Language programme in Bournemouth

Bournemouth is undoubtedly one of the best and most important student cities on the southern coast of England. Its quaintness, charm and miles of sandy beach alongside the bustling atmosphere of the city have created a centre for tourism, education and business. Complete with an exceedingly well organised public transport system with links all over Britain and Europe, Bournemouth is a hub of activity. Even getting to London is as simple as hopping on a 1 hour and a half train ride.

This special Summer language programme includes 20 or 28 English lessons per week, with or without activities. It is available for students aged 14-19 years. An activity programme is associated to the 20 lessons per week course.

Our two partners for these programmes are ETC School (from 14 years) and Westbourne Academy (from 15 years). Both offer high quality courses and learning environment.

ETC School of English

ETC (Educational Training Centre), is a family-run institution founded in 1989 by Mr. David Jones. The school is located in the centre of Bournemouth, near to the town’s pedestrian area and the beach, some 500m from “the Square” and right next to the Central Gardens, the bus lines and less than 10 minutes walking distance from the beach and park.

Accreditations: British Council and English UK

School facilities include:

  • 44 bright, spacious classrooms located in different buildings
  • An IT room
  • A Library
  • A Cafeteria (fresh, cold and hot meals cooked on site)
  • A large terrace

Westbourne Academy School of English

Westbourne Academy is a family-run institution that offers a traditional English atmosphere. Located in the Westbourne residential area, the school is 10 minutes away by bus from Bournemouth and Poole city centre. In this suburban neighbourhood, students find all the conveniences of banks, a post office, international restaurants, classic English pubs and a variety of retail outlets to satisfy every taste.

Accreditations: British Council and English in Britain

School facilities include:

  • 15 spacious classrooms (including 2 with interactive whiteboards)
  • A Recreation room
  • A Patio with table tennis
  • An IT room
  • WiFi in the buildings and garden
  • A Language lab & multimedia centre: practise your listening and speaking skills, watch movies or TV outside class hours
  • A library
  • A Cafeteria (dishes served on site)

English language courses: the basics

  • Lesson length: 40 minutes (WA school) and 45 minutes (ETC school)
  • Class sizes: average of 12 students year round and maximum of 16 in the summer at WA school; average of 14 students year round and maximum of 18 in the summer at ETC school.
  • Course schedule: lessons generally take place on mornings but can also be organised upon afternoons during the peak periods.
  • Placement test: first day of classes
  • Certificate of participation at the end of your stay
  • CELTA-qualified native English teachers

20 General English lessons per week

Lessons take place from 9:30 to 12:30 (or upon certain afternoons) from Monday to Friday. You will learn the four fundamental skills required to learn any language: reading, writing, speaking and listening. These lessons combine perfectly with the Excursions option, which includes supervised group activities outside of lesson times (see Dates and Prices tab).

This programme is available at ETC and Westbourne Academy. If you choose this programme, we will endeavour to respect your choice of school, however we reserve the right to place you in either of the schools depending on availabilities, after having spoken to you about the change. Students applying together will always be placed together, unless otherwise mentioned.

Language level: beginner to advanced

28 General English lessons per week

This programme is available at ETC and only for students aged 16-19.Slightly more intensive, these lessons take place in the morning and part of the afternoon. Students taking this course are not able to take part in the “Activities” option.

Language level: beginner to advanced

English and Activity Programme

During the Summer Holidays of July and August (see Prices & Dates tab), we offer the possibility to take part in an Activity programme as well as English lessons. These activities are various and organised in English by our bilingual Group Leaders. The weekly programme, with the meeting place and time, is posted on the school premises.

One full day excursion is also organised every Saturday (2 weeks stays minimum).

The activity programme includes :

5 half days of activities per week, for example:

  • Visit of Swanage
  • Visit of Poole
  • Visit of Christchurch
  • Bowling
  • Beach games
  • Museums
  • Mini-golf
  • Boat trips
  • Beach volleyball
  • Water park

2 evening activities per week, for example

  • Bowling
  • Greyhound racing
  • Mini-disco
  • Laser Game
  • Cinema

Excursions: Oxford, London or Bath…

All entry tickets and transport fees to the activities are included.

The Activity Programme is compulsory for all students who are under 16 during the stay and who participate in the 20 lessons per week course.

