Who is this course for?
Young learners who want to combine English language study, activities and cultural visits.
Course outcomes
Your child will develop:
Join us this summer to study our flagship English Explorer programme, which offers a holistic language experience which is immersive, flexible and lots of fun.
- Course type
- Young Learners
- Age of student
- 11-17
- Language level
- Beginner (A1) - Proficient (C2)
- Staff/student ratio
- 1:6
- Maximum class size
- 14
- Lesson hours per week
- 15 hours.
- Course dates
- June, July or August
- Price
- From £2,680 per two week course (£1,175 per week at Bell St Albans)
- Location
- Bell St Albans , Bloxham School, Oxfordshire , The Leys School, Cambridge , Wellington College, Berkshire
- Confidence and become more independent as learners and users of English
- Core English language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking)
- Vocabulary, pronunciation and understanding of grammar
- Skills in their chosen electives or academy option
- Essential life skills (teamwork, independence and communication)
- A portfolio of work
- An international network of friends
I came to Bell to improve my English, especially my vocabulary. At home we only study reading and writing; here we do more and improve through activities.
#mybellstory
Philip
Germany
Course description
Project-based English lessons
30 hours per two week course (15 hours per weekly course at St Albans)
English lessons include projects which are designed around the school’s weekly theme. Small groups of students work together on their projects focusing on each child’s language knowledge and skills development. Students at Bloxham, The Leys and Wellington also have the opportunity to demonstrate their language skills by preparing for and taking the Trinity College London Speaking exam (GESE).
Project themes at Bell St Albans
- Global party
- Shop till you drop!
- Food for thought
- Epic experiments
- Planet social
- Law and order
- Magical minds
- Now trending!
- Discovery voyage
- Building the future
- Break a leg!
- Fair play
Project themes at Bloxham, The Leys and Wellington
- Planet social
- Magical minds
- Discovery voyage
- Now trending!
Bell Academies
18 hours per two-week course
Bell academies give students the chance to specialise in one particular area of interest such as tennis, performing arts or horse-riding. Delivered by professionals with many years of industry experience, students practise their English while focused on learning or developing their chosen skill.
Academy options incur an additional charge and are booked in advance.
View a summary of each academy below.
Football Academy at Wellington College
Students will receive professional football coaching from Reading FC Community Trust. Coaches are qualified by the FA and have extensive experience with both male and female footballers.
Coaching will cover technical aspects of the game including:
- Dribbling
- Passing
- Shooting
- Heading
- Tackling
- Goalkeeping.
Students will get a chance to put all these skills into practice through supervised matches. The academy also includes a guided tour of the Madejski Stadium, home to Reading FC.
Performing Arts Academy at Wellington College
Taught by an experienced Performing Arts Specialist, students will improve their theatrical skills through activities such as:
- Acting
- Singing
- Dancing
- Stage management
- Costume and set design.
Students will have their moment in the spotlight as they create an end-of-course production to be performed to their fellow students and Bell staff.
Horse-riding Academy at Wellington College
Our horse-riding academy takes place at a long-established equestrian school, approved by the British Horse Society and Association of British Riding Schools.
Led by professional trainers, students will:
- Develop their riding skills including walking, trotting and cantering
- Learn about stable management and how to care for horses
- Learn how to safely handle and tack up horses in the stables.
Students will have the opportunity to display what they have learnt during the academy at a final 'tack and turnout' show and will be presented with a certificate and rosette to celebrate their achievements.
Tennis Academy at The Leys School
The tennis academy option is ideal for students who want to receive professional tennis tuition. All coaches are qualified by the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and have experience in teaching students of all abilities.
Students will play on a range of surfaces, working on their forehand, backhand, volley shots and services and will get to apply their newly learnt skills in regular games.
As the UK is the home of grass court tennis, students will have the chance to practise playing on this surface and learn about the different skills and techniques required.
Art and Design Academy at Bloxham
Our Art and Design academy is perfect for budding artists who want to improve their creative skills.
Led by an experienced art teacher, students will develop their personal creativity and explore different artistic styles.
- Animation
- Drawing
- Painting
- Graphic design
- Sculpting.
Students will work towards creating a bespoke piece of art to showcase their hard work and artistic flair.
Elective programme
18 hours per two week course (9 hours per weekly course at St Albans)
Students at Bell 'learn by doing', so the activity programme is an integral part of the course and allows young learners to practise and develop what they have learnt in lessons. Our afternoon activities – electives and academy options – are designed to improve communication and confidence while developing academic, creative and active skills.
Electives at St Albans
A selection of active, creative and academic electives will be available each week. Choose your activities on arrival.
Examples include:
- Art and crafts
- British literature
- Cricket
- Dance
- Dodgeball
- Drama
- Film and photography
- Football
- Handball
- Health and fitness
- Journalism
- Lacrosse
- Music
- Orienteering
- Rounders
- Table Tennis
- Volleyball
Electives at Bloxham School
Students choose three electives on arrival at Bloxham.
The following electives are always on offer at this site:
- Creative writing
- Dance
- Film-making
- Pool sports and swimming
- Tennis
A selection of other electives will also be available on each course. Examples include:
- British literature
- British sports
- Cooking
- Cricket
- Dodgeball
- Fashion design
- Football
- Fine arts
- Journalism
- Volleyball
Try our Art & Design Academy at Bloxham (book in advance).
Electives at The Leys
Students choose three electives on arrival at The Leys.
The following electives are always on offer at this site:
- Basketball
- Drama
- Football
- Journalism
- Photography in Cambridge
A selection of other electives will also be available on each course. Examples include:
- Art and crafts
- British literature
- Cambridge culture
- Cooking
- Cricket
- Dance
- Dodgeball
- Handball
- Health and fitness
- Rounders
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Try our Tennis Academy at The Leys (book in advance).
Electives at Wellington College
Students choose three electives on arrival at Wellington.
The following electives are always on offer at this site:
- British sports
- Contemporary art
- Event management
- Presentations and debates
- Volleyball
A selection of other electives will also be available on each course. Examples include:
- Art and crafts
- British literature
- Cricket
- Dodgeball
- Football
- Handball
- Health and fitness
- Journalism
- Photography
- Rounders
- Rugby
Try our Football, Horse-riding or Performing Arts Academies at Wellington College (book in advance).
Study tours
3 full day study tours per two week course (1-2 days per one week course at St Albans)
Students learn about British life and culture through study tours to historic UK destinations such as London, Oxford, Cambridge and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Study tours are learning opportunities outside the classroom and are part of the academic programme. Students are prepared for the study tour in class, given a task to do on the trip and have a feedback lesson afterwards. Young learners are carefully supervised on all study tours.
Other activities
25.5 hours per two week course (9 hours per one week course at St Albans)
After lessons, afternoon activities and a delicious dinner, students have an evening activity – more chance for your child to learn and practise English. Examples of evening activities include team-building challenges, treasure hunts and film nights.
Trinity College London Speaking exam
Students have the option to demonstrate their language skills by preparing for and taking the Trinity College London Speaking exam (GESE) at the end of their course. This is optional and is available at Bloxham School, The Leys School and Wellington College.
Course includes
- Accommodation at your chosen school
- All meals
- All social activities and study tours
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure with Bell staff
- Free internet access
- Free laundry service
- Comprehensive insurance
Summer Explorer sample timetable
