The world is gradually turning out to be a Global Village. The office today is increasingly becoming a global workplace. To be effective in the business environment, you might need to speak your client's language. There are many language schools in Singapore that offer English Language Courses. Perhaps one of the most popular schools in Singapore which has succeeded in empowering its students with mastery of spoken languages is Berlitz English Language School. Belitz Language Centre boasts that it can help students to speak in English or any other languages in a shorter period of time.

Popular Language Learning Courses in Singapore:

What are the most popular language learning courses in Singapore? Well, this is a tricky question to answer. In order to answer this question precisely, we would need to know about all the courses that are offered by all schools and the number of students that have enrolled for every course in Singapore. None of the school will ever release this confidential information. The following are the most common fields of study in Singapore.

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Business Studies
• Engineering
• Finance / Accounting / Banking
• Information Technology (IT) / Computer Studies

The following are some of the guidelines that could help you choose the ideal language learning course in Singapore.

Location - Central Business District (CBD):

If you’re working in the CBD, then this would be ideal for you. If you’re coming from overseas, the CBD has all the facilities and the city centre is nearby with most of Singapore's leisure activities: shopping, pubs, cinemas, bowling alleys, etc. However do consider the prohibitive costs of renting a place near the CBD. It would be better that your working place is close to the heartlands, or you may want a school that is near your home. Certain community centers offer language courses as well. If you’re coming from overseas to study, you may well pick a school near your doorsteps. However, you will have less exposure to Singapore's vibrant city life in the suburbs.

What type of course should you take?

Usually, when you approach a school, they will give you a placement test to assess your level. Some schools may give you the option to study in a group or individual. Group study is usually more fun as the lesson usually includes a lot of interactive activities and you will learn at a steady pace. For one-on-one classes, it's only you and the teacher. This type of course maybe more intensive and you will have more practical opportunities of speaking English. But, one-on-one courses tend to be more expensive.

You may also want to join a course to prepare for an examination such as IELTS or TOEFL. Most reputable schools offer such courses at the end of which you will take an exam that will give you an internationally recognized certificate. If you are a long-term student, it would be well-worth your time if you sign on for such a course. If you are learning English for career advancement, then you might want to consider taking up one of the business English course. In these courses, you will to write letters, memos, faxes etc. How to greet clients, answer the phone calls and make presentations. Class size is also an important factor for you to consider. You will learn faster in a small class but bigger classes are cheaper.

Here are some of the popular language courses that most of the language schools offer for their students:

• English as Second Language (ESL)
• Arabic Language Course
• Mandarin Language Course
• Spanish Language Course

Course duration:

The starting date of a course depends mainly on the school. Most modular courses typically take you 3 months to complete. But there are longer-term courses too. If you are a full-time student you will be required to attend classes for at least 15 hours a week. As a word of caution, it is generally more difficult for mature students to obtain a student pass from the Singapore Immigration.

Cost factors you need to consider:

Before you decide to study in Singapore, you have to think and plan your budget as well. The biggest portion of your expenses will go towards paying for an accommodation. Some schools arrange housing for their students. If you are staying near your school, the cost of the transport will not be very high. The transport system in Singapore is very efficient and you will find that walking is not a viable option as it is extremely hot. Eating out in Singapore is relatively cheap. Be mindful that your course fees normally do not include the cost of textbooks and stationery. And don't forget that you are coming to Singapore not only to study but also to see what the city has to offer.

Berlitz Language Institute Singapore offers specialized courses in Arabic, Mandarin & Spanish languages. Our Arabic, Mandarin & Spanish Language Courses are suitable for people of all ages who want to learn or improve their communication skills in a foreign language. Are you really interested to join in our Language School? If you’d like to hear back from us, get in touch with us now!

* The content of this article are for information purposes only & Berlitz Singapore bears no responsibilities for the article content.