General English
This is the most popular course for older teenagers at St. Clare's each summer. It combines General English studies with Active Language Options and a wide range of activities and excursions.

• Classes are available at all levels from Elementary to Advanced.
• The Director of Studies tests your knowledge of English and places you in an international group of students at the same level.
• Morning lessons focus on the language learning skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• They also increase your accurate use of the language by practising grammar points and extending your range of vocabulary.
• In the afternoons the focus is on improving fluency in English through a range of interesting subject options. (See Active Language Options subjects below).
• Our qualified and experienced teachers will encourage you to communicate with increasing confidence and accuracy.
• Your progress is monitored at regular intervals and your Certificate and Report are presented at a special ceremony on your last afternoon.

Active Language Options

Every week you choose a different Active Language Option to develop your language skills. Each programme has a clear ‘language' outcome which the learner moves towards during the week. There are three basic stages:

1. preparation - input from the teacher or research by the learner;
2. development - organising and sharing ideas with other members of the class;
3. production - a presentation or a performance which concludes the activity.

Here are some examples of your subject options:

• Study Visits
• British Life & Culture
• Computer-assisted Language Learning
• Drama Workshop
• Study Skills
• Conversation techniques
• Poetry & Short Stories
• In the News
• Pronunciation Workshop
• Popular Music & Film
• English for Business
• Simulations or role play activities

Sample Daily Programme – General English Course

Intensive English Course
The Intensive English Course is an excellent way of getting the most from your summer in Oxford. It focuses on serious language learning in small classes over a 3 week period.

• Classes are available for more serious learners at levels from Intermediate to Advanced.
• The Director of Studies tests your knowledge on arrival and monitors your progress throughout.
• Focus is on both accuracy and fluency in the language:
• your accuracy benefits from the integrated study of grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing activities;
• your fluency is improved by role plays, simulations and oral presentations in the classroom.
• Teachers at St. Clare's have high expectations and encourage you to work hard in class and outside.
• Homework assignments and regular tests are integral to the programme.
• You are also expected to research topics in advance by using the self-access centre and the extensive facilities in the library.
• Study visits to places of interest in and around Oxford complement your studies.
• You receive a Certificate of Attendance and a detailed Academic Report at the end of your course.

English for Academic Purposes
If you are planning to take an academic course after the summer then English for Academic Purposes is the right course for you.

• Classes are available for more serious learners at levels from Intermediate to Advanced.
• You will concentrate on the study skills you need for your academic future – for entry to a course for the International Baccalaureate, for A levels or a University Foundation programme.
• The Director of Studies tests your knowledge on arrival and provides guidance on your chosen educational options.
• Teachers focus on the integrated general language skills (listening speaking, reading and writing) in the mornings.
• In the afternoons focus changes to exercises relating specifically to academic study. These include language-based study skills such as:
• research techniques: exploiting the extensive College Library and internet facilities;
• vocabulary storage strategies: word families, collocations and technical language;
• writing techniques: note-taking, summarising and essay writing;
• examination techniques: interpreting and answering examination questions;
• presentations: selection of appropriate material, voice projection, intonation and stress, and the use of visual aids.
• Teachers at St. Clare's have high expectations and encourage you to work hard in class exercises and for homework assignments.
• You receive a Certificate of Attendance and a detailed Academic Report at the end of your course.

Many of our IB students in the past have used this course as an introduction to the happy, informal and stimulating international atmosphere at St. Clare's and a ‘stepping stone' to our renowned international pre-university qualifications.

English plus Shakespeare
This course is a wonderful way to appreciate the works of Shakespeare. During your 3 week course you will study three plays and visit a stage performance of each work in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Oxford Playhouse or the Globe Theatre in London.

• Classes are available for more serious learners at levels from Intermediate to Advanced.
• The Director of Studies tests your knowledge of English and places you in an international group of students at the same level for the morning sessions.
• Morning lessons focus on the basic language learning skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing at your level.
• Afternoon classes focus on the text of three of Shakespeare's best-loved plays and analysis of Shakespeare's technique and stagecraft.
• You will attend the performance of these three plays in Oxford, Stratford and London as an integral part of the course – one each week.
• You will be accompanied by your teacher on these visits so that you have a full appreciation of the experience.
• You receive a Certificate of Attendance and a detailed Academic Report at the end of your course.