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Family CoursesA unique opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the experience of studying English together.
Your teacher will guide you in exploring the living language in context. Learning activities inside and outside the classroom are designed to stimulate and involve adults and children alike. Working together on shared projects, children benefit from the support of their grown-ups, while the adults are encouraged to look afresh at the language they already know. Constant interaction with the teacher aids development of realistic patterns of speech and expands vocabulary. |
The courses are tailored to the profile of each family, using specifically-designed materials to reflect their interests and levels of English – they are not reliant on coursebooks.
The objective of each course is to provide a positive and enjoyable language-learning experience, not to climb the ‘levels ladder’; however, many students tell us that attending one of our courses has made them much more enthusiastic about their English lessons at school, so there may well be hidden benefits!
The objective of each course is to provide a positive and enjoyable language-learning experience, not to climb the ‘levels ladder’; however, many students tell us that attending one of our courses has made them much more enthusiastic about their English lessons at school, so there may well be hidden benefits!
How does it work?
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Before you enrol on the course we will ask the whole family to take an assessment test, and to tell us something about your interests, and any specific language areas that you’d each like to work on.
You will choose your programme, and the length of your stay. The minimum stay is one week. These are the programmes: Mornings only 15 hours/20 lessons. May include 2 half-morning excursions Morning + afternoon 22.5 hours/30 lessons. May include 2 half-morning & 1 afternoon excursion |
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On your first morning at ABC, you’ll spend some time with your teacher, getting to know each other, and talking in more depth about the programme for the week.
During the lessons, you will experience different activities and different interactions. Here’s a typical morning for a family consisting of Mum, Dad, 15-year-old son and 6 year-old daughter:
Adults and teenage child will discuss a topic with the teacher while the youngest child draws and labels a related picture; all watch a video clip and talk about it, bringing out new vocabulary and structures, while the children practice telling the story; pause for some pronunciation drill and a quick-fix grammar spot; move on to pre-teaching some vocabulary for the museum visit in the next lesson, where the children will complete worksheets matched to their level and ages, while the adults collect information to make presentations back in the classroom.
Every day is different, and the course can evolve as you discover new things around you that you want to explore, or things you’d like to study in more detail.
During the lessons, you will experience different activities and different interactions. Here’s a typical morning for a family consisting of Mum, Dad, 15-year-old son and 6 year-old daughter:
Adults and teenage child will discuss a topic with the teacher while the youngest child draws and labels a related picture; all watch a video clip and talk about it, bringing out new vocabulary and structures, while the children practice telling the story; pause for some pronunciation drill and a quick-fix grammar spot; move on to pre-teaching some vocabulary for the museum visit in the next lesson, where the children will complete worksheets matched to their level and ages, while the adults collect information to make presentations back in the classroom.
Every day is different, and the course can evolve as you discover new things around you that you want to explore, or things you’d like to study in more detail.
How much? |
More than 5 participants? Please enquire.
A non-refundable family registration fee of GBP 120 is payable on all bookings. Start any Monday. |
FAQs
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Who is this course for?
Any ‘family’ combination of adults and children who embrace the idea of sharing the experience and getting the most from it. Unfortunately, we cannot accept children under the age of four. If you want to prepare for an exam, or have to study very specific language, eg for work, this course is not for you. Where can we stay during the course?
Most families rent a private apartment, and there are also hotels to suit all budgets. We can provide help and information to enable you to find the most suitable accommodation for your family. Cambridge is a very popular destination, and a very busy city, so please ensure you book your accommodation in good time. |
Who are the teachers?
All our teachers are minimum CELTA-qualified, and experienced. As we have a large year-round junior operation we have a versatile and enthusiastic staff with a lot of experience in providing well-focused yet enjoyable programmes which engage our younger clients, as well as challenging the older and higher-level learners. What can we do outside school?
The school arranges excursions to different cities and places of interest each weekend, as well as a London theatre trip each week, and we can also help you with suggestions for ‘must-see’ places and events in and around the Cambridge area. There’s a lot going on, and it would be good to make the most of it! |