No responsibility and a high cost
ESL does not organise the language trips themselves; they book them with independent travel organizers. We have booked two trips with them - both very expensive. In London, everything was perfect - our daughters loved it and felt very well and safe (Kaplan). In Cannes, it was unclear who was behind the real organization of the language school and the stay, but it was a catastrophe. The accommodation was dirty and UNSAFE, no program after language school and NO guidance! My girls (13,14) walked all day alone in town or at the beach, without anyone knowing how or what. They were also in a totally wrong language level, but the organisation did not want to change because of the paperwork... We went into discussion with ESL afterwards and it seemed they were aware, but it was not their fault - cause he, they are not the one who were organising. They just "buy and book" these trips and ask for some extra money on top of the booking ;) For us, that was it - we book directly at Kaplan now.