Youth Adventure

Youth Adventure ($2450 all inclusive) This experiential course is designed for students ages 13 -17 who would like to improve their English while participating in exciting group activities outside the classroom to experience U.S. culture.

The course curriculum integrates daily activity with the classroom content. For example a class focused on California history is followed by a trip to San Francisco’s Mission District or Fisherman’s Wharf.

Course fees include the cost of room and board through the Orinda Homestay Program. The fee also includes airport transfers, daily chartered transportation between classes and homestay, all activities, and a three-day trip to Yosemite National Park.

Teenagers learn English from active participation in the classroom and interaction with host families. An informal classroom environment encourages students to speak freely. Fun student-centered activities such as role-plays, pair-work, and group-work enable students to gain confidence and fluency in spoken idiomatic English.

The afternoon cultural and recreational activities provide students with opportunities to use the English they have practiced in the classroom and to observe and experience social aspects of American culture. Some activities are designed to facilitate awareness of American culture through cross-cultural contact and observations. Students make life-long friendships with their international classmates.

INSTRUCTORS
Our instructors are highly-qualified professionals with advanced degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or related fields. In addition, they have experience in teaching young students with limited English proficiency and their goal is to help students feel comfortable speaking in English and understanding a new culture.

LEVELS
Beginning to high-intermediate

CLASS SIZE
Average of 15 students

CLASS HOURS
15 class hours plus 15 hours of activities per week.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE CONTENT

In the Communication Skills class (daily), students practice listening and speaking skills through the introduction of new vocabulary (including American idioms and slang), rhythm and intonation, listening comprehension activities, and communicative exercises. Grammar is taught in context only. Classroom practice is related as closely as possible to the students’ experiences outside of class, so that the skills learned can be used immediately in real situations. Students take tests and quizzes on a weekly basis. A textbook or reader is used in the Communication Skills class and is included in the student course fee.

The Communication Practice class (daily) provides additional opportunities for conversation practice and cross-cultural learning. Interesting topics on American society and history are introduced. Students work on assignments in pairs and in small groups. Activities include word games, jazz chants, interviews, discussions, role-plays and problem solving. Interview activities take place outside the classroom in the UC Berkeley community. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

Included in the program fee, the Cultural and Recreational Activities are selected to appeal to a wide range of interests. Activities vary seasonally and according to availability. All transportation and entrance fees are included in the program package. Examples of typical activities are:

Oakland Museum of California History; Lawrence Hall of Science
UC Berkeley campus; SF Fisherman’s Wharf; UC Berkeley Department visit;
Ferry trip from SF to Sausalito; All-inclusive 3-day trip to Yosemite National Park*
* summer only

DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMMODATIONS, HOMESTAY
All students participating in the course stay with American host families and the housing costs are included in the course fee. We have found that the teens gain a deeper understanding of American culture when they live with an American family and fully participate in family life. The homestay experience also gives them additional opportunities for fluency practice and vocabulary development. Our students report that their homestay experience is a highlight of their time in the United States. Homestay accommodations include full board, breakfast - bag lunch – dinner, arrival orientation, and both airport transfers.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PROGRAM
The program fee is designed to cover EVERYTHING! No hidden additional fees. Students will only need additional money for souvenirs.

 

 

 

 

Course Dates and Fees

15 hours of evaluated instruction and 15 hours of cultural and recreational activities per week for 3 weeks. $2,450.00 (all inclusive).

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