What kind of courses are there?

We offer English Courses for Students (Student Development Programmes) from Basic to Advanced, Preparation for international exams, one-to-one or group conversation lessons.

We also offer refresher courses for Teachers and a TTC (Teacher Development Programmes) which covers areas such as Phonology, Language Awareness, Methodology, etc.

In both programmes, courses can be done in the asynchronous modality (own pace) or synchronous (interactive class-real time), which blends the best teaching practices with the possibilities modern technology brings.

What is an asynchronous course (own pace)?

It is a course that it can be done at any moment as you do not need to attend any lesson in real time.

The lesson has been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

It is done from your home, at your own pace and at any time that suits you. You have access to our Virtual Campus to do the practice assigned.

It is a new total flexible approach which enables you to get valuable certificates and help your professional development.

What is a synchronous course (interactive class-real time)?

It is a course delivered in a virtual room in which you interact with the tutor and the other students in real time.

You take part in the class along with a small group of students. You can see and talk to the teacher, and can ask all your doubts. The virtual room integrates voice, webcams and an interactive board. Then you will do the assigned practice in our Virtual Campus.

The course is done comfortably from your place. It is a new flexible approach which enables you to get valuable certificates and help your professional development.

Are the courses for students different from the ones for teachers?

The courses for students are designed to learn English, prepare for international exams or practice your English in a conversation class.

The refresher courses for teachers and the TTC are designed for in-service teachers or future teachers. They include among others: Language Awareness, Phonology& Pronunciation, Background to teaching, Teaching Practice as well as course which deal with how to prepare students for the different skills tested in international exams (e.g. Writing)

Do I get any certificates of the courses I do?

You will get a certificate from GI Online Language Studies, which will state the course done and its successful completion. This will be very valuable for your professional development.

What is needed to do an asynchronous course (own pace)?

You easily log in to our Virtual Campus from your place. There, you will find everything you need to successfully complete the course: you will have access to the recorded input sessions, the online practice and the corresponding tests.

You can log in at any moment that suits you. You just need an internet connection, as you do not require any special application.

How can I take part in a synchronous course (interactive class-real time)?

You easily join our virtual room at the specified time for the course with just a click from wherever you are.

The virtual room integrates voice, webcams and an interactive board. You just need an internet connection and a headset.

Then you log in to our Virtual Campus from your place. There, you will find everything you need to successfully complete the course: you will have access to the recorded input sessions (in case you could not participate in the encounter or want to see it again), the online practice and the corresponding tests.

Can I see the teacher in the synchronous courses?

You will meet the teacher in the virtual room, who will be delivering the class for you and your classmates in real time. You can see and talk to your tutor along the class.

How can I clarify my doubts?

In the synchronous courses you can ask your questions directly to your tutor, who will be speaking to you and the rest of the group along the whole lesson.

In the asynchronous courses you can send your questions using messages in our Virtual Campus.

What happens if I cannot attend a virtual lesson?

If you cannot attend a virtual encounter, you will not miss any lesson, as all lessons are recorded and available for you to see them at the moment that suits you best.

What happens if I find one of the topics very difficult?

You can watch the recorded lesson in which the topic is explained and practiced as many times as you wish. Remember that the lessons accompany the learning process and this greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

Besides, you can always pose your questions to the tutor in the next encounter (synchronous course) or send a message to the tutor (asynchronous course)

Can I take part in the class and also see the recorded lesson?

In the synchronous courses, you can take part in the virtual encounter and also see the recorded lesson and revise any topic you want to at any convenient moment.

In the asynchronous courses, the recorded lessons are available for you along the whole course for you to watch as many times as you wish.

Can I study only the Grammar areas which are difficult to me without doing the whole course?

This is possible as our courses are conveniently divided into their different components. Therefore, you can choose the topic of your interest (e.g. ‘Conditionals’ – Foundation and Achievement Courses)

In this way, you will be able to go deeper into the area of your interest immediately. You will also get credits for each of the courses you do.

If you would like to get a Completion Course certificate, you only need to do the complementary courses to complete your studies.

What is it an Input Session?

They are short courses - approximately 15-30 minutes long, which explain specific topics (asynchronous – own pace). The lessons have been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

It is done from your home, at your own pace and at any time that suits you. You have access to our Virtual Campus to do the practice assigned. It is a new total flexible approach which enables you to get valuable certificates and help your professional development.

These Input Sessions will gain credits and can be combined with others to get a Foundation, Achievement or Completion Course certificate for the different areas we offer: Teacher Development: TEFL Certificate (to become a qualified English teacher) or Student Development courses.

What is a Foundation Course?

