|
|
|
UK summer
|
|
|
 |
|
Summer vacation programmes in the UK are moving with the times. A whole battalion of activity options means that clients can feel connected and motivated in the extra-curricular environment or consider academic add-ons instead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We believe that learning English should be about more than just sitting in a classroom,” relates Petra Kondrova from d’Overbroeck’s College in Oxford. “Lessons are vital – but it is just as important that you practise your language skills and learn by doing,” she stresses.
Indeed, summer vacation courses successfully marry language tuition with a variety of activities that encourage students to interact with fellow language learners. Activities vary drastically with sport and cultural excursions to various places of interest featuring highly on school agendas. However, more niche offerings like jewellery making, wine tasting and African drumming reflect providers’ willingness to adapt programme content to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
ICH, an operational arm of the British Study Centre (BSC), run summer vacation programmes in conjunction with Ardingly College in Haywards Heath and Matt Simmonite from BSC says that the school’s location next to a lake affords more adventurous students the chance to sample something out of the norm. “This is a great opportunity to have specialised training in windsurfing, kayaking and sailing from the water sports centre at the lake which is part of the school campus!” he enthuses.
Meanwhile, the sports facilities at Millfield School in Somerset are sure to impress summertime students. “We are lucky to have access to come of the best facilities in any school together with Millfield sports coaches for our academy sports programme,” boasts Karen Page at the school. Students can receive tuition in a variety of different leisure pursuits including fencing and shooting.
Chris Moonie, who threw open his language school doors in April 2008, relates that they have put real thought into their programme of activities at the Mackenzie School of English in Edinburgh. “Our programmes are not made up of fillers, e.g. activities designed to merely occupy students’ time,” he states, adding that they offer motivational classes designed to enhance student confidence.
More dynamic course offerings are set to make some headway in 2009 and Michael Bruce from Stafford House Study Holidays, which operate a number of summer school venues throughout the UK, says its Manchester United Soccer Camp is set to make some waves. “We are only one of three providers that offer this type of programme,” he says. Meanwhile, Kondrova at d’Overbroeck’s College notes that the school plans activities around a specific theme that changes each week and students may find themselves visiting the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) for a workshop on Journalism one week and the National Space Centre in Leicester the next.
Students intent on studying at a British boarding school or university would certainly benefit from course supplements such as exam preparation or pre-sessional English, as Graham White from Eastbourne School of English explains. “We have added new special interest group options including Business English, Ielts, English for Travel &Tourism and pronunciation,” he notes.
Bev Harrison, Head of Bell Internationals Young Learner Programme, says their junior foundation programmes – available throughout the summer season – help prepare international students for their transition into the UK education system. “A GCSE preparation programme and an A-level/International Baccalaureate preparation programme are both aimed at preparing international students for their term-time studies,” she says.
Contrary to popular belief, summer vacation courses are not just restricted to the junior/teenage sector. “Our minimum student age is 18,” states Peter Bulmer from St John’s Wood School of English. “This means that there are no young teenagers running around the place!” he says. Having offered summer vacation courses since the 1970s, he attests that business professionals find the summer period a convenient time to study abroad just as younger students do. “It’s the only time of year when most people have a fairly long holiday,” he stresses.
At the other end of the spectrum is the junior market and Danielle Watts from Kings Group – which runs summer programmes in London, Oxford and Pangbourne – reasons that this ever-expansive market resulted in them lowering the age limit of prospective students a few years ago. “Our minimum age used to be 16 but is now 14. We have noticed an increased demand for organised activities and extra excursions, probably due to having younger students than before,” she states.
As for nationality trends, providers report that interest from Central and Eastern European countries has been significant. “Over the last few years we have seen more interest in summer junior courses from Japan and Korea and from Eastern Europe, namely Albania and Mongolia,” reports David Leigh from Churchill House School of English in Ramsgate. Bruce from Stafford House also notes an Eastern European uprising and cites Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as potential growth areas.
|
|
|
Contact any advertiser in the this issue now
The following language schools, associations and accommodation providers advertised in the latest edition of Language Travel Magazine. If you would like more information on any of these advertisers, tick the relevant boxes, fill out your details and send.
|
|
|
|
|