The Excursion Programme is compulsory for all students who are under 16 during the stay.

Activities and excursions (optional)

Students who do not select the Activity Programme can also take part in a selection of activities and excursions offered by the group leaders (depending on availabilities) by signing up on arrival.

They can also sign up individually for the Excursion Programme, organised year round by the schools (i.e. the New Forest, Dorset villages, Stratford upon Avon, Bath, Oxford etc). The student can sign up and pay on site. The schools also organise barbecues, karaoke parties and evening events on a regular basis for free or at a small cost.

Shared room, shared bathroom, half board Monday-Friday, full board upon weekends.

The families are vetted and interviewed by the school representatives and offer a warm environment to ensure that students are well-integrated during their stay in England. Most of the families are experienced hosts, having welcomed students into their homes for years. The school welfare officers visit the families regularly. Former students who wish to return to the same family should indicate this preference on their booking form.

Travel time to school: host families usually live 20-30 minutes (up to 55 minutes, direct bus route) from the schools by public transport in residential areas. Travel to school is easy and your host family will explain how to get to school and to the city centre.

Curfew for minors:

  • 14 and 15 year old are not allowed to go out in the evening outside of the activity programme organised by the group Leaders.
  • 16 and 17 year old are allowed to go out until 22:00 aside of the organised activity programme, providing they bring a signed parental authorisation.

Practical Information

  • Bed linen provided (but students should bring their own bath towels)
  • Laundry: your host family will let you use their laundry facilities once a week or let you know their laundry day
  • Families are regularly inspected by the school and are used to host foreign students (not more than 4 students per family maximum).
  • Single rooms are available, though rare, and can be booked subject to availability for students aged 18+ (additional fees apply)
  • The family provides half board (breakfast & dinner) Monday to Friday. On week-ends the family provides three meals a day. During the week, students can have snacks or a light meal in the school cafeteria or in a nearby café or restaurant at lunchtime for a minimal cost.

Individual travel

Arrivals: Sunday

Departures: Saturday

Arrival airports/railway stations (with approx. travel time to Bournemouth): Bournemouth International Airport offers daily and weekly flights to and from numerous British and European destinations. Poole also offers daily ferry cruises to and from France.

  • Bournemouth Airport-Bournemouth: 15 minutes (taxi)
  • Southampton Airport-Bournemouth: 30 minutes (taxi), 38 minutes (train)
  • London Heathrow-Bournemouth: 1h30 (taxi) à 2h25 (express coach)
  • London Gatwick-Bournemouth: 2h (taxi), 3h30 minutes (express coach)
  • London Stansted-Bournemouth: 2h30 minutes (taxi), 4h (express coach)

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, see price list tab.)

Please note: do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course (about 4 days after deposit payment).

For E.U. citizens

All E.U. citizens now need to have a valid personal passport to travel to the UK

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page.

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.

Dates & Prices 2024

Dates 2024

Summer holidays: from July 14 to 27 and from August 11 to 24

Arrival days (Sundays): July 14 ; August 11

Departure days (Saturdays): July 27 ; August 24

(Courses start on Mondays)

Prices 2024

Inlcuding classes, accommodation, meals as described, all taxes and enrolment fees.

WPCS 42.0.3
Cours & logement en famille - Chambre partagée*, demi-pension - Westbourne Academy et ETC
Durée20 leçons
1 semaine€ 845
2 semaines€ 1.510
Suppléments - par semaine
Chambre individuelle (+18 ans uniquement)€ 80
Régime spécial (végétarien, halal, intolérances)€ 35
Option activités (5 après-midi et 2 soirées)*
Par semaine d'activités€ 155
Option excursions (1 fois par semaine)€ 60
*Obligatoire pour les moins de 16 ans

Prices include:

  • Course as described
  • All taxes and school enrolment fees
  • Homestay accommodation, shared room
  • Half-board (Breakfast & Dinner) during weekdays and full-board on weekends
  • Supervision by bilingual Group Leaders for the duration of the stay
  • Course books and materials
  • Certificate of completion indicating the language level and the duration of the session

Prices do not include:

  • Travel to and from Bournemouth
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All lunches Monday to Friday
  • Local transport (out of Activity Programme)
  • Optional insurances
  • Visa fees (if any)

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