General Overview of EF

EF, which stands for Education First, is a prominent global organization offering language trips. I'll link their website in the description. Interestingly, about a third of my fellow students were from Germany, likely due to the proximity of London, as I only had a short 1.5-hour flight.

Cost of the Trip

Typically, an EF trip isn’t the most budget-friendly option, but it offers considerable value. I spent approximately 2000 Euros for a two-week stay in London, which included my self-booked flight.

My Experience with EF

One of the highlights of the program is receiving three certificates upon completion. The first certificate is for a 50-minute test consisting of 25 listening and 25 reading comprehension questions. You’ll also receive one certifying your class level (for example, C1.2) and another indicating your potential to achieve any level. Initially, I was placed in B1.2, which felt too easy, so I was moved up to C2.1, ultimately earning a C2 certification—the highest available. I’ll include a link to more information about the different levels.

Quality of Lessons and Instructors

The quality of instruction varied based on the teacher. During my first week, I had an engaging instructor who effectively utilized the provided textbook and encouraged lively discussions. However, this changed in the second week when I had a teacher whose style didn’t resonate with me—she primarily called on one student at a time and didn’t use the textbook at all. So, your experience may depend on your luck with the instructors.

Activities

EF offers a mix of free and paid activities. Some were enjoyable, while others didn’t quite meet my expectations. One highlight was the introductory group games on the first day, which were a blast. You have the option to book group outings through EF, like visits to the London Eye or Madame Tussauds, but you're also free to explore on your own. The boat party, costing 20 pounds and held every two weeks, was my favorite activity.

Course Options

I opted for the intensive course, which offers the most lessons each week. There are also main courses and summer courses with fewer lessons, as well as specialized options like Cambridge exam preparation, IELTS, and Business English.

Accommodation

I was fortunate that my mother had connections with a family in London, allowing me to stay there without incurring accommodation costs. The family was welcoming, and I enjoyed numerous outings with them. However, had I needed to book a transfer, it would have cost about 150 Euros, which I found quite steep. I recommend skipping the transfer and using Uber instead.

EF provides accommodation options close to the school, such as residences. Many students praised this option, as it often means sharing a room with fellow students and only a 10-minute walk to class. My commute, in contrast, took about an hour by train. Another option is to stay with a host family arranged by EF, but experiences can vary, so I would likely choose a residence next time.

Star Rating

Overall, I would rate my experience a solid 7 out of 10. While there are many advantages, there are also drawbacks, such as inconsistent teaching quality, high costs, and some lackluster activities.

Conclusion

I wholeheartedly encourage anyone to embark on a language learning trip at least once. The experiences you gain and the certifications you earn can be invaluable for your career. Consider saving up for a two or three-week adventure in your dream location—next on my list is New York, where I plan to stay in a residence, as I’ve never been to the U.S.

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After learning about my London trip, check out this blog to discover a habit that saves me over 10 hours each week.

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