Torquay International School Young Learners and Families (Ages 6-17)
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TIS Young Learners and Family program is designed for families or teenagers traveling by themselves who would like to improve their English while enjoying a holiday in one of the most vibrant and picturesque areas of England.
Torquay is the largest town on the area of coastline known as the English Riviera and has been welcoming tourists for over a century. The town offers excellent shopping and leisure opportunities, an attractive harbour and fantastic golden sandy beaches. It’s also the perfect base from which to explore this historic and beautiful region.
TIS YOUNG LEARNERS AND FAMILIES AT A GLANCE
- Young Learners Academy age range: 14-17 (individuals)
- Junior Program age range: 6-15 (children with families)
- Junior Program availability: All year (families and groups)
- Young Learner Academy availability: July and August (children with families and individuals)
- Maximum class size: 10 (15 in July and August)
- Staff to student ratio: 1:15
- Accommodation: Host families (individuals and families) or apartments (families)
- Program timetable: half-day (all year) or full-day (July and August)
Torquay International School: 15 St Marychurch Road, Torquay, Devon, England
“I had heard of the Torquay International School and known Judith Hands, one of the owners, for years before I saw it. A woman from the UK who was not associated with the school had spoken to me one time of the area around Torquay as being the only “real” beach holiday destination in England—it was where she vacationed as a child with her family. I had met Judith at the IALC workshops and always received very warm invitations from her to visit the school—she was even ready to lend me her car! I finally saw the school in 2010, and none of the photos of the location had ever prepared me for how beautiful the destination actually was. I had been to the Côte d’Azur in the South of France, and with the blue waters, palm trees and sunshine, it was the only region of England that I had ever seen that looked almost exactly like it. TIS itself is also beautiful, and surrounded by a large, landscaped garden. In the afternoon of that visit, I had a fascinating drive through Dartmoor, a protected area, and then back at the school, a delicious dinner was provided in the school café by the two persons who usually cook for the students. For accommodation, I stayed in Club TIS, which was as nice any commercial hotel as I had seen in England. I also had the opportunity to see Exeter, Bath and Bristol in that part of the country, and recommend a visit to those places to anyone who goes to study in Torquay. The whole Southwest of England is the most beautiful part of the country, in my opinion, and I can’t wait to go back to see more of it. All of the clients I have sent to the Torquay International School, not surprisingly, have been very happy there.”
The Torquay International School
Why Study at this School?
- Accreditations: TIS is the only school in Torquay that is accredited by the prestigious IALC association in addition to the most important British associations. It is not only accredited by the British Council, but after its last inspection by them, the school was ranked in the top 5% of language schools in the UK.
- Range of Programs: TIS offers a wide range of programs for its size, from an academy for junior students to a program for families.
- School and Class Sizes: TIS offers small classes in an intimate atmosphere, where students are treated as an individual from an academic and welfare point of view. TIS is a smaller school than its competitors, where the owner is on site, taking care of everything.
- High Quality Accommodation: TIS’ host families have a high standard of living and offer international students a truly British experience, who genuinely take care of them as welcomed guests in their homes.
- Age of students: for older students, the average age of students at the Torquay International School is substantially higher than in other schools, meaning that these students will be better able to meet other students their age without attending a very large school or one that is only dedicated to professionals. However, there are also enough younger students in the school, so that they, too, will feel welcome.
- School Location: The school is in a residential neighborhood, far enough from the center to be quiet, but close enough to be in walking distance of it.
- Decades of experience: TIS has been helping its students to improve their English since 1972, more than 40 years.
- The Beauty of the Location and the TIS’ Exceptional Social Program: The English Riviera has it all – award winning beaches, busy towns and cities, breath-taking coastline and traditional English villages. All of these places can be explored with new friends or on TIS’ many organized activities and excursions.
The facilities
THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 20 Classrooms
- Study Centre and Library: the Study Centre is open all day with books, resources and DVDs for students to use and borrow.
