BEET Language Centre, Bournemouth
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
The top-ranked school in Bournemouth and the third in all of the UK, BEET is independent, family-run, and aims to achieve the highest standards of education in an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness. Originally a charming 19th century church school building, BEET provides an international environment within a warm, sunny, and characteristically English location.
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town on the south coast of England directly to the east of the Jurassic Coast, a 96-mile (155 km) World Heritage Site. With a population of nearly 200,000, it is largest settlement in Dorset. With Poole to the west and Christchurch in the east, Bournemouth forms the South East Dorset conurbation, which has a total population of over 465,000.
Bournemouth was founded in 1810, and its growth greatly accelerated with the arrival of the railway. It became a recognized town in 1870. The town center has notable Victorian architecture and the 62-meter spire of St Peter’s Church is a local landmark. Bournemouth’s location has made it a popular destination for tourists, attracting over five million visitors annually with its beaches and popular nightlife. There is on average 7.7 hours of summer sunshine a day in Bournemouth. The town is also a regional center for business, home of the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC).
BEET AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1979
- Type of location: seaside city (population 192,000)
- Position in the city: 2 km from the center
- Minimum age in adult school: 16 years
- Number of students in school: average 200, maximum 410
- Average age of students: 20 – 25 years old
- Main type of public transport in Bournemouth: buses
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 25
Beet Language Centre, Nortoft Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
“For many years I had been aware of the importance of Bournemouth as a language learning destination for international students (it has the highest number of language schools outside of London) and was able to visit this school and the city recently. Because my time in the city was limited, I went straight to this school for various reasons. To begin with, this is not only the top-ranked school in Bournemouth as a result of its British Council inspection, but along with English in Chester, it is also part of a second place ranking of all schools in the UK. When the British Council inspects a school, it spends days examining all aspects of the school in terms of the facilities, teaching, accommodation, student welfare, and other areas, and when one of these aspects exceeds the inspector’s expectations, the school is awarded what’s called a “strength” in that area. On the average, schools in the UK receive 3.5 strengths on their inspections, whereas BEET received 14! When I visited the school, it was not a surprise to me that this school should be so highly ranked. I was already familiar with some of the staff as it is part of the IALC and Quality English associations that I know so well, and they were all very welcoming to me on my visit. I will also add that for my visit to Bournemouth, the Managing Director Clive Barrow was willing to open up the school for me outside of normal business hours, which not all of them will do. It is that personal touch that I have very much come to value in schools of this type, and it is a strong consideration of mine in choosing a school in a city with so many language schools. Bournemouth itself was also lovelier than I expected—the city is upper class with charming architecture, hills and parks, a beach that is long, wide and sandy, and the weather there is atypically warm for England. The size of the city is perfect—it is not so big as to be unmanageable, but it is also large enough to offer many things to do. Young adult students will be very happy here as there is also a large university student population. It’s also just two hours from London, making a day trip to the capital possible.”
BEET Language Centre
Why study here?
- Family-run, student-centered school motivated by quality and not part of a chain
- Fourth-ranked British Council Accredited school in the UK – awarded 14 “strengths” in their 2013 inspection
- Academic excellence in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere
- Between 20 and 40 different nationalities in the school at one time
- A founder member of ‘TEN’ – The English Network group of top quality Independent Schools, IALC, and Quality English
- Availability of some unique course offerings: English for Travel & Tourism; English for Job Hunting; Media, Music & Film
- All accommodation is within easy walking distance
- Free Online Learning Platform for all students
- Rich social program offering a range of FREE, varied activities 5 nights per week as well as teacher-led Saturday excursions
- For international students, the cost of living is significantly lower in Bournemouth than in London, and Bournemouth is a vibrant university town, offering international student facilities
- BEET has its own year-round Teacher Training Centre, ITTC, offering Cambridge CELTA, CTESOL Delta, TKT, CLIL, Teacher Refresher Courses, and free additional lessons to BEET students by teacher trainees
The facilities
THE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 2 multimedia computer rooms with 34 PCs
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the school
- 16 classrooms with interactive whiteboards
- Student cafeteria open all day
- Library and bookshop
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
BEET Online
All students have free access to BEET’s online learning platform upon enrolling at the school. This enables them to find out all about Bournemouth and the school and begin learning English before they have even arrived!
