EF: English First Shanghai, teaching kids and adults

Composed at April 27, 2010 - 4:13 pm, filed in Schools, from FLTA

Profile
EF (English First) Education was founded in 1965 by a young Swedish entrepreneur named Bertil Hult. Its first office was modest and its concept was straightforward: take Swedish high school students to England to learn English. It was a simple enough business idea on-site language and cultural studies but one with an enormous future.

EF Education's name registration is Shanghai Yingpei Business Consulting Co., Ltd. EF's courses include English training for ① Kid (0-10) ②Teenagers (11-17) ③ Adults (Over 18)④ Companies


Teaching System
1. The innovative learning methods: Efekta^TM System
Efekta^TM=80% courses by teachers+20% courses in iLAB. Through the perfect combination of traditional English teaching and innovative technology in our exclusive iLABs, Efekta makes learning English more targeted, flexible and personalized.

2. iLABs: "the world's most innovative English language laboratories"
EF English First's iLAB (innovative language laboratory) is a powerful interactive English learning methods with online lessons synchronized with EF's curriculum, which includes Learning progress report, Grammar, Pronunciation Labs, Vocabulary Builder lessons and English learning videos and games, etc.

3. Life Club
Every week EF Education in Shanghai holds Life Club^TM events like movie nights, English corner, dinners and parties in a casual setting, which is organized within or outside the EF training center by a native English teacher. Through the activities of Life Club students will gain extra opportunities of oral practices with native teachers.

4. EF English First Certificate: Valid for life
At the end of each stage of the Trailblazer and Real English courses, students earn a life-time valid EF English First Certificate. But this certificate is totally different from the ones of BEC, TOELF, IELTS tests because it is a summary of the learning progress of students during the study period, not a indicator of student’s English level. (Language tests such as BEC, TOEFL and IELTS are standard English language examinations which can indicate students; English levels and abilities) EF English First courses are recognized by Southern New Hampshire University based in the USA.

Teachers at EF Shanghai
1. Native English teachers
EF Education is one of the largest organizations for the recruitment of native teachers in China, who runs four teacher training centers abroad in London, Sydney, Manchester, and Boston as well as the recruitment centers of native teachers. All the native teachers come from English native-speaking countries such as the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, etc.

2. Local teachers
All the local teachers in EF Shanghai are qualified to teach English, and have at least 5 years of English teaching experience. They are exceptional in their ability to inspire and motivate our students to learn.


Materials used by EF Shanghai
EF English First is the only language school in China that has its own dedicated Academic Research and Development Team based in Cambridge Massachusetts and Shanghai. Comprised of linguists, computer scientists, and teachers, EF's team is continually pushing the envelope of English learning technology. EF's book series has been distinguished by numerous awards, including having the privilege of being selected by the BBC to develop their audio lessons.

EF Training Materials