In a one-to-one homestay experience, you can practise English all day long in an English speaking setting, and by taught by someone who will design and deliver a teaching programme especially for you. I am a fully-qualified English teacher and I have been hosting guests from overseas since 1995. Before teaching I was a writer for the BBC, where a high standard of English language knowledge was ess
ential. Teaching Methods: The focus is on YOU! I use two different styles of teaching, depending on your preference. One way is the conventional method where we drill grammar, reading, writing and so on, concentrating heavily on traditional methods, and monitoring performance regularly, using assessments and tests. The second way I like to teach is the communicative teaching method. This means the lessons are conversational and student focused. The emphasis of the standard course is on conversational practice in practical situations. Grammar, reading, writing, and listening are covered, but developing communicative skills is emphasized. Cultural elements such as regional ways of thinking, varying contexts, and current expressions will also be covered. Because you will begin speaking the language of the country from the very first day and will be continually practising your language skills, you probably will be surprised and pleased with how quickly your language ability improves. FACT: A four-week language school programme is equal to one year of college language instruction!! Delivering your course
Your lessons are held in a beautifully decorated and spacious classroom The room is light and airy, with plenty of natural daylight. It is situated in the gardens of our property, away from the distractions of the house and other family members. It has been especially designed with the learner in mind, with a large white board, fully networked for computers and overhead projectors. It is the perfect place to focus and learn. Planning your course
You will complete a Diagnostic Assessment at the beginning of the course so that together we can identify your strengths and weaknesses. I will then design and deliver a teaching programme to suit you. At the end of your course I will offer you suggestions and recommend-ations for future study so you can continue learning when you get home. How many lessons do you want? A course can be 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours of lessons a week. Each lesson is one hour long. Lessons take place in the morning for all courses of 15 and 20 hours. Longer courses will carry on after the lunch break. General English
Using information from your Diagnostic Assessment, we will work on a specially designed teaching programme aimed at improving areas where you need more practice. During the lessons, you will learn communication skills in a wide range of everyday situations. The lessons will cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and skills practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing. We will use a wide variety of materials and exercises including role-plays, authentic recorded material, newspapers and magazines. Emphasis is placed on fluency, vocabulary and pronunciation. We will practise language for everyday situations and classes may involve discussing topics such as film and theatre, current events, politics, local culture and the internet. Business English
As well as covering the areas covered in the General English course, you have the opportunity to study Business English. Areas covered include using the telephone effectively, specialist vocabulary, improving social interaction and conversation. We would also cover writing emails and business letters. Examination Preparation
If you are studying for a specific examination, then we can prepare for this together. I can arrange exam support for the following exams:
• Cambridge Business Preliminary
• Cambridge Business Vantage
• Cambridge Business Higher
• Cambridge Preliminary English Test
• Cambridge First Certificate in English
• Cambridge Advanced English
• Cambridge Proficiency in English
• IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC. Feedback
At the end of the course you will be given a report of lessons covered, achievement made and advice for further study. You will also receive a Certificate of Study and a full course report. Living with the Family
When you stay with us here at Camden Lodge, you become part of a family experiencing the British way of life and, most importantly of all, using English in everyday conversation. It is also the cheapest way to learn English in the UK with comfortable accommodation, all meals catered for, in a really friendly home environment. Camden Lodge is not like most other one-to-one homestay schools. With some homestay courses, after the lessons are over for the day, the student is left alone to have - what the tutor likes to call - ‘free time’. In truth, this simply means ‘left on your own’! This can sometimes be a bit lonely and isolating, especially when you’re alone in a strange country. However with Camden Lodge, when lessons finish, there is always someone there to support you, and to entertain you (whether you like it or not!). If, of course, you do want to be alone, to study, to read, or just to explore the area, then of course you are free to do this. But if you want company and the opportunity for plenty of conversation practice, then I am here for you. We all live in a large, six-bedroomed Victorian house which is just a ten-minute walk from the centre of Hastings town centre and the seafront. During term-times both children are away at university – Jolyon (my son) is studying Experimental Psychology at Bristol University and Endora (my daughter) is studying Physics at Birmingham University. As a member of our family, you will, of course, be invited to join in any social activities that we are involved with. In the past, this has included attending weddings, birthday parties, christenings, and dinner parties at friends’ houses. However, as I’ve said above, if you prefer to have quiet time in your own room, then you are welcome to do this, too! We have a couple of bicycles, so you may want to tour round Hastings and the seafront on a bike (it’s very safe on the seafront because you are allowed to ride on the promenade which is safer than riding on the road if you’re not used to driving on the left-hand side!)