The online English course is based on real-life websites. It also features activities to help with preparation for exams such as FCE and IELTS, and shows the social activities calendar and the Student Guide. After leaving BEET students, will have access to their online course for 3 months, and other parts of the site for up to a year.
Library and Bookshop
The library is available to all students and contains about 1000 volumes, graded from near-beginner to advanced, with a good selection of books in their original versions. Students may also purchase books from the bookshop at a discount of at least 10%. Daily newspapers are also provided.
Canteen
The canteen offers freshly prepared hot meals, snacks, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, fruit and chocolate. It is school policy to keep meal prices as low as possible.
Students’ first day of school
The students’ first day of school includes a welcome by the Managing Director, a test of their English level, a speaking activity to meet other new students, a coach tour of Bournemouth (only on one of approximately 20 start dates) a “Welcome to Beet” orientation, and assistance with accessing BEET Online and the BEET app.
The courses
General English and Exam Courses
All BEET students follow a Core Program of twenty lessons per week of General English, Cambridge Exam Preparation, or IELTS preparation. They can then choose one or two additional subjects from the Options Program, to study a further 4 or 8 lessons per week. The school normally operates a “zigzag” timetable. Core lessons alternate from morning to afternoon daily; options lessons are always at the same time. This system provides students with concentrated periods of free time, including a long weekend every other week.
General Course Information
• Minimum age – 16 years
• Course duration: minimum 2 weeks
• Number of lessons per week: 20, 24 or 28
• Length of each lesson: 45 minutes
• Individual tutorials every 4 weeks
• Progress tests every 4 weeks
• End of level examinations
• Start dates: Most Mondays, fixed dates for Cambridge exam preparation courses
• Number of students in class: average 10
CORE PROGRAM COURSES
General English Course
This course is aimed at individuals who would like to learn English for a variety of reasons; study, business or just simply for pleasure. This course includes focus on important vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation through listening, speaking reading and writing activities. It features:
• A welcome orientation and placement test on the first day
• Interactive whiteboards in every classroom and in the canteen
• Use of the most modern materials and course books
• Regular testing
• Tutorials every four weeks
• Report and certificate at the end of the course
IELTS Exam Preparation
This course is for students who want to study at a university in the UK, USA or Australia. The IELTS is an internationally recognized qualification.
• A specialised course, available 12 months a year
• A BEET test is available before enrollment to determine recommended length of course
• Focus on academic vocabulary required for the exam and specific exam techniques
• Focus on faster reading techniques and writing clear essays and exam tasks
• IELTS course book and book of exam past papers included in the price
Cambridge Examination Preparation
BEET offers preparation for the Cambridge Exams: First Certificate in English (FCE), Cambridge Advanced English (CAE), Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• Exam course teachers have on average over 15 years’ experience of preparing students for Cambridge English exams. Many of them are examiners themselves.
• Expert guidance from the Academic Management Team in order to choose the right exam
• Tutorials with teachers every 4 weeks
• Exam course book and book of exam past papers included in the price
• BEET staff can enroll students on exams
Sample Course Timetable:
INTENSIVE AND EXTRA-INTENSIVE COURSE OPTIONS
Students can choose an additional 4 (Intensive program) or an additional 8 (Extra Intensive program) options lessons from those detailed below to complement their 20 core lessons during their time at BEET:
• Speaking, Pronunciation and Listening
• Reading, Writing and Vocabulary
• Writing Skills
• Cambridge Exams: FCE, CAE, CPE, and Preliminary English Test (PET)
• IELTS Preparation
o Students can join this lunchtime option class any week of the year
o Contains plenty of intensive practice under exam conditions so that students know exactly what to expect and how to deal with each IELTS paper
• Academic English and Skills
o Learn key skills and language to help prepare for university study
o Study academic language and how to write in the appropriate style
o Practise giving presentations, taking part in seminars and listening
• English for Business
o An intensive program using the most modern business English materials
o How to make business calls, take part in meetings and make presentations
o Topics covered range from customer service to international management
• English for Travel and Tourism
o Study tourism in a world-famous tourist town
o Learn practical communication skills and study trends in tourism
o Students can give presentations on an aspects of their country’s culture or tourist attractions
• English for Job Hunting
o Short, practical course helping to develop the skills needed to find a job such as building a CV, and attending an interview
o Four-week modular course, so students can join it at any time
• Media, Music, and Film
o Perfect for students who have a special interest in media, music and film
o Learn about the media in the UK and around the world – TV, film, online etc.
o This course includes project work and student presentations
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC YEAR COURSE
The International Academic Year is the most flexible long-term course available. Early in the course, students will discuss their learning needs with a senior member of staff, who will make a personal study plan with them. In the main courses, students are free to move between General English and exam courses. They can follow the Core program (20 lessons) or try different options through the 24-lesson or 28-lesson program. A free airport transfer on arrival is included with the booking of this course.
