Spring Explorer

A social and cultural learning experience in which the students will find out more about the differences and perhaps more importantly, the similarities that lie between them and their respective cultural origins.

Topics may include:

• Diversity and globalisation
• International relations and trade
• Education around the world

Example learning outcomes:

• Cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills will be developed throughout this course.
• Students will develop their study skills, cross-cultural awareness and self-reflection abilities.
• Students will improve their ability to use comparative and superlative adjectives to talk about their similarities and differences.

Study tours: London (including a trip to Madame Tussauds) and Cambridge.

In this project, the students will focus on the impact of science and technology and the ‘Great British’ innovations and inventions which have shaped our modern world.

Topics may include:

• Great discoveries and developments.
• Historical Inventions.
• Design and technology project.

Example learning outcomes:

• Students will use HOTS to apply their new ideas to their projects and design challenges.
• Students will receive practical guidance on developing study skills to improve their English proficiency which can also be applied to other academic areas.
• Students will learn to use the present perfect to discuss how different innovations have changed their lives and society.

Study tours: London (including a trip to The Science Museum) and Bristol.

This course develops the students’ awareness and understanding of a range of written material. Typical projects may include research into key British literary figures and their respective works, studying magazines and news articles from a variety of different media. The students will develop all of their language skills whilst widening their general knowledge of English literature and its influence on British society and culture.

Topics may include:

• An examination of the lives and works of Britain’s greatest writers.
• Researching how accomplished writers develop stories.
• Profiling the characters from popular works of fiction.

Example learning outcomes:

• Students will learn to use a range of narrative tenses to complete their story writing/telling activities.
• Students will develop their reading skills and range of vocabulary by reading a variety of literature.
• Students will collaborate on a creative piece of performance art based on a famous British play or novel.

Study tours: London (including a trip to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre) and Oxford.

This course will open students’ eyes to some of hidden wonders of the natural world. During which, the students will also gain more insight into the importance of developing global solutions in order address environmental issues and raise awareness of the plight of our planet.

Topics may include:

• An investigation into a range of amazing natural phenomena.
• An examination of the global impact of human activity on the planet.
• A study into natural disasters, their causes and effects.

Example learning outcomes:

• Students will learn functional language for participating in presentations and debates.
• Students will improve their knowledge and use a range of modal verbs to give guidance on environmental issues.
• Students will develop and employ critical thinking skills to make connections between cause and effect.

Study tours: London (including The Natural History Museum).

Sample active electives:

• Archery
• British school games
• Football
• Health and fitness

Sample academic electives:

• British literature
• Creative writing
• Journalism
• Presentations and debates

Sample creative electives:

• Art and Design
• Dance
• Drama
• Photography and film-making