Spending time with your child choosing a summer school is good fun. However, there is a big choice of schools and it is easy to get confused. In this series of articles, we give parents the information they need to choose the right summer school for their child.
In this article we explain the difference between
(1) Summer schools for groups and
(2) Summer schools for individuals
Summer schools for groups:
Definition: students travel in a group, often a large group, with a Group Leader (a teacher or other adult from their country).
(+) Parents feel relaxed.
(-) Not surprisingly, when students need help, they often speak first with their Group Leaders in their language (not in English)
(-) Also not surprisingly, because they have friends from their country, many students do not make the effort to mix with students from other countries.
(-) Students speak English less.
(-) Often there are too many students from one country.
Summer schools for individuals:
Definition: students go to summer school independently, or with a brother/sister, or with one or two friends.
(+) Lots of staff to look after students (e.g. 1 staff member for every 4 students) and excellent systems for welfare and safety.
(+) Mixing with students from other countries is a must – students have to speak English all day long.
(+) Students speak with the school’s staff in English all day long.
(+) Better nationality mix and smaller numbers of students from each country.
(+) Richer cultural experience.
(-) Students often feel nervous on the first day.
Which kind of school is best for your child?
Both summer schools designed for individuals and summer schools designed for groups can offer a positive experience for your child. If you want your child to travel with a teacher from their country, you will have to choose a Group Summer School. However, for parents who want their children to live in an English speaking environment, make big improvements in their fluency and gain confidence away from home, a summer school designed for individuals is the best option.
