Year-round English course for Teenagers, Cambridge

Our year-round school in Cambridge

Cambridge is an ideal city for young students and teenagers to improve their language skills, immerse themselves in British culture, and develop independence. Known for its prestigious university and incredible history, Cambridge provides an inspiring learning environment filled with historic architecture, vibrant festivals, and world-class museums. Forbes has named it one of the most beautiful cities in the world, making it not only an excellent place to study but also to explore and experience British culture in an engaging, picturesque setting.

Year-round lessons for teenagers take place in a set of Victorian buildings just 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre. There is a wealth of shops and cafés nearby, so students’ needs are easily catered for, and they can experience local culture without needing to go very far at all. The school is within easy walking distance of several university college campuses, the beautiful University Botanic Gardens, and the famous Parker’s Piece, a large green common considered to be the birthplace of modern football/soccer. Other nearby attractions include the 14th-century Pembroke College, the Fitzwilliam Museum of art and world history, and the University Cricket Club, a first-class training ground where visitors can watch local students play this traditional British sport.

This language centre boasts 22 classrooms and a Learning Centre with a self-study library, multimedia facilities, and computers offering free Internet access. The large on-site cafeteria serves hot and cold lunches, snacks, and drinks; the chef provides traditional British meals alongside a variety of international dishes, so students will be spoilt for choice at lunch! In the evenings the cafeteria is used for group parties and games, making it the social hub of the school. The facility also has a sizeable private garden, with benches and shaded grassy areas, allowing young students to relax in between lessons. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the complex.

This school has been running English-language courses for juniors for over 50 years, so it is well-versed in providing immersive tuition to teenagers of all backgrounds and abilities. With accreditations from the British Council, English UK, and Education UK, and as a member of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and the International Association of Language Centres (IALC), this centre is committed to ensuring that its language instruction is of the highest quality. The facility is just a few minutes’ walk from Cambridge train station, which benefits from frequent services to and from London, meaning juniors travelling by rail won’t have far to travel on their first day. With a sports hall 10 minutes away and a bus stop just across the road, our teenagers can also benefit from the surrounding amenities and fully experience the local area.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in a Host Family with local hosts, who are native English speakers. Students stay in shared bedrooms with another international student of the same gender and a similar age. Three meals a day (full-board) are included as part of the course package, with breakfast and dinner provided by the host family and weekday lunches served at the school in their cafeteria. Please contact us if your child needs specific foods. Vegetarian and non-pork options are always available, and specific dietary needs may be accommodated upon request prior to booking. Hosts provide bed linen and towels, which are changed weekly, and they also offer a complimentary laundry service once a week.

Living with a host family in Cambridge allows young students to practice English in a comfortable, informal setting outside of the classroom. Each host is carefully selected and regularly inspected to ensure they provide a welcoming, safe, and clean environment with a quiet space for study. Host families represent a range of backgrounds typical of British and Cambridge society, differing in age, occupation, and cultural heritage. Homestay accommodations offer a genuine immersion experience, giving students the chance to engage directly with local customs and lifestyle.

Most homestays are within a 40-minute commute to the school by foot, bicycle, or public transportation, with frequent bus services available. The school is conveniently located near a major bus stop and train station, making travel straightforward. Students are expected to travel independently between their homestay and the school, gaining a sense of responsibility and independence during their stay.

A homestay arrangement is ideal for students interested in experiencing life with a local Cambridge host and enhancing their English in real-world situations. This option offers students both independence and the chance to engage with native English speakers in a supportive environment. Upon arrival, students should plan to check in with their host family between 12:00 and 17:00 (20:00 at the latest) on the first Sunday.

Activities

Included in the programme fee are a variety of engaging activities supervised by qualified instructors or school staff. Each Friday, students participate in the main weekly activity, which may involve visits to local landmarks, such as university college buildings, chauffeured punting on the River Cam, or guided tours of museums like the Fitzwilliam Museum. Additionally, a mid-week activity is arranged to foster social interaction and language practice.

Sample mid-week activities can include:

• Charcoal sketching
• Bag design
• T-shirt design
• Basketball
• Quizzes
• Mask making
• Board games
• Traditional English tea party
• And more!

On weekends, students have the choice of free time with friends in Cambridge or joining a full-day excursion to nearby attractions for an additional fee (average cost of £60 per trip, depending on group size). Excursions often include popular locations like London, Brighton, Oxford, or Warwick Castle, providing students with the chance to explore notable British cities and historic sites. Beyond classroom lessons, students benefit from five sessions of guided study or activities each week to reinforce learning. Guided study sessions provide structured, supportive learning with assistance from a member of staff to extend what students have covered in lessons.

Cambridge offers a rich cultural experience with festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Literary Festival, the unique Strawberry Fair, and the lively Bonfire Night celebrations held on Midsummer Common. The city is also a hub for scientific and technological advancements, known as “Silicon Fen,” one of Europe’s leading centres for tech development. With the highest level of bicycle use in the UK and a mild, temperate oceanic climate, Cambridge provides an ideal environment for students to explore while studying.

Supervision

Teenagers studying on this programme benefit from some unsupervised free time after their lessons which gives them a sense of independence that we find is beneficial for students of this age. There may also be times when students are alone in their accommodation. During lessons and activities, juniors are always supervised, though they will need to make their own way back to their accommodation after activities have finished. Teenagers must observe the 22:00 curfew; it is vital that this is respected, so we can ensure their safety. Hosts will contact the school immediately if students do not return by the appropriate time.

How to get there

Transfers on arrival and departure are included in the programme price and are available from Heathrow or Stansted airports. Transfers to/from other airports may be available; please contact us for further information.

Students will be collected on arrival at their selected location and will be taken directly to their accommodation. On their last day, students will be collected from their accommodation and taken back to the appropriate destination in time for their departing flight.

Juniors should plan to arrive in Cambridge on the Sunday before their lessons are due to start and leave on the Sunday after their lessons have finished. We may be able to arrange additional nights on arrival and/or departure to fit in with students’ travel plans. In this case extra charges will apply. Participants should aim to arrive at their accommodation by 20:00 on the Sunday before the course begins.

Please note that some children attending this programme alone may need to arrange an Unaccompanied Minors’ service with their airline. If this is the case, please contact us prior to making your booking.

Location of our school in Cambridge