Scholar English - All-year courses
Octorial™
Key points
Short, intensive courses.
Small class sizes ensure that each student receives individual attention from their tutors, providing a learning experience which is unique to their needs. This close proximity between students and teachers fosters close relationships and a supportive environment, which builds confidence amongst the young learners and encourages them to succeed.
Teachers challenge students to achieve to the maximum of their potential, and set milestones and goals for each student, with constant evaluation. This sets the pace for each learner to surpass their academic expectations and achieve more than they thought possible.
In tandem with English language development, the course piques the intellectual curiosity of the learners by exposing them to a range of authentic sources from different academic subjects, which in turn develops their critical thinking skills as they discuss and analyse them.
The mix of nationalities in the classroom and the wide range of materials covered creates an international outlook amongst students, broadening their horizons and exposing them to new ideas, cultures and ways of thinking.
Objectives of the stay
An intensive course for learners who want to develop their English language skills.
Scholar English
OISE Newbury delivers ‘trajectory education’. As a stepping stone from pupils’ backgrounds towards their ambitions, the course helps each learner to forge their own learning practices in harmony with their personality.
The course is a useful revision of the fundamentals of the language including grammar, vocabulary, written expression and spoken performance. In addition, students are exposed to a wide mix of topics including current affairs, history, literature, etc which are taught in English.
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Academic programme
Unlike traditional language courses designed to teach the mechanics of the language as an end in itself, the Scholar English programme provides language development through an all- encompassing school programme delivered in English. The concept of gaining bilingual status through immersion in subjects which were the preserve of the first language, raises the profile of second language to be equal to the first language. The aim of the course is to develop the child’s education in English, to expand their knowledge via the medium of English and encourage them to form their own opinions, in English.
Meaningful contentWorkshops in creative writing, guidance in essay writing, journalism workshops based on the school's cultural calendar, biographies, debates, literature, reciprocal reading, subject tasters, guided research projects with presentations, book club with presentations and discussions, eloquence ‘walkshops’, training in philosophical thinking, etc. Grammar and pronunciation are embedded throughout all lessons.
Option: Intensive Exam Skills
These programmes teach exam strategies (for example IELTS) and provide extensive practice tests with feedback against mark schemes so that pupils feel confident going into the exam. Pupils also have dedicated language lessons to ensure they cover the exam vocabulary and grammar
Outcomes
Ability to speak and write in English with confidence and accuracy, whilst feeling comfortable using the language.
Personal development including increased personal confidence.
The accommodation is provided in the school on-site residence. Students stay in single study bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. All meals are included and are served in the school dining room. There is a menu choice at each meal, with all diets catered for. The residence is attached to the school building, within the grounds of the school which are enclosed by security gates
Transfer
Arrival/departure transfers
On arrival days, a shuttle is scheduled to leave for the school at the following times:
• Gatwick airport:18.00; • Heathrow airport:18.00; • St. Pancras:18.00
Students should choose a flight/ train that lands / arrives 90 minutes before the shuttle departure. They should also be aware that the earlier they arrive the longer their wait at the airport/station. A representative will be at the airport or station 6 hours before the departure of the shuttle to welcome the students and provide assistance.
On departure days, a shuttle will drop the students at the following time:
• Gatwick airport:11.30; • Heathrow airport:11.30; • St. Pancras:11.30
Students should choose a flight or train that departs at least 2 hours after the above drop off times. They should also be aware that the later the flight the longer the wait. A representative will stay at the airport or the station 5 hours after the arrival of the shuttle to provide assistance while waiting to go through the departures gate.
For arrival transfer outside of the times of the Shuttle Service:
For any students who require a transfer service at a time or on a date other than those served by the OISE Shuttle service, OISE will provide contact details of a local taxi service so that the student can arrange a personal taxi meeting service directly with the taxi provider.
Cultural Experience
The course includes extra-curricular activities such as field trips, social evenings, movie nights and hobby clubs.
Freedoms and permissions: pupils will not be allowed to leave the school premises or leave the group during activities unsupervised, unless they are over 14 and the school has received parental consent. The full supervision and curfew policy is available on request.
The level of supervision at Newbury is structured to keep every pupil safe: the accommodation is attached to the teaching building within the same fenced grounds. Throughout the stay, pupils enjoy a high staff / student ratio: the minimum of one adult to 15 pupils is often increased up to 10 and sometimes 5.
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Price includes
The price is all inclusive, i.e. covers the full academic programme, all 3 meals a day, accommodation in individual en-suite bedrooms and pastoral activities and very close supervision throughout the pupils' stay. The price also includes all books and teaching material.
What's not included in the price:
1-The costs for taking an exam: to cover the exam fee and supervised transport to the exam venue.
2-Health insurance to cover medical charges while in Newbury. This insurance cover should be bought in the student's own country before leaving home.
3-The transfer service on arrival and departure.