially. We

strongly recommend that you register with a

doctor in your first week if you are staying for 6

months or more. Your host family or residence

staff can advise you.

Insurance

All students traveling to the UK are required

to have medical and accident insurance upon

starting their program of study. You will still have

to pay for some treatment if you see a doctor but

you can claim the money back from the insur-

ance company. Please note: You will need to

keep all receipts in order to receive money back

from the insurance company.

All students are required to bring proof of insur-

ance in English to show that they have proper

health insurance when a medical emergency

occurs. Students who do not bring proof of

insurance will be required to purchase insurance

through EF at the school.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with

Erika Travel Insurance, an international insurance

expert. The policy protects you against expenses

incurred through accident or illness, and provides

coverage for loss or theft of baggage and per-

sonal effects. It also provides coverage against

interruption of your EF program due to illness as

well as liability and legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When you

are sick or injured the last thing you want to do is

deal with such issues. Let us help you!

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to your

social and academic success. They not only help

you to relax after a day studying, they also pro-

vide you with an opportunity to meet and make

friends from other classes, other countries and

other cultures. Your school’s activities and trips

give you the opportunity to apply your life skills,

practice English in real situations and familiarize

yourself with British culture.

Activity Programme

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regular

schedule of local activities, day-trips, and week-

end excursions to area attractions. The cost of

these trips is not included in the tuition.

Typical activities and excursions

The school arranges weekend excursions and

day trips to local attractions. The number of trips

and the cost depend on the time of year and the

number of students wishing to participate. Our

excursions are organised at a minimum cost, are

great fun and extremely good value.

Excursions could range from day trips to Brigh-

ton, or the Roman City of Bath and Stonehenge

(cost between £25 and £55) to weekend trips to

Edinburgh, Dublin, Amsterdam or Paris (cost be-

tween £145 and £249). These prices are subject

to change at any time.

Example of the London activities schedule

These activities may differ from those on offer

during your stay here with us.

Monday

z Boat Trip on the Thames: For all new students,

see London’s fabulous sights and attractions

aboard a boat. Including: Big Ben, Parliament,

the Globe, London Eye and more. Cost £5.

Tuesday

z London Eye: Come and take a flight on the

London Eye with EF. 2 p.m. Cost £12.

z Trip to St Paul’s Cathedral: Climb to the top of

the dome from where you can see a panoramic

view of London and experience the Whispering

Gallery 2 p.m. Cost £9.

Wednesday

z Trip To Madame Tussauds: See all the famous

stars face to face! Don’t forget to bring your

camera. Cost £15.

z Theatre Trip: Phantom of the Opera London’s

most famous musical. Cost £30.

Thursday

z Changing of the Guard: Visit nearby Buck-

ingham Palace where you can witness this

spectacular royal tradition. Cost free.

z Tower of London: Explore this 1,000 year old

fortress, its history and see the famous Crown

Jewels! Cost £15

Friday

z Football: Come and play with us at the Co-

lombo Centre (indoors if it rains) Cost free.

z Party Night!! Come and party at London’s most

exclusive and fun clubs, including Ministry of

Sound, Pacha and Café de Paris. Over 18’s

only. Cost between free and £7.

Saturday

z Brighton and the Royal Pavilion: Come with EF

to the beach town of Brighton. Includes coach

and tour of the Pavilion and free time to explore.

Cost £25.

z Oxford and University: Come with EF to the

beautiful city of Oxford. Includes return coach

travel, guided tour of the city and entrance into

Christchurch College. Cost £35.

Sunday

z Bath and Stonehenge. Visit the historic site

of Stonehenge and explore the unique city of

Bath. Includes return coach travel, entrance to

Stonehenge and a guided tour of Bath. Cost

£45.

Let us help you have fun!

London has more galleries and museums than

any city in the world. These include The Natural

History Museum, the Museum of the Moving

Image, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the

National Gallery and the British Museum. Some

charge a small entrance fee whereas most others

are completely free of charge.

Parties, club nights and pub visits are held on

a regular basis as well as going to theatres,

musicals & TV shows. We will organise anything

of interest - just let us know what you would like

to do. Our staff will keep you informed about

8 London, UK

what’s going on and show you the most happen-

ing places of the time.

Whether booking theatre tickets, searching for a

cheap flight or planning a trip, the activities office

has the contacts and means to help you.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

There are many forms of reliable public trans-

portation in and around the London city centre.

It is also affordable, so take advantage of every

opportunity to use it.

Bus

Traditional London buses travel to all parts of the

city and are easy to identify, being painted bright

red.

