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Summer in the USA
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Language schools in the USA generally offer a larger selection of courses during the summer months, with an emphasis on combining English tuition with a wide range of interesting activities.
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June to September are the busiest months for most language schools in the northern hemisphere, and as a result, many schools in the USA broaden their range of course offerings at this time.
The New England School of English (NESE) in Boston, MA, has a wider selection of courses during the summer than at other times of the year. “Most [NESE summer] students are between 19 and 21 [years old] and want to make the most of their summer vacations by studying and enjoying themselves in a foreign country,” relates Martha Hall, NESE’s Administrative Director. “NESE also accommodates a greater number of slightly younger students (16-to-18) who want to participate in an immersion programme during the summer months. At the same time, we have gained a greater number of professional and executive students who wish to combine vacation time with career development.”
Whatever their motivation for study, most students are looking for an educational vacation. One of the many courses that has been developed to meet this demand is the Summer Adventure Programme at Intercultural Communications College in Honolulu, HI. “This is a high-energy programme incorporating three-plus hours of English instruction each day, followed by daily activities,” says Joel Weaver at the college. He adds that most of their students on this course are “motivated to enjoy the activities more than study English”.
When it comes to location, traditional summer vacation hotspots are popular with students. Andrea Fuchs of AF International School of Languages in Los Angeles, CA, says, “There is definitely a market for summer programmes in southern California, given our perfect climate, numerous sightseeing destinations and the availability of accredited English schools.”
Over the years, schools have constantly updated their summer provision. According to Peggy Street at ELS Language Centers at Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, students now come with “higher levels of English proficiency” and they are “looking for more entertainment than in the past.“ She adds, “[Students] are more knowledgeable about American culture and less interested in the typical tourist types of activities.”
Michael Medley, Director of the Intensive English Programme at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA, says that they have developed “interesting service options for students”. He explains, “[Last] summer teenagers [on the teen summer course] worked with Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, and young adults in our summer vacation course were mentored by American volunteers in a ‘gift and thrift’ store.”
Christina O’Toole at the University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, says they have observed a more serious side to their summer students. “Currently we get more highly motivated students now than in the past,” she says. “There used to be more of a student focus on surf and sun but now students are more aware of the academic areas.”
David Quinn at the American Language Programme at Columbia University in New York, NY, reinforces the fact that not all students are looking for an emphasis on vacation. Increasingly, he sees, “students who are seeking a summer intensive programme as preparation for entrance into a fall-term degree programme”.
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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.
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