Programme
ACADEMIC LEISURE BSS EXPERIENCE FEATURING TRUE ME CULTURAL
Academic programme
Class size
The maximum class size is 14.
Placement test
Students are asked to complete an online grammar/vocabulary test 2-4 weeks before arrival. On arrival, they take a short speaking and writing test to confirm all aspects of their English level.
Levels of English
Seven levels of English are available from A1 (Beginners) to C2 (Proficiency), depending on the course.
Teaching staff
All teachers, senior teachers and directors of studies are suitably qualified and / or experienced for the role.
Teaching methodology
Our teachers teach in a communicative, open and friendly way. They plan and deliver interesting lessons using relevant and current topics that encourage active and authentic participation from all students.
Evaluation
Students’ understanding and progress are monitored by the teachers during the week and every Friday, there is a short assessment to make sure students are improving. The results of this assessment are reviewed by the academic management team in case any adjustments are required for the following week.
Certification
Students leave British Summer School with a course attendance certificate and an academic report from their Core English teacher.
META LEARNING
“HOW WE SYNTHESISE, REFLECT AND ADAPT”
Source: https://www.battelleforkids.org/networks/p21 (2009)
FRAMEWORK FOR
21st CENTURY LEARNING
ACADEMIC LEISURE BSS EXPERIENCE FEATURING TRUE ME CULTURAL
Leisure programme
We know that learning happens most effectively when interactions are natural and authentic and when students are actively involved. Not only do they learn from their teachers and coaches, they also learn from each other - and fast. The time our students spend on their sporting and leisure activities is just as valuable as the time spent on the more academic aspects of our courses.
Sports and leisure
Every day after lessons, students participate in a choice of different sports and recreational activities. These sessions, which are organised and supervised by staff, enable students to continue practising their listening and speaking skills while doing something they enjoy.
Sports
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Football
Kwik Cricket
Rounders
Squash
Table Tennis
Tennis
Touch Rugby
Volleyball
Recreational Activities
Art
Board Game Challenge
Bracelet Making
Cake Baking
Chess
Circuit Training
Countryside Trek
Dance Choreography
Drama Workshop
Karaoke
Kite Flying
Landscape Painting
Lego Competition
Make-up Workshop
Messy Games
Model Making
Origami
Quiz
Party Decorations Making
Swimming
Table Football Tournament
Tie-dye T-shirt Printing
Train Set Building
Ultimate Frisbee
Yoga
These sessions enable students to practise their listening and speaking skills while doing something they enjoy.
Sunday evenings play an integral part in the BSS Experience. On the first evening of a student’s arrival, it is important for them to feel welcome and relaxed as they start their summer school journey with BSS.
Through team games, icebreaker activities and fun challenges, students meet their peers, begin to build friendships, and gain an understanding of our mission - To put the student front and centre of everything we do, help them to focus, find their flow, discover their ‘True Me’ and prepare them to be future ready.
On Monday evenings, each boarding house organises a Housewarming event with fun games, helping students to build positive relationships with their peers and a strong sense of community and togetherness.
Tuesday to Thursday involves a diverse range of different team-based challenges and social events, such as:
Disco
Escape Room
House Song/Dance Competition
Murder Mystery
Olympic Games
Talent Show
On Friday, we celebrate! This gives students an opportunity to showcase the projects they have been working on, receive awards and achievements, and celebrate their BSS experience in a relaxed and safe environment.
True Me, Evaluation & Reflection
On Fridays during class time, students receive some self-evaluation time, supervised by their teacher. They reflect on what they have learned about themselves, their performance and how their personal skills, social skills, self-confidence, and authenticity have improved throughout the week.
The BSS Experience featuring True Me gently and subtly encourages students to:
Improve communication
Improve self-confidence
Enhance creativity
Accept others
Develop critical thinking skills
Respect diversity
Understand the importance of collaboration
Celebrate difference
Increase flexibility and adaptability
Live authentically
True Me is an internal British Summer School philosophy and is reflected in everything we do.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to know people, to learn and
to improve English
at the same time.”
“Yes, I would
recommend it,
because I think that the important thing is to learn English and make friends.”
ACADEMIC LEISURE BSS EXPERIENCE FEATURING TRUE ME CULTURAL
Cultural programme
Excursions are an important and compulsory part of the programme and enable students to visit London and other places of cultural and historical interest, go to the seaside as well as provide an opportunity for recreational activities and shopping.
Following a busy week at school, weekend excursions allow students to enjoy their new friendships in a more informal, genuine and relaxed setting.
Saturdays
These excursions are usually to London (not guaranteed) and can consist of a walking tour to see some of the famous sites and / or a visit to a famous tourist attraction, depending on the schedule and time available:
Walking Tour
Big Ben
Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guard
Covent Garden
10 Downing Street
Houses of Parliament
Oxford Street
Piccadilly Circus
Regents Street
South Bank
Trafalgar Square
tourist attractions
London Eye
London Transport Museum
Madame Tussaud’s
Natural History Museum
Riverboat Cruise
Science Museum
Tower of London
Sundays
This excursion usually consists of a visit to a local city or seaside town:
City Visit
Explore the town / city
Visit any local attractions
Have a walk along the promenade
Visit the pier
Go to a cafe
Go shopping