CERAN Juniors and Young Adults, Spa, Belgium (Ages 9 – 25)
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A beautiful Chateaux in the Belgian Ardennes provides the setting for this intensive, top-quality summer program offering children aged 9-17 the opportunity to make quick progress in learning English, French or German while at the same time enjoying a fantastic selection of sports and recreational activities and unusual excursions. There is also the possibility of professional instruction in tennis, golf, and horse back riding.
The pretty Belgian town of Spa has given its name to everything related to thermal baths. The 19th century retro charm of times gone by goes hand-in-hand with the city’s more contemporary offerings: the Thermal Baths, the Casino, luxury hotels, and of course, the world famous motor racing track at Francorchamps, considered by drivers to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
Wallonia, in the French-speaking south of Belgium where Spa is located, is one of the three regions in the Federal State of Belgium (along with the Flemish and the Brussels Capital Regions.) It includes the Ardennes, a hilly and green area and a main tourism destination for nature-lovers. Eighty percent of the Belgian forests are located in Wallonia.
CERAN Spa at a Glance
- Location: Spa, Belgium
- Age Range: Pre-teens (9 to 11), Teens (12 to 15) Seniors (16 to 17)
- Languages offered: English, French or German
- Maximum number of students per week: 210
- Number of group lessons per week: 28 (21 hours)
- Recommended course duration: 2-3 weeks
- Number of students per class: maximum 9, average 7
- Ratio of staff to students: 1 : 3
- Number of excursions per week: 1-2 full day, 1 half day
CERAN: 27 Avenue des Petits Sapins, Spa, Belgium
“I had been familiar with CERAN since the beginning of my career as educational consultant, and had the opportunity to visit the chateaux in Spa. Initially, I found the idea of a program located in Belgium that also taught English to be rather unusual, but in comparing it to many other good quality teenage programs that I represent in English-speaking countries, I realized that it makes perfect sense. First of all, having experienced the quality that CERAN offers its clients in general while I was there leaves no doubt in my mind how well any children who attend this program will be treated. Then, for students who are truly serious about making progress in learning a new language, CERAN’s strength overall (as is also true for its adult programs) has always been exactly that, producing a change in the linguistic levels of its students before and after a relatively short course. For this reason, parents have been sending their children to this program for over thirty years. Many of the students who attend it have returned from previous years, or are there upon recommendation by their friends, and its 200+ places per week sell out. Very importantly, the cost of the program is an excellent value for what it offers—a highly intensive language course in classes that are only half the size of what most other programs have, and a 1 : 3 student-to-staff ratio that is almost unheard of elsewhere, or in any case not at that price. Outside of the lessons, the program is packed with activities, a selection of which I have only seen in camps that cost 2-3 times this one. In addition, for the fact that more than one language is offered at CERAN Juniors, children will also have the opportunity to alternate their programs with another language in a successive week if they desire. The excursions offered are also different, as the program base is not in the usual countries offering these languages, so students will have the opportunity to see the beauty of Brussels or Bruges in the commentary of the language they are studying (and at the same time not run into the swarms of student groups visiting, for example, the Cambridge colleges in July.) Then most of all for Italian parents, they will be able to appreciate that for a summer program on this side of the Atlantic, there are virtually no Italian students in it during any of the weeks, and direct flights to Brussels from Italy on Alitalia and Brussels Airlines, airlines that are not low-cost, and some of the few still offering an unaccompanied minor service, come at a much lower price than those to London, Dublin, and other country capitals in a comparable period.”
CERAN Juniors
Why choose the CERAN Juniors language courses?
Great Value for Money
During a survey that CERAN conducted over a two-year-period of approximately 500 junior students, they calculated that on average, it takes less than two weeks in stay of at least two weeks to move up one CEFR language level.
CERAN Quality
CERAN’s commitment to quality teaching is almost unrivalled. Fifty percent of its teachers are salaried year-round. They employ a unique methodology with a three-month training process for all salaried teachers and a two-week training for seasonal staff.
CERAN language courses are highly tailor-made (the groups of students are small). The teaching methodology allows instructors to suit content to any specific situation or academic area.
CERAN Juniors’ Intensive Courses
CERAN’s teachers and activity organisers do everything they can to ensure complete and intensive immersion. Students communicate in the target language all the time, not just during lessons but also during all sports, leisure and practical application activities.
CERAN Juniors’ Professionalism
Students are supervised by a team of teachers and activity organisers who are native speakers trained in the CERAN method. They adapt to the child’s age, level and profile, and do everything possible to help students attain their goals.
CERAN Juniors’ Friendly Atmosphere
CERAN centres offer a wide choice of activities. These activities are designed to encourage learning, exchange and communication among young people from different cultures and backgrounds, thereby ensuring that the immersion course will be an unforgettable experience.
The facilities
Ceran Spa’s facilities at a glance
- Three permanent year-round buildings
- 50 + classrooms
- 7 dining rooms (one for each language department)
- 7 different lounges (one for each language department) with PCs, television, coffee machine, snacks, fresh fruit and other beverages; newspapers and magazines
- Large gardens and airfield (for private planes)
- Professional kitchen
- Kitchenette for client use
- Laundry room (laundry service on request)
- Highland cattle and sheep in the pasture behind the school
More on the CERAN Junior Program Services
Campus Safety
Junior students are supervised 24 hours a day by the CERAN team. The average ratio is one staff member to three students.
Arrival/Departure and Airport Transfers
Arrival at the CERAN Juniors campus is on Sunday between 4.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. The program activities end on Saturday between 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 a.m.
Airport transfers are available through CERAN at an additional cost. For students who will be traveling to the campus unaccompanied by an adult, parents will received detailed instructions on what the student should do when their flight arrives. It is also possible for parents or other adults to accompany their children to the campus personally.
