Groups
At Select English we’ve been welcoming groups to Cambridge for over a quarter of a century.
Our tailor made closed-group courses are available throughout the year, and courses can be as long or short as required.
There is no minimum or maximum size for a group course – large and small groups are all equally welcome at Select English.
Cambridge is a remarkable and inspiring city to visit, a centre of education renowned around the world and home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. Cambridge is also a small and peaceful city – making it the perfect choice for a safe and comfortable stay for any group.
Groups will be taught in our school building at 58 Hills Road or in other suitable classrooms in Cambridge.
If you are interested in creating a programme for your group, an experienced Select English team member will work closely with you to design a course that meets the precise needs and aspirations of your group – both in the classroom and beyond it.
Our English teachers are experienced in teaching short course group classes; classes are fun and practical with a focus on speaking and understanding in real life situations.
We also specialize in exam preparation courses for IELTS, Cambridge exams and Trinity exams.
The expertise of our academic teachers allows us to offer programmes combining English classes with lessons and practical sessions focusing on areas such as art, science and business. We also offer practical programmes that give students valuable insights into aspects of modern life in the UK – for instance programmes illustrating pathways into the British higher education system, or insights into finding work and current workplace practice. These courses are especially popular with school groups that wish to create a course based around the requirements of their syllabus at home.
We offer a range of accommodation options for groups. Many choose to stay in our carefully selected and monitored host family accommodation; we also have well-established connections with several Cambridge University colleges, so that at certain times of the year groups can choose to stay in the world famous university. Finally, there are a range of hotels and hostels close to our school. Cambridge offers a wide range of exciting and interesting activities for groups to enjoy whilst they are not in the classroom. Whether visiting a world famous college, touring a great museum or punting gently down the River Cam that flows through the centre of the city, there is never a dull moment here! And nearby towns and villages such as Ely, Bury St Edmunds and Grantchester make for wonderful afternoon excursions – while London is only 50 minutes away by train. Cambridge is located about 30 minutes’ drive from Stansted airport, making it easy for groups from all over Europe to get here.
- Course Content
- Homestay Accommodation
- Welfare
- Care of Under 18s
Lessons
- Choose the number of lessons per week
- Follow our regular syllabus or let us custom build a course for you
- We can offer the option to combine academic subjects such as maths or science with English
- Qualified, experienced teachers
Activities
Choose to have talks or workshops. Previous topics have included entrepreneurship, mindfulness, mental health, applying to Cambridge University and many more
Add afternoon and evening activities to your programme. Activities include punting, film night, sports, bowling, cinema, Cambridge college or museum visits
Add a full day trip to London or other UK cities.
Our homestays accommodation are carefully selected by our Accommodation Officer who inspects all homes. This way, we ensure that only the most suitable houses and families are used to host Select English students. Most homestays are located 3-5km from the school, approx. 30 to 45 minutes traveling by bus. We also carefully monitor student feedback on homestay hosts so that we only continue to work with the most popular homestay hosts.
Once we have placed you in a homestay, you will receive a family profile from us, giving basic information about your homestay.
In some cases, students aged 16 or over may be placed in Private Homes. These are homes who host more than 4 students. Private homes offer meals and laundry but may offer a reduced opportunity to interact with hosts due to the number of guests. Please let us know if you do not want to be accommodated in a private home
- Twin/triple rooms
- Breakfast and evening meal provided
- Laundry once per two week course
- Bed linen is provided (students should bring their own towels)
ROOM SHARING
If you are travelling with a friend you can request to be accommodated in the same homestay at the time of booking.
MEALS
- Breakfast and dinner are provided. Breakfast will normally be a choice of cereal, toast, fruit juice and tea or coffee.
- Dinner is generally served between 17.30 and 18.00, but homestays will advise the definite time.
LAUNDRY
The homestay will do one level basket of washing for you per 2 weeks, on an agreed day each week.
- SHOWERS/BATHS
- All students will be able to shower or bath at least once a day; note that bathrooms are normally shared with the homestay.
- GETTING TO SCHOOL
- Homestays will advise students of the best way to get to school from their home. In most cases, students will take the bus, and the host family will show the student the bus stop near to the house and explain which bus to catch.
- Students can buy a weekly bus ticket called a “Megarider” from the bus driver. The cost is around £18 per week for unlimited travel around Cambridge.
STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18
In most cases we aim to keep students under 18 separate from over 18s in homestays. However, we realise that there will be cases where friends of different ages may travel together and wish to be accommodated together. In such cases, a request must be made in writing by the parents/guardians of the students.
At Select English we want to make sure that all students enjoy their time with us, and feel safe and relaxed whilst they are here in England.
Our approach to student welfare includes dedicated and trained welfare support staff who are always available to help students who need extra support.
All the Select English team share a determined commitment to caring for all of our students, whatever their needs, in the best possible way.
Nadine Kaminska is our Welfare Manager – her email address is: nadine.kaminska@selectenglish.co.uk
24 hour emergency contact number
On site Welfare Manager
Medical Centre 5 minutes’ walk from school
Qualified first aiders on site
Supervised sports and social programme
Live in House Managers in residential accommodation
Care of Under 18s
ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING THIS COURSE MUST RETURN A CONSENT FORM COMPLETED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
Please read the below as it outlines the level of care and supervision provided on this course. Once you have read this section please complete the consent form that you’ll be sent.
- Students in closed groups will be taught together with students from their group. They will not be mixed with other students in the school for their classes. The school may have adult students at the same time who will be sharing common areas in the school.
Select English Staff
Select English check all staff, group leaders and homestay hosts that work with students under 18 to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. This includes a police record check (called a DBS check in England).
- Emergency Contact Information
- Students will be given the Select English 24-hour emergency number during their induction.
Risk Assessments
Select English have a risk assessment for every activity to help keep children safe.
Supervision
Students in homestay will need to travel to and from school alone, often on public transport
Staff/student ratios on activities and trips will generally be 1:20. However, ratios will be determined by the risk assessment carried out for each activity
Students will not be supervised by Select English staff outside of class time unless on an activity or trip organised by the school
Group Leaders
We expect leaders to follow our code of practice. Leaders will be given a handbook on arrival with helpful advice on how to work together with Select English staff to ensure a successful stay for all the students.
If you would like a proposal
Contact our Marketing Team or call on 0044 (0) 1223 313211 and tell us
- The expected number of students in your group
- The expected number of group leaders likely to accompany the group
- The proposed arrival and departure dates of the group
- How many lessons you want to include
- Accommodation preference
- Whether you wish to include transfers, lunches or bus passes
- Any trips and activities you’d like to include
Extras
- Airport Transfers: You can add airport transfers to your group booking. Depending on the group size, we’ll arrange for a coach, minibus or taxis to meet you along with an experienced member of our team and get you to Cambridge safely. Large groups will be dropped off at the school first and then put into taxis to their accommodation with help from our staff.
- Lunches: We can arrange hot or cold lunches in the school, depending on the preferences of the group
- Bus passes: Bus passes are £26 for adults and £18 for U19s for unlimited travel around Cambridge City for one week. These can be added to your booking, and paid for in advance. Alternatively, they can also be purchased from the bus driver on the bus on the first morning of the course.
Sample Programmes
- Standard one week programme
- Standard two week programme
- Oxbridge Preparation
- EAP/ESP
Standard 1 week programme
| Sunday | Arrival to London Stansted – Transfer to Cambridge Homestays | |||
| Monday | English Lessons | Lunch | Walking Tour of Cambridge | Dinner with Homestay and Free Time |
| Tuesday | English Lessons | Lunch | Self Hire Punting | Dinner with Homestay and Free Time |
| Wednesday | English Lessons | Lunch | Fitzwilliam Museum | Dinner with Homestay and Free Time |
| Thursday | English Lessons | Lunch | Sports Afternoon or Cupcake Making | Dinner with Homestay and Free Time |
| Friday | English Lessons | Lunch | King’s College Visit | Dinner with Homestay and Free Time |
| Saturday | Transfer to Stansted Airport from Homestays |
Standard 2 week programme
| Sunday | Arrive to Heathrow Airport – Met by a member of Select English staff – Transfer to Cambridge | |||||
| Monday | English Testing and Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lessons | Walking tour of Cambridge including Climb of St Mary’s Church Tower | Dinner with Homestay | Welcome Party at School |
| Tuesday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lessons | Frisbee, Tennis and Football | Dinner with Homestay | Cinema Night |
