Thinking of studying English in the UK? Then consider the concept of study centres. By Helen Lami

Can you imagine how difficult it is for a student who comes to the United Kingdom to study? First of all they have to say goodbye to their families and friends, and they have to pack their belongings to go and live in this strange new country. They probably feel a mixture of emotions from excitement to fear of the unknown.  Eventually they arrive in the UK and they suddenly realise that their English is not as good as they thought. They are in a strange school, and they find it difficult to understand or be understood. Things are different from at home and they feel homesick and lonely.

Learning to adjust and settle into the United Kingdom can take months, and students go through many ups and downs emotionally. An international study centre can help students during this period of adjustment, and be an excellent stepping stone from home into the British education system. Normally study centres in the UK are connected to an independent school so they are able to share the excellent facilities which most UK boarding schools offer. It also means that students are able to adjust in the security of an international community, but they still have the opportunity to integrate and be part of the main school.

Academically a study centre prepares students for their future studies. Courses at study centres normally aim to improve students' level of English and give them the experience of studying other academic subjects in English. In a study centre students are given the opportunity to learn in very small classes with teachers who are experienced in teaching international students. One of the biggest difficulties for international students is the subject vocabulary which they will require to make progress in academic subjects. Teachers can obviously help students with this specialised vocabulary. They can also help them to adjust to the classroom culture in the UK so when they do go on to another school or college they know what is expected of them. A study centre can give students the confidence and the academic results that they need to be able to achieve what they want in their future studies, and be a successful student in the UK.

Pastorally a study centre can help students to adjust to the boarding school culture in the UK, and the staff can give students the extra help which they may require in the beginning.  When students first arrive everything is new and strange and they need a lot of support. Staff will support the students, helping them to feel happy and secure.

To sum up - a study centre should be a place that cares about the whole person, and prepares students academically and pastorally for their future education within the UK. 

Helen Lami is Vacation Course & Marketing Director at Taunton International Study Centre