About us

FAQ

1. How do you assess my level of English?

First we will ask you to complete an online test with us. After you have completed the test, you will be contacted by a member of our team to arrange a 5-10 minute interview in English with our director, in order to assess your level.

2. How do I register for a course?

After completing the placement test, you will be advised of your level of English and be given options for classes at your level. Once you have chosen a class, payment can be made through a bank transfer, or in person at our offices in Varna. You will then be given a zoom link to your class which you will use to access your lessons each week.

3. How will my child understand the teacher if the lesson is only in English" ?

Our teachers are trained to teach students of all levels, ages and nationalities using English only.  This method of teaching will help you progress quickly and to start thinking in English, making English come naturally.

4. How many students are in a class?

All of our classes are small, to allow more time for the teacher to interact with the students. With our youngest students (Preparation group, Starter and Level 1), the maximum class size is 8. With older children and adults, the maximum class size is 12. During the summer of 2020, we are reducing all class sizes to allow for social distancing.

5. Do I cover a whole level with one course? Will I finish the book in 1 semester?

This depends on your level and age and the book that we use for the course. With the adult classes and senior young learners (11+) we use books which are designed to be taught in 96+ hours. As these courses are 48 hours, we offer an A and B courses, where A is the first half of the book and B is the second part. With younger learners, the majority of the courses complete the whole book, with the exception of our starter and Level 1 groups.

6. Can I register for IELTS or CAE with you?

We are an official partner of the British Council’s Addvantage programme in Bulgaria and as such we are authorised to register students for these exams. Our reception team will be happy to assist you and help you complete the application form.

7. Are your teachers native speakers? Are they qualified teachers?

All of the teachers at English Academy are native speakers with English being their first language. Furthermore, all teachers have a teaching qualification, a university degree and substantial teaching experience. Details of our current teachers can be found here

8. Do I have to buy the textbook separately?

Your course fee includes a textbook and all course materials. No additional fee is required.

9. Will I receive a certificate at the end of the course? Can your certificates be used abroad?

You can take IELTS, FCE and CAE with us which are recognised throughout the world. Whilst our general certificates are accepted by various institutes in Bulgaria, they are not internationally recognised.

10. Can I take a mock exam with you (Mock exam)?

English Academy is pleased to offer full mock tests for the above set of exams. You will receive a full analysis of your current level using past papers, marked by one of our qualified exam specialists. Students should be familiar with the exam structure and different parts before sitting the exam as these are not taught in these tests.The process takes approximately 4 hours and can be arranged by contacting reception.

11. Is it compulsory to take a placement test?

All students are required to take a placement test in order to ensure that they are placed in the right level, with students at the same level. This test is free of charge and is usually taken during one of our placement testing weeks, before the start of every term.

12. What age should my child be to join your groups?

In the main school, our youngest learners are at least 6 years old (our preparation groups). Your child can join at any age over 6 and will be put into a group with children with the same level of English, after they have completed a test with our director.

13. Can I choose my teacher (for individuals)?

While it is not always possible to allocate a certain teacher for individual lessons, due to availability, you are welcome to request a certain teacher and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

14. Can I take IELTS if I am at B2 level? What about FCE and CAE?

Our IELTS courses are taught at a C1 level. However, as IELTS examines students at a range of levels, we allow students at a B2 level to join the group, as long as they are aware of the level of teaching. FCE is a B2 exam and CAE is a C1 exam so students should be already at this level.

15. How are your IELTS and CAE exams different to other schools?

We offer short courses over 12 weeks and students take the exam shortly after this period. Therefore, we ask students to already be at a high level before taking these courses. The courses focus on exam technique and are designed to train you in each area of the exam, giving you the best opportunity to maximise your results. The teachers in these courses have many years experience in these exams.

16. Do you speak Bulgarian in the class? I`m not Bulgarian, can I join the group?

English only is used in all of our lessons and we have students from various different countries. Our teachers have been trained to teach English using only English to all levels, from Starter through to proficiency level.

17. Will I have homework to complete?

Your teacher will set regular homework, at least once a week and this will be marked and checked by the teacher, or with the group each week.

18. Are your lessons 60 minutes (Astonomical hour) or less (Academic hour)?

Each hour at English Academy is 60 minutes, making lessons better value for money than many of our competitors.