Why the Philippines?

Not the only place to learn English, but a genuinely distinctive one. Here are the reasons, with the sources at the end of the page.

A tropical beach with turquoise water and palm trees at sunset

  1. English is an official language, not a foreign one

    Article XIV, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines states that, for purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages are Filipino and English.

    In practice, English does not stay behind at the classroom door: it is the language of signs, everyday transactions and university study, so your practice carries on after class.

  2. One-to-one lessons are the model, not an add-on

    Philippine language academies are built around one teacher and one student rather than group classes. The difference: your mistakes are corrected as you speak, and the timetable is shaped around your level.

    The number of one-to-one lessons varies by academy; you will find it on each academy's page as its sources state it.

  3. A full day, not a couple of hours

    Intensive programs fill most of the school day with one-to-one lessons, group classes and supervised study. That suits someone who wants a big step forward in a short time, not someone hoping to combine study with remote work.

    Know which of the two you are before you book — that is exactly why we ask in the consultation.

  4. Living and studying in one place

    Most academies provide housing on campus or right next to it, with meals and laundry. That cuts out commuting time and cost, and keeps your daily routine steady.

    The other side of it: house rules and, at some academies, curfews. Each academy's page shows what it states.

  5. The study permit follows a set procedure

    Short courses in the Philippines normally run on a Special Study Permit (SSP) issued by the Bureau of Immigration, which publishes its own page setting out the procedure and current fees. Longer study at an accredited institution uses the Student Visa (9F) instead.

    We handle the paperwork and the coordination with the academy for you, and government fees are paid there and shown in your quotation.

  6. A manageable time difference

    The Gulf is four to five hours behind the Philippines (UTC+3 or UTC+4, against UTC+8), so calls home land at a reasonable hour for both sides.

    And because we are in Riyadh, you deal with us in Arabic and in a nearby time zone — before you travel and after — rather than with an email address in another country.

Sources

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