Intensive residential summer courses for young learners in England

2016 Brochure

At Absolutely English we are committed to creating a stimulating, tolerant and safe learning

environment for young learners to develop, practise, progress and enjoy their adventure in the

English language and culture.

The prestigious Sherborne Girls school in Dorset, with its excellent facilities and picturesque grounds, has been home to Absolutely English since 2006.

Absolutely English

Sherborne, Dorset

BristolLondon

Owned and managed by the very experienced husband and wife team, Siân and Petro Choma, Absolutely English Young Learners welcomes young people from many different countries.

We provide one of the most intensive combinations of lessons, supervised activities and excursions. The intensity of our programme means constant practice in a variety of situations, helping your child to gain confidence and skill in communicating in English.

The mix of nationalities, the immersion environment and the warm friendly atmosphere of the school combine to create a stimulating and rewarding intercultural experience for young people beginning to explore the wider world.

Our focus is on quality, safety and results with our owners overseeing all aspects of the programme and many of our staff returning year after year.

Detailed individual assessment for maximum progressIn order to ensure that students are in the right class and that we are meeting their needs, we ask each student to complete the Oxford Online Placement Test before they arrive. The test is aligned to the CEFR and gives us an indication of each student’s knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and also their ability to communicate in English.

On arrival, our teachers will assess your child’s active language skills. Our academic programme is designed so that students receive ongoing evaluation and feedback throughout the course and our final Academic Report highlights how they can continue their learning when they leave.

Active CommunicationIn the Active Communication lessons, topical role plays, presentations and debates get students talking from the start. They might find themselves involved in a lively discussion or role play on subjects such as current global issues, social media, fashion, inventions that have changed the world, popular music, or the purpose of education. They could use their English to give a presentation on London or Cardiff to prepare their classmates for the excursion, or equally, they could deliver an Academy Award style thank you speech just before they leave.

Our teachers will give your child individual feedback on their language and will then help them progress by working on relevant grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and functional language points.

We help students to say what they want to say!

Core Language SkillsThis lesson complements the Active Communication lesson by focussing on listening, reading and writing skills. We use a wide variety of authentic, up-to-date material such as film trailers, news clips and social media to stretch and engage each student.

As part of this programme, students learn how to adapt their language for both formal and informal purposes. They may, for example, learn how to write a covering letter and CV to apply for a job or how to write emails and SMS messages to their friends. We will give your child listening, reading and writing strategies to build on in the future.

An average of 8 students per class

with a maximum of 10

Case StudyTeamwork is an essential part of the Case Study lesson. Each week students are given a task to accomplish in English. They could, for example, design a marketing campaign to attract more visitors to the local town, plan a music festival, create a smart phone app or publish a school magazine.

Essential EnglishFrom ordering food in a café and asking for information at the Tourist Office to asking to try on shoes in a shoe shop, Essential English gives students the practical language they need to deal with everyday situations in English. We help students use natural language and whenever possible, we get students out and about in Sherborne with their teachers to use the language they have learned in real-life situations and encourage them to do the same on excursions.

Friday Mornings – experience academic subjects in EnglishOur Friday mornings give students the opportunity to experience academic subjects in English. We have Science, Mathematics, History and Business Studies mornings where students study a range of academic subjects through a variety of challenges and projects. For example, students may use and build on their Science and Mathematics skills in our popular Murder Mystery challenge where they are tasked with examining the crime scene and evidence to solve the mystery. In our Business Studies morning, students could work with a local entrepreneur to devise their own business plan or create a new marketing strategy for a local business.

Individual Lessons to focus on specific needs – an optional extra in addition to your group lessonsOur individual lessons are ideal for students who are studying for exams or who would like to look at a particular area of English in more depth. Each lesson is tailored by our skilled teachers to meet the student’s language needs and priorities.

ClassroomsAll classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards

28 lessons = 23 full hours per week

A variety of interactive lessons to improve your child’s communication skills

Build confidence and improve presentation skills

To complement the academic programme, each day students take part in a performance workshop to practise what they have learned in class and to build confidence in their spoken English.

Students work on a different theme each week to develop their cultural and linguistic awareness.

They are divided into teams for this activity, which gives them another opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. This workshop is a bridge between the academic and multi-activity programmes.

