FAQs
These are the answers to some common questions asked by students, parents and agents (click on the question to read the answer):
Prior to Arrival
- What do I need to bring?
- Can I bring my mp3-player or mobile phone?
- What am I not allowed to bring?
- Do I need to bring a sleeping bag or bed linen?
- How much money will I need?
- Do I need insurance?
The School
- When does the school day begin and end?
- How many people will there be in my class?
- Will there be people of different nationalities in my class?
- What can I expect on my first day?
- Are the language teachers qualified?
- Who teaches the sports and activities?
- How many language levels are there?
- Will I be using English all day?
- What are the lessons like?
- What kind of projects do students do?
- What facilities are there in the schools?
Transfers
Weather
Activities
Excursions
- Does Stars organise excursions?
- Do I have to pay extra for these excursions?
- Do I have to pay to go in to the places we visit?
- Can I visit the local town on my own?
Accommodation
- Will I have my own room?
- Will I have my own bathroom?
- Can I share a room with my friend?
- Are the leaders' rooms located near to the group's rooms?
- Are boys' and girls' rooms separate?
Food
Laundry
Welfare
Rules
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Prior to Arrival
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Here is a list of items to bring with you:
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We advise you bring trousers other than jeans as these become cold and heavy when wet. Ideally all clothing should have name tags, due to the large amount of lost property left at the end of the week.
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Q: Can I bring my mp3-player or mobile phone?
A: You can, but you are advised not to bring expensive items such as:
- Cameras
- Mobile Phones
- Electronic games (e.g. Gameboys, Playstations, etc.)
- Personal music players, etc.
- Any dangerous items, such as knives or fireworks.
Again, this is because you may lose or damage them by accident. Please ensure that any valuable items that you bring are stored safely or given to your group leader for safe keeping. It is essential that you have sufficient insurance to cover any loss or damage to your belongings. Please note that neither Stars Language Ltd., nor the centre can be held responsible for any loss of personal equipment.
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Q: What am I not allowed to bring?
A: Dangerous items such as guns, knives, fireworks and illegal drugs are not allowed into the UK. Most meat, plant and other animal products from outside the EU are also not allowed. For more information see the UK Revenue & Customs website.
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Q: Do I need to bring a sleeping bag or bed linen?
A: No. There is no need to bring sleeping bags or duvets as linen is provided in all the accommodation. The centres will provide fresh linen each week.
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Q: How much money will I need?
A: All our programmes are fully-inclusive. You will only need to bring some spending money for snacks, souvenirs and gifts during days out on excursions. We recommend a maximum amount of £20 per week. Please remember it is your responsibility to look after your money or give to your group leader for safe keeping.
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Q: Do I need insurance?
A: Yes. You must arrange insurance from the agent in your country, which will cover the minimum of loss, damage and personal liability.
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Q: When does the school day begin and end?
A: English lessons start at 9.00am and finish at 1.15pm with two 15-minute breaks. Lunch is at 1.15-2.30pm. In the afternoon there are organised sports and other activities with three 10-minute breaks. Dinner is at 5.50-7.00pm and in the evening we organise various entertainments. See a typical day in the sample timetable.
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Q: How many people will there be in my class?
A: There will be a maximum of 15 students per class, usually 10-12 people.
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Q: Will there be people of different nationalities in my class?
A: In the summer, we run an international programme, mixing students of different nationalities in the same class according to age group and English language ability. At all other times of the year, it will depend on which groups are on site. Wherever possible we will organise joint activities with British young people who are doing multi-activity courses on the same site to enable you to practise with native speakers.
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Q: What can I expect on my first day?
A: You will do placement tests in writing and listening so we can assess your level in English and put you in the right class. Then it's straight into the course.
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Q: Are the language teachers qualified?
A: All of our English teachers are UK graduates with either a teaching qualification or a qualification in teaching English as a foreign language. They are all experienced in teaching English as a foreign language.
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Q: Who teaches the sports and activities?
A: All the sport and activities are delivered by our in-house team of fully-qualified sports teachers. Each member of our sports staff will have National Governing Body Awards that are relevant to the sports and activities they will be leading.
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Q: How many language levels are there?
A: We teach all levels from elementary to advanced, plus a special level for young learners. The lessons will follow a course book at the appropriate level, which we will provide.
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Q: Will I be using English all day?
A: As well as English lessons every morning, all the sports and activities will be conducted in English which will give students the opportunity to practice the four skill areas of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
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Q: What are the lessons like?
A: The lessons use a course book but also allow lots of time for project-based work and excursion preparation and follow-up activities.
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Q: What kind of projects do students do?
