Baguio City Academy — Student reviews

Serious about English, in a calm place

I am very glad I chose WALES. The environment encourages consistent use of English, both inside and outside the classroom, which is essential for improvement. I would especially recommend this school to students who are serious about learning English in a focused and calm environment, particularly working adults.

Ideal for IELTS preparation

My experience at WALES has been very satisfying. The school provides a focused and supportive environment that is ideal for IELTS preparation. I would highly recommend WALES to students who are serious about improving their English.

The teachers remember every student's name

I chose WALES mainly because the overall learning environment is very comfortable and gives a strong sense of home, which makes it easy to focus on studying. The teachers are very friendly and patient, and they always take the time to help us when we have questions. In addition, most of the teachers and staff can remember every student's name, which really shows how caring and dedicated they are.

I wanted to get over my fear of speaking

I wanted to overcome my fear of speaking in front of others, and I was very happy that there were many public speaking classes included in the programme. If I were to describe this programme in three words, they would be: “Comfortable,” “Challenging,” and “Presentation.”

From Beginner 1 to PTE

Eddie started at WALES in Beginner 1. He took Infinity Intensive first to build a foundation for the PTE course, and both his English and his confidence rose enough for him to move on to PTE.

The feedback is genuinely detailed

My overall experience in the WALES IELTS Guarantee Programme has been very positive. The teachers are highly attentive and explain lessons clearly, which helped me understand the IELTS exam better. The programme is well-organised, and the detailed feedback from teachers has been especially helpful in improving my English skills.

Studying never stuck while I was working, so I changed my environment

After I started working, I became interested in travelling abroad. Although I had always been curious about foreign countries, I had never travelled overseas before, so it didn't feel very familiar to me. Once I actually travelled abroad, I experienced cultures and people different from Japan and came to love overseas travel. However, because I couldn't speak English at all, I had to rely on body language and energy to communicate, which I didn't like. That made me want to study English. Still, studying felt difficult to continue while working every day, so I decided to put myself in an environment where I could focus on learning English and chose to study abroad. I chose Baguio in the Philippines because it was more affordable than other countries and had relatively few Japanese people. I chose WALES because it matched what I was looking for: many one-to-one classes, few Japanese students, and clean rooms.

A1 to A2 in eight weeks

I studied at WALES for 8 weeks. Upon arrival, my proficiency was at the A1 level, but it has now improved to A2. The progress has been noticeable across all language skills, with particularly strong improvement in listening comprehension.

I needed to be surrounded by English

Mizuna chose WALES to improve her English in an immersive setting. Supportive teachers, a comfortable place to study, and enjoyable everyday conversations in English gave her confidence.

My brother and I could share a room

I am from Taiwan. I studied at WALES from January 11 to February 20, 2026, under the IELTS Standard programme. The main reason I chose WALES for my IELTS preparation was that the school offers family rooms, which allowed me to stay in the same room with my brother and my friend. This made my stay more comfortable and reassuring. Furthermore, WALES has received positive feedback regarding its teachers, facilities, and learning environment. Since the school is located in the city centre, it was also very convenient to travel or simply explore the surrounding area.

English you actually use, not progress for its own sake

I chose Baguio partly because of its relatively cool climate and slower pace of life, which allows one to quiet down and focus on studying. Additionally, as a city concentrated with language schools, Baguio itself has an atmosphere that “exists for learning,” making it easier for me to get into a study mindset. When comparing different language schools, I noticed WALES offers a simpler curriculum and learning environment, emphasising practical English usage over mere progress or formality. For me, one-to-one sessions and small classes reduce the psychological pressure of speaking English, aligning well with my preference for gradually building confidence.

After a year here, I am 100% satisfied

I am from Japan. I completed the ESL course from March 17, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Overall, I am 100% satisfied. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and I felt safe and comfortable studying here. All the teachers are kind and supportive. If I study abroad again, I would probably live off campus once more. For me, nothing beats the comfort and freedom of having my own place.

A school where you learn at your own pace

I think WALES is the perfect school for anyone who wants to learn English at their own pace. My first timetable was four classes in the morning and one in the afternoon, but four lessons back to back in the morning was more than I could take in, so the next day I asked to move one of them to the afternoon. I was grateful for how readily the school adjusted the timetable to how I was doing. All of the teachers were friendly and taught at my English level, and when I told them what I wanted to work on, they built practice around exactly those points. After two months, speaking and listening felt much easier. I was also able to learn and practice how English actually works, such as intonation and how to speak more smoothly. Daily life was easy as well. I was there in the dry season, so the weather stayed settled and pleasant, and there was a large shopping mall within walking distance. I went to a massage place and a Pilates studio nearby, and on long weekends I took the bus a little farther out to do some sightseeing. I would recommend WALES to anyone who wants to enjoy both studying English and living abroad without pushing themselves too hard.

SM Mall is a stone's throw away

WALES in Baguio is a really good choice. It's right in the city centre, a stone's throw from SM Mall, so eating out and shopping are no trouble at all. It's a small school without many students, so the teachers can look after everyone. There are plenty of one-to-one classes, which puts the learning exactly where you need it. Whether you're building up basic English and conversation, pushing hard for IELTS, or studying business English, it fits. You have to speak English on campus, and that immersion is what actually gets you talking, so your listening and speaking improve quickly. Don't worry if your English is still shaky; the teachers are genuinely patient and take you one step at a time. The housing is comfortable too. The on-campus dormitory has everything you need, with 24-hour management, so you feel safe. Students come from several countries, so everyday conversation doubles as English practice, and you make friends along the way. The value is excellent, far cheaper than studying in Europe or the US. If you want to work on your English properly, this is a solid choice, and you won't regret it.

My children and I could stay in one room

I am from Taiwan. I studied in the EEP programme at WALES from January 9 to January 20, 2026. I chose WALES because it is close to the city centre, which makes shopping and everyday errands easy. The other reason that mattered to me was the family rooms. My daughter and son arrived at the school before I did, and they were able to stay in the same room instead of being split up, which gave me real peace of mind as a parent.

IELTS 4.0 to 6.5 in four months

I took the IELTS course for four months in 2019, before going to study in Canada. My mock test on arrival was 4.0 (L 3.5 · R 5.0 · W 2.0 · S 4.5), my mock test after four months was 5.5 (L 6.5 · R 4.5 · W 5.5 · S 6.0), and in the official test I sat after going home I got 6.5 (L 7.0 · R 5.5 · W 6.0 · S 7.0). In the first month my score did not move at all and I was worried, but it went up a lot in the fourth month after I kept at it. Writing is hard to raise on your own, but going through homework and classes again and again, I slowly got the hang of it. The teachers and my friends were all serious about English, and I learned not only IELTS technique but also how to make my own decisions.