Euroclass

Euroclass is where a class of students (aged 16-19) from a school (or a group of schools) comes to Bath Academy for an extended period of time (one month, two months, a term, a year) with a teacher to follow their home school curriculum in English.

The aim for the students is fourfold.

Firstly, it is an opportunity for the students to improve their level of English in the four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Living, studying and socialising in an English speaking environment will ensure that the students increase their confidence in speaking and listening, perfect their pronunciation, acquire formal and informal vocabulary and knowledge of technical terms for their subjects, and are exposed to various media in English.

Secondly, they will be able to gain an appreciation of the use and importance of English as an International Language. Learning in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment enables the students to see why young people from other parts of the world, especially Europe, the Middle and Far East, wish to learn English and progress to British universities. They can also appreciate the problems that some other nationalities have in learning English, learning other subjects in English and adapting to British life.

Thirdly, as the students live in English homes, as part of a family, they will gain an appreciation of English family life, food and customs. Also, adapting to other people, making new friends, managing their own time and money and being independent of their parents will teach important life skills. As Bath is an historic tourist city, they can begin to appreciate English history, architecture, the effect of the Roman occupation on Britain and life in eighteenth century England. Excursions, with prior preparation, will enhance this appreciation.

Finally, the students will continue their academic studies by being taught the subjects they are taking back home. In some lessons they will be taught in ‘closed groups’, either by Bath Academy teachers or their accompanying teacher, whilst in others they will join the International students. They will experience different teaching styles, be helped to become independent learners and be tested on their studies through examinations and coursework assignments. Regular homeworks and progress tests will also be given and reports and certificates issued at the end of the semester