Table of Contents

How do I apply to English Study Tours Hawaii?

For a full step-by-step description of how to apply, please see "Making Arrangements" to come study with us. Back to top

Can you tell me more about the learning environment at English Study Tours?

Curriculum and activities are one. That is, lessons and practice in correct grammar usage, idioms, vocabulary, common jargon, and discourse management are interwoven into each of the activities. Students are typically given a class session before an activity to familiarize them with what will be experienced next, which English communication areas we will pay most careful attention to, and to prepare students for any real-life English communication exercises that may be required during the activity. Students will be asked to participate in real life English language exercises with native speakers that they will encounter. "English Stops" during the activity will help focus the student, correct English usage problems that may be arising, and introduce new vocabulary, grammar, idiom or discourse management concepts. After the activity there will be a class to answer questions and to review the days lessons. Students are required to carry their Study Tours clipboard (clipboard and plastic storage box combination which is provided free of charge). There is homework to keep the student on track. Back to top

How can I reserve accommodations in Hawaii?

You have the choice of reserving accommodations through your travel agent, or asking us to find accommodations for you here in Hawaii. Click here to read more about this. Back to top

Do we have to participate in all of the activities during the term?

The English learning curriculum has been interwoven with the activities that you will be experiencing during the term. Activity participation is always voluntary but a highly recommended part of the English Study Tours total experience. Many of the lessons in the later part of the term are based on what you learned and experienced in the early part of the term, and because of this it is highly inadvisable to miss classes or activities. Some students would not be expected to participate in some kinds of activities, for example, surfing, which requires swimming skills. In these cases, students who cannot participate are given an alternative activity. See our class attendance policy section of the website. Back to top

When are the activities fees due?

Activities fees, along with all other balances, are due on the first day of class (orientation day). Back to top

I understand that our first day at English Study Tours will be held on Maui or another of Hawaii's outer islands. Do we make reservations to fly directly into Maui (for example) from our home countries? And what about accommodations on the outer islands excursions?

Yes, make sure you book your flight directly into the outer island destination that we indicate on your acceptance notice. Since the islands of Maui and Hawaii have international airports, it is possible, in some cases, to fly directly into these islands. In other cases it is not possible and you will have to change flights at Honolulu International Airport. Your travel agent can set this all up for you. Please make sure that your flight arrives the day before orientation day, usually a Sunday, so as to give yourself time to acclimatize and settle in.

Don't worry about accommodations on the outer islands. We book all of our students into the same hotel to facilitate our meeting quickly for study sessions and activities excursions. Please let us know at the time of registration if you want to share a hotel room with another student, or want a private room of your own. Private rooms, of course, are much more expensive. We will notify you within a short time after your acceptance into the program as to which hotel you will be staying, how to get there from the airport, and any other relevant information.

Click here to see more about accommodations on Oahu. Click here to see more about accommodations on the outer islands. Back to top

Please describe the English Study Tours class

The English Study Tours class is a class in motion.  GEP (General English Preparatory program) curriculum is carefully interwoven with daily educational activities that take place throughout the Hawaiian Islands. These activities give our small class of 7 to 10 students an opportunity to experience English rather than just talk about it.  Students will receive the benefits of a classroom education combined with real live opportunities to practice English with native speakers.  Because activities are an important part of the deep immersion English learning process, classes are held in many different locations around Hawaii.  When students are on the island of Oahu, some classes, for example, are held in our meeting facility at the world famous Kualoa Ranch (where Jurassic Park was filmed).  Some classes are held in our beautiful meeting facility in Honolulu, and others are held in our meeting facility in Kailua, Hawaii.  Classes are held in other locations around Hawaii as well. Click here to see more about our locations. Back to top

Please describe a day at English Study Tours

Students typically begin their class day at 8:30am.  Classes are from 2 to 2.5 hours long depending on the activity for the day.  By mid –morning, the students are on their way to the class activity of the day where they will not only experience the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii, but will also experience English as it is really spoken by native speakers.  ‘English Stops’ (short classes) throughout the activity day serve to focus the student and clarify grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure and discourse management questions. The students return to the classroom at the end of the day for the second class of the day.  A summary of the day’s activity, additional training, and orientation for the next day’s adventure are all part of this final class of the day.  School is usually over by 4:30pm, depending on the activity for the day. Click here to learn more about our program, locations, and teachers. Back to top

Please describe a term at English Study Tours

An English Study Tours term is 4 weeks long, and there are 3 terms to one complete curriculum cycle. Classes are held 5 days per week. Students have the weekend off to explore Hawaii on their own. English Study Tours students really get to see and experience a lot of Hawaii!

