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I think WALES is the perfect school for people who want to learn English at their own pace.

My initial lesson schedule consisted of four classes in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, after taking four consecutive morning lessons, I found it hard to keep up mentally, so from the next day, I asked to move one lesson to the afternoon. I was very grateful that the school could adjust my schedule flexibly according to my condition.
All the teachers were friendly and conducted lessons tailored to my English level. Moreover, when I shared specific areas I wanted to improve, they provided training that focused on those points. After two months, I became comfortable speaking and listening in English. Learning the structure of English—such as intonation and speaking more fluently—and being able to put it into practice was a valuable outcome of studying locally, and I felt it brought about a big change within me.
In terms of daily life, I stayed during the dry season, so the weather was stable and very comfortable. There was a large shopping mall within walking distance, which made daily life very convenient. I also enjoyed going to nearby massage and Pilates studios, and during long weekends, I took bus trips to explore tourist spots a little farther away. My time outside of studying was just as fulfilling.
Additionally, having Japanese staff on-site meant I could ask questions and confirm school rules in Japanese, which made my stay very reassuring. I highly recommend WALES to anyone who wants to enjoy both learning English and living abroad in a relaxed and balanced way.

My name is Kurumi.
I am 20 years old and from Japan.
I am currently enrolled in the ESL program.

I first learned about Baguio through an agent’s recommendation. However, as I did my own research, I discovered that it offers a good balance of nature and urban convenience, such as having a large mall nearby. That’s why I decided to come to Baguio.

I chose WALES because I was attracted to the quality of the program. I also heard that the number of Japanese students is limited, which I thought would give me more opportunities to speak English.

My favorite facility is my room. I live in a two-person shared room, and it has two desks, making it very convenient. I also enjoy relaxing on the sofa from time to time. It’s a very comfortable space to live in.

Constantly speaking in English has helped me overcome my fear of speaking. Also, listening to English every day has significantly improved my listening skills.

Speaking English is very challenging, but I believe it’s important to keep going at a pace that doesn’t make you hate it. Consistency is key.

Why did I choose to study in Baguio?
I chose to study in Baguio mainly because the environment is well-suited for learning. The climate in Baguio is cool, and it’s not as noisy as big cities, which helps me concentrate better. The cost of living here is relatively low, making it more affordable and manageable for students like me.
Why did I choose WALES?
I chose WALES because I heard that the learning atmosphere is very good and the teachers are very patient. According to my agent, you can receive individual attention here, and the learning process is relaxed without feeling too much pressure. Additionally, WALES offers flexible courses that can be adjusted to each student’s needs, which made me feel this school is a perfect fit for my learning style.

Regarding food, WALES’ cafeteria is clean, and the quality of the meals is good, so I feel completely confident eating there without any hygiene concerns. As for the dormitory, I chose a double room in a family-style unit. The room I was assigned was spacious and well-equipped with facilities like internet, a kitchen, and a refrigerator.
The teachers are professional and patient, and they adjust the course content based on my learning progress. This teaching approach made the lessons more interesting and helped me absorb knowledge faster, making my learning experience much more meaningful.

After studying English at WALES Baguio, my listening, speaking, and writing skills have all improved significantly. By communicating in English with teachers and classmates every day, my speaking fluency increased greatly, and I became more confident expressing myself in daily conversations. My listening comprehension also improved a lot. As for writing, I learned how to organize my ideas more clearly and mastered more grammar and vocabulary. Through continuous practice and study, my confidence in English has grown, and I feel more prepared to use English in future communication.
If you want to improve your English skills, I think WALES Baguio is a very good choice. The teachers are professional and dedicated, and they help you overcome learning challenges. The school atmosphere is relaxed, so you won’t feel too much pressure. I felt I made great progress during my time here, so I recommend WALES to anyone considering studying abroad.

I have enjoyed traveling since my student days and have visited many different countries. At that time, I could not speak English at all, so I managed various situations using body language and a phrasebook. After starting work, I traveled less frequently, but I still went on trips regularly. However, as I got older, my work became busier, and for several years I did not have the opportunity to go abroad.
In that situation, I began to wonder if I would continue working nonstop for the rest of my life. As I approached the milestone of turning 30, I decided to challenge myself to go on a working holiday, an opportunity that can only be pursued in one’s twenties.

As mentioned earlier, my language ability at the time was so limited that I had to rely on a phrasebook to communicate while traveling abroad. Therefore, it was clear that I needed to have at least a basic level of English before challenging myself with a working holiday. While considering how I should study English, I decided to enroll at WALES in Baguio, Philippines.

I chose the Philippines because, compared with other countries, it is easily accessible from Japan, and the cost of living is not too high, which was one of the deciding factors. Baguio is known as one of the safest areas in the Philippines, and although the country is located in the tropics, Baguio has a very comfortable climate, with maximum temperatures of around 20 to 25°C. I felt that this environment would allow me to focus on my studies, so I decided to go to Baguio.

