Language-Activity Programmes

  Switzerland

Les Sciernes

Dates: All Year

Description: If you are looking to improve your language skills in an action-packed, high-energy environment, in one of the most beautiful settings in the world then we have the programmes for you.

The Haut Lac International Summer and Winter Camps have been hugely successful since our opening in 1987. Each year brings a constantly high rate of returning students or relatives and friends of participants encouraged by them to come and sample the Haut Lac experience.

Our summer and winter camps provide an absolutely unique experience for all our students. Switzerland in the summer and winter is a true paradise and provides a stunning backdrop for an unbelievable educational experience.

The Haut Lac International Camps can be everything for everyone: a hectic hive of activity and a haven of peace and tranquillity, a place of learning offering almost unlimited leisure activities, it is a melting pot of cultures in the traditional centre of Europe.

What makes our Camps so successful?

A language programme with mother tongue teachers and small class sizes (average 7 per class). An approach designed to improve oral and listening skills enabling the students to bring their language skills out of the classroom.

An activity, sports and excursions programme that is unbeatable and all inclusive - from tennis to rafting, skiing to horse riding, drama to crafts and aquaparc to europaparc the choices available each day to our students are the most comprehensive you will find anywhere.

Staff - at Haut Lac we have a very high ratio of staff to students. At our maximium capacity we would have 1 staff member for every 5 students. Our staff are young but experienced in their field, dynamic and responsible, energetic and enthusiastic and devoted to working with young people and to providing them with a positive life experience. All staff follow a rigorous training programme before commencing their work with us. Haut Lac started as a family business and even though it has grown significantly since those early days the family atmosphere and values still drive our staff and our programmes today.

Highlights: What makes our Camp so successful?

Our language programmes are pertinent and efficient because:

An entrance test and a self assessment checklist before arrival at the Centre helps teachers to gauge the level of the students and place them in appropriate classes. A further evaluation period on the first morning of the course to assess the difference between students' written and spoken language makes sure that students have been placed in the appropriate level or raises doubts and necessary changes are made.

Class sizes vary from three or four to ten. The small size of the groups ensures that students feel more comfortable, get more individual attention, progress more quickly and gain confidence in all aspects of their work.

Students study Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The break on Wednesday has proven to be a beneficial change to our language programmes. Allowing students a rest period in the middle of the week, in general, increases the focus and enthusiasm for learning.

Programmes
On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday there are 5 classes per day of 40 minutes and on Friday there is a written and oral presentation/test.

Our classes cover all aspects of language learning but focus intensely on oral work as this seems to be the common area of weakness for almost all students. Our language programme uses the Common European Framework and European Language Passport as the foundation for our lesson structure and teachers are encouraged to innovate and find new ways to motivate students to participate and develop a passion for the language.

Assessment

At Haut Lac we use a continuous assessment structure to evaluate work covered by the students during their stay with us This is complemented by a formal weekly testing period. The certificate awarded to each child contains information on the specific programme of work that they have followed, a report from their teacher on their progress, a breakdown of their language ability across the key components - speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and pronounciation and of course,the grades achieved during the testing periods. Students also fill out a new self assessment sheet in order to reflect on progress made during their stay at Haut-Lac and set themselves goals for the next step.

Teaching staff: We consider the class teacher to be the most important element of the classroom situation. We encourage staff to give well prepared, intensive but interesting and lively lessons in order to stimulate students into taking an active part in the learning process. We encourage our staff to show the students how the language works outside of the classroom environment and to use all available mediums video, internet, games, role play, music, theatre etc. to develop enthusiasm and participation in the lessons.

Teaching Materials: All study materials are provided, text book material, CD Roms, DVD's, paper and files. Students need to bring only writing materials and a good bilingual dictionary.

House Teams
Since we started running our programmes we have been running house teams for our students. In recent years this has been made popular by the Harry Potter books and movies. Our House Team system is invaluable to the success of our summer programme. Each week students are assigned to teams so that each team has an equal number of boys and girls and an equal number of age ranges. Up to 4 members of staff are assigned to each team so right from the first day the students in each team will get to know 4 members of staff very well and the staff will get to know the students in their team very well. Also being in a team immediately creates a common bond for the students in that team and already friendships will form. The Teams help all students settle in to life at Haut Lac quickly and comfortably. In terms of organising the students the house teams enable us to get valuable information very quickly through daily house team meetings. Throughout the week each student can win points for their team by participating in the various activities and each week the wining Team receives a prize at the weekly presentation ceremony.

Cost in US$: 1240 USD per week

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Switzerland Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

The Haut-Lac International Centre's Mission Statement: Our Ethos is Enthusiasm and Enjoyment in Learning and Life. From the start Haut Lac has been a family organisation and this is a feeling that comes across between our staff and students in all our courses. Our energetic and enthusiastic staff have but one goal - to ensure that all our students get the maximum benefit from their stay with us - the friendships formed are never forgotten. We offer our students the chance to grow as people and learn important lessons that they will need to be successful as they continue on lifes road, things such as tolerance, teamwork, discipline, organisation, confidence and respect and with over 60% of students and 100% of groups returning to sample again our friendly atmosphere, dynamic programmes and positive approach to each students needs, it seems that we have found a unique programme that is appreciated by both parents and students. At Haut-Lac we aim to: Provide a high quality programme at a reasonable price - Design a programme suited to the needs of the individual student - Provide a safe and friendly environment encouraging all students to participate in a productive manner - Ensure that all students experience the interaction with different cultures and ways of life - Lead students to the enjoyment of the benefits of learning linked to a healthy lifestyle - Provide not just a holiday programme but a positive life experience for all students.

Year Founded: 1987