Frequently Asked Questions

All English classes take place in the city, outside a traditional classroom. Typical NYC class locations include indoor and outdoor venues such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, Bryant Park, Pier 57, Industry City, and Brookfield Place. Instead of being stuck in a room with 4 walls, students practice English in authentic locations across the city. The city becomes their classroom!

Yes, and yes! Locations have been carefully chosen based on comfort, space, ease of access, points of interest close by, proximity of public restrooms, etc. All classes take place in small groups of 8 maximum seated around a table.

English Outdoors is not a traditional ESL school or class. Instead, our English classes follow a fluency-focused curriculum that focuses on practicing speaking, gaining confidence, and building overall fluency.

Our expert teachers utilize iPads, smart phones, city-themed topics, and carefully curated class materials to keep lessons engaging and the conversation flowing. Instead of traditional grammar exercises or book work, our English classes focus on lively discussions, hands-on learning, and authentic practice.

No, there is no formal textbook. English Outdoors follows a fluency-focused curriculum rather than a traditional textbook. However, carefully curated class materials are provided daily.

Since English classes take place in indoor and outdoor locations throughout the city, students are naturally immersed in the city's life and culture. This interactive class concept gives students hands-on practice in real world scenarios all while living like a local!

English Outdoors uses many great outdoor and indoor locations across the city. If it's too hot, cold, or rainy, classes will be held in one of our great indoor venue options or be taken on one of our many cultural or educational class excursions located in indoor locations. New York City is full of great museums and semi-secret indoor public spaces!

"Fluency" is the ability to communicate ideas easily and confidently, even when small mistakes occur. Think of someone who speaks English confidently and smoothly at a steady pace with few pauses and hesitations. This is different from "accuracy", which is the ability to speak precisely with zero mistakes in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.

Although both skills are important, we prioritize fluency over accuracy at English Outdoors. Our goal is to help students sound natural and confident while they continue to build their accuracy skills.

All students go to class 5 days a week: Monday-Friday, 9:30-12:30

Mondays-Thursdays: For 4 days out of the week, students cover topic-themed lessons that primarily focus on vocabulary building, speaking practice, and fluency. 3 class excursions are built into the weekly schedule that provide hands-on, immersive learning and authentic speaking practice.

Fridays: At the end of every week, teachers incorporate tailored language practice. Although error correction techniques are used throughout the week, a full class day on Fridays is used to address repeated student errors. This weekly accuracy training targets what students actually need help with, ensuring all students see meaningful language progress even after just 1 week.

No! Traditional conversation classes include only free-flowing conversation with little to no structured lesson. At English Outdoors, teachers follow structured, well-organized lesson plans that cover a variety of language skills. Although we prioritize speaking, classes also focus on vocabulary, writing, reading, pronunciation and more.

No! Each class excursion is well-prepared in advance and follows a structured lesson plan. Each excursion is led by the teacher and focuses on a city-themed topic with a hands-on element (like a walking tour or museum visit) built into the lesson. This gives students the unique opportunity to learn and discuss interesting topics with real-world context built right in – all while exploring the city like a local!

Example city-themed topics include architecture, art, history, urban parks, and more!

Class excursions take place during the morning class in small groups of 8 students maximum. Class excursions follow a structured lesson and focus on building and practicing language skills. Think of it like an English lesson with hands-on, authentic speaking practice built right in.

Afternoon and evening activities take place outside of class time. These activities occur as a large group and focus on exploring the city's most iconic tourist destinations while socializing with other students in the program. Although this is still a great time to experience and practice English, there is no formal lesson built into the activities.

Class excursions center around a city-related topic and incorporate a city excursion into the lesson.

Example: Architecture Class Excursion

Our architecture themed class excursion includes a lesson on the history of Grand Central and its iconic architectural style. Students read about this famous terminal's history, learn train travel and architecture related vocabulary and idioms, research and present an element of the terminal, and discuss and debate architectural themes. The class then takes an excursion to Grand Central where students tour the terminal, ask a question at the famous info booth, and identify Grand Central's key architectural elements that they will present later in class.

This unique approach gives students hands-on practice while experiencing the language in authentic contexts in real time.

Yes! Although the main focus is on practicing speaking and building fluency, that doesn't mean we completely ignore skills like grammar. Every Friday in class, teachers incorporate tailored lessons that cover accuracy skills. These lessons change week-to-week and are decided based on the real language errors heard in class that week. This ensures students practice skills they actually need rather than following a random skill from a traditional textbook.

Our academic program is specifically designed for short-term students. Our unique approach includes a focus on fluency improvement combined with tailored language practice. This balance between fluency and accuracy training ensures that every student sees meaningful progress even after just 2 weeks.

