Summer English School Abbey College Cambridge

Abbey College Cambridge is located on a truly outstanding modern campus in the heart of the historic university city of Cambridge.

Our campus comprises more than 45,000 square feet of teaching and support space, and has been designed by our staff and purpose-built to perfectly fit the learning and boarding needs of our students.

Our campus is located at Homerton Gardens, on a private road close to the centre of the historic university city of Cambridge. The city centre is a 25 minute walk (or 10 minute cycle ride) from campus. Cambridge train station is a 10-minute walk from the campus.

The area around the campus offers a modern leisure park within a 10 minute walk. This includes a cinema, tenpin bowling, hotel, supermarkets and a range of restaurants. It is also home to a live performance venue which hosts regular music, comedy and drama performances.

Our neighbours include Homerton College, which is part of the University of Cambridge. Hills Road Sixth Form College, the UK’s top performing state-run college, and Cambridge University Press, which is the publishing arm of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge Assessment, Europe’s largest assessment agency and home to exam boards such as CIE and OCR, has its global headquarters located next door to the college.

Cambridge is the perfect place for young people to study, combining a fun and vibrant atmosphere with a tradition of learning and study. Cambridge itself is ideally placed for exploring the best that the UK has to offer, with London only 50 minutes away by train and the beautiful Norfolk coastline only one hour in the other direction. The Junior Programme includes English language tuition, residential accommodation with full board in a single ensuite room, and an exciting social programme with regular excursions and fun activities. Students will get the chance to practice their English with people from around the world.

Meals – Residence

Our catering team provides our students with daily fresh, nutritious meals.

Breakfast: Continental and traditional hot breakfast options are available. This includes a selection of fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurts, toast and a full English breakfast.

Lunch: Our daily lunch includes a soup starter, 2 meat-based main dish options and a vegetarian main option. A range of fresh vegetable and salad side options are also provided.

Dinner: Dinner includes 2 meat-based main dish options and a vegetarian main option. A range of fresh vegetable and salad side options are also provided. Fresh water and fruit juice is provided with all meals.

Further course information

• In class, we will focus mostly on your speaking, listening, vocabulary and pronunciation skills (there will be some grammar, reading and writing as well, but these are the most important parts). Many of your lessons will have a Cambridge or UK theme.

• Please be on time for everything! You want to do and see as much as possible while you are here. Remember that if 1 person is late, everybody waits! Students who are late or absent will be disciplined.

• Excursions: Please wear appropriate clothes! Look at the weather and ask your teacher about this. Take a waterproof jacket if you think it might rain. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen if it is sunny and, most importantly, always wear comfortable shoes! You will be doing lots of walking during the day and sore feet can ruin your day. When you are on excursions, you will sometimes have some free time. You will be told how often and when you need to check in with the teacher who is your guide for the trip. You need to stay in groups of 2 or more. If you don’t want to go with another student, you can always stay with the teacher/activity leader.

• Junior Contract: Juniors will be required to sign a contract on the first day and includes the process for expulsion. A copy of the contract can be sent upon request.

• Parent/Guardian Contract: Parents/guardians are required to sign a contract upon enrolling the student – please contact the school for a copy of the contract. We will also require 2 passport photos or a high resolution digital passport size photo at the time of enrolment. 

First day

On the first day, students will have a written test and an interview. They will also be given an orientation which will explain the programme rules and other important information. They will then be assigned to groups based on their level.

English lessons

Classes are held at the college, 20 lessons per week, Monday to Friday. Students are put into international classes according to their levels. Students will study: grammar, vocabulary, “everyday English,” conversation skills, pronunciation, reading, and writing. If students have any problems with their classes, they can speak with their teacher or centre manager who are happy to support students in their studies.

Class size

Max. 16 students per class.

Class materials

Students need to bring their own notepad/paper and pen. They will be provided with text books and study materials on a loan basis.

Activities

Students go on afternoon activities each day (Monday to Friday). There are a variety of activities on offer and vary depending on the weather and student numbers (please see the timetable below). No refund is given for activities they choose not to participate in.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes and activities unless they are unwell.

Certificate

On completion of the course, students will be presented with an LSI certificate.