About
us
Residential English Language Courses
Vacational Studies Courses have been running
for 36 years. We have tried in this time to develop an enjoyable
balance between vacation and study.
Course Director
Ian Mucklejohn - who, as the Director,
co-ordinates the Schools - was born in London. He is a graduate
of the University of London with an Honours Degree in English
Language and Literature, is an Associate of the College of Preceptors
and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has had many years
experience in teaching. He is a published writer. He is the
founder of Vacational Studies and has three eight year-old sons
of his own.
Accredited by the British
Council
Vacational Studies is ‘Accredited by The British Council’
and is a member of English UK - formerly ARELS (The
Association of Recognised English Language Services) - a
professional body, membership of which is granted only after
thorough inspection by The British Council and re-inspection
every four years. We were last inspected in 2007 and are
Accredited until March 2012.What we try to do
Vacational Studies tries to create a totally international
Course with students from as many different countries as possible.
We avoid accepting a large number of students from any particular
country. In this way we try to ensure that English is the
main medium of communication among the students. By using
English not just as a school subject but as a living language,
we hope our students will realise better its importance and
value. Our students want to use English to make friends. This
element of self-motivation greatly increases their fluency.
The emphasis on the practical use of English
is combined with a full sports, entertainment and excursion
programme helping young people to learn English internationally.
But it is more than this...Residence
The Courses are all fully residential.
Students eat, sleep and receive classes in the Schools.
The Students
We accept boys and girls near-beginners,
intermediate and more advanced students aged 10 to 17. Complete
beginners are not accepted because they cannot participate
in an international community. The Courses are sports-orientated
and encourage good social development in a community situation.
Students who will benefit
Please make sure that our Course is
suitable for your child and that he/she wants to come. Those who
will benefit and we enjoy having with us will be
internationally-minded, interested in English, outgoing,
gregarious and able to function independently. They will also be
willing to accept the constraints of community living. We
consider it so important that our standards and expectations are
understood and accepted that we ask parents to confirm that they
and their children have read the rules and that they agree to
abide by them. A slip sent with the rules is provided for this
purpose.
How they will benefit
We hope that our students will learn a
great deal of English, make good friendships and develop a
positive international feeling. As well as formal study, we
concentrate on the holiday aspect of the Course. While we try to
involve students in all activities, we naturally respect the
wishes of those who like to read quietly or be with friends.
Over the years, we have built up an excellent reputation with
parents and young people all over the world. Many boys and girls
spend several summers with us renewing old friendships and
making new ones. Students from the '70s and '80s are now sending
their children. Most students come to us on personal
recommendation. The numbers on the Courses are deliberately kept
quite small so that the staff can get to know everybody and
treat each young person as an individual.
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Apply
for 2011 now!
Our new site will be launching in the first week of September but you can apply for the 2011 course now by clicking the above link. |
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"My horizons
have been broadened, my confidence has been boosted
and I know that I will never forget the past thirty
or so days."
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