After 2 weeks:

• Speech is smoother and more fluid
• Confidence increases
• Speaking speed is faster with fewer hesitations and pauses
• Grammatical errors decrease
• More complex grammatical structures are used
• Word choice improves

Mondays-Thursdays: Although classes don't follow a traditional textbook, we provide class materials designed specifically for each topic and class excursion. Class materials and handouts are organized, structured, and incorporate a variety of language skills in the class every day.

Fridays: At the end of every week, teachers tailor the class lesson to focus on skill areas where students need the most help. Rather than blindly following random grammar points in a textbook, EO teachers incorporate tailor-made lesson plans and class materials that are best suited for their students. This ensures every student sees meaningful progress even after just 2 weeks.

Yes! All of our teachers hold a teaching degree or certificate and have prior teaching experience. EO teachers also receive extensive training and ongoing professional development led by trained experts in the field.

Every student must take our online level test prior to their arrival. Then, students are sorted into classes based on their level. It's important that students don't use any outside help on their level test to ensure their score is accurate.

If after the first day of class a student feels he/she is in the wrong level, they can request a level change. After a short speaking exam, the student will be moved to their correct level.

English Outdoor summer camps are attended by students from 20+ countries.

In classes, we ensure there is a mix of genders and nationalities in every single class so that English is used as much as possible.

Although printed materials are provided, it is highly recommended students have an international phone plan so they can readily access class resources (ex: class chats, videos, online resources, etc.). We also recommend students bring a small notebook, a pen/pencil, and headphones or earbuds for video and listening activities.

Yes! Our maximum class size is 8 students. This ensures every student has many opportunities to speak. Small classes also ensure that students receive 1-on-1 attention from the teacher. She/He will check-in with students regularly throughout class to ensure they're comfortable and understand the lesson.

Yes, meals are included for full packages on a full-board basis.

• Breakfast may include items such as French toast, bacon, sausages, pancakes, cereal, and juices.
• Lunch: a light packed lunch is provided during the week and on Mondays and Fridays, we offer lunch on location (pizza/burgers).
• Dinner provides options such as chicken, beef, fries, vegetables, wraps, and salads (vegetarian options available).

Day camp students: Only lunch on Mondays and Fridays are provided. They need to bring their own food or buy it on site.

Yes, we can accommodate most dietary requirements and food allergies upon request. We recommend that students inform us in advance of any special dietary needs so arrangements can be made with our meal providers.

Note: Students with severe allergies are advised to bring their EpiPen or necessary medication and carry it with them at all times in case of accidental exposure.

As in any large city, travelers should be careful of pickpockets and hustlers, but our camp counselors are here to guide students and give them safety tips.

Students are looked after by our trained team of camp counselors, who accompany them throughout the program on the subway, to activities, and anywhere else they go. Counselors have access to students' phone numbers and stay in regular contact to ensure their safety and well-being.

Most counselors are local to the city or very familiar with the city, and their role is to provide guidance, support, and ensure students feel safe and confident during their experience.

In addition, a Camp Coordinator and Camp Manager are also on-site at all times, overseeing the program and providing additional support when needed.

Yes, the evening curfew is at 10:30 p.m. All students must be in their rooms by this time and are not allowed to leave after curfew.

Residence Managers check every room at 10:30 p.m. and perform a headcount to ensure all students are accounted for and following the rules. Our residence managers also conduct a second check at 11:30 p.m. to ensure everyone is in their rooms.

At English Outdoors, student safety is our top priority throughout the program. Staff, including camp counselors, residence managers, and program leaders, are trained to supervise students, respond to concerns, and maintain a safe environment at all times.

On the first day of orientation, the Camp Manager speaks with students about staying safe on the subway and in the streets, helping them understand how to navigate the city responsibly.

Staff are always available to support students, provide guidance, and ensure their well-being during activities, at the residence, and while traveling around the city.

English Outdoors is a complete urban immersion experience and all the afternoon and evening activities we organize reflect our commitment to offering the very best activities for teens.

Our activities are designed to give students a full, authentic city experience while practicing English in real-life situations. We visit many of the city's most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, allowing students to immerse themselves in city life.

The program offers a diverse range of activities, including museums, parks, walking tours, observatories and musicals, so every student can enjoy a little bit of everything. This variety not only makes learning English fun and engaging but also helps students experience the city like a local, connecting culture, history, and everyday life to their language learning journey.

And in New York City and London, there are also optional excursions giving students flexibility to tailor their experience.

Evenings are a mix of cultural and social activities, including 2 evening activities, cooking and games, sports, movie nights, and Karaoke.

We place special attention on "Chill Out Nights", which are key moments for students to relax, recharge, and socialize in a low-key setting, ensuring they have the energy to fully enjoy the next day of activities.

The Cultural Exchange Evening is a special opportunity for students to share and learn about each other's cultures. We ask students to bring something personal and meaningful from their own culture.

Examples include:

• Snacks or treats (chocolates, candies, or traditional foods) to share with others
• Small cultural items or souvenirs (keychains, postcards, or crafts)
• Traditional games or activities from their home country

The goal is to spark conversations, try new things, and celebrate diversity in a fun and interactive way, so students are encouraged to be creative and share anything that represents their culture.

Yes, our residences are managed by Residence Managers, who are responsible for all logistics and day-to-day operations at the residence. They conduct headcounts, check rooms during curfew, and ensure students are safe and accounted for.

Residence Managers also escort students to breakfast and dinner and oversee activities held at the residence, with support from camp counselors.

They live on-site and are available 24/7, providing guidance, support, and ensuring a safe and well-organized environment for all students.

Yes, the residence has 24-hour security and key card access to both the building and rooms, ensuring a safe environment for all students.

Yes. The rooms are cleaned before the students arrive and once a week during their stay. Our staff washes the bed sheets. Students must remove their sheets from the bed and place them to the side so the staff can collect them.

Each floor has a trash room. Students are responsible for taking out their trash and keeping their rooms clean and organized.

Our staff cleans the rooms once a week, but it is the students' responsibility to maintain cleanliness daily.

We understand that being away from home and familiar surroundings can be a big adjustment. Each student adapts in their own way, and it's normal for them to need some time to settle in. We recommend that parents talk with their children beforehand to prepare them for the experience.

At English Outdoors, we support students throughout the process, providing guidance, reassurance, and fun activities to help them feel comfortable and engaged. Most students gradually gain confidence, make friends, and enjoy their experience, understanding that adaptation is a natural part of the journey.

The program helps students develop cultural awareness through a combination of structured activities and everyday interactions. On the first day, during orientation, we introduce the importance of respecting different cultures and provide guidance on how to interact positively with others.

Throughout the program, students participate in Cultural Exchange Evenings, where they share aspects of their own culture and learn about others in a fun and interactive way. Counselors are always available, encouraging students to ask questions and seek support if any issues arise, ensuring a safe and respectful environment where everyone can appreciate diversity and broaden their cultural understanding.

Yes! Making friends is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of the program. We love seeing students build friendships that often last beyond their time with us. The program is designed to provide plenty of opportunities for icebreakers, group activities, and social interaction, making it easy for everyone to connect, engage, and feel part of the community.

The first couple of days are often quite daunting as students adjust to a new country, customs, language, and new friends. This is normal and usually goes away after they've settled in. If the homesickness persists, however, your child can go home, but please note that no refund will be possible.

English Outdoors will not be held responsible for any extra charges involved (such as changes to flights, etc.).

We recommend that you encourage your child to stay in camp, as we know from experience that after the initial fear of the unknown, our students have a great time and don't want to leave!

Yes, every student must have a comprehensive insurance package before leaving home. Check out our recommended insurance provider.

We recommend at least $150/£125/$CAD175 per week (already changed into dollars) to make sure they can make the most of their shopping opportunities. It may sound like a lot but students often want to purchase clothes or shoes as well as souvenirs, drinks, and snacks.

We recommend that students don't bring all the cash at once, just enough for the day so they don't lose it, but it's up to them how to manage it. We are not responsible for it.

Any health and dietary requirements (allergies, special diets, medical conditions, etc.) need to be included in the enrollment form at the time of booking. Staff will be aware of these and take them into account at mealtimes.

We recommend that students bring their EpiPen or any necessary medication and carry it with them at all times in case of accidental exposure to anything that could trigger an allergic reaction.

Students are allowed to keep their phones with them in the evening and at night, but we expect them to be reasonable with their mobile usage after curfew (10:30pm). If a student becomes visibly tired or has trouble being on time in the morning, residence managers will talk to them and may confiscate the phone at night.

For parents worried about mobile phones & social media, we recommend installing a parental control app such as Bark, Qustodio, Net Nanny, Norton Family or Google Family Link.

Our program is more than a vacation; it's a fun and structured summer camp experience. Students are expected to follow rules, respect curfew, listen to staff, keep their rooms organized, respect their roommates, and be on time for activities.

