Colchester Summer Camp, Summer Camp in Colchester

• Location: Colchester, England,
• Student age: from 12 to 17 years old,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Colchester Summer Camp — a summer camp for international students aged 12-17, offering an intensive program of English language learning and entertainment activities. The educational course will be a great opportunity not only to improve your overall language skills but also to gain valuable international education experience, meet students from different countries, and visit world-famous attractions in England.

Educational process takes place on the campus of one of the leading universities in Great Britain — University of Essex. Its infrastructure allows for effective learning of languages and other disciplines, engaging in various creative activities and sports, and its proximity to iconic attractions and London provides summer course students with a rich leisure program.

During their stay at the summer camp, students are under the guidance and supervision of experienced, highly qualified native language teachers in a  24/7 format. Teachers provide individual support to each student, help them adapt to an English-speaking environment, and accompany them from admission to completion of the course and departure home.

Classes at the summer school are organized in small groups: a maximum of 14 students, on average 8–14 people. The duration of one lesson on the summer programme is 1 hour, and on adult courses — 45 minutes. Classes are held Monday through Friday (morning block: 09:30–12:45 with a break from 11:00–11:15; afternoon block: 13:30–15:00; evening classes on Mondays and Wednesdays: 18:30–20:30).

Before the start of the course, each student takes a language level placement test and a 5–10-minute oral interview — this allows accurate group placement and ensures a comfortable pace of learning. Students studying for 2 or more weeks are advised to purchase a textbook.

All staff have completed Safeguarding training, and all those working directly with students under 18 hold an enhanced DBS check. Students under 18 are supervised by staff during breaks, and on excursions a ratio of 1 staff member per 15 students is maintained.

Group corporate and specialist courses are developed in collaboration with the client: from initial needs analysis to programme coordination by a director. Upon completion of the course, each student receives a certificate and an academic report on their learning outcomes.

In Colchester, ILC offers 18 courses for adults and professionals, as well as a specialized summer program for young learners:

• Summer School (ages 11–16) — 15 lessons per week, level from A1/Elementary, with a full package of activities and excursions.
• General English (Main Course) — 20 lessons per week (15 h), levels A0–C1, from age 16, from 1 to 44 weeks.
• Intensive General English — 30 lessons per week (22.5 h), levels A0–C1, from age 16; includes 20 General English lessons and 10 Communication Skills lessons.
• English Test Preparation (Standard) — 20 lessons per week (15 h), level B1+, from age 16.
• Intensive English Test Preparation — 30 lessons per week (22.5 h), level B1+, from age 16. 20 preparation lessons + 10 Communication Skills lessons.
• Cambridge Exam Preparation — 5 levels: A2 Key (KET), B1 Preliminary (PET), B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE), from age 16, 20 lessons per week.
• Main Course + Special Subject — 25 lessons per week (18 h 45 min), levels A1–C1, from age 16, 20 General English lessons + 5 individual lessons in a specialist subject.
• Individual Course (1-to-1 / 2:1) — schedule by arrangement, levels A0–C1, from age 16.
• English + Volunteering — 20 lessons per week + 15 h of volunteering, 1–6 weeks, level B1+, from age 16. Volunteering 14:00–17:00 Mon–Fri at local charitable organizations.
• Mini-Stay and Group Programs — for students from age 11, year-round; students aged 11–15 — closed groups, from age 16 — international groups.
• Specialized Group Courses: medical English, English for nurses, business English, English for teachers (CLIL), Model UN, international communications, PCTO program (career guidance and employability skills).
• Online courses in English.

The ILC (International Language Centres) network has earned international recognition over more than 60 years of work in the field of linguistics:

• In 2010–2014, ILC group centres annually received the Centre of Excellence title according to EL Gazette — an industry publication.
• In 2014, the ILH (International Language Holidays) division was recognized as the 7th best summer school operator in the EL Gazette Top 10 Summer Schools ranking and second among private operators.
• The school is accredited by Accreditation UK — a reputable international organization confirming quality standards in language education.

• Colchester is the oldest city in Britain, the capital of Roman Britain.
• The center preserves Roman walls and a Norman-era castle with Castle Park.
• The ILC network was founded in 1959 as the Colchester English Study Centre (CESC).
• The school has been operating in Colchester for over 65 years.
• Colchester is located an hour by train from London, with the University of Essex nearby.
• Homestay accommodation provides English practice from the very first day.
• The excursion programme covers the landscapes of Dedham and the coastal villages of Mersea Island.
• Students describe ILC as a «warm home» for international students.

Students are accommodated in a university residence with single rooms and private bathrooms.

The two-week course includes not only interactive English lessons but also almost daily campus events, excursions to local attractions, and full-day trips. After completing the language classes, students can look forward to:

• Evening discos,
• Walking tour of Colchester, visiting the local castle,
• International cultural evening,
• Board games — and a master class on how to create them!
• Sports tournament,
• Interactive detective game,
• Walking tour of Mersea Island, ice cream tasting,
• Fashion show, creating clothes from improvised materials,
• Book club,
• Excursion lessons in the classroom: Cambridge, London,
• Movie night,
• Visit to Colchester's main museum.

During the two weeks of study, students will go on three full-day excursions:

• Cambridge: museums, historical architecture, boat trip,
• London: Science Museum, Historical Museum, Harrods department store, dinner at a restaurant,
• London: river cruise, tour of places associated with the royal family, dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.

• Short-term education on the campus of University of Essex, one of the best universities in Britain,
• The curriculum is designed to any level of English: from A1 to C2,
• A rich leisure program with campus events and excursions.

The summer English language program takes place on the campus of University of Essex, located in a park area, just 15 minutes from the historical sites of Colchester and less than two hours' drive from London. This is a small academic town with dozens of educational buildings, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, residences, a STEAM center, halls and studios for technical, humanities and performing arts, recreation areas and much more useful for study and leisure.

The summer program offers flexibility in choosing a start date, typically running from the beginning of July to mid-August. The duration of participation is two weeks, during which students attend almost daily language lessons and campus events, participate in three full-day excursions to the sights of London and Cambridge.

The tuition fee covers expenses for many services, including accommodation and meals, campus events and excursions, transfers, academic plan and others. Additional costs will be required to pay administrative fees, personal expenses.

The admission process is quite simple — future students need to fill out an application form and provide documents, after which the staff of the language center will help with the visa processing, provide accurate information about course dates and instructions on arrival at the campus. Upon arrival at the educational campus, students take a language test, are assigned to groups — and begin their studies!

Thanks to full immersion in the language environment, students more effectively develop key language skills, overall English proficiency, and open up new opportunities for further education, travel, and career advancement.

To study in the UK, foreign applicants need a passport, health insurance, a visa or residence permit. The educational course is designed for students of any English language level: from A1 to C2, there are no strict academic requirements for applicants.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision