Spring and Summer Courses learning English at Saint Michael's

The aims of our spring & summer courses are as follows:
· to help students learn as much English as possible in their time at the school
· to ensure that students have an enjoyable holiday with us
· to encourage students to make new friends from all over the world

On arrival at the school students are given a placement test and subsequently allocated to class on the basis of ability and age. All ability levels, ranging from beginner to advanced, are catered for. There is a maximum of 15 students per class.

Students have twenty classes of English per week (each class lasts 50 minutes). These twenty classes are made up of 10 'main' classes, in which the emphasis is on more structured work and ten 'supplementary' classes, in which students use computers, prepare for excursions, play language learning games and so on.

The emphasis in all the classes is on speaking and listening. Students will be asked to do lots of work with a partner or in small groups, so that they can practise English as much as possible.

At the end of the course students are given a Saint Michael's College certificate of attendance. Each student also receives an individual report.

After classes for all students and in the evenings (for residential students only) a number of different activities are organised. These include things such as football, tennis, badminton, arts and crafts, swimming, volleyball, discos, quiz evenings, basketball and minibus trips to local towns.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays there are full-day excursions. These are to places such as London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester. Each excursion includes some free time as well as a cultural activity, e.g. a visit to Shakespeare's birthplace or a tour of London.

We also offer a number of optional activities, which include things such as ice-skating, horse riding, and trips to Alton Towers (Britain's best amusement park). As these are optional activities there is a charge for students wishing to join them.

Sports and Social Programme 2004

Students can choose either to live in the school residence or with carefully selected host families. Students who live in the residence usually share a bedroom with one or three other students. All meals and a laundry service are provided. The students are supervised at all times.

Students may also choose to live with one of our local host families. Students receive breakfast and evening meals with the family and lunch at school (packed lunches are provided on excursion days). Students in host families are brought to school and taken home every afternoon in school transport.

Great emphasis is placed on the care and supervision of the students on our spring & summer programmes. Students are very well looked after and have immediate access to members of staff if they have a problem.

The school has a nurse whom students may see if they are feeling unwell. In the event of a more serious medical or dental problem the nurse will arrange for the student to see a doctor or be taken to a local hospital.

Saint Michael's College is located in the region known as the 'Heart of England', close to the cities of Hereford and Worcester. The area, well known for its outstanding natural beauty, is an ideal location for parents seeking a safe, quiet and supportive environment for their children.

Facilities at the school include a computer room, an arts and crafts room, and 10 hectares of land which includes two football pitches, a small swimming pool and an all-weather multi purpose pitch (for basketball, five-a-side football and tennis).
We have also just opened our new student common room which includes a TV lounge, games room, internet cafe and disco / dance floor.