When the program is over, CERAN staff will accompany the participants back to the airport and check them into their flights. If they are traveling as unaccompanied minors, they will hand over the children to airline staff.
The courses
CERAN JUNIORS LANGUAGE TRAINING
CERAN Juniors year-round programs enable young learners to receive the necessary support to facilitate their learning, and increase their motivation and skills. CERAN’s intensive residential training, courses of minimum one week during the summer or school holidays, is aimed at children aged between 9 and 17 years old. During these courses, students can learn to develop real communication skills, reinforce what they have learned at school, or prepare for higher education or a move abroad while enjoying an enriching multicultural experience with their peers.
INTENSIVE ENGLISH, FRENCH OR GERMAN
This course focuses on intensive language training thanks to varied learning and recreational activities.
- Minimum age: 9
- Course duration: one week
- Number of lessons per week: 28 lessons in small groups (45 minutes each, 21 hours)
- 19 sessions (60 minutes each) of supervised leisure activities
- Language levels: Any
- Start dates: Any Sunday between 3rd week in June – 3rd week in August (see dates and fees)
INTENSIVE ENGLISH, FRENCH OR GERMAN + PRIVATE LESSONS
- Minimum age: 12
- Course duration: one week
- Number of lessons per week: 28 lessons in small groups (45 minutes each, 21 hours)
- Private lessons: 2, 4, 6 or 8
- Language levels: Any
- Start dates: Any Sunday between 3rd week in June – 3rd week in August (see dates and fees)
A Typical week on the CERAN Juniors Intensive Language Course
INTENSIVE ENGLISH, FRENCH OR GERMAN + SPORTS
- Minimum age: 9
- Course duration: one week
- Language levels: Any
- Start dates: Any Sunday between 3rd week in June – 3rd week in August and set dates for each target language (see dates and fees)
Language + Golf (English or French)
This course enables students to combine language learning with golf lessons on a daily basis, coached by a professional instructor:
- any level
- maximum of 12 players per group
- CERAN can provide balls and a half set of clubs
- appropriate clothing required
Per week:
- 28 lessons (45 minutes each, 21 hours)
- 8 sessions of golf (60 minutes each) with a professional instructor
- 9 sessions (60 minutes each) of supervised leisure activities
- Half-day excursion or on-site leisure activities on Wednesday afternoon
Language + Tennis (English, French or German)
This course enables students to combine language learning with tennis lessons on a daily basis, coached by a professional instructor:
- any level
- maximum of 6 players per group
- CERAN can provide tennis rackets and balls
- appropriate clothing required
Per week:
- 28 lessons in small groups (45 minutes each, 21 hours)
- 8 sessions of tennis (60 minutes each) with a professional instructor
- 9 sessions (60 minutes each) of supervised leisure activities
- Half-day excursion or on-site leisure activities on Wednesday afternoon
Language + Horse Riding (English or French)
This course enables students to combine language learning with horse riding on a daily basis, coached by a professional instructor:
- any level
- maximum of 8 riders per group
- CERAN can provide riding hats
- additional insurance must be purchased prior to the course
- appropriate clothing required
Per week:
- 28 lessons (45 minutes each, 21 hours)
- 8 sessions of horse riding (60 minutes each) with a professional instructor
- 9 sessions (60 minutes each) of supervised leisure activities
- Half-day excursion or on-site leisure activities on Wednesday afternoon
A Typical week on the CERAN Juniors Intensive Language + Sport Course
Residential Accommodation
Students will be accommodated in the residence on campus in ensuite twin bedrooms. CERAN’s “night angels” remain awake in the school residence for an immediate response to any problems.
Meals
CERAN offers cuisine suitable for an international clientele and can cater for students’ special dietary requirements on request.
Laundry
Bed linen is supplied by CERAN. Students should bring their own towels. A free laundry service is provided.
Keys and Valuables
Students will be given keys to their room. A 20 Euro deposit will be taken when the keys are issued. A safe is available in the reception area and students have access to lockers for valuables.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
Other Programs by this School
SPRING and AUTUMN PROGRAMS at CERAN SPA
All of the above formulas for English and French learning are available at the CERAN chateaux in Spa on a weekly basis from the 3rd week in March to the middle of April, and during the first week of November.
The following language courses are also available:
Academic Course
- 27 hours of group language training
- 14 hours of sports activities with professional instructors
- 1/2-day excursion or leisure activities on site on Wednesdays
Language Exam Preparation Course (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL, DELF, DALF and more)
- 5 hours of group language training
- 5 hours of one-to-one tuition
- 14 hours of supervised leisure and recreational activities
- 1/2-day excursion or leisure activities on site on Wednesdays
Excursions from CERAN Spa are available to Trier, Cologne and Phantasialand
CERAN LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR YOUNG ADULTS at CERAN SPA
These trainings at the CERAN chateaux in Spa are aimed at students aged 18 to 25 who wish to prepare for an exam or an overseas internship, to receive a fuller understanding of the required reading at university, or to prepare for their first job. The course participants should be students in tertiary education and not beginners in the desired language. The program includes a varied and intensive training schedule in groups of a maximum of 6 students. It also includes thematic evenings, cultural and leisure activities.
Young Adults language training is available as a residential formula and a non-residential formula (at CERAN’s schools in Brussels or Paris), in individual or group format.
Residential Training
- The Young Adults program (English or French language learning) is a 2-week session of intensive, residential tuition given on specific dates.
- Students who do not have time for the Young Adults program or who are not available on the program dates can take advantage of a course for Executives at a preferential rate. This program, tailored to student’s specific needs, will also enable you to benefit from the experience of people already working in business.
CERAN YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM COURSE CONTENT
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