Academic English Language Courses

These 10-day courses costing £2100 are designed to provide that all important boost for international students before joining a GCSE, A Level or IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma programme in the UK.

There are 2 groups :  GCSE (ages 14-15) and A Level, IB Diploma and Foundation (ages 16-17)

For many international students, particularly for those whose proficiency in English is not as high as might be desired, it can be a very daunting task stepping into a British independent boarding school for the first time.  Without the necessary linguistic skills and cultural awareness, getting off to a flying start can be extremely challenging.

By attending one of the pre-sessional courses, not only are students able to improve their proficiency in English, but they are also able to develop key academic skills which will equip them well for their onward educational journey.

Pre-sessional courses run for 10 days, in maximum class sizes of 12, with three hours of intensive academic English each morning, followed by two hours of other academic preparation, including lessons, lectures and workshops focusing on the following areas:

                Acquiring, recording and learning new vocabulary

                Increasing effectiveness in listening skills

                Improving academic writing skills (including extended essay writing support)

                Developing reading techniques, such as skimming and scanning

                Effective pronunciation, enunciation and debating

                Understanding the meta language of examination papers

                Broadening study skills and getting the most out of your revision

                Wellbeing and dealing with examination stress

                Answering examination questions in full

Students are also expected to complete set assignments during the evenings in order to maximise the effectiveness of these courses.

Upon completion of one of our pre-sessional courses, students are far more focused, prepared and able to cope with the demands of the GCSE, A Level or IB programme they will move on to, enabling them to hit the ground running and providing them with the necessary academic skills to make the most of their education in the UK.

There is an Extended Pre-Sessional Course which is another 5 days which bridges the gap between the end of the 10 day Pre-Sessional Course and the start of term.(2,100).  

Two weeks costs £2,500

This International Academic Summer School is a rare opportunity for international students to enjoy a specially designed course to get a taste of British senior school life and prepare for their future studies. Students will stay at one of Ruthin School’s boarding houses and the academic subjects will be taught by experienced local teachers, in English, giving them an immersive UK boarding school experience.

In addition, students will also have opportunities to participate in fun outdoor activities set in the beautiful Welsh countryside, and weekend trips to nearby major UK cities such as Manchester and Liverpool.

Ideal for students seeking future studies in English-speaking countries,  this  academic summer school is your pathway to achieving language proficiency and confidence.

• 10-15 hours of academic studies on subjects including Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, History, Geography, and Arts & Design
• Plenty of outdoor and sports activities to choose from: football, basketball, badminton, archery and hiking etc.

Accommodation and Food: students will stay at one of Ruthin School’s boarding houses and eat at Ruthin School canteen

Students can choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks.

For the International Study Preparation course, this Academic English Language and Study Skills course aims to prepare your students linguistically and culturally for their future studies in an English-speaking school, college or university. They will learn how to study effectively and become independent learners. 

The two-week course consists of 41 hours of classes, 6 hours of supervised self-study and tutorials, and study tours to further enhance academic and cultural knowledge. Classes will cover: • Research Skills • Academic Writing • Presentation Skills • Listening and Note-taking • Seminar Skills • Grammar and Vocabulary Development. There will still be time to develop English and cultural skills with focus activities and relax during a range of fun evening eventsYou will become familiar with different types of academic texts and the process of researching and referencing. You will also develop yourunderstanding and use of academic vocabulary and improve your academic writing skills.

Academic debating and presentation skills.
You will actively engage in academic discussions to develop your spoken English skills, strategies and confidence in preparation for academic
seminars and presentations.

Focus Activities include:
Choose an activity to focus on 0ver each week from  "Bake off" "Glee Club" "Krav Maga" "football" "tennis" "street dance" and many others

Evening activity
On some evenings you will join a whole-school activity, but on other evenings you can choose from a variety of sports and craft activities. 

"An IELTS Preparation summer camp in London is designed to equip students with the skills needed to excel in the IELTS exam.

At Bucksmore, students receive focused training on all aspects of the test: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The programme includes continuous assessment to track progress and boost exam confidence.

Alongside lessons, students enjoy cultural excursions in London, allowing them to practise English in real-world contexts, enhancing both their test readiness and fluency."

Pathways To Higher Education is an intensive programme with 25 hours of study per week, specially designed for young adults who are preparing for future academic study or for the start of their professional life. The course takes place at the University of Sussex, the only university campus in England that is surrounded by a National Park. Although located in the countryside, the University is just 10 minutes away by train from the cosmopolitan city of Brighton. This University campus, with many modern buildings and its award-winning architecture, can be described as a self-contained village, ideal for the 16-20 age group.

The transition to higher education is a significant moment in a young person’s personal, social and academic development. Pathways to Higher Education course is designed to ease that transition for those students looking to attend university in an English-speaking environment. Lessons consist of Academic English, Skills for Higher Education and Academic Pathways. These combine to form an academic programme themed by specific subject areas, whereby students learn both the language and content required to engage fully in academic study in their preferred field.

Programme

Lessons take place in the mornings and afternoons and there is a full programme of evening social events and weekend excursions designed in consultation with the students and tailored to their age and interests. There is a minimum number of Social Events and Excursions that students are required to attend depending on their age. All recreational activities organised by Bede's are included in the course fee.

Lessons

25 hours of lessons per week including Academic English, Communication Skills and English for Specific Pathways. Maximum 14 students per class. Weekly progress checks to monitor performance.

Entry levels

4 levels are available from B1 (Intermediate) to C2 (Proficiency). Entry test on Monday with a speaking, grammar and writing component.

Exams

The IELTS exam is available for students aged between 16-20 years. 15 hours per week of dedicated exam preparation instead of Academic English and Communication Skills. 2 week programme. Supplements are payable. IELTS students must stay 1 extra night (no extra charge) and depart on Sunday.

English Plus Adventure

Business Entrepreneur

STEM & Coding

Sevenoaks School is globally recognised for academic excellence and curriculum innovation. Three inspiring summer programmes offer bright, ambitious students aged 11-16 a taste of Sevenoaks. This is a first-class English Language Course designed by Sevenoaks School’s specialist language teachers. Students study General English and Academic English to improve their aptitude in English language and to prepare them for exam papers or further study. The courses are bespoke and designed to ensure students leave us with an enhanced level of confidence and aptitude in using English both formally and informally.

• Outside the classroom, the co-curricular programme is designed to challenge students and introduce them to new skills. Alongside a team of expert instructors and professional coaches, students have access to a range of state-of-art facilities to develop their strengths and enjoy the wealth of co-curricular opportunities on offer.
• Sevenoaks is are proud of the diversity in the programmes. Last year, 60 countries were represented across the student body. Sevenoaks School Summer Programmes mirrors the ethos of Sevenoaks School and its students – to be inquisitive, internationally-minded, and forward-thinking. Courses are divided by age, nationality and ability. At the end of all courses, parents receive a detailed report from their child’s teachers.

Level of English required:  B1  This course is not suitable for native English speakers.