A: Students can choose their own projects which they work on throughout their stay. Typically these include film-making, music, plays, posters and presentations.
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Q: What facilities are there in the schools?
A: All the centres have outstanding classroom and sports facilities. Click on each centre to find out more.
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Transfers
Q: How do I get from the airport to the school?
A: On arrival, students will be met by a Stars member of staff holding a Stars logo. Students will be taken by coach directly to the school. At the end of the course students will be taken back to the airport for their flight home.
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Q: Does it cost extra for a transfer?
A: Transfers from LIVERPOOL and MANCHESTER airports are included in our prices. Contact us for a price for transfer from any other UK airport.
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Weather
Q: What is the weather like?
A: Britain has a variable climate that changes from day to day, but generally extreme weather is rare. The temperature rarely drops below 2°C in winter or rises above 28°C in summer. Whatever time of year, layers of clothing are best. To see the weather forecast in Chester today, click the link to the BBC site.
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Activities
Q: What type of activities can I do?
A: On all Stars courses, English classes are combined with a full exciting programme of Sports, Outdoor Activities, Art, Drama and Music, day-time excursions and evening social events. Click on a sample timetable to see which activities we offer.
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Excursions
Q: Does Stars organise excursions?
A: Yes. Our centres are ideally located for a range of exciting excursions. We offer full-day excursions on Saturdays and on Wednesdays. Click here to find out more about our full range of excursions.
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Q: Do I have to pay extra for these excursions?
A: No. All our programmes include excursions. How many you have will depend on how long you stay and exactly when you arrive and depart. Your group has the option to take additional excursions, for example on a Sunday, for which you will have to pay extra.
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Q: Do I have to pay to go in to the places we visit?
A: No. All entrance fees on our advertised excursions are included in the price you pay.
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Q: Can I visit the local town on my own?
A: No. Students cannot visit the town by themselves. Students may be allowed to visit the local town under the supervision of their Group Leader. As a general rule students are not allowed off-site unless accompanied by a member of staff. There will be excursions to interesting places on Saturdays and on Wednesdays.
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Accommodation
Q: Will I have my own room?
A: This will depend on the centre that you are staying in, as the accommodation ranges from single ensuite rooms to multi-bedded rooms at the different centres.
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Q: Will I have my own bathroom?
A: This will again depend upon the accommodation you are in with certain rooms being ensuite while other students share a communal bathroom.
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Q: Are the leaders' rooms located near to the group's rooms?
A: Yes. Students are located in corridors close to their leaders in all centres.
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Q: Are boys' and girls' rooms separate?
A: Yes. Boys and girls will not share rooms or bathrooms in any of the centres.
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Food
Q: What is the food like?
A: Our food is varied and tasty. We always offer a choice of hot meals and a fresh salad bar. The emphasis is on healthy food that gives you lots of energy. See a typical week'smenu.
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Q: Can you cater for special dietary requirements?
A: Usually. There is always vegetarian food available. If you have other requests, such as wheat-free meals or a menu without pork products, then contact us to discuss your needs.
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Laundry
Q: Are there laundry facilities where I can wash and dry my clothes?
A: Yes. There are washing machines and dryers in most of the centres where older students can wash and dry clothes under the supervision of their Group Leader. Younger students will need to ask their Group Leader to do their washing for them. The cost of washing clothes is included in the price you pay.
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Welfare
Q: What happens if I feel ill?
A: If you feel ill at any time, please see your Group Leader. Our on-site Manager will advise your Group Leader of the local doctors, dentist and hospital if required.
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Q: What happens if I miss home?
A: Please speak to your Group Leader and they will be able to advise you on how best to cope with the situation.
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Q: When can I call or email home?
A: If the Group Leader agrees, you may use your mobile phone only for a short time in the evenings after activity sessions and lessons. However, we advise students not to bring any expensive items such as mobile phones with them, as they may be lost or damaged. It is also worth noting that there may not be a strong signal at some centres. There may be an opportunity for you to email from the centre during your stay.
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Rules
Q: What are the rules?
A: There are a number of rules that are explained on your first day at the site, so that everyone can be looked after safely during their stay.
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Q: Can I smoke?
A: No. There is absolutely no smoking at any of our centres. This is because of health and safety regualtions on all our sites. In addition, please note that it is illegal to smoke under the age of 18 in the UK.
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Q: What are the rules about having drugs and alcohol?
A: Any student caught in possession of either drugs or alcohol will be sent home immediately at the expense of their parents / guardians. It is against the law to have either of these on site and therefore we will not allow alcohol or any form of drugs, except prescription drugs, which must be accompanied by a medical note.
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