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English as a Foreign Language

with Oxford Royale

All ages can learn English on the campus of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.

English Foreign Language Summer School

English Summer School

Our English Summer Schools are based in Oxford and San Francisco, two fantastic locations where students can live, study, and perfect their English skills. 

Students aged 13 to 18 can choose to study on campus at colleges of the University of Oxford on our Oxford Summer School. This is an incredible opportunity to develop your English Language skills in one of the UK’s oldest cities, home to the oldest university in the English speaking world.

For students aged 15 to 18 who also want to explore the United States of America, join our Learn English Summer School on campus at the University of California, Berkeley.

Location UK & US
For Ages 13-18
Duration 2 weeks
Start Dates 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 28 Jul
Enrol Today

English Summer School Details

English is the common language of international commerce, finance, politics, law, research, and education throughout the modern world. Whatever your aspirations, learning to communicate accurately and elegantly in this global lingua franca will set you up for success for years to come. Our summer programmes on campus in the University of Oxford and UC Berkeley offer profoundly enriching environments in which to take your English to the next level, perfect for those who are preparing for advanced EFL examinations such as TOEFL, Cambridge First, and IELTS.

We are proud to be able to call ourselves the world’s most international summer school, having welcomed the best and brightest students from over 175 nations since our foundation in 2005. By studying with us, you will have exposure to a network of like-minded, ambitious learners, all of whom will have diverse reasons for deciding to study English intensively this summer. These friendships will last a lifetime, blossoming into opportunities to keep practising your English as you stay in touch, and bearing the potential for future intellectual collaboration as you further your studies and career.

Our academic faculty is made up of only the finest teachers and academics in their field, all of whom possess the tools not only to teach you the technicalities of the English language, but also to inform you about its rich literary and linguistic history. Showing individual attention to learners whilst also bringing their unique ideas and knowledge to the table, your tutors will offer you an unforgettable learning experience that will inspire you to persevere in perfecting your English for years to come.

As neuro-linguistic research has continuously shown, immersion is the most effective way to learn any language. Although at the beginning of the course learners will be sorted into three groups subject to their existing levels of English – Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced – each set will reap the rewards of being fully immersed in English throughout the duration of the two weeks, both within and outside of the classroom. Our extensive extra-curricular calendar offers EFL students access to inspiring talks and workshops from leading lights across a spectrum of professions, exposing attendees to a wide range of new vocabulary, accents, and modes of expression in a highly memorable context.

Held at the world’s finest Anglophone educational institutions, our programmes take full advantage of the rich cultural offer of their locations. Students in Oxford and Berkeley will benefit from further immersive learning through frequent excursions such as visits to museums and walking tours to sites of cultural significance. Subject to location and age group, they will visit a nearby city over the mid-programme weekend – Bath, London, or, in the case of those at UC Berkeley, San Francisco – where they’ll be exposed to quintessential British or American culture.

A holistic approach to language learning goes beyond simply studying grammar and vocabulary. Students on our programmes will develop intercultural competence, honing their verbal and non-verbal communication skills under the aegis of expert tutors. This will stand them in excellent stead as they enter an international job market, for which excellent soft skills and leadership capabilities are forecast to be in high demand over the coming decade.

We are highly conscious of the fact that students join us not only for an enriching learning experience, but also for an enjoyable summer. Our summer programmes for students of English as a Foreign Language are guaranteed to deliver on this end, as all attendees partake in an exciting and jam-packed extracurricular calendar, with plenty of opportunities to socialise. Over the course of the two weeks, they will:

  • Enjoy recreational activities such as bowling and cinema trips, sporting events, and immersive fact-finding Scavenger Hunts
  • Participate in a debating society with international peers from across the whole range of courses 
  • Have plenty of free time to explore their local city, sampling local cuisine and visiting any sites of personal interest with friends
  • Celebrate their achievements in style through two illustrious parties and a formal Oxford graduation ceremony

Our courses take full advantage of each of our stunning locations and their cultural legacies. Those studying at Oxford will have recourse to the rich tradition of literature that has emerged from the prestigious university town, whereas students at UC Berkeley will be exposed to the multicultural vibrancy of the San Francisco Bay Area, home to some of the most innovative tech start-ups on the planet. As world-class teachers incorporate the local environment into their lessons, your choice of where to study has the potential to shape the way you communicate, study, and engage with English for years to come.

Destination subject to their location and age group, all students will enjoy a thrilling day out to a nearby city over the mid-programme weekend. Students at UC Berkeley will be taken to San Francisco, famous for its exceptional cuisine, beautiful beaches, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Meanwhile, 13-15-year-olds studying in Oxford will visit beautiful Bath, and 16-18-year-olds will travel to London. All attendees will benefit from informative and engaging guided tours of key sites, as well as free time in which to visit areas of personal interest, indulge in some local dining, and go shopping for souvenirs with friends.

Like students on our academic programmes, attendees of the EFL summer courses will have the opportunity to partake in Oxford Royale’s unique debating society, where they’ll improve their public speaking skills and general English through dynamic discussions about highly modern quandaries. This will culminate in a Debate Grand Final, where students will have the opportunity to showcase the argumentative they have been honing over the two weeks of intensive study. This is an ideal opportunity for all students, but especially those looking to use English in fields such as business, politics, and law.