The culmination of the week is the highly entertaining extravaganza in which students showcase their performances on stage in the school theatre.

Two full-day and two half-day excursions per two-week stay

Students learn about excursion destinations in their lessons as well as the relevant language needed. Each excursion includes a tour of the area and also a visit to either a museum or place of historical or cultural interest.

For the half-day excursions students explore local destinations such as Weymouth, Salisbury, Glastonbury and Bath. For the weekend, possible destinations include London, Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter and Portsmouth.

High staff ratios to ensure safety on excursion

At least 1 staff member to 8 students

At least 1 staff member to 12 students. In addition there is always at least one manager on each excursion.

Our students are divided into 3 age groups. Each age group has 28 lessons (23 full hours) per week and lessons are adapted to age and level. All students have 15 hours of multi-activities and 6 hours of performance workshops per week as well as excursions on Wednesday afternoons and all day on Saturdays and Sundays

Younger students aged 9-13 are in our Junior group. Within this group, students will be in class with others of the same or similar age. Students are further divided according to their level in English. So they are in class with others of a similar age and level.

Students aged 14 (in the year) and 15 are in our Teens group and are also sub-divided according to their level in English.

Older students aged 16 (in the year) to 17 are in our Senior group and are also sub-divided according to their level in English.

Study English ✓ Practise English ✓ Use English ✓

28 lessons = 23 full hours per week

Excursions on Wednesday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday

15 hours of activities per week

6 hours of performance workshops per week

A typical week at Absolutely English Young Learners MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

Wake-up 08.00

08.15 - 08.55 BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST

until 08.30 followed by Assembly

09.00 - 09.45 Active Active Active Active Active Communication Communication Communication Communication Communication

09.45 - 10.30 Active Active Active Active Active Communication Communication Communication Communication Communication

10.30 - 10.45 BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK EXCURSION EXCURSION

10.45 - 11.30 Core Language Skills Core Language Skills Core Language Skills Core Language Skills Core Language Skills

11.30 - 12.15 Core Language Skills Core Language Skills Core Language Skills Core Language Skills Core Language Skills

12.15 - 13.15 LUNCH / FREETIME LUNCH / FREETIME LUNCH / FREETIME LUNCH / FREETIME LUNCH / FREETIME PACKED PACKED LUNCH LUNCH

13.15 - 14.15 Case Study Case Study Case Study Case Study

14.15 - 14.30 BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK

14.30 - 15.30 Essential English Essential English Essential English Essential English

15.30 - 15.45 changeover changeover EXCURSION

changeover changeover EXCURSION EXCURSION

15.45 - 16.45 Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Activities** Activities** Activities** Activities**

16.45 - 17.00 changeover changeover changeover changeover

17.00 - 18.00 Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Activities** Activities** Activities** Activities**

18.00 - 18.30 changeover changeover changeover changeover

18.30 - 19.30 DINNER / FREETIME DINNER / FREETIME DINNER / FREETIME DINNER / FREETIME DINNER / FREETIME BBQ / FREETIME DINNER / FREETIME

19.30 - 20.30 Performance Performance Performance Performance Performance Performance Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop

Sports and 20.30 - 20.45 changeover changeover changeover changeover Leisure changeover

Farewell Activities

20.45 - 21.45 Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Sports and Leisure Evening Sports and Leisure Activities Activities Disco/ Activities Extravaganza Activities

21.45 - 22.15 FREE TIME FREE TIME

Talent Show

FREE TIME FREE TIME FREE TIME FREE TIME FREE TIME

22.45 Students lights out Students lights out Students lights out Students lights out Students lights out Students Students lights out lights out

*This timetable is subject to change ** Or Tennis/Golf Academy if booked

In addition to the intensive academic course, we provide a varied and structured multi-activity programme. This means that students can continue practising their English through a variety of fun and challenging activities.

A choice of at least 15 different activities per week. Something for everyone.At the beginning of each week students can choose from a wide range of different activities using our excellent on-site facilities. These include extensive playing fields, sports hall, rock-climbing wall, swimming pool, a dance studio, all weather pitches and squash, tennis and volleyball courts.