Train

London has a complex network of underground

train stations and this is more commonly known

as ‘The Tube’. It consists of 11 different lines

crossing much of London and provides a fast

and cheap way to travel all over, categorising

London into zones. Each line has its own colour

and name - all you need to know is which direc-

tion you are travelling in. Day / weekend passes

may be purchased, providing unlimited travel.

Taxi

If you are in a small group, London’s metered

black cabs can be an economical way of getting

around the centre. A yellow light over the wind-

screen tells you if the cab is available - just stick

your arm out to hail it. London’s cabbies are the

best trained in Europe, every one of them knows

the shortest route between any two points.To

stay safe, always use black cabs as these are

properly licensed – there is no guarantee that

other taxis are real taxis.

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a

new experience. Remember that many of your

expectations may have been formed by the

unreal world of TV and movies. Arrive at your

course centre with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

z Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

z An academic program which combines

language, special interest, and culture-oriented

classes.

z Full program of local activities and excursions at

special EF rates.

z Accommodation in either homestay or student

residence.

z All designated meals.

z EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for Aca-

demic Year Abroad students with 80% atten-

dance per term and good academic standing

and academic records

z EF Course Certificate for International Language

Students with 80% attendance and good

academic standing.

z Preparation classes and/or materials for appro-

priate standardized language exams and avail-

ability of University Placement Service (UPS).

z EFCELT departure exam for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and good

academic standing.

What EF expects of you:

z To develop a greater understanding of the world

around you.

z To attend at least 80% of all classes and to do

your best in class at all times.

z To be respectful of your homestay hosts, your

classmates, your teachers and your community.

z To keep your room and shared areas clean.

z To speak English at all times.

z To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of

your host country, state, campus and school.

What you can expect from your homestay hosts:

z A comfortable, clean place to live.

z Prepared meals or accessibility to food to pre-

pare yourself according to the meal plan.

z Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transportation

costs are your responsibility.

14. UK culture & living tipsVisas

You may need to obtain a visa before setting

out on your journey if you are not a European

Community national. Check with your EF office

and local British Consulate well before you start

your journey.

Working in the UK

All EU passport holders are entitled to work in

the UK without restrictions. If you have a Tier 4

General Student visa your visa will state if you

are eligible to work in the UK. This does not

apply if you come to the UK as a Student Visitor.

The same rules apply for students wishing to

participate in an internship during their course. If

you want the possibility of working or doing an

internship make sure you apply for the right visa.

Customs

Read the customs notices carefully. Do not try to

bring any prohibited substances into the country.

We cannot help you if you are stopped by cus-

toms for illegal importation of anything which is

against the law in Great Britain.

Immigration

If you are not a European Community national,

you will need to produce the following docu-

ments when you arrive in Great Britain.

z your passport (valid for at least six months after

the end of your EF course).

z appropriate visa for your stay

z proof of your ability to meet the cost of the

course, to maintain yourself and any depen-

dents without needing to work during your stay.

z your EF confirmation letter showing that you

have enrolled for a full time course of study.

Food

British food today has influences from abroad

introducing a wider range of ingredients and

more adventurous cooking. While still maintain-

ing its love of more traditional dishes, Britain now

has one of the widest selections of restaurants in

the world.

Dos and Don’ts

You will be required to abide by national laws as

well as the rules of the EF school. Violations will

lead to a verbal warning and possible disciplinary

action by the School Director.

The following are illegal in Great Britain:

z Drugs (non-medicinal)

z Alcohol if you are under 18 years old

z Buying tobacco if you are under 18 (or buying

for someone who is under 18)

z Smoking law - no smoking in public buildings.

Please note that smoking is against the law in

all public, enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces

in the UK.

z Shop-lifting

z Driving without insurance or a valid driving

license

z Offensive weapons (including pocket knives)

9 London, UK

Please don’t break the law. If you do, you will

almost certainly be sent straight home on the

next available flight and you may even risk being

sent to prison.

Travel outside of England

If you are planning to travel outside England

during your course you may need a visa. Please

ensure that you check any visa requirements

before you leave your country to avoid disap-

pointment. If your passport has a single entry visa

and you are studying for six months or less then

you will not be able to travel outside the UK. This

visa cannot be changed in the UK. It is strongly

recommended that you apply for a Schengen

Visa before leaving your home country if possible.

This will give you free travel throughout many

European countries without the need to apply for

individual tourist visas in London.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for taxi drivers and in res-

taurants where no service charge is added to the

bill. 10% is normally acceptable. In restaurants

where service is included and in bars, pubs and

cafes, there is no need to leave a tip.

Appliances and electricity

Remember that the mains voltage in Great Britain

is 220-240. You may need to bring an adap-

tor if you wish to use any of your own electrical

appliances.

