Mar 31, 2010 05:07 PM
2887 Views
I-Study I-Speak in my opinion is an exceptional Spoken English course. Very innovative and very unconventional.
Being an MBA student, I am always on a lookout for value addition, and it takes me to various language institutes. Generally when I got to any Spoken English or 'English Speaking' institutes, I expect the same old curriculum copied from Rapidex, English Guru or a Grammar book. British School of Languages, American institute are all no exceptions, though they have impressive names ( why does everyone try to incorporate American, British, Oxford or cambridge in their institute names ?)
So when I saw this course called ' I-Study I-Speak' I was a little surprised. They didn't have any fancy American or British Flag and the tag line was very clear ' Because it's not the same as written English'. When I called them up the counselor didn't sound any different than the other institutes but she insisted that I visit once and take a free trial class.
When I visited the institute I was pleasantly surprised to see many professionals taking the class. I was given to understand that it's the brain child of an NRI and it was reflecting in the decor of the institute- Lush green surroundings, a fish pond outside and a large reception area. It was all very relaxing but that's not what I was there for.
I spoke to the owner of the institue who is an NRI and he told me that he takes the English classes himself. The brochure talked of many impressive techniques and he also talked of many soft skills that we would learn.
Surprisingly there was not a lot promised as the usual Spoken English institutes do. They did not include 'Interview Skills' in their Spoken Course, and that's run as a separate 10 days course.
I went there actually to enquire about the course for my younger sister but after taking the trial Class, I decided that I should also join the class.
What I liked about them is
Positives
Very Innovative Course.
No Conventional Grammar.
Tongue Training ( It means that you train your tongue to memorise phrases)
Vocabulary building is done by teaching 5, 000 most commonly used words. So I didn't have to learn many new words.
They have a website for the students where one gets to login and learn online.
Negatives
Only 45 Sessions are included in 3 months
You take alternate classes and you have to do some assignments ( tongue training assignments) yourself at home. when the motivation is lacking you don't do it.
5, 000 words are not discussed fully in teh class. they only take those words that students don't understand
Over all Verdict ( 4 Stars out of 5)
If they somehow can make it a 90 Session program, It would rock. I would still suggest this course to anyone. Go and take a trial class at least and you would see the difference yourself.
