Courses on offer
• General English Courses for Adults 18+
• General English Summer courses
• English Combination Courses - new for 2006
• IELTS Bridge to University
• IELTS Sprint
• University Foundation Course
• Advanced Studies Programme
• English for Business
Extras and options
• One-to-One Tuition
• English in Context subjects
• IELTS Preparation
• Subject Studies

General English Courses for Adults 18+
Whatever your reason for wanting to improve your English, our flexible General English programme can sharpen your skills and build your confidence. You can decide the length, level and content of your course.
These programmes are available throughout the year for students aged 18 and over, with no upper age limit. You can choose to stay for as little as 2 weeks or for as long as a full academic year.
Our teachers will help you design your course to achieve the right balance of skills and topics. You can choose our Basic programme which concentrates on language lessons, or you may choose our Standard or Intensive programme. These offer Complementary Studies subjects in order to gain further practice on specific topics. We can also arrange additional One-to-One English lessons.
An IELTS special option is available at Intermediate and Upper Intermediate levels for 6 hours a week. You will be taught with students on our new Bridge to Higher Education and IELTS Sprint courses.
You will practise the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as grammar and vocabulary building. We have a strong academic reputation and therefore have high expectations of our students. Regular homework assignments are set, regular progress tests take place and a report and Certificate of Attendance are issued at the end of the course.
In addition to classroom lessons you will use computer-based, audio-visual and library resources for language learning. You will also have integrated study visits to places of local interest. Through a 'study diary' and regular Academic Tutorial, your teachers work with you to monitor and discuss your progress, and we encourage all our students to gain the 'Certificate of Learner Independence.' Take a look at our sample timetable.

General English Summer courses
We offer 2, 3 and 4 week general English courses in June, July and August for adults who wish to study during their own holidays from work or university. You can choose the same options as those offered in the academic year, ie. Basic programme 15 hours per week, Standard programme 21 hours per week and Intensive programme 26 hours per week.
Whilst still maintaining a high academic standard of teaching and learning, students enjoy the informal atmosphere of the summer months in Oxford.

English Combination Courses - new for 2006
A new course combining an interactive learning experience in group lessons with One-to-One lessons where your teaching will focus on your individual needs and interests. You will study 15 hours of General English in group lessons and 5 hours per week One-to-One tuition.
These 2 or 3 week courses are offered in June, July and August and provide an excellent short focus on your English learning.

IELTS Bridge to University
If your ambition is to study at a UK university, this course will give you the English Language skills you need. We also provide advice, support and information about Higher Education in the UK.
This course is for students who have an upper intermediate level of English. You can choose to study for 1, 2 or 3 terms.
Most UK universities require you to achieve an IELTS score of at least 6.0. On this course you will have 15 hours of IELTS lessons per week in the mornings. In the afternoons you can add a further 6 hours of IELTS examination practice per week if you wish. Alternatively, you can choose one or more Complementary Studies subjects, to add breadth to your learning.
In addition to achieving the IELTS score you will learn about the university entry system. We will also help you choose the right course at the right university for you.
Because of our extensive experience in preparing students for university, we can give you the very highest quality guidance and support. At St. Clare's we have a full-time Careers and Higher Education adviser who will give you an initial Higher Education assessment when you arrive. You will meet with the adviser at regular intervals to review your progress.
Our programme is designed to maximise your chances of success. To ensure that our students are prepared for the academic and social challenges of university, we provide regular information sessions on Higher Education, university entrance and university life. You will also be given advice on study skills and possible career paths.

IELTS Sprint
For those with limited time, this is an intensive 4 or 5 week course to prepare you for IELTS examinations. For this course you will need a starting level of at least ESU 5. We will concentrate on examination practice, improving your technique and working on particular skills required for the examination.

