Course detail for 15-17 year old teenagers

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 and 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 - 11.00
Language study    
11.00 - 11.30
Break    
11.30 - 12.30
Language study    
12.30 - 14.00
Lunch    
14.00 - 16.00
Active Language Projects
subject studies & 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

student photo
student photo
student photo