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How I Challenged Myself to Master Public Speaking During My English Study Abroad – Mio

I’ve always been nervous about speaking in front of others, so I chose this course to challenge myself and build my confidence.

The lesson materials aligned with my goals, and I especially liked that there were many opportunities to practice public speaking.

The pace of the program was just right for me. I believe each teacher adjusted the lessons to match my level of understanding, which made learning very comfortable.
I would have appreciated having a class specifically focused on pronunciation, as I wanted to improve my pronunciation even further.
The lessons and the teachers’ explanations were always clear and easy to understand. Although I sometimes felt confused by the different methods introduced, the teachers patiently explained everything until I fully understood.
There was some overlap between the Communication Skills and Public Speaking classes, but I actually found that beneficial because it allowed me to reinforce my learning and gain a deeper understanding of the material.

The teachers were incredibly dedicated, supportive, and genuinely invested in my learning. I received detailed and constructive feedback, especially in my speaking and writing classes.
While I would have liked more feedback on my pronunciation, I also understand that focusing too much on pronunciation in every lesson could have slowed down the overall progress of the class. Considering that these were not pronunciation-specific lessons, I felt the amount of feedback I received was more than sufficient.
Some teachers went above and beyond by giving me feedback not only on my speaking but also on my writing and pronunciation, which I found especially valuable. They also pointed out many mistakes and habits that I hadn’t noticed myself, making their feedback extremely helpful in improving my English.

To be honest, I don’t feel that I’ve gained a great deal of confidence in speaking yet. However, I learned a variety of techniques and strategies that I believe will be very useful going forward.
The most valuable part of the speaking classes was the presentation practice. Although I wasn’t able to fully apply my teachers’ advice during the actual presentation because I was so nervous, I believe that the effort and dedication I put into preparing for it will ultimately contribute to improving my English skills.

The skill that improved the most during my time in the program was my writing. Thanks to my teachers’ guidance, I gained a much better understanding of how to write effectively in different situations.
Although I haven’t fully mastered it yet, I learned valuable techniques for both writing and public speaking. I plan to keep practicing so I can apply what I’ve learned with greater confidence in the future.
I believe that if I continue putting the knowledge and skills I gained from these classes into practice, they will be extremely useful in both my daily life and my professional career.

Speaking and listening to English every day helped me improve, and I could feel myself making progress. However, my results on the final listening and speaking assessments were not as good as I had hoped, which made me realize that I still need more time and practice to reach my goals.

If I could suggest one improvement to the program, it would be the two-period group class, Empower Your Voice. Although it is designed as a group class, I was the only student enrolled in the program, so the lessons ended up being conducted one-on-one.
In that situation, I think it would be more effective to reduce the class to one lesson and use the remaining lesson for pronunciation training instead. In fact, my teacher also mentioned that if there is only one student, one lesson would probably be enough, as they had already covered everything that needed to be taught.
Of course, being able to apply everything my teacher taught me takes time and practice. Even so, I hope all of the current courses continue to be offered, as I found every class valuable and beneficial.

To be honest, I didn’t have many opportunities to practice speaking English in real-life situations. I ended up speaking Japanese most of the time with my Japanese friends, and that’s something I regret. Looking back, I wish I had made more of an effort to use English outside the classroom, as I believe it would have helped me gain more confidence and improve my communication skills in everyday situations.

Although I still have a lot to improve, the most valuable parts of my learning experience were the writing techniques I learned in my Writing class and the vocal techniques—such as voice projection—that I learned in the Empower Your Voice class.
These are skills I haven’t fully mastered yet, but they have given me a strong foundation that I can continue to build on through practice.

I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to develop their public speaking skills and become more confident speaking in front of an audience.
That said, I think the experience would be even better with classmates. Having other students in the program would provide opportunities to encourage and motivate one another, making the learning process more enjoyable and rewarding.

In three words, I would describe this program as: Comfortable, Challenging, and Presentation-Focused.

A Convenient and Effective Place to Learn English – WALES Baguio (Willy)

WALES in Baguio is really a great pick. It’s super conveniently located in the city center, just a stone’s throw from SM Mall—grabbing food or shopping is totally hassle-free, no trouble at all with daily life. It’s a small school with not too many students, so teachers can pay attention to everyone. There are loads of one-on-one classes, which makes learning really targeted. Whether you’re brushing up on basic English and speaking, cramming for IELTS, or learning business English, it’s perfect for all of that. And you have to speak English on campus—this immersive practice actually gets you brave enough to open your mouth, and your listening and speaking skills improve so fast. No need to stress even if your English is just so-so; the teachers are really patient and will guide you step by step to speak up. Accommodation is a breeze too. The on-campus dorms have everything you need, plus 24-hour management, so you’re totally safe and secure. The students are from different countries, so you can practice your English just by chatting with them in daily life, and even make new friends. The overall cost-performance is awesome, way cheaper than studying in Europe or the US. If you want to really work on your English, this one’s a solid choice—you won’t regret it.

A Month of Growth and Confidence at WALES Baguio – Jane

My name is Jane, I’m 20 years old, and I’m from Taiwan. I chose to study in Baguio because the environment here is very comfortable and the weather is pleasantly cool. Compared to other cities, life here feels much more relaxed, which helps me stay calm and focused. It’s also a great city for walks and exploring, making the overall experience very enjoyable.

I decided to attend WALES Language School mainly because of its welcoming and home-like learning environment, which made it easy to concentrate on my studies. The teachers are extremely friendly and patient, always taking the time to help when I had questions. The classrooms have a relaxed atmosphere without stress, allowing students to learn English comfortably. I was also impressed that most of the teachers and staff remembered every student’s name, showing how caring and dedicated they are.

The school’s facilities are excellent. The cafeteria offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all delicious and generously portioned, and the chefs are very friendly. During my stay, I lived first in a double room, which was spacious and comfortable, and later in a triple room, which, though smaller, was still well-equipped and convenient. Both dormitories were close to the classrooms, clean, and furnished with desks and internet access, making studying and reviewing lessons easy. The teachers here are truly amazing, patient, and supportive, helping students overcome difficulties while maintaining a strong academic atmosphere. I deeply appreciated the dedication of all staff members—from teachers to administrative, dining, cleaning, and security staff—who made my stay pleasant and supportive.

During my month here, I saw significant improvements in my English. I gained confidence in speaking, learned useful test strategies for IELTS, and benefited from the English-Only Policy, which encouraged me to practice both inside and outside the classroom. Group practice sessions with peers also helped me correct mistakes and learn more effectively.

I would highly recommend WALES Baguio to anyone wanting to improve their English. The school has a relaxed, supportive atmosphere with fun activities like monthly farewell parties where teachers perform, making it easier to interact and practice English with classmates. Even in just a month, I felt I had made great progress, and I believe students not only learn English here but also get the chance to use it in everyday life. It’s truly a highly recommended place for learning and growing in English.

A Safe Place to Learn English – WALES Baguio

My name is Liao-Yi Syuan (Emma), I’m 21 years old, and I’m from Taiwan. I chose to study in Baguio because of its cool climate and relaxed pace, which makes it easier to focus on learning. The city’s atmosphere, full of language schools, also creates a sense that “this is a place for studying,” which really helped me get into the right mindset.

I decided to study at WALES Language School because it offers a simple, practical approach to learning English. The focus is on actually using the language rather than just following strict rules or formal progress. I especially appreciated the one-on-one sessions and small classes, which made speaking English feel less stressful and allowed me to build my confidence gradually.

The facilities at WALES were great. Meals were well-balanced and filling, and if you wanted more, seconds were always available. The staff even delivered meals to my room if I wasn’t feeling well, which was a very thoughtful touch. The dormitory was clean, quiet, and comfortable, with basic amenities and twice-weekly cleaning. There were also facilities for cooking if I wanted to.

The teachers were amazing. Each had a different style, but all encouraged students to speak and ask questions. They were patient and supportive, helping me feel less nervous about making mistakes and more confident practicing English. Their guidance really helped me get into the flow of learning.

After my time at WALES, I feel much more comfortable speaking English aloud. I’m not afraid to express myself even if my English isn’t perfect yet, and I can understand more when listening. Most importantly, I no longer feel resistant to learning English—this has been the biggest change for me.

I would definitely recommend WALES Baguio to anyone who wants to improve their English but feels nervous about speaking. It’s a supportive and safe environment where you can gradually build confidence, practice freely, and feel proud of your progress.

If I go again, I would choose this place.” A Highly Satisfying Experience at WALES Baguio – Ayako

I chose to study English in Baguio after considering the overall factors such as climate, safety, cost, and environment.
Among the schools there, I decided on WALES because of its convenient location, small and compact setting, and because I heard it has many senior students.
Regarding the location in particular, there are many delicious restaurants and cafés within walking distance, so I was able to enjoy eating out. During my first month, I used the school cafeteria for almost all three meals. However, to be honest, except for the rice, the side dishes were often served cold, and I sometimes felt the seasoning was too strong. As a result, during the remaining two to three months, I mostly chose to eat dinner outside.
In class, all the teachers were very dedicated and passionate about teaching. They also gave me a lot of praise, which helped build my confidence.
When I first arrived, I could barely communicate beyond connecting a few words. However, over the course of three months, although I didn’t strongly feel the change myself, I gradually became able to communicate using simple grammar. Of course, there were times when I used my smartphone if I didn’t understand something, but when I went out to eat with my classmates, I was able to communicate entirely in English.
WALES is the only place where I have experienced studying abroad, but if I come again, I would choose WALES once more. That’s because I had a truly satisfying overall experience during my stay.
In the end, everything depends on you. However, the teachers and staff are always there to support you, so you can come with confidence and peace of mind.