Recommended reading

z Rough Guide, Lonely Planet & Directions City

Guide to London are all great guides for where

to go, what to do, how to get around, where to

stay and what to eat.

Recommended websites

z www.thisislondon.com

z www.londontown.com

z www.viewlondon.co.uk

15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of stu-

dents who have come together to learn English.

It is also a multi-cultural group of young adults

who are eager to share their own culture and

learn the culture of their host country and fellow

classmates.

One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts,

traditions and practices of a specific community

or population. Our culture affects how we view

ourselves, how we relate to others and what we

value as important in life. We are often unaware

of how much our culture affects our lives.

You may have already had some exposure to the

new culture you are about to experience. You

may have seen television shows, read books,

or studied in school about the UK. While some

parts of this culture may already seem familiar

to you, experiencing a new culture first-hand

will prove exciting. You will be meeting students

from all over the world who, like you, are looking

forward to spending a year learning and living a

language, both inside and outside the classroom.

As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience

periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are

uncomfortable. Culture shock is what sometimes

happens when we try to meet challenges of our

new culture by using the values, beliefs, and

attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to a new

culture, we must learn that cultural differences

are merely different - not right or wrong.

It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from

your culture to share with other students and

your host to teach them about your country.

Tips on coping with change

Remember that change does not come without

some effort! We humans need a certain amount

of stress to motivate us to learn new ways of

being. Learning always involves some form of

change. You should try the following:

z While you might be tempted to surround your-

self with things that are familiar to you, try not to

isolate yourself by being only with others from

your home country. Keep reaching out to your

host, roommates and other students.

z Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more “at

home” with the culture in general.

z Talk to us about your worries or problems. EF

Staff are here to help and would prefer to know

about any problem you may have so that we

can help you.

z Set goals, no matter how big or small, and

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture shock.

For example, set a goal that you will speak

English at all times.

z Remind yourself that you came to this country

to experience a new culture, to meet others

and to explore your new surroundings. Relax,

take a deep breath and reflect back on the days

before leaving your home country when you

were excited about your new adventure. Try to

refocus this former excitement towards your

experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and changes

that take place over the year is to keep a journal.

By recording your experiences and feelings on

a regular basis, you will be able to reduce the

impact of culture shock. You will have a record

of your academic and personal progress to look

back on in days and years to come. Be sure to

note changes in:

z Language skills

z School performance and involvement

z Campus/host adjustment

z Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some mu-

sic, a costume, pictures, or some typical crafts,

it would be good to show other students, as

well as to decorate your room to make it seem

like home. We have seen costumes and drums

from Korea, dancing and music from Austria and

a piñata and tortillas from Mexico. Please bring

pictures of your friends, family and surrounding

area.

Important telephone numbers

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

September 2011

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 23 Sep - Sun 25 Sep

Term 1: Mon 26 Sep - Fri 16 Dec

Holiday: Sat 17 Dec - Sun 8 Jan

Term 2: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Semester Departure: 10 Mar 2012

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 3: (Year) Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Departure: 2 Jun 2012

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 3: (Year) Mon 11 Jun - Fri 17 Aug

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 3: (Year) Mon 24 Sep - Fri 30 Nov

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 3: (Year) Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Feb

Departure: 9 Feb 2013

September 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 2: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar

Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013

Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar

Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May

Departure: 1 June 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

The EF International Language Centers in the

UK recognize the following public holidays

when there will be no classes. If your arrival

falls on one of these dates, please check with

the school staff upon your arrival for an exact

orientation schedule.

2012

1 January - New Year’s Day

6 April - Good Friday

9 April - Easter Monday

7 May - Early May Bank Holiday

4 June - Spring Bank Holiday

5 June - Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

27 August - Summer Bank Holiday

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

2013

1 January - New Year’s Day

29 March - Good Friday

1 April - Easter Monday

6 May - Early May Bank Holiday

27 May - Spring Bank Holiday

26 August - Summer Bank Holiday

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-

sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of

these and pack them in your suitcase

just in case. You don’t need to carry your

passport with you while you are in the UK

but you must keep it and your other docu-

ments in a safe place while you are in the

country.

■ All original documents submitted for your

visa application, if you are travelling on an

Adult student visa (Tier 4).

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

with proof of insurance in English. If you

have secured Erika Travel Insurance from

EF, you do not need to have anything

translated.

■ Basic medical supplies, any medication

you take regularly and a spare pair of con-

tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■ An International Driving License if you are

planning on hiring or buying a car.

■ Local currency for first week.

■ Money in the form of an ATM card

(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards

and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring

large amounts of cash in any currency!).

■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-

ances you plan to bring with you.

■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■ Personal sports equipment.

■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):

________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number:

________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

+44 2074 018399 ________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+44 7970 266 229________________________________________