Key Academic Features

• 15 hours of English lessons each week
• Balance of appropriate language and skills development
• Links to activities and visits in the UK
• An opportunity to work individually and in multi-national groups
• Integrated skills syllabus linked to the ALTE framework
• An opportunity to take the Trinity Spoken English examination
• An opportunity to study with at least two Elac teachers

At Cardiff Metropolitan University our students receive 3 hours 20 minutes of English tuition divided over 3 lessons in the morning or afternoon, four or five days a week; a total of 15 hours per week. There is a balance between language and skills development in mixed nationality classes, with a maximum of 15 students to a class. Students use an Elac workbook which also acts as a record of the student’s stay.

There is an option for students to be prepared and entered for the Trinity Examination while on an Elac course at Nottingham University. Preparation for the exam takes place in three additional sessions organised in the afternoons or evenings immediately prior to the exam.

There is an additional charge for entering the exam. Please refer to the “Dates and Prices” page for more details.

Activity Programme

Key Activity Features

• A wide variety of sports and activities
• Multi-national activities and the “activity carousel”

Our sports and activity programme during the day and in the evening gives students’ opportunities to enjoy a variety of sports and activities and practise their English in mixed nationality groups. Our activity leaders are experienced in encouraging students to get involved and have fun.

The “activity carousel” organises students into small multi-national groups who do some activities together during the course. The carousel helps students gain confidence and fluency with their English as well as encouraging them to interact with more students of different nationalities.

Sports and Physical Activities

The Cyncoed campus has wonderful sports facilities including indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an all-weather astroturf and two indoor gyms. In addition there is an indoor swimming pool.

We run inter-group competitions as well as individual competitions. Trophies and prizes are awarded at the end of the course for the winners.

We also offer aerobics and dance activities where possible.

Creative Activities

Students can also participate in the following:

• Designing T-shirts and bags
• Making key rings, book marks, painting and colouring projects
• Music and drama workshops

Evening Activities

These take place every evening. Activities include:

• Treasure and photo hunts
• Quiz nights and murder mystery events
• Talent shows and casino nights
• Discos and Karaoke
• Movie nights

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Excursion Programme

Key Excursion Features

• Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Castle
• Coach excursion to Swansea, including the National Maritime Museum
• A visit to the Big Pit coal mine
• Coach excursion to Bath, including the Roman Baths (3 week course)

On a two week programme students go to Cardiff, Cardiff Castle, Swansea and the Big Pit. On a three week programme students also go to Bristol and visit the SS Great Britain and on a half-day excursion to Bath to visit the Roman Baths.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit Cardiff during supervised free time, to explore it further and do some shopping.

Cardiff and Cardiff Castle (Half-day)

This excursion includes an orientation walking tour around the centre of Cardiff followed by free time for shopping and exploring the city centre. The tour will include Cardiff Castle, one of Wales' leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. During its 2000 years of history, the Castle has been a Roman Garrison, a Norman stronghold and in Victorian times was transformed into a gothic fairytale fantasy.

Swansea

This attractive city, rich in art and culture, is situated at the gateway to the Gower peninsular, an area of outstandingly beautiful coastline. Our visit includes a tour of the National Maritime Museum and the Dylan Thomas Centre. Dylan Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer who wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio in English, which he often performed himself.

After lunch, there is the option to look around Swansea and do some shopping, or visit the beach and have a walk and an ice-cream.

Big Pit (Half-day)

Big Pit is a real colliery. It was the place of work for hundreds of men, women and children for over 200 years This visit gives you a fascinating opportunity to explore what their life was like. The guided tours, conducted by experienced colliery personnel, last just under an hour. A further 20 minutes or so is taken in 'kitting up' with helmet and cap lamp, collecting contraband (cigarettes, matches, mobile phones, battery-operated equipment etc.) and riding through the shaft. The tour begins with a 300ft (90m) descent down the mineshaft by pit cage. You can also visit the original Big Pit colliery buildings around the site, including the Fan House, Blacksmith's Forge, Stables and Winding Engine House.

Bath Spa & Roman Baths (3 week course)

Bath is a fascinating city and there are many places to explore. Our visit includes a tour of the famous Roman Baths, with an audio guide available in different languages. There is then a walking tour taking in the main sites, like Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and the Royal Crescent. There is also time to sample some of the many shops on offer.

Bristol & SS Great Britain (3 week course)

Our visit to Bristol begins with a chance to view and walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, built by the renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Following this we will visit another of Brunel’s achievements, the SS Great Britain, the first iron hulled ship to cross the Atlantic. There will be free time to visit the large recently constructed indoor shopping centre, Cabot Circus, or else to follow the ‘Banksie trail’ and see some of the street art in the city, or to visit the city museum.