Parents often ask us: “what are the benefits of summer school?”

You would expect us to talk about improved fluency in English, and learning to communicate with students from other countries in English. You would probably also expect us to talk about learning to use English in new ways, for example, to take part in debates, or to work in international teams on different projects from dance shows to film productions.

However, summer school can help students in ways that you might not expect. We recently went to visit students and parents in Mexico and we were delighted to hear how the positive effects of summer school carry on long after students return home.

Confidence away from home

The first thing parents in Mexico tell us that they really like about More Than English is that we do not accept big groups of friends from one country, and this means that when students arrive, they have to make new friends, and if they need something, they have to ask for it in English. Speaking in English and communicating with new people is not an option, it’s ‘a must’!

Bridge to full-time study abroad

We were pleased when Veronica’s parents told us that because summer school helped their daughter feel more confident about tackling the challenges involved with studying away from home, next year she will be studying in the USA for a full academic year.

Inspiration

Summer school at More Than English offers students the chance not only to use English in new ways, but to develop new interests too. We met Alejandra and her mother in Mexico. Alejandra told us that summer school had a really positive effect on her:

“On summer school we did so many activities. When I came back to Mexico, I just wanted to continue trying new things”

You next!

Alejandra is planning to come back to More Than English in July this year. Veronica’s sister Carolina would love to come this year or the next. We also met lots of other teenagers Mexico during our visit to Mexico and we look forward to welcoming some new students this summer too!

Your journey to England will be over 8000 km. But who knows, the journey you will be starting on, could be a lot longer than that!