Language Courses

We want to strike the right balance when it comes to your learning experience. We want to know your hobbies, interests and any specific learning needs you may have. Our teachers will take all of this into account to create a weekly course that caters for all students in the class.

We’ll, also cover vocabulary and grammar, of course, but in a way you definitely won’t find boring. The beauty of having small class sizes is that we can create individual learning in a social environment!

Learning with Filolo

Lessons take place in small groups, with a ratio of six students to one teacher. This enables our teachers to offer a high level of individual focus, that gives everyone plenty of opportunities to speak, listen and be heard.

The language course takes place Monday - Friday from 9:15 am to 12:45 pm. This is different in our ski and surf camps, where the language lessons take place in the afternoon.

9.15 - 10.15 a.m: Alive and Kicking!
We like to use the first hour of the day to wake everyone up while learning, by getting active. If the weather permits this will take place outside and will involve repetition to create learner confidence.

10.15 - 10.30 a.m: 1st Break
With tea, water and fresh fruit provided.

10.30am - 11.30am: Listening, understanding & speaking
Listening, understanding and speaking, combined with dynamic and innovative learning strategies that promise theoretical learning without the boredom!

11.30 a.m. - 11.45 a.m: 2nd Break
With tea, water and fresh fruit provided.

11.45 a.m. - 12.45 p.m: Weekly Project
In the first lesson of the week you’ll combine your collective interests in order to come up with a weekly project. You’ll then work on the project and create it in your target language through the week in time for the presentation on Friday! The project could be anything from a short film, to a small enterprise or a play - but don’t worry, everyone’s shy at first.

A selected choice of past projects:

  • Short films, a Camp News Network TV or newspaper.
  • Election campaign / debate: Students are split into different groups to discuss the pros and cons of a proposed topic. It could be anything from “should energy drinks be allowed at school?” or “Is Messi still the GOAT?” to a highly controversial political debate.
  • Music projects or enterprises including a billboard and advertising campaign.
  • Create your own product and make a plan to bring it to market - you can even let the rest of the camp try it out!

 

Language levels

Language levels & classification

We create our classes at the start of the week using the Common European Framework of Reference as a rough guide:

A1 - Beginner
A2 - Basic knowledge
B1 - Intermediate
B2 - Advanced.

Oral and written skills are assessed on the day of a arrival and the groups are created taking age and interest into account, as well as the language level.

Intensive Course

17.00 p.m. – 18.30 p.m.: If you want to maximise your learning potential even more, you have the option to join the Filolo intensive courses on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons.

  • 2x 90 minutes (total 3h)
  • in even smaller classes
  • 3h additional language course for 120 CHF extra

Teaching Team

Each and every member of our teaching team meets the following criteria:

  • University degree or in education, ideally in the field of linguistics, education or social work.
  • Experience in working with children and teenagers.
  • Native speakers: with professional qualifications obtained here in Switzerland and/or from around the world.
  • Valid first aid certificate.
  • We require all team members to provide proof of a background check conducted within the last 12 months.

Personality
We rank personality very highly here at Filolo. We don’t only want our teachers to be trained and qualified - we also look for dynamic, interesting and engaging characters that the kids can really get on board with. Just like the students, our teachers are here to share in the fun and laughter that the Filolo learning experience brings!