ONE-TO-ONE TUITION
• Pre-course Needs Analysis and Skype interview with Academic Manager.
• Course individually suited to each students’ situation.
50+ COURSES
Sometimes students prefer to be in classes with people of a similar age. Fortunately both options are still possible – it’s up to students to decide! All 50+ participants will have activities organised 3 afternoons a week, as well as a Saturday excursion and a night out included in the package. There are Free Extra Lessons: If the 50+ student wants to have some free extra lessons, he/she can join a teaching practice class in the afternoon. These classes are taught by our trainee teachers, who are studying for a Cambridge University qualification. Registration is needed for these classes, but 50+ students have priority over other students. Available only when training courses are operating. Max class size: 15
- Minimum Age: 50
- Maximum class size: 10
- Level: elementary to upper intermediate
Teacher Training
BEET has its own year-round teacher training center called ITTC, which offers a full range of courses including Cambridge CELTA, CTESOL Delta, TKT, CLIL, and Teacher Refresher Courses. Please contact Marshall Language Services for more information.
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to experience full immersion into British culture is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. In nearly 40 years of operation, the school has amassed a huge selection of host families in Bournemouth, and homestays are in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of BEET students. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their English with native speakers. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional homestay provisions and information:
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner provided during the week, lunch is also included at the weekend.
- Linens: Homestay families provide all bed linens and towels. The school advises students to bring one extra towel.
- Distance from school: All homestays are located within 20 minutes walking distance of the school, 30 minutes in summer, but would always be on a bus route.
- Single, double or twin room options available (shared rooms are only available for persons traveling together)
- Accommodation is from Saturday to Saturday.
- WI-FI is available.
- One load of laundry included per week (additional loads may be subject to additional charges).
- Adults aged 18+ do not have curfews. Students aged 16-18 years old have a curfew of 23:00 on weeknights and midnight on weekends.
Executive Homestay
Superior homestay accommodation is available at a higher cost and features:
- Guaranteed en-suite bathroom
- Laundry and ironing services
- Wi-Fi
- Location within 20 minutes walking distance of the school.
STUDENT RESIDENCES
Self-Catering Student Houses
BEET owns a number of typical family houses within 5 minutes’ walking distance of the school. Shared facilities include the living room with television and DVD player, a kitchen/dining room, washing machine, shower and bathroom. Most residences also have a garden with a barbeque grill. These residences also offer:
- Single, double or twin room options (shared rooms only available for persons traveling together)
- Normally 5-6 students in one house, up to 7 in summer
- Wi-Fi
- Washing machine
- Cleaning of communal areas (not students’ rooms)
- Accommodation from Sunday – Saturday
Dorchester House (in July and August)
This student residence is comprised of apartments in combinations of 5, 6, 7 rooms each with a large communal kitchen and lounge area. Dorchester House is located 5 minutes from Bournemouth train station. The residence is just a 20-minute walk from the city center and conveniently located 15 minutes’ walk from the school or 10 minutes by bus. The local area offers a great selection of shops, banks, restaurants, nightlife and leisure facilities.
Dorchester House amenities:
- Single bedrooms with a private bathroom and IPTV connectivity. Bed linen is provided, but students should bring their own towels.
- Each apartment has a kitchen with a fully equipped with a microwave, kettle, toaster, oven, crockery, cutlery and utensils. The kitchens are cleaned once a week.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry room with washing machines and dryers open 24/7
- Large communal student lounge with pool table/plasma screen TV
- Bicycle storage
- 24 hour concierge service
NO ACCOMMODATION
It is possible to book only the course at BEET Bournemouth. For students who would prefer to stay in a hotel or 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.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
Other Similar Programs
