Summer English

This is the most popular course for older teenagers at St. Clare's each summer. It combines every day English studies with Active Language Projects 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 projects. (See Active Language Project 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 projects

Every week you take part in a different Active Language Project 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 our Active Language Projects:

• Oxford study visits
• Youth and culture
• Global issues
• Drama workshop
• Poetry & short stories
• College magazine
• News and media
• The language of media
• Popular music and film
• The language of advertising
• Oxford in popular fiction

Sample daily programme – Summer English course
09.00	Language study	12.30	Lunch
10.00	Break	14.00	Active Language Projects subject studies & activities
10.15	Language study	15.00	Break
11.15	Break	15.15	Active Language Projects subject studies & activities
11.30	Language study	16.30	College-based activities

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.

Intensive English courses for older teenagers 15 – 17 years
25 hours of language tuition per week	Morning lessons: Intensive English (2.5 hours per day)
3 weeks	plus supervised resource-based study (1 hour per day)
Class size maximum 12	Afternoon lessons: Intensive English (4 afternoons per week) Activities programme

English for Examinations

If you are planning to sit an exam after the summer then English for Examinations is the right course for you.

• classes are available for more serious learners at levels from Upper Intermediate to Advanced.
• you will concentrate on the study skills you need for preparation for IELTS, FCE and CAE examinations.
• you are tested on arrival and placed in an appropriate group
• teachers focus on the integrated language skills (listening speaking, reading and writing) in the mornings.
• additional emphasis is given to: vocabulary storage strategies: word families, collocations and technical language; presentations: selection of appropriate material, voice projection, intonation and stress, and the use of visual aids.
• in the afternoons the focus is on examination tips and practice tests
• 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 an Academic Report at the end of your course.

English for Examinations for older teenagers 15–17 years
21 hours of language tuition per week	Morning lessons: integrated language skills (3 hours per day)
2, 3 or 4 weeks	Afternoon lessons: practice tests and examination tips (2 hours on 3 afternoons per week)
Class size maximum 12	Activities programme