Eating in England
I know the British have a bad reputation for their cuisine! I am told that English cooking is ‘unimaginative and heavy’, and we are famous only for our full English Breakfasts, our Fish and Chips and our Christmas Dinners! However in our household we eat very well and healthily. We are happy to cater to your personal requirements, whether vegetarian or dietary, or whether you simply hate spicy foods or onions! Breakfast here at Camden Lodge is usually a simple affair: fruit juice, cereal, toast, coffee, tea or hot chocolate. At weekends you will have the oppor-tunity of experiencing a typical English cooked breakfast, if you wish! Lunch is usually a light meal in the UK, a sandwich, or soup and bread, or eggs/ cheese on toast, crisps, yoghurt, fruit and perhaps something sweet. However, if you would prefer to have a larger meal at lunchtime, we can provide whatever you wish. The evening meal is a larger, two-course meal consisting of either a starter and main course or a main course followed by a dessert. If you have any special or cultural dietary requirements, I can cater for this. We have several Halal grocery stores near us, so if you eat only halal meat, we can arrange this for you. For further information on English food and customs, visit:
http://www.foreignstudents.com/guide-to-britain/british-culture/food-and-drink/mains
Costs
Camden Lodge School of English is one of the most competitively priced language schools you will find on the internet. It is far more reasonable than booking one-to-one tuition through large language schools. Booking four to six weeks in advance is recommended, but there are often opportunities for last minute arrangements. Included in the cost of your stay:
Exclusive, customised 1:1 English lessons from a fully-qualified, innovative, and supportive tutor
Constant attention, companionship and support for duration of stay, including arrangement of all social activities so you never get bored or lonely! Full board accommodation (this means you will be offered three delicious (!) meals each day - breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Unlimited access to, and use of, a wide variety of language learning books and lesson materials (with the opportunity to purchase various books via Amazonhttp://www.amazon.co.uk)
Laundry facilities 24/7
A single, double or twin-bedded private room, with towels and bedding regularly changed
Full wi-fi internet access
Television and DVD player in bedroom
Playstation with various video games
Shared shower and bathroom facilities. A basic one-week English course (three hours a day of lessons) with full board accommodation costs £650 a week in the summer months. If you would like to stay here with a friend, sharing lessons and a twin-bedded room, then the cost would be reduced to £498 per person. Seasonal discounts are available, starting at £396 a week. For more details on costs, then please contact me to discuss. A 3% discount is offered to those who stay two months or longer. Accommodation:
Five bedrooms
• 1 single
• 1 twin
• 1 double
• 1 triple (double bed and single bed)
• 1 triple (three single beds)
Collection from airport or train station
We can arrange to collect you from the airport or train station. Charges for collection (one way):
From LGW (Gatwick Airport): £90
From LHR (Heathrow Airport): £105
From Ashford International Rail Station (Eurostar): £50
By train: We live near to Hastings Railway Station and we do not charge to collect you from here. The train service is DIRECT from London Gatwick Airport to Hastings. From London Heathrow Airport to Hastings you will need to take the Underground to Victoria Station, and then the train from Victoria Station to Hastings Station. Young Learners (9 to 16 years old)
Young learners receive “in loco parentis” care (also known as ‘cocooning’) and are supervised at all times. They will be made part of a very welcoming, kind family in my lovely clean, comfortable, and friendly home. I have a great deal of experience in teaching and hosting young learners and of course I am a parent myself. Young Learners are not allowed to go out on their own. I would accompany them at all times. I am very fond of my young learners, who come back to stay with me year after year. I watch them grow up, and watch their English improve as the months and years go by. I want them to remember their stay in the UK with many happy memories. It can be very distressing for a Young Learner when they are far away from their family and I always make sure that they feel welcomed, comfortable, relaxed, and above all, safe. All about Hastings
