Academic English Language Courses

The IELTS preparation programme is for students planning to take the IELTS examination, finetuning their English language skills and preparation for IELTS. The programme provides language support, as well as developing key insights and knowledge surrounding the IELTS examination content, marking criteria and examination skills, with a biweekly in-house IELTS mock examination and one-to-one tailored feedback from our IELTS experts. At the end of the course, students have the option to take the IELTS examination. 

Running alongside the Intensive English programme at KCL, IELTS Preparation includes 17.5 hours per week of the specialist Bucksmore Education EFL syllabus, plus 7.5 hours of classes focussed on IELTS exam techniques and practice questions. The age range for students on IELTS Preparation is 16-18 and language level required is minimum B1 (Intermediate) level.

King’s College is a world-famous prestigious university in the heart of London. It is consistently ranked among the top Universities in both the UK and the world. Classes take place in the Virginia Woolf building, whilst meals and activities take place in the main building on the Strand, next to Somerset House.

The social programme is an important part of any summer school experience and is a great way for students to socialise and practise their English with each other. Organised by a dedicated Activity Manager, each week students will have two full days excursions to destinations across the UK, plus an on-site activity programme.

B1 minimum level.  

These 10-day courses are designed to provide that all important boost for international students before joining a GCSE, A Level or IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma programme in the UK.

There are 2 groups :  GCSE (ages 14-15) and A Level, IB Diploma and Foundation (ages 16-17)

For many international students, particularly for those whose proficiency in English is not as high as might be desired, it can be a very daunting task stepping into a British independent boarding school for the first time.  Without the necessary linguistic skills and cultural awareness, getting off to a flying start can be extremely challenging.

By attending one of our pre-sessional courses, not only are students able to improve their proficiency in English, but they are also able to develop key academic skills which will equip them well for their onward educational journey.

*Pre-Sessional+ course is an additional 5 days starting from 18th August - 1st September and costs £2,350

Pre-sessional courses run for 10 days, in maximum class sizes of 12, with three hours of intensive academic English each morning, followed by two hours of other academic preparation, including lessons, lectures and workshops focusing on the following areas:

                Acquiring, recording and learning new vocabulary

                Increasing effectiveness in listening skills

                Improving academic writing skills (including extended essay writing support)

                Developing reading techniques, such as skimming and scanning

                Effective pronunciation, enunciation and debating

                Understanding the meta language of examination papers

                Broadening study skills and getting the most out of your revision

                Wellbeing and dealing with examination stress

                Answering examination questions in full

Students are also expected to complete set assignments during the evenings in order to maximise the effectiveness of these courses.

Upon completion of one of our pre-sessional courses, students are far more focused, prepared and able to cope with the demands of the GCSE, A Level or IB programme they will move on to, enabling them to hit the ground running and providing them with the necessary academic skills to make the most of their education in the UK.

There is an Extended Pre-Sessional Course which is another 5 days which bridges the gap between the end of the 10 day Pre-Sessional Course and the start of term

• Wycombe Abbey is a world renowned boarding school in Buckinghamshire, situated in High Wycombe. It is situated just 23 mins away from London by train and 25 mins away from Heathrow airport.

• The Wycombe Abbey summer programme offers a rich blend of academics and extracurricular activities for high achievers and aspirational students looking for something academically challenging and a taste of a boarding school experience.
• The minimum level of English required is B1.
• All of our students receive four hours of lessons every morning. Each lesson aims at inspiring our students through the use of engaging topics and tasks that they are able to discuss, debate and present as they work creatively and collaboratively. Every morning students will receive four different lessons:

1. British Culture 
2. English for Academic Purposes / Examinations
3. Projects and Creations
4. 21^st Century Skills 

• All of our students receive two hours of electives every afternoon. They will be able to choose one out of the four electives offered, for the duration of their two week stay:
• Leadership and Sustainability
• Digital and Beyond
• Performing Arts
• Sports, Health and Wellbeing
• Learning Outcomes include:
• Increasing confidence in spoken English
• Enhancing creative and collaborative skillset
• Practising presentation design, delivery, and debating skills
• Building and broadening English vocabulary
• Improving English skills and systems; including lexis, pronunciation, reading and writing
• Developing soft skills to succeed in the modern world
• Improving ability to lead and manage a team
• Boosting knowledge of business and management techniques
• Deepening understanding of the world around
• Developing acting, dance, and singing techniques
• Boosting ability to engage with an audience
• Deepening the understanding of the science behind health, nutrition, and fitness
• Enhancing knowledge of how to maintain an active lifestyle

Sevenoaks School English Language Course is a two-week course for improving English skills. Students learn both academic and spoken English, and are joined by Sevenoaks day pupils in the afternoons to help learning. It is open to all levels (A2 and above). The varied co-curricular programme allows students to choose one activity per week and take part in a total of 12 hours of activities during the two-week session. With such an enviable location, students can make the most of being close to London by going on three excursions in each session to places in and around the capital city.

Sevenoaks School is one of the world’s leading IB schools and this Summer Programme gives students the ideal opportunity to get a taste of what life is like here for Sevenoaks School students. .  In 2023, the Summer Programmes welcomed students from over 60 different countries and anticipate even more diversity in 2024.

Brighton Language Centre was established in 1995 and occupies modern facilities in the heart of Brighton, one of the most exciting and popular seaside towns in England. Students stay with carefully-selected host families in and around the city. 

The B2 first for schools (previously FCE) is a 4-week summer academic course designed for school-age learners. The course has a specific start and finish date so that students can take the final examination at the end of the course.

The course timetable mixes with the Summer Vacation schedule so that all students participating on this course can experience the junior vacation activities with other international students. On the last Saturday students must take the examination instead of participating on the full day excursion.  A BLC International activity leader will take all B2 First students to the examination centre.  After taking the examination, any students who have passed are sent a final Cambridge accredited examination certificate.

A B2 First for Schools qualification shows that students can:

• communicate effectively face to face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments
• write clear, detailed English, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view
• follow the news
• write letters, reports, stories and lots of other types of text

Level of English required:  B2    The course is NOT suitable for native English speakers