Knowing how to choose an English language school is harder than most guides make it sound. Most articles give you a flat list of adjectives — "qualified teachers", "good location", "nice atmosphere". That doesn't help when you're sitting in front of ten browser tabs trying to make a real decision.
This guide takes a different approach. It gives you a priority order, the concrete numbers behind each factor, and a checklist you can apply to any school anywhere in the world. The same five priorities apply whether you're 17 and planning a summer programme or 28 on a career break — though the weight you give each one will shift with your age and course length. By the end, you should be able to compare two schools and explain — in one sentence — why one is the better fit for you.
Quick answer: what matters most when choosing an English language school?
When choosing an English language school, the five things to look for are class size, teacher qualifications, accreditation, destination, and housing — in that order.
- Class size — directly determines how much you actually speak in class.
- Teacher qualifications — the person in front of you decides what you learn.
- Accreditation — confirms the school meets legal and educational standards, and the level of accreditation tells you how well it meets them.
- Destination (country and city) — daily life outside class is half the experience.
- Housing — shapes your wellbeing and how much English you actually use outside class.
Two further factors are important but sit slightly below this list. Course type matters a great deal, but the right answer depends on your personal goal rather than on the school. Cost matters, but it determines access to the learning more than the quality of it. Compare schools first on the five factors above, then check that the course type fits, then look at price.
Why class size matters more than most students realise
Class size is the single biggest predictor of how quickly you start speaking confident English. The reason is that speaking time per student drops sharply as group size grows.
How class size affects your actual speaking time
In real classrooms, the pattern looks roughly like this:
- Small, highly interactive classes (6-8 students) — students often speak around 20 minutes or more per hour across different activities.
- Medium classes (10-12 students) — speaking time is moderate, with more waiting between turns.
- Large or lecture-style classes (15+ students) — speaking can drop to a few minutes per hour, especially for quieter students.
These are not exact measurements. They reflect what students typically experience in English classes abroad. Over a 12-week course, the gap between speaking actively for 20 minutes an hour and speaking for two or three is the difference between progress you can hear and progress you have to be told you've made.
If your goal is to speak more fluently, choose schools where the class size lets you actually speak. If your goal is to pass an exam through grammar work, large classes are less of a problem.
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Average class size vs maximum class size — why both matter
Schools usually publish an "average" class size, but the average alone can miss important details. Both numbers matter:
- The average tells you the typical experience across the school's classrooms.
- The maximum tells you the upper limit — the largest class you might be placed in.
Always ask schools both numbers. A school with an average of 7 and a maximum of 12 (the standard at College of English Language in San Diego and Vancouver) is very different in practice from a school with an average of 11 and a maximum of 18 — even if the marketing looks similar.
"Class size is one of the few things students cannot fix later. You can change accommodation, you can change course type, but you cannot turn a class of fifteen into a class of seven. It is the structural decision everything else builds on." — Laura Hasely, Centre Director, CEL Vancouver
For more on the link between class size and progress, see why small classes help you learn faster and how speaking time per student is calculated.
How qualified are the teachers — and how do you verify it?
A qualified English teacher abroad will hold a university degree and a recognised English language teaching certification. If a school cannot confirm both for every teacher, treat that as a warning sign.
The baseline qualification to expect
Most reputable English language schools require teachers to hold:
- A bachelor's degree in any subject
- A specific qualification for teaching English as a second language — typically CELTA, TESL, TEFL, or an equivalent
This is the standard at College of English Language: every teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree plus specific training in teaching English to non-native speakers. Strong schools also invest in continuous training for teachers, which most students never see directly but which shapes what happens in the classroom every week.
Three questions to ask any school before you book
Most schools will not volunteer detailed teacher information. Ask directly:
- What is the minimum qualification all your teachers hold?
- How many of your teachers have been with the school for more than three years?
- Do you offer ongoing training for your teachers?
Vague answers tell you something useful. Specific answers tell you something better.