University Foundation Course
This 1 year programme is designed for students who need to improve their English and academic skills before applying to UK universities.
As most universities require an IELTS score of at least 6.0, this course consists of English Language study leading to IELTS. In addition, the Foundation Course offers two subject streams, Business or Social Studies. You choose 3 subjects from one stream from this table. Your subject grades are based on coursework and final examination.
Teaching is in small classes, and you will work alongside students from many different countries, including English native speakers from American universities who are studying Liberal Arts subjects at St. Clare's as part of their degree.
You will be supported by a Personal Tutor who will oversee your personal welfare and academic progress. We also have a full-time Careers and Higher Education adviser for UK universities and an adviser for US university applications, as well as a comprehensive resource base on undergraduate courses in the UK and abroad.
St. Clare's has prepared students for university entrance for over 40 years. We have developed excellent relations with many leading UK universities, and each year we send around 80 students to British universities. Former Foundation Course students have been offered places at top universities such as University College and King's College London, Durham, Sussex, York, Edinburgh and many others. A more detailed list of university desinations is given here.
This course is for students of 18 years or over who have completed secondary education in their own country. You must also have an appropriate level of English (for example a good FCE pass, GCSE English Language grade A, B, C, IELTS 5.5 or above with 5 in every skill, or TOEFL with a minimum score of 197, computer score, or 530 paper score). Our Senior Courses Office will confirm whether you are qualified to start the course - contact them to ask about your eligibility. If you need to improve your English before applying, we may recommend one of our full-time English courses before you join the University Foundation Course.

Advanced Studies Programme
This is an intensive programme combining English Language and other academic subjects at university level. It is an ideal course for students studying at a university in their own country, or qualified for university entrance.
You can choose to take this course for 1 or 2 semesters. The Spring semester is from January to June; the Autumn semester is from September to December. If you have other plans for the summer you have the option to take a shorter course in the Spring semester; January to April, or January to May.
You will have 10 hours of English classes per week. In addition to this you choose 3 academic subjects from this table. You will be taught in small groups and in your subject studies you will be taught alongside English native speakers from American universities.
The course work involves background reading, assignments and study visits. You will also have the chance to take English Language examinations, such as Cambridge Advanced (CAE), Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) or IELTS.
In order to apply for this course you must be at least 18 years old. You must also be either qualified for entry to university in your own country, already at university, or a graduate. Your level of English must be at least the level of Cambridge First Certificate (FCE), IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 197 (computer score) or 530 (paper score).

English for Business
We offer 2 x two week courses in July and August, designed for people who use English in a professional or business context.
The language programme emphasises the skills of communication in business situations using case studies, role-play and authentic materials. You will gain specific practice in the skills of presentation, negotiation, telephone, meetings and social situations.
If you would like to study English for Business at another time, we can arrange a programme of private lessons for you, or lessons with one or two other people.

Extras and options

One-to-One Tuition: Students on any course can choose to have One-to-One lessons for extra English practice. These lessons are arranged around your course timetable and are geared to your individual needs and pace.
We offer One-to-One tuition in all types of language practice: examination preparation, conversation and pronunciation, reading and writing practice, special interest topics (such as Business, Law, Medicine etc.) and preparation for specific events. You could even devise an entire programme of up to 25 lessons a week of One-to-One tuition.

English in Context subjects : These options are available on several courses and provide opportunities to use your language skills in different contexts and topics, giving you more practice. Each English in Context subject constitutes 3 one-hour lessons per week.
Examples of English in Context subjects include: Business English, Britain Today, Art and Design, Extra Grammar and Vocabulary, Speaking and Pronunciation Practice, Grammar and Language Games, Vocabulary and Idiom, In the News, Discussing Global Issues, Computer Skills, Individual Project Work, Popular Music and Film, Teacher-directed Self-Access.

IELTS Preparation: Some courses allow an additional option of 6 one-hour lessons per week to prepare and practise for the IELTS. We offer IELTS preparation for students whose language level is Intermediate (ESU level 4) and Upper Intermediate (ESU level 5).

Subject Studies: Academic subjects at university level are offered on our University Foundation Course and the Advanced Studies Programme. You will have the benefit of studying these subjects alongside native English speakers.