English Explorer (Spring)

Course summary

Minimum age / 11-17 / Start dates / March and April 2016
Minimum level / A1 - Beginner / Course length / 1 - 4 weeks
Entry requirements / Required language level / Course fees / £825 per week
Weekly tuition / See course description / Location / Bell St Albans
Staff / student ratio / 1:6 / Accommodation / Residential

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Who this course is for

Young learners who want to combine English language study, activities and cultural visits.

Course overview

Your child will develop English skills, essential life and practical skills through a range of electives, project-based lessons, study tours and activities on Bell's English Explorer course at St Albans.

St Albans offers a variety of start dates throughout the year and you can choose from 1 week+ courses.

Download a sample timetable.

Course outcomes

  • Students will be more confident and more independent as a learner and user of English
  • Students will have improved English language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking)
  • Students will have more vocabulary, better pronunciation and an increased understanding of grammar appropriate to their level
  • Students will have improved skills in their chosen elective/s
  • Students will have developed essential life skills such as teamwork, independent study, communication and the ability to take responsibility for their own learning
  • Students will have made international friends
  • Students will have a portfolio of work demonstrating progress, achievements and new experiences

Next steps

  • English Explorer at a different centre or different time of the year with new electives
  • International Study Preparation
  • Young Business Leaders
  • Young Cambridge Scholars.

Course description

Students develop a range of English language, life and practical skills on English Explorer.

Based on a 2-week course*:

Project-based English lessons

30 hours per course

Lessons focus on a project to suit the level and age range of the class. Sample project topics include Victorian London, The Environment and Travel and Tourism. Students work independently, in pairs and small groups through discussions, role plays and interviews. Students learn:

  • practical everyday languagesuch as asking polite questions, clarifying meaning, vocabulary and comprehension of instructions, improved fluency and pronunciation
  • life skillssuch as independence and teamwork
  • aboutBritish life and culture.

Elective programme

3 electives (6 hours each, 18 hours in total)

Elective sessions are taught by experienced activity leaders and develop students’ skills and ability in their chosen activities in English.
Our classic electives give your child the opportunity to try a variety of activities each week. Your child will choose three of the below electives per course, which they study for 6 hours each (18 hours per 2-week course). Students will be asked to select their electives at registration.

Archery
Students will:
  • Learn and develop basic techniques such as stance, set-up and aim
  • Improve aim and accuracy
  • Learn specialist archery phrases and vocabulary.
/ Art and Design
Students will:
  • Develop skills in drawing, animation, painting, graphic design, textiles and fashion
  • Develop personal creativity
  • Learn specialist Art and Design vocabulary.
/ British Literature
Students will:
  • Explore popular British literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter
  • Learn about popular UK authors for young people
  • Improve their reading comprehension
  • Develop an understanding of UK culture
  • Expand their English vocabulary.

British School Games
Students will:
  • Learn how to play a wide variety of classic British school games from quick cricket and rounders to British bulldog and many more
  • Experience British school culture
  • Improve confidence and teamwork skills.
/ Creative Writing
Students will:
  • Develop writing skills by learning about and creating stories, poetry and compositions
  • Learn about a range of creative writing genres
  • Create pieces of work and learn techniques to improve their writing style
  • Broaden their range of expression.
/ Drama
Students will:
  • Develop different dramatic techniques such as improvisation
  • Learn to use props effectively
  • Build and explore characters
  • Collaborate in a dramatic stage performance.

Health and fitness
Students will:
  • Increase their understanding of how to stay healthy and improve fitness levels
  • Learn about food, nutrition, keep-fit regimes and lifestyle choices
  • Learn how to plan and prepare a healthy snack
  • Learn specialist vocabulary to talk about fitness.
/ Journalism
Students will:
  • Develop important journalism skills such as researching and gathering information, interviewing, fact checking, reporting and editing
  • Write articles in a journalistic style
  • Design and edit a newspaper or magazine.
/ Photography and film-making
Students will:
  • Develop skills such as planning, storyboarding, sequencing, cutaways, composing and editing
  • Learn practical photography and filming skills in order to create a short film
  • Develop their personal creativity
  • Learn specialist film and photography vocabulary.

Study tours

3 x full-day study tours

Learn about British life and culture through exploring places of interest such as Oxford, Cambridge or London. Every course includes a full day study tour to London, where students enjoy a walking tour, river cruise or trip to a top London Museum.

Activities

27 hours per course

In addition to the elective programme, students also enjoy a wide variety of whole-school events such as games, competitions, discos and shows.

*A 1-week English Explorer programme is exclusively available at Bell St Albans.

Course package

Choose a Bell young learner English course and from the moment we collect your child from the airport to the time they depart you will be confident in the knowledge that they will be safe and supervised throughout their stay with us. The course includes:

  • Project-based lessons, a choice of electives, a range of activities and study tours
  • Comprehensive supervision by qualified and experienced staff
  • Residential accommodation and all meals
  • Return transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days from and to designated airports
  • Learning materials, course portfolio and end of course certificate
  • Free internet access
  • Use of facilities including Great Hall, contemporary Study Centre, Art room and extensive fields
  • Free laundry service
  • Comprehensive insurance.

Please note that all bookings are subject to a £95 registration fee.