Compared with other schools located in and around Baguio, WALES has a smaller number of students, and I felt that this would allow for more attentive and personalized classes. I also thought that it would be easier to build deeper relationships with both fellow students and teachers. In addition, I learned that students of a wide range of ages are enrolled, which made me feel that I could absorb diverse knowledge and ways of thinking.

Another deciding factor was that WALES is located close to the center of Baguio, making it a very convenient place to study.

Both the one-on-one and group classes had a very good atmosphere. Because the groups were small, the environment felt close and it was easy to ask questions. In the individual lessons, I felt that the teachers were attentive to the students, as they consulted with me about how to proceed and regularly checked my understanding.

Regarding group classes, there was a discussion class, which I hadn’t experienced much before. I was required to express my own opinions, which was very challenging at first, but I believe my ability to express myself improved greatly. It was also a very interesting experience to see how different people’s ways of thinking were, depending on their country of origin.

I chose a shared room type, so I lived in a room with seven people. My bedroom was shared by three people, but it was comfortable and didn’t feel particularly cramped. During my two-month stay, my roommates changed several times, and each time someone of a different nationality moved in. This provided a great opportunity for cultural exchange and helped improve my language skills, so I never felt bored.

As for the facilities, regular cleaning was provided, so the environment was very clean. However, there were occasional power outages, and during those times, there was no hot water.

The teachers were very knowledgeable and experienced, and when they saw me looking confused, they would teach me using various approaches. We also regularly discussed how to proceed with the lessons, so the classes were tailored to how we wanted to move forward together. Because of this, I believe my English skills improved significantly.

They always made sure to create a friendly and approachable environment. After class, they would share not only English tips but also recommendations for restaurants and tourist spots, teaching me many things beyond just the lessons.

They served a lot of Korean dishes like kimchi, but they were not too spicy and tasted delicious. Occasionally, Japanese food such as curry was also offered. Since the menu changed daily, I never got tired of the meals.

In each class, there were many opportunities to actively express my own opinions and thoughts rather than just passively receiving information. Because of this, I believe my communication skills, especially speaking, improved significantly regardless of the content. During and after classes, multinational students often gathered to chat casually, which also helped me sharpen my English skills. Additionally, just by constantly listening to and understanding the teachers, my listening ability improved.
Since I lived with multinational students outside of class as well, I was always in an environment where English was used. On the other hand, when it came to expanding my range of expression, I often felt a barrier due to a lack of basic vocabulary.

WALES has a small class size, which makes it easy for both teachers and students to build close and meaningful relationships beyond formal boundaries. Their attentive support regarding how to proceed with lessons was especially helpful during the initial adjustment period. Sharing meals together after class and going on weekend trips were also very valuable experiences. Additionally, when any issues arose, such as health problems, they provided dedicated support, which gave me a great sense of security.

Baguio itself is a very comfortable area, neither too hot nor too cold, and it has excellent safety. However, if you visit during the rainy season, even in August, temperatures can drop below 20°C, so it can feel a bit chilly and requires some caution. Although access from Japan is not very convenient, you can study in an environment blessed with nature.

My name is Lucy Wu, I am 50 years old from Taiwan, and I am currently enrolled in the EEP2 program at WALES. If you’re still considering whether to study at WALES in Baguio, here’s my experience and thoughts to help you decide.

The main reason I chose Baguio is because of its pleasant climate, which is perfect for someone like me who doesn’t handle heat well. Additionally, I enjoy learning in a vacation-like environment, and Baguio, with its mountain city vibe, perfectly combines both vacation and study. It allows me to relax in a beautiful setting while improving my English skills.

I chose WALES because it is very close to the city center. Whether it’s the park, supermarkets, restaurants, or cafes, everything is just a few minutes’ walk away. This convenience has made my life much easier, both for studying and daily activities.

– WALES Facilities

Dormitory: I chose a single room with a small kitchen, which perfectly meets my needs, offering me privacy and flexibility.

Teachers: Most of the teachers are passionate about teaching, and if you have any issues, you can raise them with the school, which is very responsive to student feedback.

Cafeteria: The meals are served buffet-style, and if you need more, you can request extra portions. The cafeteria is clean and provides a pleasant dining environment.

Food: The meals provided by the school are light and suit the Asian palate well.

During my time at WALES, the most noticeable improvement is in my listening skills. My listening comprehension has nearly doubled since my first test. Additionally, I’ve become much more confident in speaking English, feeling more comfortable during conversations.

I believe learning English has no age limit. I’m 50 years old, single, have worked for many years, and traveled to many countries. If you’re still hesitating about whether to study abroad, I must say that coming to Baguio to learn English has been the best decision I’ve made. The all-English environment here is highly beneficial for learning, and during the off-season, there are many working professionals and retirees. It’s ideal for those who, like me, want a studying holiday. Over the past two months, I’ve made new friends and made significant progress in English. I’ve made so many wonderful memories during my time here, and I will cherish them all.

I’m already planning my next trip here!