Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
Hertford College, Oxford
Advanced English Language and British Culture Studies
two week sample programme
Summer 2012
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
1
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
A very warm welcome to Hertford College and to Oxford!
Our team is looking forward to meeting you and helping you make the most of your stay with us in this beautiful city. The people responsible for
organising your programme are:
-
Julie Dearden. BA Hons Oxon, MA Oxon, MSc Oxon. (Director of International Programmes and Teacher Training)
-
Andrew Hemingway BA , MA, MSc (Oxon),
-
Hannah Gregory BA, DELTA (EFL Assistant Director of Studies)
-
Caroline Rice BA (International Programmes)
-
Fatjon Alliaj BA (International Programmes)
-
Louise Turner (International Programmes)
DELTA
(EFL Director of Studies)
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
2
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
Hertford College was founded in 1282 – it is one of the oldest of Oxford University’s 38 colleges. Located in the
centre of historic Oxford, our beautiful college is famous for the Bridge of Sighs, which is one of the most wonderful
sights of the city. This is an ideal setting for students wishing to improve their language skills and knowledge of
Britain and British culture.
Over the past ten years, we have been providing high quality English Language programmes for a wide variety of
international students. We offer a prestigious and stimulating learning environment, the highest standards of
programme design and organisation, and a dedicated and professional team who ensure your stay with us is fulfilling
and enjoyable.
Our teachers and lecturers are all well-qualified and have years of experience teaching students from all over the
world. Your level will be assessed on arrival, and you will be carefully monitored throughout the programme so that
you can be sure of making the maximum possible progress.
The following information will help you during your stay here. We are sure that you will enjoy your time here in
Oxford.
Welcome to Oxford!
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
3
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
Itinerary and programme information
The following is the itinerary for an advanced level group.
You are taught in small classes. This creates a lively group atmosphere whilst allowing your own individual needs to be
met. Classes are taught communicatively and entirely in English.
COURSE AIMS
For the student:

To communicate more effectively in English

To develop language and study skills

To improve pronunciation / intonation in key areas

To discover Oxford

To learn about British, history society and culture

To deliver a presentation in English

To learn in an inspiring and supportive environment
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
4
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
WEEK 1
 Testing and placement of students

Introduction to the classroom language and rules

Strategies for successful study

Improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills

Out and About: Tour of Discovery

Advanced Functional English: for example shopping, travelling, requesting information

Introduction to Britain and British Culture and History

Discover some of the beautiful buildings in Oxford

Learn about famous people associated with Oxford

Highlights of The National Gallery and The British Museum

Begin work on your presentations
WEEK 2

Improve your presentation and public speaking skills

Introduction to English Literature in Oxford and Shakespeare and his works

Learn about Britain and British society and culture

Improve your job seeking skills

Improve your debating skills

Consolidate your learning

Deliver an end of course presentation in front of an audience
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
5
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
Arrival day
The Residential Advisors (RAs) will meet you at the airport, accompany and assist you during your stay.
The RAs will ensure that you have a fun and safe time while you are in Oxford. All RAs are current Oxford undergraduates
and will help you to settle in as well as giving you the opportunity to make friends, integrate into college life and practise
your English. In the evenings, they will organise a varied programme including visits and activities (your participation is
optional). Typical activities include: sports evenings, punting, visits to colleges, games and DVD evenings and cookery
sessions alongside debating sessions and public speaking contests where you will have the chance to mix with students
from other universities. The RAs will also be happy to help you plan your free time and are looking forward to meeting
you!




Week ONE
First teaching
day
Arrive at Heathrow Airport, London.
Hertford College Residential Advisors (RAs) will meet you.
Travel to Oxford by private coach. You will stay in Oxford University Accommodation.
On arrival: supper and welcome information alongside an orientation of your accommodation and assistance with
computer connections.
9.00 – 10.30am
Introduction to the
programme
Speaking test
Your language level
will be assessed and
you will be placed in
the appropriate class
11 – 12.30pm
B
R
E
A
K
Lecture followed by
discussion:
An Introduction to the
History of Oxford City
and University
2 – 4pm
L
U
N
C
H
Welcome Tea at 3.30pm:
Sample a delicious and
traditional cream tea in the
splendid surroundings of
Hertford College’s historic
dining hall.
Please wear smart clothes.
Bring your camera!
Evening
D
I
N
N
E
R
Cultural activities
with RAs
Speaking activities
Mingling activity:
meet your teachers
and find out more
about your
classmates
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
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Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
Day 2
Language Focus:
Exploring Ways to
learn English:
Completing
Language Learning
Contract
B
R
E
A
K
Language Focus:
Advanced Functional
English: (Example)
 How to communicate
in a polite and
appropriate manner
L
U
N
C
H
Language Focus:
 Advanced
speaking and
listening skills
Day 4