| Wednesday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lessons | English Tea Party at School | Dinner with Homestay | Pool Night |
| Thursday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lessons | Fitzwilliam Museum Visit | Dinner with Homestay | Treasure Hunt |
| Friday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lessons | Cricket, Rugby or Rounders in the Park | Dinner with Homestay | English Pub Night |
| Saturday | Full day trip to London with member of Select English staff | Late Dinner with Homestay | Free Evening | |||
| Sunday | Trip to Ely with member of Select English Staff – Entry to Ely Cathedral | Late Dinner with Homestay | Free Evening | |||
| Monday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lessons | Afternoon Trip to Bury St Edmunds by Train | Dinner with Homestay | Free Evening |
| Tuesday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lesson | Punting on the River Cam | Dinner with Homestay | Cupcake Decorating at School |
| Wednesday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lesson | Afternoon Trip to Grantchester for Tea and Scones | Dinner with Homestay | Free Evening |
| Thursday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lesson | Tour of King’s College | Dinner with Homestay | Free Evening |
| Friday | English Lessons | Cold Lunch at School | English Lesson | Afternoon Trip to Anglesey Abbey | Dinner With Homestay | Farewell Party |
| Saturday | Transfer from Cambridge to London Heathrow |
Oxbridge Preparation Programme
This programme is for students who are aiming to study at the UK’s top universities. It combines subject lectures from University of Cambridge lecturers with classes introducing the application for Oxford University and the University of Cambridge.
British Council accreditation applies to the English language teaching element of the programme only. Any additional subject sessions or specialist workshops are not part of the accredited English language provision.
| Morning 09.00-11.00 | Morning 11.30-13.30 | Afternoon | |
| Sunday | Arrival: Transfer from airport | ||
| Monday | Welcome Session -Introduction to Oxbridge | Seminar: Cambridge Student Life with Cambridge University Student | Walking Tour of Cambridge |
| Tuesday | Subject lecture from Cambridge University Lecturer | Application Tutorial: How to write your personal statement | Academic English Class 14.30-16.30 |
| Wednesday | Academic English Class | Seminar: Application Experience with Cambridge University Student | Half day excursion to Ely |
| Thursday | Critical Thinking Class | Application Tutorial: Completing UCAS forms | IELTS class 14.30-16.30 |
| Friday | Subject lecture from Cambridge University Lecturer | Lecture: University Admissions with Cambridge University Lecturer | Visit Fitzwilliam Museum |
| Saturday | Full day excursion to London | ||
| Sunday | Full day excursion to Oxford and Bicester | ||
| Monday | Subject lecture from Cambridge University Lecturer | Application Tutorial: Choosing your course | IELTS class 14.30-16.30 |
| Tuesday | Academic English Class | Application Tutorial: Preparing for Interview | Half day excursion to Bury St Edmunds |
| Wednesday | Subject lecture from Cambridge University Lecturer | Visit Imperial College London | |
| Thursday | Critical Thinking Class | Seminar: Alternatives to Oxford and Cambridge | Academic English Class 14.30-16.30 |
| Friday | Academic English Class | Application Tutorial: Interview Practice | Visit Jesus College, Cambridge University |
| Saturday | Departure: transfer to airport |
EAP/ESP Course
We can arrange closed group programmes with specific academic focus or EAP/ESP courses. The following is an example programme with a focus on English literature.
British Council accreditation applies to the English language teaching element of the programme only. Any additional subject sessions or specialist workshops are not part of the accredited English language provision.
| | Morning | Afternoon |
| Sunday | Arrive at Airport | Transfers to Cambridge Homestays |
| Monday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Walking Tour of Cambridge |
| Tuesday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Visit King’s College, Cambridge University |
| Wednesday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Half day excursion to London including London Eye and a Musical |
| Thursday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Visit Grantchester for Afternoon Tea |
| Friday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Half day excursion to Ely |
| Saturday | Full day trip to London | |
| Sunday | Day trip to Canterbury for Dickens Lecture and Tour | |
| Monday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Cambridge University College Tour |
| Tuesday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Half day trip to London for Bloomsbury Literary Tour |
| Wednesday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Punting in Cambridge |
| Thursday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Visit Cambridge University Botanic Garden |
| Friday | Literature Classes and Lectures | Cambridge Market Souvenir Shopping |
| Saturday | Day trip to Stratford Upon Avon – Shakespeare Tour | |
| Sunday | Departure: Transfer to airport | |