General English for Teenagers age 15-17

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 - 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