13-16 year olds, girls and boys (English level: Elementary to Advanced) 
These prestigious Oxford University Summer English Courses offer international students an unparalleled learning experience at famous University of Oxford, where students live and study in the college of Oxford University just like university’s own undergraduates.
The programme of Oxford University Summer English Courses combines an intensive English Language course with a wide range of sporting, social, culture activities and excursions designed for 13-16 year olds. Students follow a structured communicative English Language syllabus with the emphasis on Speaking and Listening skills. It also includes several hours of ‘interactive English’ in which students create their own videos, newspaper articles, blogs or drama productions.
The intensive programme includes 25 hours per week structured English lessons, varied activities and fantastic excursions. Students are given an English level assessment on the first morning to make sure they are placed in the right class to really enjoy and learn as much as possible. They will be taught by qualified EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers who have ability to make language learning fun. Students will also have opportunity to study some of their favourite subjects in English, through European groundbreaking teaching method CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning). This provides added motivation and engagement for students by studying topics directly related to their interests.
The multi-tier syllabus incorporating language study, academic skills, electives, group project and excursion link sessions.
- English Language Study: The lessons focus on the communicative style of language learning and provide grammar and vocabulary tailored to a student’s ability. The language for life lessons also integrate a wider range of topics including learner training, literacy, culture and life skills.
- Academic Skills: Lessons give students an introduction to exam techniques and is designed to help students improve the skills of their academic reading, writing, listening and speaking over two hours per week.
- Electives: During these sessions, students sign up for a choice of vocational subjects to enhance their English language learning, such as photography, creative writing and IELTS Preparation.
- Excursion Link Lessons: The lessons bridge the gap between the academic and activity programme. Lessons cover local history, culture of the area and vocabulary relating to the landmarks before they embark on full-dau excursions.
- Group Projects: Group projects aim to encourage teamwork, participation and communication through the completion of real-world tasks that use English with an authentic purpose. The weekly project culminates in a presentation evening in which groups display and present their work.
- Assessment: At the end of the course, teachers will assess students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as their overall English proficiency to provide students with a realistic determination of their English ability. All students will receive a certificate of recommended English level measured against the CEFR scale, which can be applied against other international English exams such as Cambridge ESOL & IELTS.
The comprehensive syllabus is combined with fun activity programme and cultural excursions, where students are encouraged to exchange ideas, collaborate, show initiative and improve their confidence whilst having fun.
Course essentials:
Oxford University Summer English Courses consist of a well-balanced programme of English tuition, activities, sports and excursions. The structured programme includes:
- 25 hours of tuition per week
- Multi-tier syllabus incorporating language study, academic skills, electives, group project and excursion link sessions
- 2 full day excursions and trip per week
- End-of-course Assessment & Certificate
- Full afternoon and evening activity programme
- Maximum class size of 12 students
- Insurance and Airport transfers (Heathrow & Gatwick airports between 10:00-20:00 GMT)
Activities:
Outside language tuition, students will improve language skills through a broad range of sporting, cultural and entertaining activities, such as:
- Quiz Night
- Punting
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Football,
- Drum
- Bowling
- Arts & Crafts
- Summer Fete
- Media Night
- Sports Tournaments
- Karaoke
- Trash Fashion Show
- Scavenger Hunt
- Casino
- Discos
- Film Night
- The Cube
- Film Making
- Inflatables
- Musical & Dance
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Table Tennis
- Talent Shows
- You Bet
Excursions:
Excursions are a vital part of the summer experience for international students to gain a cultural understanding of the UK alongside English language study. Students will have 2 full day excursions and trips each week to experience the rich cultural heritage of Britain. The choices include:
- Buckingham Palace
- Houses of Parliament
- West End Musical
- Natural History Museum
- Hyde Park
- London Eye
- British Museum
- Southbank Walking Tour
- Oxford Street
- Oxford Castle & Ashmolean Museum
- Banbury
- Bourton on the Water
- Bognor Regis
- Thorpe Park
- Blenheim Palace
- Stratford and Warwick
- Bath
- Cambridge
- Shepreth Wildlife Park
- Stonehenge
- Portsmouth
- Windsor Castle & Eton College
- Brighton beach
- Leeds Castle
- Canterbury Cathedral
- Ely/Ely Cathedral
The sample timetables below include a typical weekly programme and a typical day of Oxford University Summer English Courses.
Boarding:
Students will study and live in St Hilda’s College of Oxford University, which is one of the riverside colleges of the University, situated next to Magdalen Bridge, famous for punting, and is a short walk away from the centre of Oxford.
Girls and boys are accommodated separately in College’s twin rooms with shared bathrooms. Porters’ Lodge entrances are manned 24 hours a day.
Meals:
Well balanced, nutritious cooked meals are provided in college’s wonderful, historic dining room. Drinks and biscuits are available in the lesson breaks. Packed lunches are provided for excursions.
Facilities:
Large, modern auditorium, well-equipped sports hall, tennis courts and playing fields. Student computer room. Wi-Fi available throughout.
Laundry:
Coin operated washing and drying machines on college premises, paid by summer school.
The University of Oxford, informally referred to as Oxford University or simply Oxford, was the first University in the English-speaking world. The university has a long history. After a dispute with townsfolk, some academics left Oxford and established the University of Cambridge. These two “ancient universities” share many common features and regularly contends with each other for first place in the UK league tables, and are often collectively referred to as Oxbridge.
Oxford has been producing leaders for 800 years. Throughout its history, Oxford has produced gifted men and women in every sphere of human endeavour who have studied or taught at the University. Among these are 26 British Prime Ministers, including the current one, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP; at least 30 international leaders; 50 Nobel Prize winners; 7 current holders of the Order of Merit; at least 12 saints and 20 Archbishops of Canterbury; and some 120 Olympic medal winners.
Achieving and sustaining world-class excellence in every area of teaching and research is at the heart of the University of Oxford’s mission. The University of Oxford is consistently ranked among the foremost universities in the world. According to the 2012 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings – based on a survey of 17,554 academics over 149 countries – Oxford belongs to the elite group of six universities touted as the globally recognised ‘super-brands’. Oxford has held the first position in the Times Good University Guide for eleven consecutive years. In the 2012 QS World University Rankings, Oxford was placed fifth in the world and third in the UK. With the exception of 2010, it has been consistently in the top five since the QS rankings began in 2004.
With its prestigious status and a distinctive and personal method of teaching, the University of Oxford is a great place to be a student. Each year, Oxford welcomes talented students from over 140 different countries and territories which make up a third of student population of over 20,000. However, like Cambridge University, the University of Oxford picks the best and brightest students purely on their academic merit and passion for their chosen course. Most applicants who are called for interview will have been predicted at least three A-grade A-level qualifications relevant to their chosen undergraduate course, or the equivalent in other qualifications.