They are short courses - approximately 40-100 minutes long, which explain thematic units (various Input Sessions; asynchronous – own pace). The lessons have been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

It is done from your home, at your own pace and at any time that suits you. You have access to our Virtual Campus to do the practice assigned. It is a new total flexible approach which enables you to get valuable certificates and help your professional development.

These Foundation Courses will gain credits and can be combined with others to get Achievement or Completion Course certificates for the different areas we offer: Teacher Development: TEFL Certificate (to become a qualified English teacher) or Student Development courses.

What is an Achievement Course?

They are longer courses - approximately 6-8 hours in length, which explain thematic units (various Foundation Courses; asynchronous – own pace). The lessons have been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

It is done from your home, at your own pace and at any time that suits you. You have access to our Virtual Campus to do the practice assigned. It is a new total flexible approach which enables you to get valuable certificates and help your professional development.

These Achievement Courses will gain credits and can be combined with others to get a Completion Course certificate for the different areas we offer: Teacher Development: TEFL Certificate (to become a qualified English teacher) or Student Development courses.

What is a Completion Course?

They are courses which cover numerous thematic units, giving a very complete insight of the wide topics presented. They are approximately 12-20 hours in length (asynchronous – own pace). The lessons have been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

It is done from your home, at your own pace and at any time that suits you. You have access to our Virtual Campus to do the practice assigned. It is a new total flexible approach which enables you to get valuable certificates and help your professional development.

These Completion Courses will gain credits and can be combined with others to get further certificates for the different areas we offer: Teacher Development: TEFL Certificate (to become a qualified English teacher) or Student Development courses.

Diagram: Input Sessions, Foundation, Achievement and Completion Courses

Input Sessions:

They are short courses - approximately 15-30 minutes long, which explain specific topics (asynchronous – own pace).

Foundation Courses:

They are short courses - approximately 40-100 minutes long, which explain thematic units (various Input Sessions; asynchronous – own pace).  

Achievement Courses:

They are longer courses - approximately 6-8 hours in length, which explain thematic units (various Foundation Courses; asynchronous – own pace).

Completion Courses:

They are courses which cover numerous thematic units, giving a very complete insight of the wide topics presented. They are approximately 12-20 hours in length (asynchronous – own pace).

Can I do an English course without any previous knowledge?

The courses are designed to learn English, so before you start your course, your level will be assessed to decide on the appropriate course for you, in which you will feel comfortable and able to improve. If you do not have any previous knowledge you start with a Basic course.

Are my classmates at the same level of English?

You will be part of a small group of people with a similar level of English, so that everyone can really learn and improve.

How can the teacher evaluate my pronunciation?

The teacher listens to you while you are participating in class. In this way, the teacher can evaluate each student’s ability and correct them when it is necessary.

¿Can I prepare for an International Exam?

We offer preparation for Cambridge English international exams. You can prepare all the areas for the exam as a whole or you can focus only on the areas in which you still need improvement: e.g. Speaking, Use of English, etc.

For example, if you want to improve your Writing skills, you can watch the input sessions which guide you on how to successfully write in the exam you are preparing for. Then you can send your writing tasks for correction and get very valuable feedback on your work.

Can I prepare for the Speaking paper of an International Exam?

We offer preparation for Cambridge English international exams.

If you want to improve your Oral Skills, you can have ‘Speaking’ lessons, either individually or in small groups, to gain fluency, practice and get familiar with the exam format.

You will get valuable feedback on your performance and also clear guidelines on how to perform successfully in the exam.

You can also prepare all the areas for the exam as a whole (Writing, Use of English, etc).

Can I prepare for the Writing paper of an International Exam?

We offer preparation for Cambridge English international exams.

If you want to improve your Writing skills, you can watch the input sessions which guide you on how to successfully write in the exam you are preparing for. Then you can send your writing tasks for correction and get very valuable feedback on your work and also clear guidelines on how to perform successfully in the exam.

You can also prepare all the areas for the exam as a whole (Speaking, Use of English, etc).

Can the teacher see my progress and exercises?

Your teacher monitors your progress with virtual tools, being able to check all the work you do and help you if you need extra practice in any particular topic.

Do I have access to online practice 24/7?

You will have access to online practice at any moment. The tutor will assign the corresponding practice to follow the course. You can do these exercises at any convenient time for you.

What kind of exercises are there?

In the courses for learning English, you will have exercises to practise listening comprehension with videos, you can record and listen to yourself as many times as you wish, you can participate in dialogues with one of the actors in the videos, simulating real situations.

There are exercises to help you learn Vocabulary, Grammar and Writing.

Their lively design helps to make the learning process very dynamic.

Do I get any certificate at the end of the course?