Which accreditations should you actually look for?
Accreditation is a baseline check, not a differentiator. Any reputable English language school will hold accreditation from a recognised national body — if a school cannot show this, treat it as disqualifying. The harder question is how good the accreditation result is.
In the United States, schools hold academic accreditation from either CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation) or ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training). These are alternatives — schools have one or the other, not both. Either is the basis for SEVP certification, which lets the school issue the I-20 form needed for the F-1 student visa.
In Canada, the national quality mark is Languages Canada. In British Columbia, schools also hold provincial designations — PTIRU (Private Training Institutions Registry Unit) registration and the EQA (Education Quality Assurance) designation issued by the BC government. Other Canadian provinces operate under their own provincial schemes.
Internationally, ALTO (Association of Language Travel Organisations) membership signals participation in the global language travel community.
The quality of accreditation — the part most students miss
Accreditation isn't always a simple yes/no. CEA, for example, awards accreditation cycles of different lengths based on the inspection outcome — the longest cycle reflects the strongest review result. Other accrediting bodies use different systems and aren't directly comparable.
For reference: at its most recent on-site CEA review, College of English Language San Diego received the maximum 10-year accreditation cycle — the longest CEA awards. The full list of CEL's accreditations is on our accreditations page.
How does the country and city shape your experience?
Where you study affects your visa, your costs, your climate, and the kind of English you hear every day. The country choice is bigger than most students realise.
USA or Canada — visa, cost, and English variety
Visa rules change, and requirements vary significantly by country of origin. Always confirm current rules on the official immigration website of the country you choose before you commit.
Choosing a city — what to weigh beyond the postcard
Cities sell themselves on photos. What actually shapes your experience day to day:
- Commute time from school to housing. Long, complex commutes drain your energy and reduce time with classmates. Walking distance is realistic for student residences in many cities, but rarely possible for homestays in North America.
- Cost of living relative to tuition. A cheaper school in an expensive city is not really a saving.
- English exposure outside class. In some cities you can get by in your native language; in others you can't. The harder city is usually better for learning.
- Climate. Affects how much you go outside, exercise, and use English in everyday situations.
CEL has campuses in Pacific Beach, San Diego — a beachside neighbourhood with year-round mild weather — and in Coal Harbour, Downtown Vancouver — an urban centre with mountains and ocean access. For a Vancouver-specific comparison of schools, see our guide to the best English language schools in Vancouver.
How much does housing affect your stay?
Housing is often treated as an afterthought in school comparisons. It shouldn't be. Where you live shapes your wellbeing, your daily routine, and — crucially — how much English you actually use outside class. A great school with a poor housing fit can produce a frustrating stay. A solid school with the right housing can produce one of the strongest learning experiences of your life.
Most language schools offer three options.
Homestay, residence, and independent rental
- Homestay — living with a local family. Typically includes some meals. Strong for cultural immersion and exposure to native speakers in everyday situations. The amount of daily English conversation depends on the family's schedule and willingness to engage.
- Student residence — shared apartments or dormitories with other international students. Often the strongest option for English exposure outside class: students from different countries usually have no shared language other than English, so daily conversation tends to happen in English by default. Also typically more social.
- Independent rental — finding your own apartment or shared flat. More freedom and more cost, but typically less English exposure: students often share with friends from their own country, or live alone. Usually only practical for longer stays.
Whatever you choose, confirm what the school's housing team will and won't help with — application support, transport from the airport, dispute resolution if something goes wrong. CEL's San Diego housing options are listed on our housing page.
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Which course type fits your goal?
The right course type depends on what you need English for. The wrong course can waste weeks of your time even at a good school. Most reputable schools offer three main categories:
- General English — broad skill building across speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar. Suitable for most students.
- Exam Preparation — IELTS, Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced (formerly FCE and CAE), TOEFL — for students who need a specific score for university, work, or immigration.