Weekly
reviews
Weekly
consolidation
Cultural activities
with RAs
Out and about Tour of
Discovery
A self-guided exploration of
the hidden corners of Oxford
Students vote for their
favourite culture studies
topics to be taught during
the programme
B
R
E
A
K
Language Focus:
 The language of
debate: expressing
your opinion and
comments
 Mini debate in groups
B
R
E
A
K
Language Focus:

Vocabulary
development:
(Example) key
idiomatic
expressions
Language Focus:
 Architecture in Oxford
Learning about some of
Oxford’s famous buildings
D
I
N
N
E
R

Academic writing
session (Example)
How to summarise
and paraphrase:
techniques and
exercises
Day 3
British Culture Studies:
L
U
N
C
H
L
U
Introduction to student N
C
presentations
 How to plan, research H
and deliver a
presentation
effectively
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
British Culture Studies:
(example)
 The British Education
System: Primary and
Secondary Education
D
I
N
N
E
R
British Culture Studies:
D
I
N
N
E
R

An Introduction to
London
Cultural activities
with RAs
Cultural activities
with RAs
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Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
Day 5
Trip to London: Enjoy a trip to the capital city and experience all the magical sights and sounds of London in the comfort
and safety of your private coach. You will also have the chance to visit the National Gallery and the British Museum.
Afterwards you are free to spend the afternoon in London with your RAs.
Day 6
Weekend: At the weekend you have free time. If you wish to stay in Oxford, your RAs are available for Oxford activities,
such as punting, walking tours, shopping, college and museum visits.
Alternatively, some students choose to travel independently to nearby place of interest such as:
 London
 Stratford upon Avon
 Warwick Castle
 Cambridge
 Bath
 The Cotswolds
 Stonehenge
 Brighton
 Liverpool
These trips are not included in the programme price
Your RAs are available to offer advice and support about travel arrangements.
Day 7
Week TWO
Day 8
Weekend: Free time (as above)
9.00 – 10.30am
Language Focus:
Weekly Test
Reviewing language and
topics covered last week
11.00 – 12.30pm
B
R
E
A
K
Language Focus:
Job seeking skills:
 How to prepare for a
job interview
 Writing a personal
Trouble-shooting
statement and CV
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
2 – 4pm
L
U
N
C
H
British Culture
Studies:
(example)
 Literature in
Oxford
An introduction to
Evening
D
I
N
N
E
R
Games and
activities with RAs
8
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme

grammar session:
(Example) discourse
markers, adverbs and
adverbial expressions
Day 9
Language Focus:

Day 10
Day 11
Advanced reading and
speaking skills
Pronunciation workshop:
(Example)
 word stress and rhythm
 Intonation in polite
requests
Language Focus:

Speaking skills
(Example) Speculation
and deduction

Vocabulary
development:
(Example) key phrasal
verbs
End of Course
Presentations
 Students deliver
presentations in small
groups before an
audience
some of the many
famous authors of
Oxford
Interview techniques
B
R
E
A
K
Language Focus:
British Culture
Studies:
(Example)
 Oxford and the
tutorial system
D
I
N
N
E
R
Cultural activities
with RAs
Advanced presentation
techniques and
language
L
U
N
C
H
B
R
E
A
K
Academic Writing
workshop: (Example)
 Paragraph structure
 Unity and
coherence
L
U
N
C
H
British Culture
Studies:
(Example)
 Shakespeare: his
life and works
D
I
N
N
E
R
Cultural activities
with RAs
B
R
E
A
K
End of Course
Presentations (cont)
L
U
N
C
British Culture
review and quiz
D
I
N
N
E
GALA DINNER
 Celebrate your
success at a
memorable candlelit dinner in the
R historic dining hall
at Hertford College

This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
End Of Course
HAssessment
9
Hertford College - 2012
2-week Advanced Level English Language and British Culture Studies - Proposed Programme
.
Day 12
Meals:


where you will be
presented with a
certificate at the
end-of-course
ceremony.
This is a special
event so please
wear smart clothes
& bring your
camera!
Departure Day
On class days and at weekends, you are offered breakfast, lunch and dinner.
On trip days and free days, you are offered breakfast, a packed lunch and dinner.
This programme may change to suit the needs and interests of the students
10