The Collingwood Philosophy

The philosophy of Collingwood is reflected in our saying, “We make the course fit the student, not the student fit the course.”

When we are sick, we look for a doctor – but not just any doctor.  We look for a good doctor.  A good doctor listens to us, understands us, and accepts that each of us has different problems. A good doctor is compassionate and advises us wisely, enabling us to get better as quickly as possible. A good patient trusts the doctor, and heeds the doctor’s advice, finishing the course of medicine and following the doctor’s instructions. At Collingwood, we see ourselves as very similar to good doctors. Through many years of teaching in many lands and cultures, our teachers clearly understand that each and every student is a unique individual with different learning needs. We listen to our students and hear what they have to say. We take time to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and find a course that is right for them. We want to make them better and we have many resources, courses and methods to do this. We realise that learning a language is more than just following a text book. It is about allowing the student to build a relationship of trust and respect with their teacher, completing their homework, engaging in self study, and, above all, asking questions! Each and every student is special to us. At Collingwood we find the right course for the student, not the right student for the course. Read more