- Electives — focused, optional modules added to a General English programme. Examples include Academic Skills, Business English & Career Development Skills, and University Preparation.
Match the course to your reason for studying: a clear exam target → Exam Preparation; a clear university or career direction → General English plus the relevant elective; broader fluency goals → General English on its own. CEL's full course list for San Diego is on our courses page.
How much should you expect to pay — and when is a low price a red flag?
Tuition for English courses abroad varies widely by country, school, and time of year. As a benchmark, weekly tuition without promotional pricing at College of English Language is:
- San Diego: US$320-460 per week, depending on course type and total weeks booked
- Vancouver: CA$330-460 per week, depending on course type and total weeks booked
Longer bookings usually come with a lower per-week rate. Promotions and seasonal offers may apply.
What's typically included in tuition (and what isn't)
Tuition normally covers classroom hours and the placement test. It usually does not cover:
- A one-time registration fee
- Learning materials (course books and digital resources are charged separately)
- Accommodation
- Meals (depending on accommodation type)
- Health insurance — required in the US, recommended in Canada
- Visa application fees
- Flights
When comparing two schools, always confirm what is and is not included before comparing weekly prices.
When low price is a red flag
A weekly tuition that is significantly below market is usually balanced by something else. The most common trade-offs are larger class sizes, less qualified teachers, hidden fees, weak or missing accreditation, and limited support outside class. A low price is fine when the school is transparent about what you're getting. A low price with vague answers usually means the school has cut something you'll feel in the classroom.
What if you're working with an education agent?
Many international students book through an education agent rather than contacting the school directly. The same checklist applies. Use it to evaluate the school the agent recommends, not the agent's promise.
If the agent cannot give specific answers on class size, teacher qualifications, or accreditation, contact the school directly. Verify accreditation on the accrediting body's official website rather than relying on agent assurances. A good agent will welcome these checks. An agent who pushes back on them is telling you something important.
A practical checklist for comparing English language schools
Use this checklist to compare two or three schools side by side. Score each criterion from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), then multiply by the weight to get a weighted total.
The total isn't a magic number. The point of the checklist is to force a same-criteria comparison so good marketing alone isn't what decides for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important factor when choosing an English language school?
Class size is the single most important factor for students who want to improve their speaking. A class of 6-8 students gives each student significantly more speaking time per hour than a class of 15 or more. After class size, teacher qualifications and accreditation matter most.
How do I check if an English language school is properly accredited?
Look up the school on its accrediting body's official directory — not the school's own marketing page. In the US, search the school on the CEA or ACCET website. In Canada, check the Languages Canada member directory. In other countries, ask the school which national body they hold accreditation from and verify the listing directly. Accreditation is essentially a baseline filter — any reputable school should hold one.
Is a smaller class size always better?
Smaller is almost always better for spoken English. The exception is very small groups (1-3 students), which can feel intense and tiring for some students and tend to cost more. For most learners, the practical optimum is around 6-10 students — enough variety, small enough for real speaking time.
How long do I need to study English abroad to make real progress?
Visible improvement usually takes at least four weeks of intensive study (around 20 lessons per week). Moving up one CEFR level — for example from B1 to B2 — usually takes 8 to 12 weeks of intensive study, depending on starting level and how much English you use outside class.
Is the cheapest English language school usually the worst choice?
Not always — but a price significantly below market is usually balanced by something. The most common trade-offs are larger classes, less qualified teachers, weaker or missing accreditation, or hidden fees. The cheapest school is rarely the best value once you account for what you're actually getting.
Choosing an English language school is a research task, not an inspiration task. Apply the checklist above to whichever schools you're considering — including CEL — and choose based on the structure, not the marketing.
College of English Language has welcomed international students at its San Diego and Vancouver campuses for more than 45 years. You can apply the framework to CEL's English courses in San Diego and Vancouver, or reach the admissions team directly through either campus page if you'd like specific advice on whether CEL fits your goals.
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