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Reviews — 8
I sent my niece to this institute during summer after she graduated from high school. On the first week, they changed 3 different teachers and have class size up to 15 students. Sometimes, they got more students in one single day.
After complained to them, they finally had a teacher to lead the class. The class is interesting but lots of conversation and group discussion to pass times by. One month (4 weeks)of intensive class, my niece didn’t learn much at all. More importantly, the director told her the class needs to be in person even we believe that we sign in a hybrid class. We should have checked further but how can you not believe in what director said.
For the tuition fee, it is not worthy to go to this Institute. There are other language institute in Bethesda and Arlington or NOVA for english classes in DMV, but not this one for sure.
After complained to them, they finally had a teacher to lead the class. The class is interesting but lots of conversation and group discussion to pass times by. One month (4 weeks)of intensive class, my niece didn’t learn much at all. More importantly, the director told her the class needs to be in person even we believe that we sign in a hybrid class. We should have checked further but how can you not believe in what director said.
For the tuition fee, it is not worthy to go to this Institute. There are other language institute in Bethesda and Arlington or NOVA for english classes in DMV, but not this one for sure.
Amazing school , great communication with foreign students , very helpful people even outside academics ! Definitely recommend it !
Teachers and managment team are great and professionals. I am happy to study here.
I have been here long enough so that I may write some objective opinions for your consideration. The overall scale of ILI is small, but it is sufficient in terms of the course configuration required by an ESL student. Especially Mr. Nathan Clark's basic course and Mr. James Sammon's TOEFL special training helped me a lot. Mr. Clark is good at teaching listening and speaking step by step, and adding daily practical application to help students consolidate the foundation; meanwhile, Mr. Sammon has decades of excellent experience in TOEFL teaching, and his teaching is very rigorous and systematic. It is difficult for you to do things that are not related to the course in his class, which makes it difficult for some students who are not preparing for the TOEFL test. But this is not the teacher's problem. It is based on the help of the above two teachers that I have successfully obtained the required TOEFL score.
Additionally, the management of the school is not like some previous negative comments. Janna is very proactive and professional in arranging courses and attendance and will consult students first when some force majeure occurs. If the course is adjusted for some reason, you can also choose a long vacation and stagger this period if your previous attendance rate is within an acceptable range. Mr. Skoglund, the principal, is also very good at helping students solve non-immigrant status issues within the scope of regulations.
In conclusion, even if I stand completely from an objective point of view, ILIDC is still a very good language school in the DMV area. If you are looking for a systematic English course especially for the TOEFL test, I strongly recommend you come here. For instance, I will recommend my other relatives and friends who want to be in Washington DC and have ESL course needs to come here. But if it's just to maintain status, or you can't meet the attendance requirements. You can consider other places that don't care much about the quality of teaching you get. But please don't comment maliciously.
Additionally, the management of the school is not like some previous negative comments. Janna is very proactive and professional in arranging courses and attendance and will consult students first when some force majeure occurs. If the course is adjusted for some reason, you can also choose a long vacation and stagger this period if your previous attendance rate is within an acceptable range. Mr. Skoglund, the principal, is also very good at helping students solve non-immigrant status issues within the scope of regulations.
In conclusion, even if I stand completely from an objective point of view, ILIDC is still a very good language school in the DMV area. If you are looking for a systematic English course especially for the TOEFL test, I strongly recommend you come here. For instance, I will recommend my other relatives and friends who want to be in Washington DC and have ESL course needs to come here. But if it's just to maintain status, or you can't meet the attendance requirements. You can consider other places that don't care much about the quality of teaching you get. But please don't comment maliciously.
At ILI, I had the opportunity to practice and develop my English skills. They have a diverse student population, which creates a rich linguistic and cultural exchange. Overall, I had a positive experience, and I recommend people reach out, ask questions and decide if the school aligns with their goals and interests.
I was there for 3 months and paid $2,700 not including books! $900 per month. they were adding new classes every month and taking advantage of students, I think it was 13 classes A1 to F2 (not including TOEFL courses)! Imagine studying 13 months of english and then 1-3 courses of TOEFL.
I passed in D2 class, they didn’t have enough students to open E1 class and they emailed me Congratulations for passing to E1 but we don’t have enough students so will put you on E2 class and then we will return you to the E1 class!!!
They take advantage of Students who are F1 Visa if you’re not student or F1 VISA don’t study there and search on google you will find inexpensive classes or look at Churches which give free english classes.
They have a partnership with some Middle eastern universities, to be honest some students were very friendly, nice and smart, some others would speak Arabic during class and go on their phones. The teacher and staff would not stop them!
Also the only good experience I had in this school was improving my Arabic and learning new arabic vocabularies!
I had a nice friend and he recommended that I leave this school since I’m an Immigrant and he told me you’re not a F1 student why will you stay here, go and work in Gas station or as a cashier you will make money and improve your english!