Students typically begin their class term on the island of Maui where classes begin at 8:30am.  By mid –morning, students are on their way to the top of Haleakala mountain, or off to Lahaina town where they will not only experience the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii, they will experience English.  ‘English Stops’ (short classes) throughout the activity day serve to focus the student and clarify grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure questions.

From Maui, students fly to the Island of Oahu, “the meeting place,” where they settle into their accommodations and prepare themselves for a series of classes and class activities around the island.

While classes are given at several locations around Oahu, we have two main classroom facilities. One is located on the beautiful campus of Kualoa Ranch—one of the most breathtaking properties in Hawaii.  With ocean-to-mountain views, this sacred land was a place where Hawaiian royalty trained for their duties.  This is where movies like Jurassic Park are regularly filmed, and it is a regular attraction for tourists from all over the world. The other is located in the heart of Honolulu. Click here to see pictures of these classroom locations.

In the third week of the term, students are flown to Hawaii, Kauai, or Molokai.  Here students will continue their activities-based studies for 3 full days.  There are usually no classes on Saturday and Sunday.

By the fourth week, the students are back on Oahu in a final round of classes and activities.  The fourth and final week is also the time of the term when we review what we have learned during the term and prepare for final exams.  Exams are on Thursday of the last week of the term, and Friday is student conference day and graduation for those students who are leaving.  After graduation there is a celebration. Back to top

What areas of Hawaii will the student visit during a normal class term?

The English Study Tours program is a class constantly in motion. GEP (General English Program) curriculum is carefully interwoven with daily educational activities that take place throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Because activities are an important part of the daily deep English immersion learning process, classes are held in many different locations throughout the term. Students will visit many locations on two Hawaiian outer islands, and will experience an activity every day when they are on the island of Oahu, our home island. When students are on the island of Oahu, many of our classes are held either in our facility in the heart of downtown Honolulu or in our facility at the world famous Kualoa Ranch (where Jurassic Park was filmed). But many other classes are held in other locations around Hawaii. Click here to see more about our locations. Back to top

How much free time will I have to explore Hawaii on my own?

Students typically begin classes at 8:30am and are usually finished by 4:30 pm, depending on the activity for the day. There are no classes on the weekends. Click here to learn more about our program, locations, and teachers. Back to top

Who are the teachers at English Study Tours ?

Teachers in the English Study Tours program are university trained and experienced ESL instructors with plenty of experience. They are talented, innovative and passionate about teaching. Click here to learn more about our program, locations, and teachers. Back to top

What kind of training to English Study Tours teachers have?

Teachers in the English Study Tours program are university trained with plenty of in-class experience.  Teaching with the English Study Tours program is a coveted position because of top compensation and exciting teaching venues. Click here to learn more about our program, locations, and teachers. Back to top

Where is English Study Tours located?

The English Study Tours class is first and foremost a class in motion. GEP (General English Preparatory) curriculum is carefully interwoven with daily educational activities that take place throughout the Hawaiian Islands. These activities give our small class of 7 to 10 students an opportunity to experience English rather than just talk about it.  Students will receive the benefits of a classroom education combined with real live opportunities to practice English with native speakers. Because activities are an important part of daily lessons, classes are held in many different locations.  When students are on the island of Oahu, some (but not all) of our classes are held in our meeting facility at the world famous Kualoa Ranch (where Jurassic Park was filmed). But many other classes are held in locations around Hawaii. Click here to see more about our locations. Back to top

What kind of transportation is available during the term?

English Study Tours students are provided with a free bus pass for the entire term, entitling them to free transportation on Hawaii's award winning bus system. You can take your bicycle with you on the bus, as well as a boogie board or packs and packages. English Study Tours also provides transportation for class activities.
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How much does it cost to study with English Study Tours?

Please click here to see the costs section of our website. Back to top

How much does tuition cost?

Please click here to see tuition costs. Back to top

How much do activities cost ?

Most activities are provided at no extra charge to the student. There are a small group of activities, however, that have third party charges attached to them which we must pass on to the student. Some of these activities are as follows: the Hawaii shrimp farm study session; the Surfing Adventure; any outer island sessions.

As mentioned, almost all other activities sessions are at no extra charge. There may be other minor costs associated with activities that depend on a third party, like, for example, admission charges to public attractions, parks, or exhibits.

Please click here to see activities costs. Back to top

What is the minimum English proficiency level for students in English Study Tours?

Students wishing to study with us here at English Study Tours must have a minimum of solid low-intermediate level English communication skills. If you are not sure about what level English skills you possess, please contact us.

What is the minimum age for students in the English Study Tours program?

Minimum age is 15 years old.