Congress Oxford Summer School Residential English Language and British Culture Programmes for international students Junior School: 15-17 years Senior School: 18 years and over 13-24 August 2018 08-19 April 2019 12-23 August 2019 Oxford, United Kingdom
English is an international language, and perhaps the most common communication tool among people of different regions. Thus, the ability to communicate effectively in English is critical to making the most of not only the educational and job opportunities in Englishspeaking countries, but also to converse with others across the world.
Why Oxford? The beautiful and historical City of Oxford is one of the world s greatest and oldest intellectual hubs, housing two universities, state-of-the-art hospitals and several research and business centres. In particular, the University of Oxford founded in the early 12 th century is the oldest and one of the most prestigious educational establishments in the United Kingdom. Oxford has produced many of the world s leaders in science, politics, civil service and business, including 50+ Nobel Laureates, 25+ British Prime Ministers and 50 Olympic medal-winners. Oxford is not just a great seat for learning; its unique charm extends to its convenient and central location, easy access to London and international airports, historical buildings, excellent shops in the newly-built Westgate Centre and Bicester Village - one of Europe s largest designer outlets. So Oxford is a perfect place for an introduction to the world! Our purpose We want to encourage young students to develop and enhance their English language communication skills, and to explore the British culture. The experience we offer will help them to realise their true potential to contribute to their own society by their new language skills, assist in their commitment to developing their careers, and demonstrate their interest in increasing intercultural understanding. Our teaching staff is professional, qualified and experienced in teaching international students
Programme dates & fee All programmes are scheduled to take place at St Hilda s College an affiliate college of the University of Oxford. Enrolment for all three programmes is open. Programme Duration Start End Fee (GBP) August 2018 2 weeks 13 August 24 August 4200 April 2019 2 weeks 08 April 19 April 4200 August 2019 2 weeks 12 August 23 August 4200 If you enrol up to 8 weeks before the programme start date, a minimum of 600 non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your place, although you may pay the full fee at the time of your enrolment. The remaining balance ( 3600) must be paid at least 8 weeks before the start date. If you enrol within 8 weeks of the programme start date, the full fee must be paid to secure your place. To apply for: Eligibility our junior school, you must be aged 15-17 on the first day of the programme. our senior school, you must be aged 18 or over on the first day of the programme. We recommend an early enrolment to avoid disappointment, as there are only a limited number of places available on each programme. Please visit our website for online enrolment and further information. Included in the enrolment fee: Assistance with airport transfers between London Heathrow and Oxford Accommodation (single rooms for senior school or twin rooms for junior school separate accommodation for boys and girls) upgrade to ensuite accommodation may be possible at an extra 30 per night Onsite breakfast, lunches, scheduled dinners and refreshments Classes and study material Guest lecture(s) (to be given by University of Oxford academics) Free Wi-Fi at the programme venue Social activities and field trips (coach/bus travel is included but entry fees to attractions and the cost of outside meals are not included) UK Value Added Tax Not included in the enrolment fee: Travel (air and coach travel to and from Oxford) Personal shopping Medical and personal insurance Who should attend? Anyone interested in enhancing their English language communication skills and exploring the British culture! For example, someone: at a senior school, starting university/college soon or taking a gap year already studying at a university, interested in improving communication in English studying courses such as physical and life sciences, globalisation, environmental sciences, business, economics, politics, foreign services, international relations, music, sports science, etc, that will require interacting with professionals across the globe planning to study in an English-speaking country considering laboratory research or higher studies in science and technology, or other disciplines that will require communication and interaction with international collaborators involved in international sporting events, such as Tokyo 2020 summer Olympics or western sports
We provide highly-focussed English Language and British culture programmes at prestigious University of Oxford affiliate colleges in the heart of the city. Our topic-oriented and highly-interactive programmes are aimed at stimulating and activating interest in the English language through a range of tried-and-tested, vibrant and innovative teaching methods, intended at enhancing students reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, and giving them the confidence to communicate and express themselves in front of an audience. Our programmes will feature: About our English language and British culture programmes Professional and qualified staff, with extensive experience in teaching Japanese students Excellent, tailored course content for all levels, from elementary to advanced, aimed at enhancing communication skills Small group teaching for individual support Over 40 hours of teaching Interactive, dynamic and innovation teaching methods, incorporating enjoyable activities, to give students confidence, independence and the communication skills they need Student-led sessions involving planning and managing of activities, such as drama, group discussions, presentations, competitions and written projects both in a team and as individuals An insider s taste of the British culture through a range of social and cultural activities, field trips and British sports Cultural excursions Students will experience a variety of excursions and exposure to a diverse range of cultural experiences during our programmes. Places to visit will be selected from the lists below:- In and around Oxford: Blenheim Palace (Sir Winston Churchill s birthplace), Oxford Museums (including Ashmolean, Natural History, Pitt Rivers, Science Museum), Old Oxford Churches (some dating back to 10th century AD), Oxford Colleges, Botanic Gardens, Covered Market, newly-built Westgate Shopping Centre, Bicester Shopping Village, Cotswold Villages. Outside Oxford: Warwick Castle, Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare s birthplace), Stonehenge, London Bridge, Hyde Park, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square.
The timetable below shows an overview of our English language and British culture programmes for students aged 18 years and over. Similar programmes will be run for the junior school. All teaching will be carried out at St Hilda s College. Week 1 Sample timetable Monday Up to 1700h Student Arrival & Registration 1900h 2000h Welcome Dinner Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 0800h-0900h Breakfast 0915h-1300h 1300h-1400h Introduction to the staff, course & the British culture Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lunch Lesson 5 Lesson 7 Lesson 8 1400h-1530h Lesson 1 Lesson 4 Lesson 6 Lesson 9 1600h-1830h 1900h-2000h Walking tour of Oxford Town Centre Visit to Oxford colleges Cultural trip to Blenheim Palace Punting and sports Cultural activity: Traditional fish and chips dinner Cultural day trip to London, Stratford-upon- Avon (Shakespeare s birth place) or Windsor Castle Free time 1300h: Trip to Oxford Museums Cultural activity: Traditional British Sunday roast Week 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 0800h-0900h Breakfast Lessons 10 Lesson 13 Lesson 16 Lesson 19 0915h-1300h Lesson 11 Lesson 14 Lesson 17 Lesson 20 1300h-1400h Lunch 1400h-1530h Lesson 12 Lesson 15 Lesson 18 Lesson 21: 1600h-1830h 1900h-2000h 1600h-1700h: Talk by a University of Oxford academic (topic and speaker to be confirmed) 1700h-2100h: Free time 1530h-1915h: Group discussions and misc activities, free time, followed by dinner in College 1930h: Talent show by students Cultural activity: Traditional British afternoon tea Trip to Oxford Museums Graduation ceremony Farewell Gala Dinner Student departure
Travel We are happy to assist students with airport transfers. If you are planning to arrive a day or so before the start of the programme, please let us know as soon as possible to ensure that you have accommodation available for your additional stay (additional charges will apply). We expect all students to arrive by 1700h on day 1 of the programme for registration and the welcome dinner. We will do our best to provide dinner for late arriving students, although this cannot be guaranteed. Please note that the cost of air and coach/taxi travel is not included in the enrolment fee. The cost of travel to attractions and cultural visits is, however, included. Accommodation All students will be housed in the gated and secure St Hilda s College campus accommodation (Wolfson, Garden and South Buildings) to give them a taste of Oxford student life. Standard twin rooms will be provided for junior students and single rooms for senior students. Keeping in mind the cultural sensitivities of the various regions, boys and girls will be housed in separate corridors. Junior school members will have dedicated supervisors for assistance, who will be Oxford Undergraduate students. All rooms will have a washbasin and shared facilities. Generally there are 2-3 showers, 3 toilets, and a kitchen area per floor. Each floor usually houses 12-13 students. An upgrade to en-suite accommodation may be possible at an extra 30 per night (subject to availability of rooms). Students will also have access to the college laundry service. Students will have access to the college dining hall for breakfast and meals. Refreshments will be provided mid-morning during lessons. Students will be given dinner vouchers to eat in the college throughout the programme, but will also have the flexibility to eat out at their own expense. Packed lunches can be provided during any out-of-town excursions. Please let us know at the time of enrolment and as soon as possible thereafter if you have any special dietary requirements. Meals
Our academic & support teams Academic Team We have gathered one of the finest and highly-qualified English teaching teams with ample experience in working with international students. Our teaching is led by the Programme Director, Mr Michael Newell, St Hilda s College, Oxford, who has been teaching international students for many years and has always received glowing feedback. All our associate teaching staff are native English speakers and are qualified to teach English as a foreign language, also with several years of experience teaching international students. Mr Mike Newell Director of the Teaching Programme Hi, I m Mike Newell. I obtained an undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature in 1997 from the Open University, whilst developing a career in senior management posts at Oxford Brookes University. Seeking a career change, I left Oxford Brookes University in 2009 and joined the University of Oxford in 2010. Between 2009 and 2010, I travelled and also earned my CELTA qualification to enable me to teach English as a Foreign Language. Having held some administrative posts at St Hilda s College since 2010, I began teaching English to international students in 2011. Alongside me will be a team of dedicated and professional teachers who share my passion for teaching and making a difference to young lives. In addition, I am also a qualified first-aider. Support Team Student welfare and Health and Safety is of paramount importance to us. We understand that for most of the students this may be their first time away from home. Thus, in addition to our academic team, we will also have a dedicated support team of college mentors, who are Oxford undergraduate students, to help students at the campus, around the city and during excursions. In consideration of the cultural sensitivities of various part of the world, boys and girls will be housed in separate accommodations, and junior school members will have dedicated supervisors. Moreover, we will have reasonable safety regulations in place, ensuring our students have a safe and happy experience.
Our core values Honesty, Integrity and Trust If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us. Website: CongressOxford.com Email: CongressOxford@LPMHealthcare.com or CongressOxford@gmail.com Twitter: @CongressOxford Facebook: facebook.com/congressoxforduk Tel: +44 1865 600222 We look forward to seeing you in the beautiful and historic city of Oxford! The Congress Oxford Summer School was established by Dr M Sohail a University of Oxford academic since 1991 and CEO of LibPubMedia Ltd and Mr M Newell of St Hilda s College, Oxford an English language and British culture teacher, who has worked with international students for several years. The Congress Oxford Summer School is a subsidiary of LibPubMedia Ltd an Oxford-based company, established by University of Oxford academics and alumni, which has been providing excellence in communication via state-of-the-art conferences, symposia, training courses, workshops, and publications and editorial services since 2005. Based on our long-standing commitment with communication, education and scientific research, we are well-placed for making a positive and substantial contribution to the teaching of English language and the British culture to benefit non-english speakers. Dr Sohail is the Managing Director of the School and is responsible for the administrative matters and will be the main student/parent contact, while Mr Newell is the Director of Teaching and looks after the academic aspects.