You enjoy learning about current events, cultures and international issues and discussing what they mean.
College Pathways
AGES 13–17
Think Global! at Earlscliffe
Spend two weeks developing your English through current affairs, media, culture and global issues. Read, discuss, research and present ideas while building confidence communicating about the world around you.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- British Council accredited
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
At a glance
- Fees from
- £3,595 2-wk residential · Non-residential £2,595
- Ages
- 14–17 College Pathways tier
- Start dates
- 28th June, 12th & 26 July Two-week sessions, 2027
- Class size
- 12 Max Students per class
- English level
- B1+ Intermediate and above
- Academic hours
- 20 hrs Academic content per week
- Location
- Folkestone, Kent Earlscliffe School
What’s included: tuition, accommodation (residential option), meals, excursions, social programme, student report, certificate and student insurance.
Transfer service available for an additional fee.
Is this right for your child?
Improve your English through the world around you
Think Global! is a two-week English-language programme for students who want to develop their fluency and confidence through meaningful topics. Students use current affairs, media, culture and global issues as contexts for speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Articles, reports, discussion and collaborative projects give students reasons to encounter new vocabulary, compare viewpoints and communicate their own ideas in English.
- Develop speaking, listening, reading and writing through global topics
- Explore news, media, culture and different perspectives
- Build confidence discussing and presenting ideas in English
What you'll study
English connected to the world
Students develop language through accessible global topics, learning useful vocabulary and communication strategies while reading, discussing and responding to different kinds of information.
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Module 01
Global Issues in Focus
Explore selected international themes through accessible articles, reports and discussion. Topics may include the environment, migration, technology, culture or international relationships.
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Module 02
Language for Communication
Develop vocabulary, grammar and spoken confidence through discussion, debate and presentation, helping students communicate more clearly about increasingly complex ideas.
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Module 03
Media, Culture & Perspective
Explore how different sources and perspectives can shape the way events and ideas are presented. Students practise identifying key information, comparing viewpoints and communicating their own responses.
The signature experience
Explore an issue. Find your voice. Share your perspective.
Students work collaboratively on a project connected with a global theme, exploring information and considering how they want to communicate their ideas.
At Time to Shine, students present or share their work with others, bringing together research, language development and communication skills from across the programme.
- Collaborative project based on a global theme
- Presentation practice that builds English fluency and confidence
Is this programme for you?
Does this sound like you?
Students arrive with different interests and language goals, but many recognise themselves in at least one of these.
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You're curious about the world.
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You want English with a real purpose.
You want to build vocabulary and communication skills through interesting topics rather than focusing only on isolated language exercises.
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You want to hear different perspectives.
You enjoy exchanging ideas with people from different backgrounds and want to become more confident expressing your own views in English.
Sound familiar? This course was built for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
Think Global! develops English through current affairs, media and culture, giving students regular opportunities to communicate about meaningful topics.
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Certificate of Achievement
An SBC certificate recognising completion of the Think Global! programme.
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Course Report
An end-of-course report reflecting participation and progress during the programme.
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Stronger English
Practice speaking, listening, reading and writing through engaging global topics and collaborative activities.
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Media & Communication
Experience comparing information, discussing different perspectives and presenting ideas clearly in English.
Independently recognised
The UK's leading multi-campus summer school — inspected, ranked and reviewed to prove it.
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No.1
Ranked the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school provider
EL Gazette
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15 / 15
Areas of strength, including student welfare and safeguarding (2018 Inspection)
British Council
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Excellent
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot by families
SBC STAFF
Meet some of the SBC team
SBC staff support students throughout their summer — in lessons, activities and daily life. They help students settle in, grow in confidence and make the most of their time with us, in a safe and friendly environment.
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Natalia Mavromoustaki
MA Careers Guidance, BSc Psychology
As a tutor, Natalia teaches through discussion, activities and real examples. "It's rewarding to see someone grow in confidence or find a real passion. Summer schools let students learn outside the classroom, build confidence and meet new people."
