Summer courses for Adults 18+
• Make friends and develop cross-cultural awareness
• Wide range of activities, Study Visits and excursions
Summer Courses for Adults
Our English language courses for adults help you improve your English language level over 2+ weeks. We offer a wide range of everyday English courses, including English for Life and English for Life Plus, plus the English for Exams, English for Law and English for Business specialist courses. Furthermore, we also offer personalised 1-2-1 online English lessons. Our strong reputation matches our expertise; we have been teaching academic English to non-native speakers for over 70 years.
Why Join Our Adults Programme?
Short, Impactful Programmes
Improve your language skills and confidence in a supportive environment, with flexible summer courses designed to fit your schedule.
Expert Teaching
Learn from experienced English language teachers who tailor lessons to meet your individual goals.
Small Classes, Big Results
With a maximum of 15 students per class, you’ll receive personalised attention to develop your confidence and fluency.
Join a Global Community
Study alongside adults from around the world, make new international friends, and share experiences across cultures.
Learn in Oxford
Immerse yourself in a world-famous university city with access to historic colleges, museums, libraries, galleries, and beautiful parks.
Explore Beyond the Classroom
Enjoy one free excursion each week plus study visits that connect learning to real-world culture, history, and heritage.
Rich Activities Programme
Try something new every week, whether it’s punting on the River Thames, exploring London’s markets, visiting the theatre, or even surfing in Cornwall.
Stimulating Course Content
Weekly themes make learning topical, interactive, and engaging, giving you fresh perspectives while improving your English.
Courses:
College Life
College life offers a unique opportunity to live and study in the historic city of Oxford, surrounded by its rich academic and cultural heritage. The campus is within walking distance of both Summertown and Oxford city centre, giving students easy access to shops, cafés, and iconic landmarks. With students from over 35 countries, the college fosters a vibrant, international community where lifelong friendships are made.
Learning Experience
The learning experience is enriched through study visits and guest speakers, bringing real world context to the classroom. Topical weekly themes are designed to take learning beyond textbooks, encouraging students to engage with current issues and ideas in a dynamic and meaningful way.
Themes of the Week
Week 1: Breaking Boundaries
This week challenges students to look at innovation, courage, and the people who go beyond the norm to capture a global audience’s attention. Connected to science, history, and social studies, students will explore boundary-breaking ideas and figures while working on their own projects. Using English to discuss and present, they’ll grow as confident risk-takers and creative thinkers.
Week 2: Is it reel?
With social media blurring the lines between reality and performance, how do we know what’s real? From viral reels to AI-generated videos, this week dives into how stories are told online and what clues we can look at to establish their veracity. Students will analyse, create, and present their own digital productions — all while sharpening their English for modern communication.
Week 3: Composition & creation
At a time of great debate about the influence of AI on the creative industries this is a week for budding creators. This theme combines the written word, art, and digital media. Linking to subjects like literature, music, and design, students will work on original compositions and creative projects. By using English to craft, collaborate, and present, they’ll gain confidence in expressing themselves across different forms.
Week 4: Voices of change
Social media has given a voice to all, allowing young people to shape the world’s conversation more than ever before. Young people such as Greta Thunberg and Nicole Becker are heard and can make a difference, can our students? This week focuses on people who inspire change, from activists and leaders to creative thinkers. Connected to history, politics, and the arts, students will explore how voices — past and present — have shaped the world. Students will research, write, and present through the medium of English, they’ll find their own voice and practise making it heard.
Week 5: Practice makes perfect
10000 hours = mastery, or so we were told. From dance challenges to Duolingo, practice and persistence are hot topics in culture. With such a demand for instant results can we learn to enjoy the long and sometimes slow route to success, however it is we might define that. This week explores how effort and resilience lead to mastery, whether in sports, the arts, or study. Students will reflect, discuss, and present in English, gaining confidence in celebrating progress as much as success.
Week 6: Work to live/live to work
From side-hustles to debates about work-life balance and a four-day work week. Students will explore the world of work, careers, and what motivates us. Through projects and discussions linked to business, economics, and social studies, students will consider how work shapes our lives and futures. Using English to debate, present, and problem-solve, they’ll build both confidence and employability skills.
Week 7: Question Everything
We’ll examine fact checking, conspiracy theories and biases. Delving into the media, science and philosophy, this week encourages students to be curious, challenge ideas, and think critically. By linking to subjects such as history, literature, and ethics, students will sharpen their skills of enquiry while working on projects that explore different perspectives. Using English as a tool for inquiry and debate, they’ll grow as thoughtful communicators.
Week 8: A feast for the senses
From reaction videos to viral ASMR clips, our senses play a major role in pop culture. This week, we’ll explore whether it’s the heart or the head that should take precedence, and step into the shoes of those with sensory impairment. Students will examine how sight, sound, taste, and touch shape creativity and experience. Through hands-on projects, they’ll use English to describe, share, and showcase their own sensory-inspired creations.
Activities and Excursions
Students enjoy a varied weekly social and cultural programme, with activities such as punting, horse riding, and axe throwing (some may incur an additional charge).
One excursion is included each week (choice subject to availability), with the option to join additional trips. Destinations include London,
Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon, the city of Bath, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, and many more, offering the perfect balance of culture, history, and adventure.
Sample Timetable
View the sample activities timetable. Please note these are subject to change.
Accommodation
Students can choose to stay in one of our college residences or with a trusted English-speaking homestay provider, depending on their preference for independence or a more immersive cultural experience.
Our adult college residences offer:
- A choice of single or twin rooms, with shared or in-flat bathrooms
- Self-catering kitchens
- Sociable communal spaces, including common rooms, dining areas, and outdoor green spaces
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner available in the dining hall
Living with a homestay provider includes:
- A single room with a shared or private bathroom
- Breakfast and dinner provided daily
- A homestay provider to offer support
- The chance to practise English daily and experience the life and culture of modern Britain firsthand
All accommodation options include bedding, towels, access to laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
Food
Lunch is included and served in our dining hall, offering delicious and nutritious meals with all dietary requirements catered for. Snacks and drinks are also available between meals at our on-site café, The Globe.
Student Welfare
Student welfare is a top priority, with 24-hour support provided by a dedicated team of Residential Managers, Night Security, and Welfare Officers. In addition, students have access to our College Nurse for medical support and wellbeing guidance, ensuring a safe and supportive environment throughout their stay.
Fees and Dates
Students can choose to study for 2, 3, or 4+ weeks, with a range of start dates available in June, July, and August.
The course fee includes tuition, accommodation, lunch, a full sports and activities programme, 1 excursion per week, and insurance. Breakfast and dinner are also available at an additional cost.
Summer and Short Courses brochure
Summer course enquiry
Please fill in this form to submit an enquiry about our summer courses, or call us on +44 1865 517704.
You may also wish to get in touch to arrange a campus tour or find out what it is like to live and study in the city of Oxford.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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