Frequently asked questions

Which location would you recommend - City Centre premises or Southern Suburbs?

Good Hope Studies started with its first school in the Southern Suburbs about 10 years ago. We have chosen this very specific location, because we do believe that this is by far the best area for the language traveller. Students can study in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, often taking advantage of the good weather by having classes in the gardens. Breaks are spent relaxing in the garden around the pool area. At the same time, it is only a short walk to public transportation and the main shopping centres of the suburbs.

Some students prefer the hustle and bustle of a major city. They would like to be close to the main tourist attractions and experience the Cape Town city life. For those students, we have opened our city centre location in the heart of Cape Town

The schools are identical in terms of their main facilities. The choice of the location is more a personal preference in terms of a lively city centre versus a relaxing, upmarket suburb.

How do students get around Cape Town?

Students (especially when staying in the Southern Suburbs) mainly use the Metrorail line which connects all the Southern suburbs with the city centre of Cape Town. It is also possible to use minibus taxis which travel along all major travel routes. This is a reliable and inexpensive form of transport. A monthly Metrorail ticket costs approximately ZAR 125 (USD 18) and the minibus taxi costs approximately ZAR 7 (USD 1) for a trip from the school in the Southern Suburbs to the city centre. Minibus taxis and the Metrorail do not operate at night. For the evenings we recommend the use of private taxis.

How safe is Cape Town and the areas in which the schools are located?

Both schools are located in areas which are regarded as being amongst the safest for foreign visitors. Generally it can be said that Cape Town is a safe city as long as you follow the same rules that apply to most big cities (don’t display valuable items, avoid deserted streets, especially at nights, etc).

Questions about the Student Residence

Will I have Internet access in my room?
Internet access is available at the Student Residence at an extra charge. Free Internet access is available at both schoolsm.

Is linen provided in the rooms?
Yes, linen is provided, but students are asked to bring their own towels.

Do I need to share a bathroom with other students at the Student Residence?
Yes, 5 single rooms share one bathroom. Male and female students are accommodated in separate sections.

Is there a laundry service at the Student Residence?
For a small fee you can have your laundry done by a commercial laundry service with which Good Hope Studies has an agreement.

When is the best time of year to come to Cape Town?

Cape Town is attractive all year round. Unlike the rest of Africa, Cape Town has a seasonal climate with spring, summer, autumn and winter. The seasons are opposite to the seasons in the northern hemisphere, so if it is summer in South Africa, it is winter in Europe.

During spring time (September to October) the temperatures are mild and people come from all over the world to visit the flower season up the west coast or to see the whales in Hermanus.

In summer (November to February) the weather is warm with temperatures up to the lower 30’s; most people go to the beaches and do outdoor sports.

Autumn (April to May) also offers warm weather and there is hardly any wind. This is the best time to enjoy the colourful nature, visit the wine estates or to do outdoor sports, like surfing.

Winter (June to August) can be rainy and cool at times, but also sunny and warm. Capetonians now spend most of their time at one of the many great restaurants, bars or theatres.

What sports are available in and around Cape Town?

Cape Town is great for almost any outdoor sporting activities. Close to the school, students can play tennis, swim at the Newlands swimming pool, train at one of the well-equipped gyms, or rent a bicycle from the school.
Cape Town is also well- known for the many excellent golf courses, for surfing (at Muizenberg beach and Big Bay, along the West Coast), for the hiking trails up Table Mountain, for diving, horse riding, sky diving, sand boarding and much more.

What should I bring on my first day of class?

On their first day of school, students need to provide a deposit of ZAR 500 (EUR 53 / USD 72). The deposit covers the course book rental, possibly the keys at the Student Residence or the Student House, pre-booked excursions and breakage at the host-family. The deposit can be provided in cash, but we can also debit the students credit-card and release the debit on the day of departure (Visa and Mastercard).

Student should also bring their own pens and paper as well as either a snack or money to buy lunch (approximately R15 for a sandwich).

What kind of accommodation do you recommend?

We offer a great variety of accommodation to suite everyone’s taste. However, we do recommend living with a host-family, as it an excellent opportunity to practice the language, to get an insight view of South African lifestyle and to receive excellent recommendations about where to go and what to do.

If you prefer to be more independent, we recommend the student residence or the student house. If you are looking for the most affordable form of accommodation, we recommend the student house. For more comfort and for the older students, we recommend Homestay-Plus and Bed & Breakfasts.

What course would you recommend?

The Standard Course is the right choice for long-term students and those who want to see as much of Cape Town as possible while learning English. Besides the homework and additional private studies the Standard Course gives you sufficient time in the afternoon to do other activities as well.

The Intensive Course is useful if you want to practice your communication skills. With the Standard-Plus and the Fokus Study Course you have the opportunity to further train specifically weak areas.

If you need to do an exam we offer exam preparation courses for Cambridge, IELTS and TOEFL.

Finally, One-to-One tuition (15 to 30 lessons a week) exclusively focuses on your personal needs. This is not only the most expensive course, but also the most intensive form of tuition and especially useful for short stays.