Page 50 - StudyTravel Magazine December 2016 Issue

language

SPOtligHt East anglia
Historic

East anglia

Comprising the counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suff olk, East Anglia is a region of the UK that
is rich in historical importance. Nicola Hancox talks to English language schools based there.

oasting good transport links to Social activities at Central include from China and Japan has increased,” says
major cities and nearby airports, punting on the River Cam, listening to the Patrick, while Italy has replaced Spain as its
the region of East Anglia is King’s College Choir or taking a walk to number one source year round.
b a sound choice for fi rst-time the historic town of Grantchester, relates Xplore www.xploretheworld.com has
international students looking to learn Joanne. At OISE, Mark says, “We have fi ve residential campuses off ering short-term
English in the UK. a fantastic and varied social programme junior language courses in East Anglia
Cambridge, the county town of running during the week and day trips to (Bury St Edmonds and Ipswich). Alongside
Cambridgeshire, is home to the second cultural places of interests with our partners language lessons students can enjoy a
oldest university in the English-speaking Travelsights during the weekends.” variety of adventure activities and additional
world. “Cambridge is a prime location for Suff olk is a county of equal historical courses, says Emma Devine.
committed language study,” says Mark importance. Bury St Edmonds boasts the With the highest concentration of
Tesar from OISE Cambridge www. smallest pub in the UK and the Abbey of medieval churches in the world (659),
cambridge.oise.com. And although students Bury St Edmunds, once among the richest Norfolk is another county with historical
make up a signifi cant proportion of the Benedictine monasteries in England. clout. Th e city is home to two universities,
town’s population (20 per cent), Cambridge “Incorporating local culture into our two cathedrals, two shopping centres and a
“off ers a unique ambience, where the programmes is something we take pride British Council-accredited language school
charm of tradition readily blends with the in,” relates Patrick Murphy at BLS English specifi cally catering for younger learners:
conveniences of modern urban life”, he adds. www.blsenglish.co.uk. Students are taken Th e English Experience School of English
Central Language School www. on a tour of the town upon arrival with www.englishexp.co.uk. “It is an ideal area
central-ls.co.uk is a small school with exploration of neighbouring historical areas for teenagers as Norwich/Norfolk is not
Christian values and a friendly, family- (Lavenham, Ely, Felixstowe) also built into inundated with international students in the
orientated feel. Welcoming of all faiths the social programme. summer,” relates Kate Ramsden.
and beliefs, it provides year-round tuition Th e Summer Teenager Intensive English As well as short English courses during
for students aged over 18 years. Europe is and Activities course is by far the school’s the school year, it also provides Trinity
the predominant student source region, busiest programme, says Patrick, running speaking examination courses and a School
however, “In the 20 years we have been from June through to September, while the Integration programme, where students
operating we have seen 90 diff erent Intensive plus Exam Preparation course have the chance to join in at an English
nationalities,” says Joanne Venter. is favoured by adults. Enjoying a diverse high school with English students.
With its main teaching base within the student body, “Th e number of student weeks nicolahancox@studytravel.network
university, students at ABC Languages
Cambridge www.abclanguages.com can a selection of language schools in East anglia, uK
soak up 800 years of academic excellence,
says Ben Whittaker. As well as a portfolio Courses Types of courses offered:
of general and exam courses, ABC also offered:
off ers more university-focused courses and a
wide range of specialised language training Min. length of course (in wks) Min. hrs. of classroom tuition p/w Minimum lang. profi ciency req.
for members of the scientifi c community, Min. student age accepted
outlines Ben. name of school Year-round Limited start dates summer vacation One-to-one Exam preparation Language plus Home tuition
Much of the social programming at Location General Business Intensive Other
participating language schools focuses
ABC Languages Cambridge ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 6 5 n
on the local environment. At Regent
BLs English Bury st Edmonds, ✓ v ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ wx 1 3 10 e
Cambridge www.regent.org.uk, students
suffolk
are taken on a free walking tour of the
Central Language Cambridge ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ p/c 1 6 18 e
city on their very fi rst day, according to school
Najah Hussein. Th e school, which typically
OIsE Cambridge ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ td 1 1 15 16 n n
PHOtO: abc languageS underwent major refurbishment this year, The English norwich, norfolk ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ s s 1 1 9 20 10 b n
welcomes students aged 30 and above,
Cambridge
15
16
Regent Cambridge
✓
✓
✓
✓
bringing it fi rmly into the 21st century. “We
Experience school
have created spaces for debating, presenting
Xplore
6
suffolk
✓
✓
✓
and video conferencing, and lots of space for
b beginner e elementary n none p/c included in all courses s school integration td overseas teacher development v varies wx work experience
socialising outside of lessons,” says Najah.
deceMber 2016 | Studytravel Magazine | 47