Amongst other sports activities on offer are:• Tennis • Badminton • Rugby • Volleyball • Field Hockey • Basketball• Table Tennis • Football • Swimming • Squash

We also offer:• Dance • Drama • Music • Computers • Film • Team Building / Leadership

Discover a new activity with a qualified instructor at no extra charge• Fencing • Rock Climbing • Archery • Drumming • Arts and Crafts

In addition, we have a disco and/or talent show every Wednesday evening, sports afternoon and our Friday evening extravaganzas.

Our enthusiastic team of Activity Organisers, led by our Sports and Leisure Manager, will guide your child through all aspects of their time outside of the classroom. Whether it is during the activity sessions, out on excursion or at the airport, our Activity Organisers are always on hand to ensure your child has a fun and safe stay with us.

The safety of your child and the quality of our programme are paramount. That’s why we have an average of at least 1 staff member to 3 children on site - probably the highest staff ratio of all English language summer schools.

We operate a 24 hour emergency number and students are never allowed off campus unsupervised. Our experienced welfare team is always at hand and are based in our comfortable, well-equipped medical centre.

Keep in touch with what your child is doing during their stay with us by visiting our blog at www.absenglish.co.uk/blog.

Safe location

The prestigious Sherborne Girls school is located in the charming town of Sherborne in Dorset. Sherborne is a safe, picturesque location of historical interest in one of England’s most beautiful counties. Sherborne is home to Sherborne Abbey and Sherborne Castle.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided on-site at the School. Boys and girls are in separate accommodation in their age groups. Accommodation types are subject to availability and include single, double, triple and quad rooms and also single cubicles.

Each boarding house has its own comfortable lounge area for socialising and relaxation.All our managers live on site and our activities staff are accommodated in the same boarding houses to ensure supervision.

Meals

We provide a variety of British and international dishes. Meals are cooked on site and there is always plenty of choice including vegetarian options. As well as breakfast, lunch and dinner we provide an evening snack at the end of the activities programme.

Airport transfers

Our trained staff will meet your child at the airport and see them safely through passport control on departure. They will always wait if a flight is delayed. We recommend arriving at London Heathrow or Bristol airports but can arrange transfers from other UK airports/locations on request.

Develop your tennis and golf skills with our qualified professional coaches.

As an alternative to our afternoon multi-activity slots, and on payment of a supplement, you can now choose to enrol your child in either our Tennis or Golf Academy. Small coaching groups mean your child will receive individual attention from our coaches and therefore the opportunity to make maximum progress.

Tennis Academy

8 hours of tuition per week with one of our Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) qualified coaches. The Sherborne Girls campus offers exceptional tennis facilities with both hard and grass courts available. All Tennis Academy tuition will take place on-site at Sherborne Girls.

Golf Academy

8 hours of tuition per week with one of our Professional Golf Association (PGA) qualified coaches. Sherborne Golf Club is conveniently located only 5 minutes drive from the School. Students will receive coaching from the club’s head professional with many years experience teaching from complete beginner to professional level.

No hidden costs. Our package includes:• Oxford Online Placement Test before the stay

• Initial evaluation on arrival

• Lessons and performance workshops

• All learning materials

• Academic report and leaving certificate

• Structured multi-activity programme

• Excursions (including all entrance fees)

• All meals and accommodation

• Laundry service at least once a week

Our price includes everything except your child’s pocket money during the stay and transport to the centre

And finally, an international atmosphere of tolerance, respect and courtesy leading to a fun, intercultural experience that your child will never forget.

A caring family-run school creating a friendly family atmosphere.

Quality and Safety – a ratio of at least 1 staff member to 3 children on campus

An average of 8 students per class grouped according to age and level,

with a maximum of 10

23 full hours of tuition per week

A strong academic focus with qualified teachers committed to improving your

child’s English language skills

An experienced management team who work for us year round

Many summer staff return year after year ensuring continuity and quality

15 hours of well-supervised and structured activities per week including sport, drama,

music, computers, arts and crafts, exam skills and team building/leadership.

Opportunities to continue practising English outside the classroom during meals, breaks,

activities and excursions.

Discos, talent show, sports afternoon and Friday evening extravaganzas

An additional 6 hours of performance workshops to build confidence, encourage teamwork and enhance presentation skills

Two full-day and two half-day excursions per two-week stay.

www.absenglish.co.uk

www.absenglish.co.uk/blog