SUMMER COURSES
 

BORDEAUX INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL has been organising Summer School courses for many years and specialises in helping students gain high grades at GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and I.B.

Only very small groups are involved (average of 6), allowing genuine individual attention and maximum practice in oral French.

Summer school students benefit from the considerable experience that the full time international school has gained in preparing students for language exams since it was established in 1985.

Courses are organised during the period from the last week in June to the end of July. They are designed to help students to improve their level of French significantly while at the same time, enabling them to have an enjoyable holiday in France.

They are available to both individuals and groups, designed to meet the requirements of examination syllabuses, and can last from one to four weeks (we advise a minimum of two weeks).

To ensure that students make the most of their stay, a number of items are combined:

1) A PLEASANT AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT : we make sure that students enjoy every moment of their stay in the classroom, in activities they take part during their free time and in the time spent with their host family. We ensure that the whole learning environment is enjoyable, friendly and stimulating.

The school benefits from new premises, close to the town centre (on a direct bus route) providing excellent facilities for study and for activities outside the class.

2) THE HOST FAMILIES are very carefully chosen for the quality of the hospitality they provide. They enjoy having a foreign guest in their home and consider him or her as a member of their family, participating in all their activities whether social, cultural or leisure.

This is a very important aspect of the student’s practical language development; it not only helps to improve fluency and confidence in the most relaxed way, but it also gives a real opportunity to experience, at first hand, something of the French way of life. For parents whose children are perhaps going abroad on their own for the first time, it is reassuring to know that they will be looked after by a caring family all the time they are here, from being met at the airport or station if necessary, to the moment they leave.  It is hoped that links thus forged may well continue long after the student has left the French family.

There is a permanent contact – 24 hours a day – between the school and the host families.

3)  THE TEACHERS are enthusiastic, well qualified and familiar with examination requirements. They create an informal and stimulating working atmosphere, encouraging each student to participate and be instrumental in his or her own learning within the group.  The emphasis is on the language as a tool for communication, to be used in everyday life with the host family, outside the class and in examination situations. Teachers are always available for extra help and for advice.

4)  THE GROUPS are made up of an average of six students of the same age, level of ability and experience. This allows the class to be lively and dynamic with full participation from each student. At times a group may be subdivided for class purposes, to allow for more specific practice or for particular topics to be covered.

5) THE PROGRAMME CONTENT consists of 20 hours of class contact time per week. The results of an entrance test determine the course content designed for each group.

It takes into account the linguistic needs, the points of grammar to revise, consolidate or introduce; the pronunciation to be improved and the specific vocabulary to be covered.  These points are generally developed through role-play, games and other real life situations.

Written work is given to consolidate the class work and is expected to be done in the evenings.

According to the academic levels of the students, some specific aptitudes and techniques are developed and students are asked to contribute to the choice of topics they wish to study.  A set of media information is available to each student on a "self-serve" basis; these include newspapers, magazines, television, video, computer software and access to the Internet.  Students will be advised on ways of improving their oral presentation skills including: undertaking research; selecting materials; efficient planning; practice in front of a sympathetic audience.

A sample programme can be provided upon request.

6) THE ACTIVITIES : class-related activities are organised during school time.  These are prepared in class and generate material for work afterwards. They include a guided tour of Bordeaux, presenting numerous possibilities for leisure activities after class time.  There is in addition one full day excursion each week, during which students can appreciate some of the region’s diversity, from the superb beaches to the vineyards, the authentic local markets on the banks of the river Garonne, and pre-historic caves.  Students will also benefit from visits to local places of interest, such as museums, local radio or TV stations, a bakery, etc.

After class, at 15.00, students are sometimes required to fill in a questionnaire or conduct a survey in the town centre to further develop their contact with French people.  At other times, they will be free to form themselves into groups, to organise visits or take part in sporting activities chosen from a list provided by the school. The rest of the time is spent with their host family.

Everything is arranged to ensure that all students not only experience a rewarding and enjoyable language course, but also an exciting and unforgettable holiday.

7) THE BENEFIT OF SPENDING TIME ABROAD - Students taking a short intensive course will be able to acquire a genuine competence in the language by hearing real French, with idiomatic expressions in an everyday context, both in the class and in the family. By putting immediately into practice what they have just learnt in class, and using it in a friendly and relaxed environment, pupils make excellent progress.  Only by living in France can one gain insight into the culture of the country, which gives the real understanding and motivation for the language. 

The four-week stay offers a better opportunity to make new friends, meet students from other countries and to know more about France and Europe.

8) THE STUDENTS : the courses will benefit students from all countries. The minimum age is 14.

Before registering on a course, students must be aware that to make the most of their stay, they will be required to accept the conditions of attendance given in the brochure.

COURSES FOR GROUPS are available at any time of the year and may be adapted to the requirements of the group. Fees may be reduced for groups of 8 students or more.

 

 

ENQUIRIES AND REGISTRATION

 

The Secretary

Bordeaux International School

252 Rue Judaïque

33000 Bordeaux

France 

                            TEL.                33 5 57 87 02 11

                                        FAX.               33 5 56 79 00 47

                            E-mail                 bis@bordeaux-school.com

 

THE COURSES INCLUDE

 

20 hours tuition per week  (from 9.00 to 15.00)

IB, IGCSE or A Level preparation

One full day and one half-day excursions per week

Full board and lodging

Collection and return airport or station within Bordeaux

A choice of activities after class (without supervision)

A maximum of 8 students per class / group

A tailor-made programme based on the entry test

A certificate at the end of the course

24h assistance for students and parents

Very carefully selected host families