English Language Summer School 2024

The English Language Summer School provides help to improve your general English language skills whilst also enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Aberystwyth and Mid Wales.

The University's seaside location and easy walking distance to the friendly town centre and beaches make it an ideal summer destination.

The course is complemented by a lively social programme, giving you the opportunity to meet students from other courses, explore the local area and practise your English.

The English Language Summer School will help you to become a more fluent and confident user of English. It will help enable your ability to practise your English skills in the wider world. 

“Aberystwyth has become my second home. The kind staff and fun classes at Aberystwyth University have made my life happier. If you want to study English in a comfortable environment, you should definitely come here. I highly recommend it.” English Language Summer School student, 2023

 

Overview

Start Date: 12 August

End date: choose to stay for 2 weeks (23 August) ; 3 weeks (30 August) or 4 weeks (6 September).

The course gives you the opportunity to develop your language and communication skills in a friendly university environment.

The course has a strong focus on spoken communication, where classes are creative, lively and interactive, with a maximum of 16 students per class.

You will also carry out projects that take you out into the local community and meeting local people.

The full programme of social activities ensures that you have opportunities to explore the area, make friends, and develop your English skills outside the classroom too.

You will have full access to all University facilities including 24-hour computer rooms, University libraries, the University Arts Centre, the University Sports Centre and other University facilities.

Who is the course for?

The course is for anyone who wishes to improve their communicative ability in English. The course is suitable for learners with English levels from CEFR A2 to B2.

There is no need to provide English language requirements, but it is based on your own understanding of your English language level.

Open to individual and group bookings.

You must be aged 18 or over by the start date of the course.

What will I study?

The main aim of the course is to help you become a more confident communicator in English.

The focus of the course is on developing learners’ ability to communicate confidently in English in all areas of life. Speaking and listening are the major focus of the course, and you will be exposed to a wide range of language input to use English in real-life situations.

Grammar and vocabulary are taught, but always in the context of communication. The focus is always on language use rather than language study.

You will also be encouraged to develop strategies that will help you continue improving your English once the course is over.

The classes build on your existing language skills and focus on:

  • Developing speaking and listening skills
  • Building vocabulary
  • Improving pronunciation and intonation
  • Increasing grammatical accuracy
  • Enhancing fluency and confidence
  • Improving reading and writing skills
  • Enabling independent learning

Where will I stay?

Accommodation is available in our Halls of Residence, and you will typically share a six or eight bedroom apartment or house with other language learners from around the world. Every apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, and the University has a range of restaurants and cafeterias providing tasty and reasonably priced food.

How much does it cost?

It costs £525 per week, with a minimum stay of 2 weeks.

Fees include: all tuition fees; course materials; accommodation in single-occupancy, self-catering halls of residence; all transport on social programme visits; free membership of the University Sports Centre (pool, gym, classes etc.); use of university libraries and IT facilities.

How do I apply?

Individual booking

Please:

Once received, we will send the invoice and further information about your stay in Aberystwyth.

Once we receive payment you will receive an offer letter to study at the English Language Summer School and accommodation will be allocated to you.

Group booking

We gladly accept group bookings. Please contact tesol@aber.ac.uk for further information.

Key Facts

Course

English and Communicative Skills (ECS)

Course objective

The overall aim of this course is to help you become a more fluent and confident user of English, extending your vocabulary, activating your grammar, and unlocking your passive knowledge of the English language so that you are better able to use your English in the wider world.

Maximum class size

16

Levels

A2 - B2

Available to

Individuals and groups

Taught hours per week

20

Private study periods

Students should typically expect to study independently for an additional 5 hours per week.

Minimum age

17. Click here for information about our care of the under-18s.

Dates

2022

CS1 - July 18 2022 - July 29 2022

CS2 – August 1 2022 - August 12 2022

CS3 – August 15 2022 - August 26 2022

CS4 – August 29 2022 - September 9 2022

Non-teaching days

2021

There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays, or on Monday August 30 2021 (UK Bank Holiday)

2022

There are no classes on Saturdays or Sundays, or on Monday August 29 2022 (UK Bank Holiday)

Tuition Fee

2022

CS1 2022 - £550

CS2 2022 - £550

CS3 2022 - £550

CS4 2022 - £550

Course material costs

None

Social life

The IEC Summer Social Programme runs from 12 July 2021 - 10 September 2021 and includes a full day trip every Saturday, a half day trip every Wednesday and two evening activities per week. Most activities are free and the cost will never exceed £25 per week.

Accommodation

If you request accommodation when you apply for your course, this will be reserved for you in our Fferm Penglais halls of residence.

These are a 5-12 minute walk from your classrooms, and cost for Summer 2021 is to be determined.

You will have a private study room with double bed, en-suite bathroom and Wi-Fi, in a 6-8 person apartment with shared kitchen facilities. Accommodation is provided on a self-catering basis.

If you want to live in a single-sex apartment, please inform us when you apply and we will arrange this.

Accommodation will be reserved for you from 3pm on the Saturday before the course starts until 10am on the Saturday after your course finishes.

You will be provided with bedding and a towel, and these will be changed once a week. Laundry facilities are available on Fferm Penglais.

Insurance

You are responsible for making your own insurance arrangements. We strongly advise you to take out insurance to cover your journey and your time in the UK. There are many insurance policies designed especially for international students.