Job Discussion Forums

[ISSAKAB]

Brother and sister 10 and 14 years. Sister is A1 - 2, brother will be A 1 by June. Looking for good summer camp in UK or Ireland with other international students, so they're forced to speak English. Any recommendations, organisations you've had first hand experience of will be greatly appreciated.
Students also want English with sports activities.

Many thanks.

[scot47]

Tell the parents not to waste their money There are more effective and safer ways for kids to improve their English without paying thousands to go to Brighton.

[cormac]

There's a scheme in my hometown (Athlone, Ireland) for Spanish students of the same age group, and I have to agree with scot47, it's mostly a waste of time and money. Good for exposing them to a different culture but a waste for english learning. The kids will spend more time talking to each other in (whatever) language other than english, or will simply mumble yes/no to everything.

[desertdawg]

I worked for vacationalstudies in Southern England for several years in the nineties. I thought it was excellent with multinational students who had to speak English. I remember a class of 12 with 7 or 8 nationalities. The sports and activities were also really good. I would recommend it. It's still going with the same owner.

I worked at several other summer schools afterwards and would agree with the previous posters.

[ISSAKAB]

having had first hand experience working for one of the major players in the UK one summer sounds like my experiences were the rule not the exception. Indeed a waste of money.

Any ideas anyone on how they could get some total immersion with other young people of similar age?

[Knedliki]

I know someone who taught at this summer school run by Manchester City. The fees are ridiculous but some people will pay for this kind of thing.

https://soccercampsinternational.com/england-soccer-camps/manchester-city-soccer-camps/

[scot47]

They pay for "Total Immersion" and the kids spend their time talking to other students from the same language background. Same with ERASMUS students. I used to marvel at the gangs of Spanish students going round Wolverhampton together.

As for the "Manchester City" summer school I will make no comment, contemptuous or otherwise.

[In the heat of the moment]

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