Where can I find a summer school in London? Do summer schools exist in the UK? Are British summer schools worth it? How can I be sure my child will be safe as a visitor to a summer school in London? These are all questions our team are often asked. In this post you can find answers to such questions. Listen to this podcast hosted by David Game College, one of London's top boarding schools or read the transcript below. 

 

Explore the benefits of a summer school in London
 

Are you looking for the best summer school in London for your child aged 14-17? Academic Summer offers a brand new educational programme at the acclaimed Dave Game College just around the corner from the famous Tower Bridge and the historic Tower of London. In this post our CEO, Helen Lami chats to Theo Theodorou of David Game College about their unique partnership which offers international teen visitors an ideal opportunity to gain confidence in speaking English while learning more about their favourite subject.

Theo Theodorou: Welcome to David Game College’s Horizon Pods. Today, we will discuss why students from across the world travel to the UK to attend an academic summer school in London, and also the launch of the Academic Summer camp at David Game College here in London. I’m happy to say I have with me Helen Lami, the CEO of Academic Summer. Welcome, Helen.

Helen Lami: Thank you. It’s good to be here.

Theo: Lovely to have you, Helen. Before we find out more about the camps, tell me a little bit about yourself as the CEO, a bit about your background and your love for English.

Helen: Okay. Well, I went to Albania when I was about 24 and ended up meeting my husband there. We’ve been married 26 years. I got into teaching English at that time, and learning Albanian myself helped me think about the best way to teach international students. Not everyone can deal with a textbook or a classroom situation. Some people really struggle with that; they need motivation and a reason to learn. I was evacuated from Albania in 1997, came back to the UK, did my teacher training for English, and then returned to Albania to teach the President’s daughter at the time. After my husband and I got married, we moved back to the UK. I started working in boarding schools as a teacher, then moved into international marketing, recruiting for schools, leading their summer school, and eventually decided to set up Academic Summer. I wanted it to be different from other summer camps – truly academic!

Theo: Absolutely. And it’s been over 16 years now, right?

Helen: Yes, longer than that. Our first summer was in 2010, but I set the company up in 2008.

Theo: Excellent. Did you ever think that Academic Summer would stretch across the globe and recruit students from all over the world?

Helen: Well, we started recruiting international students right from the beginning. Working in a boarding school, I saw what international students needed. They didn’t just need general English; they needed to cope with GCSE or A-Level classrooms, study maths effectively, or write extended essays for history or business studies. Skills like essay writing and presentation have always been part of our summer school because they are crucial for international students who want to study abroad.

Theo: And that’s beneficial for their university and career paths as well.

Helen: Exactly. We also have native speakers joining because they want something different, more academic and inspiring in the summer. Last summer, we had 60 different nationalities.

Theo: That’s incredible. Do you have centres all over England, or are there specific cities and towns you focus on?

Helen: Thanks to our partnership with David Game College, we have this brilliant choice of summer school in London with an academic focus. This is so exciting going forward. Of course the City of London is a very popular destination. We also work with two boarding schools in the Southwest of England and one in New Brunswick, Canada. That one is very special and one of my favourites.

Theo: Do you travel to Canada as well?

Helen: Yes, I have a permanent team of staff, and we normally spread out at different locations in the summer. I usually go over for our two-week course in Canada, but I’m working between time zones on standby to take calls from all the locations during the summer.

Theo: You’ve been involved in international marketing through the boarding school system. What makes Britain an attractive education centre for students?

Helen: The UK has always been popular for study abroad due to its top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and the London School of Economics. International students strive to attend these universities, and they can benefit immensely from pathway programmes. We can also help with A Level preparation or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB).  See Academic Summer Camps – your gateway to A Level Preparation / IB readiness

Theo: That makes sense. How do you help students who aim for top universities like Oxbridge?

Helen: We have a programme called Be a Leader, where students get a CPD qualification focusing on key leadership skills. We also have Meet the Leader talks with guest lecturers and access to a portal called My Future Choices. They can explore different universities and degree options. Our Medical programme, for example, offers students a chance to explore if medicine is right for them through medical scenarios, university visits, meeting doctors, and preparing for medical school.

Theo: It sounds like you offer a comprehensive support system. How do you manage such a busy summer operation?

Helen: I have a really good team of experienced people. My husband, Turi is one of the course directors. Our team works year-round, recruiting and preparing for the summer. We offer good staff training and maintain open communication. It’s crucial to be approachable and supportive, especially during the summer.

Theo: What age groups do you focus on in London?

Helen: Our youngest in London is 14 up to 17. In some boarding schools, we take students from age seven. We have a primary course for younger students, employing primary school teachers who know how young students learn through play and exploration. Our different age groups are Adventurers, Explorers, and Engagers, each getting different things from the programme.

Theo: Tell me about the partnership with David Game College. What are your expectations?

Helen: We’re really excited. Our first students arrive on 30th June. We’ll meet them at the airport, settle them in, and explore London. The location near Tower Bridge is fantastic. David Game College has been very welcoming and involved. We aim to make it a truly academic programme with career pathways in medicine, law, engineering, and business.

Theo: How many students are you expecting for the summer school here?

Helen: About 40 students booked each week, hoping to reach around 80 students.

Theo: Which age group do you think has the greatest impact when they come to Academic Summer camps?

Helen: It’s hard to say. All age groups have different impacts. Younger students, the Adventurers, are very enthusiastic and adapt quickly. The Explorers and Engagers (14-17) gain valuable skills and experiences relevant to their academic and career aspirations.

Theo: What does a typical week look like for a student?

Helen: Each day starts with breakfast, then lessons. Engagers have four lessons, including some afternoons and evenings for career pathways. After lessons, they explore London with camp counsellors, visit famous places, go on weekend trips to places like Brighton, Oxford, or Cambridge, and see a West End show. Evenings are filled with activities, and they are always supervised for safety.

Theo: And you have staff in the boarding facilities overnight as well?

Helen: Yes, we have staff to ensure safety and look after the students.

Theo: How do you see the future of English language teaching and the methodology changing?

Helen: We’re just at the beginning of AI technology. Skills are changing rapidly, and we need to prepare students for a future with AI. Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is becoming more important, where students learn English through subjects they are interested in, making it more natural for them to use the language.

Theo: What message would you like to send to parents considering sending their children abroad for an Academic Summer camp in London?

Helen: Our online magazine has detailed information, and we’re happy to arrange online calls to answer questions. We can also recommend local agents who know our programmes well. Sending your child abroad is an amazing experience. They gain confidence, make friends from all over the world, and get a taste of studying abroad.

Theo: Do parents usually want to repeat the experience for their children?

Helen: Yes, we have many returning students every year. Some students attend our camps for several years and then go on to our host schools. Others decide they want to study in the UK after experiencing our programmes.

Theo: Finally, any last message for our listeners today?

Helen: It’s not too late to book. We welcome last-minute bookings and are always happy to accommodate. Don’t miss out on the opportunity.

Theo: Thank you, Helen. For our listeners, if you need more information on any of the courses discussed, visit the Academic Summer School page on davidgamecollege.com. Thank you all for listening, and we look forward to our next podcast. Thank you, Helen.

Helen: Thank you for inviting me.

2024/07/10