I left there and searched on google and found the best school in DC (I’m not mentioning my new school so the (ILI) don’t think I’m advertising for them)
I pay $200 for a season (3 months)in my new school!!!
Imagine paying $800 for one year in (*** school) and pay $14,400 in International Language Institute for one year!!
I recommend immigrants don’t study there, F1 VISA students have no choice or they would leave there too.
If someone wants information about that school and don’t believe me feel free to contact me!
photo: my friends and I with our beloved teacher
I passed in D2 class, they didn’t have enough students to open E1 class and they emailed me Congratulations for passing to E1 but we don’t have enough students so will put you on E2 class and then we will return you to the E1 class!!!
They take advantage of Students who are F1 Visa if you’re not student or F1 VISA don’t study there and search on google you will find inexpensive classes or look at Churches which give free english classes.
They have a partnership with some Middle eastern universities, to be honest some students were very friendly, nice and smart, some others would speak Arabic during class and go on their phones. The teacher and staff would not stop them!
Also the only good experience I had in this school was improving my Arabic and learning new arabic vocabularies!
I had a nice friend and he recommended that I leave this school since I’m an Immigrant and he told me you’re not a F1 student why will you stay here, go and work in Gas station or as a cashier you will make money and improve your english!
I left there and searched on google and found the best school in DC (I’m not mentioning my new school so the (ILI) don’t think I’m advertising for them)
I pay $200 for a season (3 months)in my new school!!!
Imagine paying $800 for one year in (*** school) and pay $14,400 in International Language Institute for one year!!
I recommend immigrants don’t study there, F1 VISA students have no choice or they would leave there too.
If someone wants information about that school and don’t believe me feel free to contact me!
photo: my friends and I with our beloved teacher
Update:
I was able to get a refund, however, I am still disgusted by the disrespect and unprofessionalism demonstrated by this institute. The amount of trouble I had to go through was exhausting. From refusing a refund in the first place to the staff members removing their name from the signature line. Customer service obviously isn't their expertise. For this, my review remains 1 star.
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I am very disappointed in the International Language Institute and would not recommend anyone to attend this language school. I received a degree in Spanish in college and did not like the learning environment at the school.
The school was desolate and was not met with warm regards from current students in the course who talked about their confusion about how the class was structured and taught. Please do not get me wrong, the teacher was a very nice person but just didn’t provide the instruction I desired. I wanted a professional-level learning environment, and this was not what was provided. There were problems with the Hybrid class environment and connectivity with virtual students lagging and hard to hear (also reportedly unable to see the class board).
I requested a refund and was instead met with contention from the Language Coordinator who insisted my experience and evaluation were inaccurate. They said it was past the registration deadline and deadline for refunds, however, they allowed my registration nearly two weeks after the deadline. It seems they will break their rules to take people’s money, however, when it comes to returning it they follow the rules. They will gladly take your money but refuse a refund for any reason. In my opinion, this Institute is focused on making a profit and not providing quality learning experiences.
In addition, I was told I did not receive the handouts for homework as a matter of being an in-person student. However, the other two in-person students received the handouts via email before the class date and I have proof. Two days have passed, and I have not received a response from the school regarding the status of my refund. I am now having to dispute this charge with my credit card company which is working on a refund.
If a refund were provided my rating would be different, however, I believe my experience proves the school values profits over providing a good learning experience.
I was able to get a refund, however, I am still disgusted by the disrespect and unprofessionalism demonstrated by this institute. The amount of trouble I had to go through was exhausting. From refusing a refund in the first place to the staff members removing their name from the signature line. Customer service obviously isn't their expertise. For this, my review remains 1 star.
__________
I am very disappointed in the International Language Institute and would not recommend anyone to attend this language school. I received a degree in Spanish in college and did not like the learning environment at the school.
The school was desolate and was not met with warm regards from current students in the course who talked about their confusion about how the class was structured and taught. Please do not get me wrong, the teacher was a very nice person but just didn’t provide the instruction I desired. I wanted a professional-level learning environment, and this was not what was provided. There were problems with the Hybrid class environment and connectivity with virtual students lagging and hard to hear (also reportedly unable to see the class board).
I requested a refund and was instead met with contention from the Language Coordinator who insisted my experience and evaluation were inaccurate. They said it was past the registration deadline and deadline for refunds, however, they allowed my registration nearly two weeks after the deadline. It seems they will break their rules to take people’s money, however, when it comes to returning it they follow the rules. They will gladly take your money but refuse a refund for any reason. In my opinion, this Institute is focused on making a profit and not providing quality learning experiences.
In addition, I was told I did not receive the handouts for homework as a matter of being an in-person student. However, the other two in-person students received the handouts via email before the class date and I have proof. Two days have passed, and I have not received a response from the school regarding the status of my refund. I am now having to dispute this charge with my credit card company which is working on a refund.
If a refund were provided my rating would be different, however, I believe my experience proves the school values profits over providing a good learning experience.