Students at the world’s greatest universities are experts in balancing hard work and play. We ensure that our attendees are well rewarded for their hard work, and offer not one, but two opportunities to celebrate their accomplishments over the course of the programme. A mid-programme party is held for students to let their hair down and socialise with their newfound friends following the first week of the course. Then, as the summer school winds to a close, alumni are invited to an illustrious Oxford graduation ceremony, where they will be awarded a certificate of their achievement, followed by a final party at a show-stopping location: a worthy send-off after all that hard work.

On offer at the following locations

Perfect the English Language with Oxford Royale

Immerse yourself in the English Language

The summer school provides a total linguistic immersion in English, helping to improve students’ confidence rapidly. Conversations in English happen around, not just in the lessons, and effort is made to ensure students broaden their social groups so not to speak too much in their native language.

Meet your goals

Getting to grips with language in use is a focus of English language study at Oxford Royale. Activities that build grammatical understanding are frequently paired with entertaining tasks so that students are always aware of how their newfound knowledge can be practical and enjoyable to use.

Reviews

We have a 4.8 rating based on 769 reviews on Reviews.io.
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Hannah

I had an absolutely incredible time doing Summer school with Oxford Royale Academy! I learnt new things about myself and the world around me, and would definitely recommend to others!

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Clara

I loved the Oxford Royal program, I met many people with bright personalities and unique minds, and I also learned a lot from the teachers, campus staff etc. You will enjoy it!

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Francesca

Oxford Royals Academy made my summer amazing! I learned many new things and I met people from all over the world that I know I can call true friends. I definitely recommend ORA to anyone who wants to make unforgettable memories!

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Minquan

The twelve days I spent in Oxford Summer School were very happy, the teachers were very kind and professional, and the curriculum was very reasonable, which expanded my knowledge. All the courses mean a lot to me and I hope I can come back next summer.

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Jade

The oxford royale academy was definitely the highlight of my summer. I have not only learnt more about the course I have chosen, but I've also met a lot of new friends, friendly staff and helpful teachers from different cultures all in the same campus and had a lot of unforgettable memories.

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Katherine

Oxford Royale was a great expreince. It was amazing to get to know people all over the globe and form life long relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our English language requirements are as follows:

B1 for EFL courses
B2 or IELTS level 5.5 – 6.5 for IELTS Preparation
C1 or IELTS level 6.5 or higher for all academic courses

Students who have studied at an English speaking school for two or more years are exempt from English requirements.

Once you have decided which course you would like to attend, and where you would like to study, you can book online using our secure booking system. You will need the details of the student and of the person paying the bill, the name of the course or courses you would like to study, and a credit or debit card to pay the relevant deposit.

We are happy to accept deposit payments via a number of other, non-card payment methods (including domestic and international bank transfer), thanks to our partnership with education payment specialists, Flywire. If you would prefer to pay your deposit payment by bank transfer or another method, please contact our Admissions team who will be able to assist you.

Once your application has been submitted, your deposit payment has been received by us and your booking processed by our system or our team, you will be sent an email confirming your place. You will also receive a login to the Oxford Royale Portal, which you will use to provide us with important additional information about you as your time with us approaches.

A Welcome Pack is available to download from the Oxford Royale Portal.

If at any time you would like to discuss your booking with a member of our award-winning Customer Service team, please feel free to contact us.

All enrolments require a deposit payment to secure the booking. For Summer 2023, deposit payments are structured as follows:

Summer Schools for ages 13-15, 16-18 and 19+ (University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Yale University and UC Berkeley) – £995 GBP for each 2-week session

You may either pay the full course fee when you book your place, or pay the deposit amount and then the balance at a later date.

The balance clearance is required no later than 90 days before the start date of the course. Where the student is booking less than 90 days before the start date, the course fees must be covered in full. We appreciate that, with the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, people may require additional flexibility to these terms, and we are doing our best to accommodate that – please contact us if you have concerns regarding making the balance payment in line with the 90-day deadline.

Enrolments received via our online application form will require a debit or credit card payment of at least the deposit amount. If you would like to enrol and make your deposit payment via Bank Transfer or another method, we are happy to facilitate this. Please contact our Admissions team to arrange this.

Balance payments for existing enrolments can be made via a number of methods, including domestic and international bank transfer, credit or debit card, as well as local payment options; please log in to the Oxford Royale Portal and click on the ‘Pay Now’ button on your booking details.

All course fees include the following:

  • Classes and tuition (Minimum taught hours per week: 20 for ages 13-18, 15 for ages 19+)
  • Study files/materials
  • Guest lectures by academic speakers
  • Personalised academic reports and graduation certificate
  • Accommodation at a top university
  • Meals in the dining hall of your college, every day of your programme (Meals provided: breakfast, lunch and dinner for ages 13-15; breakfast and dinner for ages 16-18 and 19+)
  • Free WiFi (subject to availability)
  • A wide selection of afternoon and evening activities
  • Coach excursions (kindly note that excursions can be to local attractions or to sites further afield)
  • Welcome and graduation events
  • A multitude of extras, including an ORA notebook and branded clothing

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