- Club TIS Café: the school serves delicious home-cooked hot meals daily at the Club TIS Café opposite TIS. Students will be taken there for lunch on their first day.
- Games and Games Room: in nice weather, students can play volleyball on the school’s volleyball court in the garden. In the winter months, two classrooms become game rooms where students can spend time on their free afternoons. The school has table tennis, a pool table, darts and a giant jenga game.
- Cinema Room: TIS shows films in its cinema room every Monday afternoon. Students can ask at the Reception desk if they want to watch films at other times.
- Computers: WIFI is available throughout the School. Students can borrow a laptop from Reception for use within the school building.
- Study Room: the Study Room at the top of the school is free every afternoon as a quiet space for students to do independent study and homework. We have a range of resources available in the Study Room and you should come to reception if you need any help.
- Garden: TIS is surrounded by a large, fenced-in and well-maintained garden with a deck.
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Concierge Services
The school can help with any questions including local attractions, restaurant bookings, coach and train tickets, car hire, bus tickets, local gyms and sports clubs, doctor appointments and visas.
Student Welfare
The welfare of TIS students is a top priority for the school. It has an excellent staff to student ratio (at least 1:4) to make sure that it gives students the best care and attention possible all year round. Its student welfare has these features:
- A full-time Welfare Manager dedicated to giving support and advice
- A 24-hour emergency number for support outside of school opening hours
- Students who are under 18 receive a special orientation and one-to-one welfare chat in their first week, as well as ongoing support.
- Long stay students receive one-to-one orientation and ongoing one-to-one academic tutoring and welfare support.
Airport Transfers
TIS can arrange airport transfers for families and for students traveling alone on the Young Learners Academy. Prices for transfers are available on the adult school price list. For children traveling by themselves, TIS can also offer a meet-and-greet service, in which a staff member personally receives the student at the airport and accompanies the child to the check-in desk at departure, at an additional cost of £50. Marshall Language Services will need to furnish the participant’s flight information to the Torquay School so that the airport transfers can be organized. Parents will received detailed instructions on what the student should do when their flight arrives.
The courses
Young Learners English Academy
Torquay International School’s full-day English Academy program is designed to fully immerse young learners in the English language. It combines serious academic study with fun learning methods and a huge variety of extra-curricular activities and excursions. TIS’ organised program of afternoon, evening and weekend events will enable students to learn about British culture, practice the social English that they have developed in the classroom, and make friends with fellow students from all over the world.
Course facts
- Age: 11 – 15 (groups) 14 – 17 (individuals)
- Course dates: July and August
- Course duration: 1-8 weeks
- Number of lessons: 15 hours per week
- Class Size: maximum 15
- Language levels: Beginner to Proficiency
- Start dates: Most Mondays
- Timetable: 9:00-10:30 and 11:00-12:00, with afternoon activities and evening events
Young Learners Academy Sample Timetable
English Academy Groups
This is a bespoke service offered to group bookings of 15 or more students, where the standard English Academy program can be tailored to the group’s specific needs. There are two options available:
Mini-Stay (Available from September to June)
Summer Groups (Available during July and August)
English for Families
Adult courses
Adults can join one of the General English or more specialist courses in the Torquay International School section, which is viewable here.
Junior Courses
Children can join a half-day English course for juniors throughout the year, and in July and August, they also have the option of joining the full-day program that includes lunch and afternoon activities. For children under 12, a parent or guardian must be studying at the school at the same time.
Course facts
- Age: 6-17 (children 14-17 will join Young Learner’s Academy in July and August)
- Course duration: all year for half day
1-8 weeks for full day - Number of lessons: 15 hours per week for half day
15 hours lessons and afternoon activities for full day - Class Size: Maximum 10 for half day
Maximum 15 for summer full day program - Language levels: Beginner to Proficiency
- Start dates: Most Mondays
- Timetable: 9:00-12:20 for half day program
9:00-17:00 with morning lessons and afternoon activities for full day program
Afternoons are free for half day program.
Students on full day programs have various afternoon social and activities.