While there is plenty of fun, exploring the city, visiting landmarks, trying new activities, and making friends, students also learn responsibility, independence, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

All English classes take place in the city, outside a traditional classroom. Typical NYC class locations include indoor and outdoor venues such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, Bryant Park, Pier 57, Industry City, and Brookfield Place. Instead of being stuck in a room with 4 walls, students practice English in authentic locations across the city. The city becomes their classroom!

Yes and yes! Locations have been carefully chosen based on comfort, space, ease of access, points of interest close by, proximity of public restrooms, etc. All classes take place in small groups of 8 maximum seated around a table.

English Outdoors is not a traditional ESL school or class. Instead, our English classes follow a fluency-focused curriculum that focuses on practicing speaking, gaining confidence, and building overall fluency.

Our expert teachers utilize iPads, smart phones, city-themed topics, and carefully curated class materials to keep lessons engaging and the conversation flowing. Instead of traditional grammar exercises or book work, our English classes focus on lively discussions, hands-on learning, and authentic practice.

No, there is no formal textbook. English Outdoors follows a fluency-focused curriculum rather than a traditional textbook. However, carefully curated class materials are provided daily.

Since English classes take place in indoor and outdoor locations throughout the city, students are naturally immersed in the city's life and culture. This interactive class concept gives students hands-on practice in real world scenarios all while living like a local!

English Outdoors uses many great outdoor and indoor locations across the city. If it's too hot, cold, or rainy, classes will be held in one of our great indoor venue options or be taken on one of our many cultural or educational class excursions located in indoor locations. New York City is full of great museums and semi-secret indoor public spaces!

"Fluency" is the ability to communicate ideas easily and confidently, even when small mistakes occur. Think of someone who speaks English confidently and smoothly at a steady pace with few pauses and hesitations. This is different from "accuracy", which is the ability to speak precisely with zero mistakes in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.

Although both skills are important, we prioritize fluency over accuracy at English Outdoors. Our goal is to help students sound natural and confident while they continue to build their accuracy skills.

All students go to class 5 days a week: Monday-Friday, 9:30-12:30

Mondays-Thursdays: For 4 days out of the week, students cover topic-themed lessons that primarily focus on vocabulary building, speaking practice, and fluency. 3 class excursions are built into the weekly schedule that provide hands-on, immersive learning and authentic speaking practice.

Fridays: At the end of every week, teachers incorporate tailored language practice. Although error correction techniques are used throughout the week, a full class day on Fridays is used to address repeated student errors. This weekly accuracy training targets what students actually need help with, ensuring all students see meaningful language progress even after just 1 week.

No! Traditional conversation classes include only free-flowing conversation with little to no structured lesson. At English Outdoors, teachers follow structured, well-organized lesson plans that cover a variety of language skills. Although we prioritize speaking, classes also focus on vocabulary, writing, reading, pronunciation and more.

No! Each class excursion is well-prepared in advance and follows a structured lesson plan. Each excursion focuses on a city-themed topic with a hands-on element (like a walking tour or museum visit) built into the lesson. This gives students the unique opportunity to learn and discuss interesting topics with real-world context built right in – all while exploring the city like a local!

Example city-themed topics include architecture, art, history, urban parks, and more!

Class excursions take place during the morning class in small groups of 8 students maximum. Class excursions follow a structured lesson and focus on building and practicing language skills. Think of it like an English lesson with hands-on, authentic speaking practice built right in.

Afternoon and evening activities take place outside of class time. These activities occur as a large group and focus on exploring the city's most iconic tourist destinations while socializing with other students in the program. Although this is still a great time to experience and practice English, there is no formal lesson built into the activities.

Class excursions center around a city-related topic and incorporate a city excursion into the lesson.

Example: Architecture Class Excursion

Our architecture themed class excursion includes a lesson on the history of Grand Central and its iconic architectural style. Students read about this famous terminal's history, learn train travel and architecture related vocabulary and idioms, research and present an element of the terminal, and discuss and debate architectural themes. The class then takes an excursion to Grand Central where students tour the terminal, ask a question at the famous info booth, and identify Grand Central's key architectural elements that they will present later in class.

This unique approach gives students hands-on practice while experiencing the language in authentic contexts in real time.

Yes! Although the main focus is on practicing speaking and building fluency, that doesn't mean we completely ignore skills like grammar. Every Friday in class, teachers incorporate tailored lessons that cover accuracy skills. These lessons change week-to-week and are decided based on the real language errors heard in class that week. This ensures students practice skills they actually need rather than following a random skill from a traditional textbook.

Our academic program is specifically designed for short-term students. Our unique approach includes a focus on fluency improvement combined with tailored language practice. This balance between fluency and accuracy training ensures that every student sees meaningful progress even after just 2 weeks.

