Adults (18+) can choose from any of our regular course options. Click here for options. Adults and juniors are taught on different sites, but close enough together that families can easily meet up after class.

ABC Summer School combines great teaching with a great social life - you'll make lots of friends and have a great time while really improving your English.

Where is the Summer School?
ABC Summer School takes place in central Cambridge, within walking distance of our main school and very convenient for all public transport. There is plenty of room for lively, active lessons, with audio-visual equipment and space for indoor games and drama. Cambridge has several large, open parks, close to our classrooms, which we use for sports and recreation. Two swimming pools are nearby, and the Sports Hall.

Who can join?
The Summer School is open to students between the ages of 5 and 17.
Children from 5-10 join our special Early Learners groups.
Older students are placed in classes selected by age and level.

What will I do at the summer school?
Everyone must study English every morning (20 lessons, 15 hours, each week)
If you want to do more you can add either
10 afternoon lessons or afternoon social activities
There are also weekend excursions and occasional evening events

Where can I stay?
If you are under 16 you must stay with your own family, or friends approved by your parents – for example perhaps your parents have come to the University for the summer or you might be visiting your aunt and uncle here in Cambridge. Or maybe you’ve been invited to stay with some friends of your father’s.

If you are 16 or over, you can come to Cambridge alone or with a friend and stay in ABC homestay or private home accommodation. There’s a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and all budgets – check the accommodation section in the brochure.

Start with morning lessons

If you want to do more, choose from:
 

And if you’d like to go out at the weekend

If you’re 16 or over, you can choose homestay accommodation
 

LESSONS

At the Summer School the lessons are planned to be interesting and relevant to each age group. We use modern books, DVD’s and audio CD’s, real-life materials of all kinds, and do project work that often involves going out of the classroom and meeting English people. The teachers are young, but experienced, and know how to make learning fun as well as effective.

One of the main advantages of coming to a Summer School is the opportunity to learn 'real' English, and to improve your confidence and fluency, and you will find all our staff, both teachers and activity leaders, very happy to talk to you and spend time with you.

TIMETABLE & TEACHING

The work you do will depend on your age and level:

Older students will use a lot of authentic materials on current topics as a basis for the work in these classes and use them as the starting point for discussion, writing exercises, group presentations, and so on. At this age, you are probably facing some important exams, and we can help deal with any problems you are having, whether in grammar, writing, speaking - or any other area of your English. We can also provide specific practice for students who are going to continue their education in the UK.

Younger students are probably most interested in starting to use the English they are learning at school, building up confidence, and learning lots of new words. Our teachers provide lots of opportunity to practise your speaking and listening, and plan the lessons to stimulate your skills, using video, music, and project work. Although our teachers make the lessons fun, we ensure that all our courses are carefully planned to ensure that lessons are balanced and that individual needs are being met.

LESSONS - Early Learners

5 – 10 years
These are very special classes, run by teachers with direct experience of this age group. We aim to introduce the children to English through a programme of active learning where they begin to experience the language by working and playing together. They are introduced to the basics of the language - number, colour, size, etc - through music, specially devised games, art and craft work and outside visits, for example to the park to learn some words connected with the natural environment. We also use the BBC English 'Muzzy in Gondoland' video-based course as an integral part of this programme.

Sample course programme

PLEASE NOTE: The Early Learners’ Course is available only to children staying with friends or family in Cambridge. Parents/carers are responsible for their children from the end of the booked session, either 12.45 or 15.30. The lunch break for children taking the afternoon programme is supervised by our staff, and children will need to bring a packed lunch.

AFTERNOONS - Early Learners

Optional; 5 – 10 years
Interesting, fun activities for our youngest students – picnics, games, art & craft, museum visits specially-designed for little ones, swimming (or paddling!), music and drama (or dressing-up!) – all animated by our team of friendly, caring leaders.

AFTERNOONS - 11-17 years

You can choose from lessons or social activities, depending on how hard you need to study!

Afternoon Lessons
As far as lessons are concerned, you can study more General English, perhaps working on a project or special study topic, or we can help you study for an exam – different levels and interests are available throughout the summer.

Students who are continuing their education in the UK at School or College often find these lessons very helpful: we can work on Academic English, including preparation for the IELTS test if required, and can also cover subject-specific English, for example for Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies and so on.

Social Activities
The exact choice of activity each day depends on what’s on, what our students are interested in – and the weather, of course! In any case, we always include a half-day excursion once a week: to the coast, maybe, or to go bowling – even a quick trip to London!

It's not all work at ABC:  we want you to have a good time, too. Our Social Activity staff will really help you get the most out of your stay here, whether you're interested in sport, discos, cinema or sightseeing. Everyone quickly makes friends here - we're small enough that all the students and staff know each other, and big enough that you'll always meet someone who likes the same things you do.

For families, adults choose from the regular course options and juniors from the International Summer School options below. You just need to remember that an adult must be available to take care of young children after school.

For a list of Summer School prices, please click here.

For a full list of English course prices please click here.

For detailed information about accommodation, please click here.

All our courses of 20 lessons or more include insurance at no extra cost. For further details, please visit our insurance page.

For further details about any of our courses please contact us.