Host Family
Homestay is the school’s most popular accommodation option and is recommended for students of all ages and nationalities. This is the “full immersion” option that allows students to practice their English at home with their English families and also learn about the British culture and way of life. TIS offers two categories of homestay, three star, in which the student will have a private bedroom with a shared bathroom, or a four star homestay, where the student will have a private bedroom and a private bathroom. TIS tries to match each student with the perfect family for them. All its families aspire to be excellent hosts and are in constant contact with our Accommodation Manager.
TIS Homestays include:
• A private bedroom
• WIFI
• Breakfast and dinner from Monday to Friday, all meals on Saturday and Sundays
• Light laundry each week
• Free meeting service on arrival in Torquay
What a student can expect from a TIS Homestay:
• A family that is friendly and dedicated to taking care of their guests
• A clean, comfortable home with a good standard of living
• A family that is carefully selected from a long list of applicants and constantly monitored by TIS Accommodation and Welfare Manager.
• A convenient locations within walking distance of the school, the town center and beaches, and served by an excellent bus service
• The student will always be the only guest that speaks his or her own language
Additional homestay information:
• TIS homestays are an average of 20 minutes’ walk from the school, 40 minutes maximum.
• The weekly price for homestay accommodation is for 7 nights. If one week is of 6 nights, the weekly price will be reduced on a pro rata basis
• The last bus in Torquay runs at 11 pm during the week
• TIS can help with bicycle rental or purchase, if desired
Residential accommodation at Club TIS
The Torquay International School owns a small student residence, known as the Club TIS, just opposite the school. The building was a former hotel, and thus the school can provide a traditional English hotel-quality accommodation for its students onsite. Club TIS is ideal for students aged 30+ who want an independent and sociable accommodation close to the school. It is particularly popular with more mature students and Business and Professional clients.
Club TIS Hotel Additional Information
Minimum age: 20
WIFI: available throughout the building
Breakfast: Continental buffet breakfast is included from 7:45 – 8:45 from Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 9:30 Saturday and Sunday. Tea and coffee-making facilities are available in the room.
Evening meals: simple meals can be cooked in the guest kitchen, or students can buy a meal from the café at lunch time to heat up in the evening. Eating out in the evening with other Club Tis guests is a great way to make friends.
Study Room: the study room is available all day every day. Students are welcome to use the computer in there and borrow any of the books.
Café and terrace: Students can eat their dinner or do homework in the café in area in the evenings; smoking is permitted only on the terrace.
Cleaning: the room will be cleaned and tidied each morning from Monday to Saturday. Beds are changed once a week and towels will be changed three times a week.
Laundry: a laundry service is available.
Self-Catering Apartments
The Torquay International School also works with two blocks of self-catering apartments in Torquay for its students.
General Apartment Information:
Meals: Students are responsible for their own meals
Cleaning: Students are responsible for cleaning the apartment or a cleaning service is available at extra cost. TIS will change the bed linen once every two weeks and clean the flat after the student checks out.
Laundry: there is a washing machine and washing powder provided for students to do their own laundry. TIS provides two sets of towels, but students are responsible for washing them.
Cedar Cottage Apartments
The Cedar Cottage Apartments are available as a whole apartment ideal for couples or small families of up to 4 people, or as flat shares for individuals aged 20+, particularly those staying for long periods or studying for exams. Flat shares are available from September to June (private bedroom / private bathroom).
Size of apartment: Two bedrooms / two bathrooms
WIFI: available
Distance from TIS: 3 minutes’ walk
Minimum age: 21
Rosa Apartments
The Rosa Apartments are situated above the harbor and ideal for individuals, couples or small families of up to 4 people. They are executive apartments with sea views.
Size of apartment: one or two en-suite double bedrooms
WIFI: available
Distance from TIS: 15 minutes’ walk
Minimum age: 25
No Accommodation
It is also possible to book only a course at the Torquay International School. For students who would prefer to stay in a hotel other than the Club TIS or a bed and breakfast, the school can assist in making these arrangements.
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.
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