Easy Languages

Program

Description

Our programmes are designed for young people who want to either start learning or continue perfecting Dutch. Complete beginners are accepted and our mutlilingual staff will make everybody feel welcome.

Students benefit from a pleasant and stimulating atmosphere where real-life social situations will enable them to acquire automatic reflexes in communication. They will thus learn to speak more easily and freely in the foreign language. In addition, the cultural aspect of the programme is enhanced through excursions and activities that are held in the target language.

Destination

Bruges is a beautifully-preserved medieval trading city built over a network of narrow canals and waterways, and classed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Often referred to as “the Venice of the North“, this inspiring backdrop offers the perfect environment for youth to improve their language skills, while still leisurely enjoying their holidays.

Located about ten kilometers from the North Sea, Bruges is also a popular seaside destination.

School

Our partner school is situated close to the historic walls of the city. We offer excellent modern facilities and organise language and excursion programmes or language and sports programmes lasting at least one week. Our leisure centre is particularly well-equipped and adapted to the needs of young participants, with many sports facilities nearby. Our motivated, experienced staff give the students a perfect opportunity to improve their language skills in a location in heart of Europe, while discovering the Flanders region and its culture. Each participant shares a large and comfortable room with other students (from 4 to 6 students). Courses are held in the centre of town.

Leisure and supervision

Youth are constantly supervised during their stay. In the evening, activities organised in French are proposed to the participants (film screenings, bowling, board games, snooker kicker (baby-foot), table tennis, soccer, etc). The youngest are supervised by bilingual teachers who are able to listen and speak to them in their own language if necessary.

During their stay each participant is required to keep a journal. This report, presented as either a short film or articles written in the target language, with photos of the various activities, will enable them to bring back home a souvenir of their stay.

English-speaking youth benefit from close contact with Dutch-speaking participants learning French or English at the centre.

Programs

Caution: Certain options are only available on certain dates: consult the Dates tab to verify that your selection is available.

We offer 3 programmes in our catalogue:

• 1. Language and Culture
  This is the most intensive courseload proposed, with 5 lessons a day, targeted mainly towards conversation. Courses are supplemented with visits to Bruges and its surrounding locations. This programme is designed both for students who wish to enrich their linguistic and cultural skills and for students who have encountered academic difficulties that they need to address. Extra-curricular activities, such as sports and leisure are part of the programme.
  
• 2. Language and Sports: Tennis, Horse-riding or General Sports
  This course consists of 4 daily lessons followed by a 10 hour session focusing on the sport the student has selected.
  • These courses are taught by professional coaches from a well-known regional arena, « TC Brughia ». This is the perfect opportunity to improve both your language skills and your sporting abilities. Tennis courts are covered in case of bad weather.
  • Two indoor tracks and more than a hundred horses can be found at « De Blauwe Zaal », one of the greatest riding schools of Belgium.
  • The General Sports Programme is a mix between hockey, basketball, table tennis, squash, soccer, beach volleyball, kayaking, etc. A more precise schedule will be set up upon arrival according to the weather and the wishes of the participants.
  • The Wind Sailing Programme takes place in groups of 8-10 participants at Bruge’s centre for water sports "Watersportclub VVW Brugge".
  • All equipment is provided (board, sails, life vest). Participation requirements: swimming certificate or the ability to swim 100 metres.
• 3. Dutch Exam Preparation : A Personalized Study Programme
  
  Whether you are preparing for an exam, working on a report in Dutch, or experiencing reoccurring grammar difficulties, you will be given a helping hand to reach your goals.
  
  Based on your targeted academic goals (which must be communicated in advance), you will be given a personalized study schedule from one of our tutors every morning. You will be tested on the subject you have selected every day before the evening meal.
  
• Combined Courses
  Students who wish to spend more than one week working on their language skills, but who are also willing to vary their programme a bit, can combine the above programmes on a weekly basis (for example, you can opt for one week of Dutch and excursions followed by one week of French and sports).

Accommodation

Lessons and accommodation are situated in the same centre. If your programme is for 2 weeks or more, a supplement is necessary for Saturday night.

• Boarding students

The « Aan de Plas » Centre welcomes students in one of its 16 comfortable rooms (4 to 6 students per room) and includes full-board (3 meals a day). Residents will enjoy an outstanding view of a 16 hectare lake from the balcony. Each room is equipped with a private shower and toilets. Parking facilities are available as well.Free wifi available to all residents.

http://www.aandeplas.be/home.php

• Day students

Families who are on vacation near Bruges can opt to do a programme without accommodation, profiting from the courses, excursions and cultural activities or sports (from 9 AM till 5 PM). You can choose any option proposed in our programme (culture, tennis…). Discounts are indicated in the table price.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Programmes run from Sundays to Saturdays (7 days and 6 nights) and are organised each week during the Easter and summer holidays.

Courses available for all options (except horse-riding and exam preparation) on the following dates:

• Dutch at Easter : 01/04 to 14/04
• Dutch in summer: 01/07 to 01/09

Dates for horse-riding :

• 01/07 - 07/07
  
• 15/07 - 21/07
• 29/07 - 04/08
• 12/08 - 18/08
• 26/08 - 01/09

Dates for Dutch exam preparation:

• 12/08 - 18/08
  
• 19/08 - 25/08
• 26/08 - 01/09
  
  

Prices include:

• Full-board (3 meals a day) and accommodation in shared rooms
• Placement test upon arrival and certificate of participation at the end
  
• All sports activities and the use of sport facilities (according to the selected option)
• Academic materials
• Supervision
• Excursion programme, including transportation and entrance fees
• Entertainment and evening activities (films, songs, BBQ, etc.)
• Accident insurance
• The CD-ROM with photos of the stay and with the collection of films and articles created by the students
• A detailed information guide (including map, packing list, arrival and departure times…) will be sent with the confirmation letter.
• Family discount (as long as two members of the same family book a stay with us), deducted from the total amount.

Optional supplement

• Airport pickup to and from Bruges (airports Brussels Zaventem and Charleroi)
• Transition night for stays over a week (see supplement on the table price)

Practical Info

Transport

We do not organise travel to Bruges but we can organise a transfer from Brussels Zaventem airport.

Details

• Participant groupings: age grouped by age 10 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16/17 years.
• The programmes are from Sunday to Saturday (7 days and 6 nights).
• Arrival is on Sunday between 3:30 and 4:00 pm, departure on Saturday between 10:00 and 11:00 am.
• Students will receive a placement test on arrival on Sunday to allow them to begin classes immediately Monday morning.
• The programmes are available during summer and Easter holidays.
• Accommodation and board on weekends are included for stays of more than one week