Kids camps in Houston, Texas 2024

Houston is as diverse as any other major city. The foreign students will easily fit into the local multicultural community thanks to the huge number of international students who come all the time. One of the reasons for this influx is the oil and gas industry: many large companies are based in downtown or on the west side of Houston in an area known as the Energy Corridor. Many Britons, Europeans, Australians and Scandinavians live, study and work here.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are 50 trade, professional and business schools in the region specializing in law, healthcare, technological processes and other disciplines - they teach another 20,000 students.

• Opportunity to study English in the American version;

• Immersion in language environment - simplifies and accelerates studying, for foreign students coming to the United States from non-English-speaking countries.

• Travel and new acquaintances are a pleasant bonus and useful practice for language learners, and foreign students who come to the country with study visas may well combine their studies with short trips to neighboring cities and states.

• Acquaintance with the culture of the country, more precisely, with its multiculturalism.

• Studying English at the university increases the chances of admission. Such language courses in Houston do not give additional points, but they allow you to get acquainted with the university's procedures and the nuances of getting into the ranks of its students from the inside.

Sarah Rimini

Head of International Student Recruitment at Inspired Education Group

What opportunities are there for cultural immersion and interaction with native speakers?

We organize cultural excursions, host native speaker events, and encourage campers to engage with locals during supervised outings. These experiences enhance language learning and cultural understanding.

The languages camps in Houston offer various programs that can be divided into several types, among which each foreign student will find an optimally suitable option for himself:

• General English – standard (15-20 classes per week), intensive (28-30 classes), super intensive (35-40 classes).  Classes are usually group (6,8 – 10 people), but the students can choose the option in mini-groups (2-3 people + a teacher) or individual lessons (one-to-one courses). There are usually no initial requirements: even the most beginners (Beginner or Elementary level) are accepted.

• Preparation for language exams – TOEFL, IELTS, CELTA and others. Usually, there are 20-25 classes per week in groups of 6-12 people. For these entry–level programs, knowledge will no longer be enough - usually Houston language schools require a level from Intermediate.

• Business English: 20-25 classes per week – in groups, mini groups or individually. The course is not for beginners: to enroll, the foreign students will need to demonstrate a level from Intermediate and above.

• English with living in the teacher’s family – very comfortable and effective course. 25-30 academic hours per week plus constant improvement of language skills, correction of errors in direct communication with a qualified teacher. The level of initial knowledge can be any (from Beginner/Elementary).

• English + hobby/ English + rest - as a rule, these are low-intensity courses (10-15 hours weekly), combining language lessons with a huge number of leisure and entertainment activities. Such programs can be both seasonal and year-round, have a clear theme (for example, “English + cinema”) or cover little by little all areas of creativity, sports and complement them with excursions, entertainment and beach holidays.

• Host family – 175-400 USD per week for one student

boarding or semi-boarding meals (three times or twice a day, respectively), 1-3 people per room. Americans are friendly and hospitable people, they strive to help students in every possible way, organize their leisure time and offer interesting options for travel and excursions, can facilitate transfers (including daily to school).

• School residence – 250-400 USD per week for one person

As a rule, boarding three meals a day, rooms for 1-4 people. Usually residences correspond to a good 3* hotel in terms of level, and communication with neighbours from all over the world will be an additional plus.

• Hotels, hostels – 30-120 USD per day per person

As a rule, there is no meal plan, but it can be organized if the hotel has its own restaurants or cafes. Rooms for 1-2 people: there are options of varying degrees of comfort (up to luxe), different location and degree of equipment, service.

• Apartments – 250-650 USD per week for one student

It is an option for the most independent students who are ready to provide themselves with comfort, household amenities and food. Each room or apartment (for example, if it is a studio) is calculated for 1-3 people.

To enrol in a language school or courses, the foreign students need to apply, make an advance payment, apply for a visa and take a test for the level of studying. Some schools may also ask for a health certificate, this is usually found in children's language camps with their own residences to accommodate students.

A certificate in this case is needed to ensure that the child is fed in accordance with the recommended diet, if any, as well as for the safety of cohabitation of students and the organization of their recreation.

The cost of studying in a language course depends on its duration, format, and initial knowledge of the applicant. On average, the foreign students will have to pay about $ 3,500 for 4 weeks of study. The  educational course can also be combined with beach holidays and surfing, and a four-week study will cost about $ 3,200.

When booking a program at a language school in Houston, take into account some surcharges that are not included in the program price and must be paid additionally:

• Consular fee (from $ 160) and visa costs, including translation and certification of documents

• Air tickets

• Mandatory medical insurance (usually paid on a weekly basis)

• Meeting and seeing off at the airport, round-trip transfer (if the school does not organize it)

• Courier delivery of documents, receipts, payment receipts, visa invitation.

Also, schools may charge additional fees for textbooks, books and materials, additional electronic resources – and it is logical that an increase in the intensity of classes will affect the cost of the program. Also take into account the fact that tuition and accommodation in high season – usually in the summer months – entails a separate surcharge (usually it is $ 25-$ 95 per week per person).

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