Hungarian Language Courses (from Beginners to Advanced)

  Hungary

Budapest

Dates: flexible

Description: Pontifex Language School offers Hungarian courses for students of all backgrounds. All courses are organised by PLS founder Zsuzsa Pontifex, the author of the best-selling Teach Yourself Hungarian.
* Teaching materials
Our success has been largely due to the quality of our own course materials, developed by Zsuzsa Pontifex, the Director of Studies at PLS. She is the author of Teach Yourself Hungarian, probably the most popular Hungarian coursebook with speakers of English.

She has also written for the school The PLS Language Coursebook, with accompanying audio cassettes. This is carefully graded, introducing the student to contemporary, living Hungarian and we use it alongside a full range of authentic materials. These are constantly updated.

* Teaching method
The PLS approach is practical. The emphasis is on using the language while at the same time building a sound grammatical foundation and providing relevant information on Hungary and the Hungarians. We advise students on how to study to get the best results.

* Tutors
We carefully select our teachers. They are all qualified language teachers with an excellent command of English. Trained in the PLS system, they have extensive experience in teaching adults.

* What you can achieve
The number of hours needed to achieve one of the following levels is a guideline only and refers only to time you spend in class. Individual progress varies. We will give you a clearer picture of the time needed to achieve your target after your oral interview.

Levels of Achievement:

* Survival : 30 hrs
You can get by in the most common everyday situations while on a short visit to Hungary. Right from the beginning of the course you can make up very simple sentences of your own using some basic structures and vocabulary.

* Functional : 120-150 hrs
You can cope with most everyday and some work related situations. You can speak fluently in simple sentences using a range of basic grammar and vocabulary.

* Operational : 250-300 hrs
You command all the major structures of the language. You can talk fluently on subjects of interest to you and are able to deal with a range of common work demands.

* Extensive : 450 hrs+
You are at ease with the full range of structures of both spoken and written Hungarian. You have the specialised vocabulary necessary to confidently meet the demands of your job and you can use the language in an appropriate style in both formal and informal situations.

Before deciding on your main course come and have a taster lesson with PLS!

Zsuzsa Pontifex, the founder of PLS, graduated as a teacher of Hungarian and English from the Loránd Eötvös University in Budapest. Arriving in Britain in 1986 she first worked with the Hungarian section of the BBC World Service before setting up her own Hungarian language school in London in 1989. The distinctive approach to teaching Hungarian at PLS is the product of her extensive language teaching experience in both countries.

She is the author of Teach Yourself Hungarian (Hodder and Stoughton, 1993, now in its 2nd edition) and The PLS Coursebook. For eight years she acted as a Hungarian examiner in London for the British Diplomatic Service and the Institute of Linguists.

Highlights: PLS offers residential courses to business people and private individuals looking for an intensive language training programme while in Budapest. PLS has a beautiful and quiet location in its own grounds in a leafy lane in the hills of Buda. The residential section has its own entrance, en suite bathroom and kitchenette. Accommodation is self-catering. We also advise on cultural programmes in Budapest and its environs to complement the language course. This would be ideal for business people (pre-posting or in-service training) and for foreign visitors interested in the language and the culture of Hungary.

Cost in US$: USD 30/person, USD 36/pair, USD 13/group member

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Hungary Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3-5

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Pontifex Language School's Mission Statement: Pontifex Language School (PLS) specializes in providing Hungarian language training to speakers of English, both business people and private individuals. Students study at our school, via residential courses, in-company and online. PLS was set up in March 2003 in Budapest by Zsuzsa Pontifex and is the successor to Hungarian Language Services, her language school in London.

Year Founded: 2003