After 2 weeks:

• Speech is smoother and more fluid
• Confidence increases
• Speaking speed is faster with fewer hesitations and pauses
• Grammatical errors decrease
• More complex grammatical structures are used
• Word choice improves

Mondays-Thursdays: Although classes don't follow a traditional textbook, we provide class materials designed specifically for each topic and class excursion. Class materials and handouts are organized, structured, and incorporate a variety of language skills in the class every day.

Fridays: At the end of every week, teachers tailor the class lesson to focus on skill areas where students need the most help. Rather than blindly following random grammar points in a textbook, EO teachers incorporate tailor-made lesson plans and class materials that are best suited for their students. This ensures every student sees meaningful progress even after just 2 weeks.

Yes! All of our teachers hold a teaching degree or certificate and have prior teaching experience. EO teachers also receive extensive training and ongoing professional development led by trained experts in the field.

Every student must take our online level test prior to their arrival. Then, students are sorted into classes based on their level. It's important that students don't use any outside help on their level test to ensure their score is accurate.

If after the first day of class a student feels he/she is in the wrong level, they can request a level change. After a short speaking exam, the student will be moved to their correct level.

In classes, we ensure there is a mix of genders and nationalities in every single class so that English is used as much as possible.

Although printed materials are provided, it is highly recommended students have an international phone plan so they can readily access class resources (ex: class chats, videos, online resources, etc.). We also recommend students bring a small notebook, a pen/pencil, and headphones or earbuds for video and listening activities.

Yes! Our maximum class size is 8 students. This ensures every student has many opportunities to speak. Small classes also ensure that students receive 1-on-1 attention from the teacher. She/He will check-in with students regularly throughout class to ensure they're comfortable and understand the lesson.

Yes. Breakfast and dinner are included in the program. Lunch is not included. Students can purchase their own food during the day at the class locations.

Yes, we can accommodate most dietary requirements and food allergies upon request. We recommend that students inform us in advance of any special dietary needs so arrangements can be made with our meal providers.

Note: Students with severe allergies are advised to bring their EpiPen or necessary medication and carry it with them at all times in case of accidental exposure.

Despite having a population of more than 8 million people, New York City consistently ranks in the top ten safest large cities in the United States. As in any large city, travelers should be careful of pickpockets and hustlers, but our camp counselors are here to guide students and give them safety tips.

Our Young Adults are supervised by our camp counselors, who accompany during our scheduled activities. They are also supported by our residence managers. However, the Young Adult program is designed to offer more flexibility and independence compared to our Teen program.

While our staff team is available 24/7 in case of emergencies or support needs, they are not with the students at all times. This structure allows Young Adults to enjoy a safe experience while still developing independence and confidence in the city.

No. Young adults don't have curfew.

English Outdoors is a complete urban immersion experience and all the afternoon and evening activities we organize reflect our commitment to offering the very best activities for our young adults.

Our activities are designed to give students a full, authentic city experience while practicing English in real-life situations. We visit many of the city's most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, allowing students to immerse themselves in city life.

The program offers a diverse range of activities, including museums, parks, walking tours, observatories and musicals, so every student can enjoy a little bit of everything. This variety not only makes learning English fun and engaging but also helps students experience the city like a local, connecting culture, history, and everyday life to their language learning journey.

And in New York City and London, there are also optional excursions giving students flexibility to tailor their experience.

Evenings are a mix of cultural and social activities, including 2 evening activities, cooking and games, sports, movie nights, and Karaoke.

We place special attention on "Chill Out Nights", which are key moments for students to relax, recharge, and socialize in a low-key setting, ensuring they have the energy to fully enjoy the next day of activities.

Yes, every student must have a comprehensive insurance package before leaving home. Check out our recommended insurance provider.

Our program is more than a vacation; it's a fun and structured experience for students who are experiencing their freedom. Participants are expected to follow program rules, be punctual for activities, keep their rooms organized, and respect staff and fellow participants.

While there is plenty of fun, exploring the city, visiting landmarks, joining exciting activities, and meeting new people, students also have the chance to build independence, confidence, and life skills in a safe and supportive environment.

The Teens Program is fully supervised 24/7 and includes a full schedule every day: morning classes, afternoon activities, evening activities, plus supervised free time. Teens are always accompanied by our team.

The Young Adults Program offers more independence. They are accompanied by our team during the first days and during all scheduled activities, but they also have unsupervised free time and no curfew. They do not have 24/7 supervision and are encouraged to navigate the city more independently.

The schedule is also different. Both the morning classes and afternoon activities are more age appropriate. Our young adults go to different class locations and do different excursions. They are not with the teens all the time, and they do all of their activities separately.