About Us
We are a dynamic and dedicated family run language agency providing the very best service for our students. UK English Courses offer a variety of specially selected, competitively priced courses at prestigious UK independent boarding schools with excellent academic reputations and first class facilities, nearly all within easy reach of the UK's main airports. We select schools for the quality of the teaching and accommodation provided. We look at everything they have to offer - from their location through to their range of facilities.
Our highest priority is the safety and welfare of our students. For this reason, UK English Courses only choose English summer schools that are fully accredited by the British Council. All our residential summer schools and programmes have to meet the highest standards. We choose courses that offer our students a variety of different options and we update courses each year, in order to offer our students the widest possible selection of top quality summer courses.
UK English Courses' sister company Language Studies Overseas are specialists in sending students (many from Oxford and Cambridge universities) to study languages abroad. Our experience suggests that students who have been studying a language abroad return home more fluent, motivated and enthusiastic for the language they are studying. Students who follow our English language summer programmes will gain an invaluable insight into England's language and culture. We aim to offer an unforgettable, complete English experience. The emphasis is on fun and all round enjoyment using English as a means of communication.
Learning English
A very important part of the programme is the tuition; depending on the selected course, students have about 15-20 hours tuition a week. Each centre has a Director of Studies who coordinates and supervises the teaching and use of course materials. On arrival, students are tested and then placed in a class appropriate to their level. There are five levels: Elementary-Lower Intermediate-Intermediate-Upper Intermediate and Advanced. The average class size is about 12 and emphasis is on conversation and communication. Students are presented with a certificate at the end of the course and all textbooks and materials are provided. Textbooks and course materials are constantly monitored and updated each year. Material gathered from cultural trips is also used in lessons and this enables students to gain an insight into English customs and traditions.
Staff
Our staff are selected for their experience, professionalism, friendliness and enthusiasm. All teachers are fully qualified to teach English and are also talented in other areas such as sport, dance, art & crafts, IT, drama and music. Teachers are friendly and learning is fun!
Excursions
Students are taken on escorted coach excursions twice a week. There is one full day and one half-day excursion per week. Students who come to the course with a teacher or group leader can also organise additional excursions. Each centre has a Recreation Director who organises every detail of the excursion. Packed lunches are provided for full day excursions.
Airport Transfers
We offer airport transfers by coach or taxi. Coach transfers are included in the fees and are offered for specific arrival times and specific airports. (See fees for further details). Special private transfers (at extra cost) can be arranged at any other time and from any other airport. (See fees for further details.) On departure, we check you onto your flight and see you through the departure gate.
Afternoon & Evening Activities
There is a wide selection of activities on offer. Students are allowed to sign up for their preferred activities. Activities include: aerobics, art/craft, badminton, Frisbee, basketball, drama, football, tennis, squash, table tennis, treasure hunt, volleyball, swimming, water polo, etc.
In the evening, there is a varied programme of evening activities and entertainment. These include discos, karaokes, BBQs, Blind Date, Talent Shows, Fashion Shows, Film nights, Bingo, Mini Olympics, etc.
Food
An important aspect of all courses is the quality of the food provided. We are aware that many students are away from home for the first time and it is important for them to have a selection of food that they can choose from. All food is freshly prepared on site and all dietary requirements can be catered for (please remember to indicate this at the time of booking). A mixture of English and Continental Breakfasts are served. At lunch and dinner, there is always a salad bar with a choice of hot meals (including a vegetarian option) and a choice of dessert (including fresh fruit). At some centres, there is also a tuck shop, where students can purchase snacks at break time or at the disco.
Sample Weekly Programme
| A typical day - Trinity exam | |
|---|---|
| 08.00 | Breakfast |
| 08.45 | Morning meeting |
| 09.05 | Lessons 1-3 |
| 11.05 | Break |
| 11.30 | Lessons 4-5 |
| 12.50 | Lessons end |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
| 14.15-15.00 | Organised sports |
| 15.15-16.00 | and recreation |
| 16.15-17.00 | activities |
| 18.30 | Dinner |
| 19.30 | Evening social programme begins |
| 22.00-22.45 | Bedtime depending on age |
| 22.45-23.30 | Lights out |
| A typical day - General English | |
|---|---|
| 8.15 | Breakfast |
| 09.00 | Morning meeting |
| 09.15 | Lessons 1 and 2 |
| 10.45 | Break |
| 11.10 | Lessons 3 and 4 |
| 12.40 | Lessons end |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00-15.00 | Organised sports |
| 15.15-16.15 | and recreation |
| 16.30-17.30 | activities |
| 18.30 | Dinner |
| 19.30 | Evening social programme begins |
| 22.00-22.45 | Bedtime depending on age |
| 22.45-23.30 | Lights out |
Student Welfare
All residential centres have an experienced and friendly Housemaster/Housemistress, resident in the boarding house and responsible for your child’s welfare. A typical boarding house would have 40-50 students staying there and your child would sleep in a single or double room, or in a mini-dormitory with 3-5 beds. Accommodation is full-board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and there is a free laundry service. At some centres there is also a welfare officer. All students have access to a pay phone and there are teachers trained in first aid at every site. Parents are welcome to visit their children on site at any time, subject to prior arrangement through the agency.