There are regular tests along the course and a final test. You will then get a certificate which states the course you have done and the English level achieved.  

What are the main characteristics of the courses?

Some of the courses are done in the asynchronous modality (own pace) and others are done synchronously (real-time encounters).

Each course consists of:

1) Teacher led lessons along the whole course. Each important topic is explained and clarified through questions and answers.

In the synchronous courses, there is a virtual encounter at a specified time. In it there is an interaction between teacher and students in real time.

In the asynchronous courses, you do not need to attend any lesson in real time. The lesson has been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

2) Materials to practise available 24/7 : there are self-corrected exercises which can be done at any suitable time.

3) The incredible advantage that the class is recorded and available for you to see as many times as you wish. There are no missing lessons.

What are the courses for teacher advancement?

The advancement courses are thought for teachers who want to become better teachers or refresh an area in particular. They are also a good start for future teachers.

They can be done independently and you can get a Cambridge English Certificate upon completion. Some can be done asynchronous and others are synchronous.

Our TTC (Teacher Training Course) consists of the following modules:

1. Brush up your English: Language Awareness - Phonology& Pronunciation
2. Background to teaching
3. Teaching Practice

Which modules should I do?

You can do the module you are interested in or you can do them all at the same time. Some can be done asynchronous and others are synchronous.

You will get an independent certificate for each of the modules or a TEFL Certificate if you do them all.

The Modules are:

1. Brush up your English:

• Language Awareness: deep knowledge of the language to be well-prepared to teach it.
• Phonology& Pronunciation: good knowledge of the Phonemic symbols, both to improve your own pronunciation and to help teaching the English sounds properly.  

1. Background to teaching

• Theoretical knowledge about methodology, lesson plans and resources to better teach in class.

1. Teaching Practice

• Practical knowledge about how to prepare a well-thought plan and deliver a class in a dynamic and effective way.

What is a TTC?

A TTC is a Teacher Training Course which provides the student with theoretical and practical knowledge which are essential to teach English effectively.

There are 3 Modules, which can be done independently or altogether according to the student’s time availability. Some can be done asynchronous and others are synchronous.

You can get a Cambridge English Certificate for them upon completion.

Upon completion of the modules (i.e. when completing the TTC), you will get a TEFL Certificate* issued by GI Online Language Studies as well as certificates for each of the modules independently.

*TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate

The modules are:

1. Brush up your English: Language Awareness - Phonology& Pronunciation
2. Background to teaching
3. Teaching Practice

What is a TEFL certificate?

A TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate) is a certificate which shows that you are a qualified English teacher, as you have a good knowledge and awareness of this foreign language, teaching methodology and teaching practice

How can I get a TEFL certificate?

To earn a TEFL Certificate issued by GI Online Language Studies you have to complete the course which offers you the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to teach English.

Our TTC consists of 3 Modules, which can be done independently or altogether according to the student’s time availability. Some can be done asynchronous and others are synchronous.

The Modules are:

1. Brush up your English: Language Awareness - Phonology& Pronunciation
2. Background to teaching
3. Teaching Practice

You can also get Cambridge English certificates for the modules.  

What do I need to do a TTC or a refresher course?

You need knowledge of English at First Certificate level (B2 – CEFR).

You do not need any certificate only prove this level of English.  

What is included in each course?

Some of the courses are done in the asynchronous modality and others are done synchronously.

Each course consists of:

• Teacher led lessons along the whole course. Each important topic is explained and clarified through questions and answers.

In the synchronous courses, there is an interaction between teacher and students in real time.

In the asynchronous courses, you do not need to attend any lesson in real time. The lesson has been specially recorded so as to accompany the learning process. This greatly helps the comprehension of the topics presented.

You will see the PowerPoint presentations used along the lesson, listen to the teacher and students exchanging ideas and clarifying doubts similar to your own, as wells as all the notes done in the interactive board.

1. materials to practise available 24/7 : there are self-corrected exercises which can be done at any suitable time, videos for lesson observations, feedback reports on observed lessons, practical advice and analysis of lesson plans and tips on how to prepare them.
2. the incredible advantage that the class is recorded and available for you to see as many times as you wish. There are no missing lessons.

Can I study only the Grammar areas which are difficult to me without doing the whole course?

This is possible as our courses are conveniently divided into their different components. Therefore, you can choose the topic of your interest (e.g. ‘Conditionals’ – Foundation and Achievement Courses)

In this way, you will be able to go deeper into the area of your interest immediately. You will also get credits for each of the courses you do.

If you would like to get a Completion Course certificate and then a TEFL Certificate - which qualifies you as an English teacher- you only need to do the complementary courses to complete your studies.