Hastings is a medieval European coastal town, most famous for the Battle of Hastings in 1066 against the French. As well as having great historical importance, it has a modern shopping centre and is close to a number of other interesting towns and villages such as Rye, Winchelsea, Battle, Eastbourne and Brighton. It is only 100 km from London, which is easily accessible by train. We have access to horse-riding, leisure centres, bowling, kayaking, golf, tennis and so your stay here can be as busy as you want it to be! For further information, visit:
http://www.visit1066country.com/
http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/topattractions/
Excursions and outings
I will go with you at least twice a week on local excursions and outings at no extra cost, except entrance fees. At weekends you can go on a full day trip, and have many different adventures (with prices ranging from £25-£110 including entry and coach/train fare). You will be accompanied at all times, either by myself or by other members of my social activities team. Example:
Day trip to London (12 hours) including train fare, bus ticket, full native-speaking chaperone for day and viewing Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, walk along South Bank of the Thames £80
Day trip to London including above but also entry to Madame Tussaud’s £110
Ideas for outings:
Houses of Parliament, London Eye and River Trip on the Thames
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London
Shopping in Oxford Street (Europe’s biggest shopping street!)
Oxford University and shopping
Cambridge University and punting on the River Cam
Science Museum and Natural History Museums, London
Theme Parks (Thorpe Parke, Chessington World of Adventures)
Various great castles: (Scotney, Windsor, Hever, Leeds)
National Portrait Gallery, London
The British Library, London
Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden in London
London Zoo
London Aquarium
Art galleries, London
Harrods in London
Canterbury Cathedral
Brighton: the Lanes, Brighton Pavilion
Portsmouth and its Historic Dockyard
Testimonials from students
It’s always a great honour to receive so many flattering testimonials from satisfied students. All my students who have stayed with me so far, have told me that they are happy to let you know what their thoughts are on staying with us here at Camden Lodge, and to answer any questions you may have, from a totally unprejudiced standpoint. So please let me know if you would like testimonials emailed to you (in your own language, from students from your country), and I will do all I can to facilitate this, for your peace of mind before you make the commitment to change your life and language skills by coming to stay in our wonderful home!
“We had a great language and culture experience. We found a friendly and lovely family and we felt at home. We really improved our English and enjoyed a full immersive experience.”
- Carlo and Valeria, Italy
The most wonderful, beautiful and funniest teacher LOL! I learned a lot this year...I am a bit sad to leave because I’m really accustomed to this town and your family....I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!’
- Maud, France
“...I’ve loved it all, the family was great the doggies were so sweet and all. I was never bored. Thank you for all. I’ll miss you.’ Roger, Switzerland
“I’ve learned more than I expected and of course my pronunciation has improved a lot thanks to you. I will miss all of you very much.”
- Marta, Spain
“I’m really appreciate that you welcomed me without any complain. Although my life in your family for one week was very short, it will be my best memory of life.’
- Bora, Korea
“Thank you for everything. I think that my English has improved. I learnt a lot, but in the joy and good humour! I like the concept of working and having fun at the same time!’
- Anouchka, France
“...I’m so happy to know you, you are my second family. The time passed so quick now I have to say goodbye and I’m really, really sad. Thanks for everything and don’t forget me!”
- Danja, Switzerland
“‘You are very kind, nice and helpful family. I think I gained a good people. It was really enjoyable experience. I hope to repeat it again in the nearest occasion.”
- Abdul, UAE
“It was a wonderful time! Because of you I have learned more English in the last two weeks that I have learned in the last two years in Switzerland! I felt comfortable and I will miss you!”
- Ladina, Switzerland
“At the begin I was very nervous and shy but you were very nice with me and I felt better at the end....You helped me to improve my English and I’m more determine to speak English every day”
- Orlane, France
For further information contact Marilla Miles-Wilson at [email protected] or [email protected]
