What is the English & Work Experience Programme?

The English & Work Experience Programme is designed to provide students with the combination of a period of intensive English language study, followed by a work placement in a British company. This gives students the opportunity to practise the English they have learnt in a realistic environment, and also provides general experience of a working environment, which may be very useful for a student’s future career.

Who are we?

The language component of the course is provided by GEOS English Academy, a well-established language school located in Brighton & Hove. We have been offering good quality language tuition since 1972, we are accredited by the British Council, and are members of ARELS (Association Recognised English Language Services). We teach a wide range of courses, such as General English, Exam Preparation and Teacher Training, and cater for students of all different levels of English.

The work experience placement is organised by STAGES, a private limited company that has been working in the field of training and work placements for 18 years. The small team has been arranging company placements for students from the EU since 1992, resulting in a wealth of experience and expertise which is passed on to the student. The scheme aims to provide an opportunity for students to use their language and specialist skills in a way that is beneficial to both the company and the student.

How is the programme structured?

Prior to arrival
Before enrolment onto this programme, students will be tested using GEOS’ own English language test to ensure that they already have a suitable English level, or that they will have by the time they start their work experience. We can give advice about how long we think a student will need to study in order to get the level of English required to start the work placement.

Language study
Students must study at GEOS English Academy for a minimum of 4 weeks before going on to a work placement. It is possible to study for any length of time, such as 8, 12, 24 or 36 weeks, up to a maximum of one year. Students may choose from any of the courses that we run that are suitable for their level and the time of year that they come.

Level of English required
In order to move on to the work placement phase, a student must have at least an intermediate level of English. At GEOS we can advise a student of their level both before and after arrival, and suggest ways of achieving their target level in English.
Please not that students will not be allowed to progress to the work placement if their level of English is not considered sufficient..

Organisation of the work placement
Students may then move to their work placement in a company that has a job suitable for them, given their interests, experience and qualifications. Placements take at least 6 weeks to organise, and students must provide a curriculum vitae and covering letter for STAGES to use when selecting potential employers. The aim is to make the work placement as much ask the student to come for a face-to-face interview if possible, or it may be done by telephone if the student is not in the UK at the time.

Length of placements and visas
For students coming from outside the EU the length of time they may have a work placement is restricted to not more than the length of their English language course, ie if a student has done 8 week English course, they may do no longer than 8 week work placement. This restriction does not apply to students coming from EU countries. This programme is primarily an educational one and therefore a student visa should be requested by those students who need a visa to enter the UK.

Working hours
The working hours for students on placements are usually from 9am to 5pm, although this may vary slightly depending on the company and the nature of their business.

Types of work available
STAGES has a wide range of companies that they work with, and placements can be arranged in the following sectors:

• Multi-media
• Banking and finance
• Travel and tourism
• Marketing
• Administration
• Secretarial
• Information Technology
• Engineering

Are students paid?
Generally, students may only receive a small allowance for travel expenses or to cover the cost of their lunch. Some companies may pay the students a small wage, but this would probably be no more than £25-£30 per week. Students should not see the work placement as a means of making money, but as an experience that may be very beneficial to them in the future.

Accommodation
For the period of study at GEOS, students would stay with host families organised by GEOS, who are all within walking distance of the school. When students move on to the work placements they normally move to a host family organised by STAGES, as it will usually be closer to their place of work.

After the work placement
During the work placement we ask students to keep a journal of things that they are doing and learning s that they can come back to GEOS at the end of their placement and give a presentation, or present a written report about their experience. Students will receive a certificate4 for the English language course they attended, and the company will provide a reference that students can use to show prospective employers upon their return to their own country.

Why choose Brighton & Hove to study and work?

Brighton & Hove is a top choice for many international students: it is a fun place to be with many opportunities for a busy social life. We enjoy some of the warmest and sunniest weather in the UK. There are fast trains to take you to London in 55 minutes and Gatwick Airport in 25 minutes.

There is a great feeling of being part of an international community owing to the number of international students, travellers and tourists in the area. In Brighton & Hove students form an unusually high proportion of the population (over 10%), so much of the town is geared to their interests.

It is also a great place to experience British culture. There are galleries, museums, arts, and music festivals, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas and many places to go shopping. There are also many places to eat and meet up with friends. Brighton & Hove has more cafes, bars and restaurants per head of population than anywhere in the UK except London.

In terms of work, Brighton & Hove attracts a lot of innovative entrepreneurs in many of the most modern industry such as multi-media, information technology and graphic design. It is also a city that has a wealth ot experience in tourism, it is a popular place for the latest fashion designs, and it is also home to several large companies, such as American Express.

Many companies are attracted both to Brighton & Hove and other towns in the region of Suxxes, making it an excellent place to gain work experience in almost any kind of industry.

Requirements for the programme

Students must be aged 18 or more and be in good health at the start of the work placement. Students must have at least an intermediate level of English, as judged by the staff at GEOS English Academy in order to start the work placement.

How to enrol

As this programme can take some time to organise, we advise students to plan well ahead, and approach either their local GEOS representative or, if there are none available, GEOS directly, in order to do the following:

1. Inform the local representative or GEOS of the length of time they plan to study and work, and approximately when, and request to take the GEOS English language test
2. Receive feedback from GEOS as to their suitability for their intended study and work plans
3. If GEOS considers the plans to be achievable then the student should book their course in the usual way, using the enrolment form, and in additional should provide a curriculum vitae and letter of introduction, giving as much details as possible about themselves, interests, hobbies etc.

Fees for the programme

English language courses
Price per week varies from £155-£189 for the Intensive Course, and from £125-£155 for the Standard Course.

Work Experience Placement Fee
£395 for 4-8 week placements, £475 for more than 8 week placements.

Accommodation
At GEOS, £84* per week (£88* in July & August). During work placement, £89 per week. *There is a £10 per week supplement for special dietary requirements. For full details of prices see the Course Dates and Fees.