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Cas Slater
Office Coordinator
As Office Coordinator, Cas handles arrivals, departures, excursions and daily site running. "Watching students go from shy and overwhelmed to leading group presentations is inspiring. They get to know themselves, make friends for life and really come out of their shells."
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Olivia Clark
Activity Leader · University of Warwick
As Activity Leader, Olivia runs the daily sports, arts and evening activities. She studies Theatre and Performance at Warwick. "Knowing I played a part in watching students have fun, learn and try new things is very rewarding. You will make friends from all over the world."
Beyond the classroom
Fieldwork
Some of the fortnight’s most useful hours happen away from the seminar room — testing ideas through media production and real research.
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Fieldwork visit
Take your English out into the world
Explore locations linked to your subject, carry out research on site and test ideas through practical activities.
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Media production
Make your own documentary
Plan, film and edit a short documentary that shines a light on a global issue you care about.
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Academic coaching
Refine your writing and speaking
Personalised feedback and guidance developing the language and critical thinking skills the course demands.
A day in the life
Balancing learning and social life on campus
Lessons and projects by day, the coast and the whole-school community by evening. Here’s how a typical day on Think Global! at Earlscliffe runs — and how each one builds toward your Time to Shine presentation.
Roll over a moment in the timetable to see it — and what it’s really like.
Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Board Games & Puzzles
- Circuit Training
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Film Festival
- Football
- Karaoke
- Murder Mystery
- Museums
- Photo Challenge
- Picnic in the Park
- Punting
- Rounders
- Silent Disco
- Taskmaster
- Trashion Show
- Volleyball
- Yoga
Excursions
A sample of what recent groups have done. Excursions vary by session.
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London
See famous landmarks, visit world-class museums and cultural attractions, take epic photos, shop some big-name stores, and soak up London's unforgettable energy.
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Canterbury
Students will explore the historic city of Canterbury, known for its stunning cathedral, medieval architecture, and charming streets.
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Thorpe Park
Experience the thrills of Thorpe Park, one of the UK’s top theme parks, packed with exhilarating rides and unforgettable adventures.
Safeguarding & welfare
Safe days, settled nights
Sending your child abroad is a big decision. So we start with your child’s wellbeing, and build everything else — lessons, activities, boarding life — around it.
- 24/7 On-site pastoral support
- 1:6 staff-to-student ratio
- 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff
- BAC British Council accredited as Dukes Summer School
Accommodation & campus
Live and learn at Earlscliffe
Set in the coastal town of Folkestone, Earlscliffe gives older students genuine independence within a smaller, close boarding community. The campus’s renovated Victorian and Edwardian buildings sit in the town’s West End, a short walk from the beach, the Leas promenade and the town centre — with its high-speed rail link to London. Students live in supervised residences, mostly in twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and everything on this in-town campus — classes, meals, accommodation and activities — is within walking distance.
- Campus Gardens
- Classrooms
- Four Bed Room
- Laundry Service
- Modern Boarding
- Modern Dining Hall
- Single En-suite room
- Student Common Room
- Towels and Bedding Provided
- Triple En Suite Room
- Twin En Suite Rooms
- Wifi
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
Dates & fees
Two Options. One transformative fortnight.
Whether your child boards with us or returns home each evening, your fee covers everything in their programme. See what’s included with each option below.
Residential
From £3,595
per 2-week course · Boarding — full days plus evenings and weekends
- Full board — all meals & accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities & excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non-residential
From £2,595
per 2-week course · 09:00–21:30 daily · varies by campus
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch & evening meals included
- Full activity programme and excursions
- Return home in the evening
2027 dates
Session length
2-week sessions available
Programme start dates
28th June, 12th & 26 July
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Check availability before you plan.
Places can start to fill from spring — book early
Questions
Frequently asked questions
The course combines English language development with the study of current events, encouraging you to improve your language skills while analysing global issues.
All workshop and project resources are provided. Students can choose to bring standard study items such as pens, notebooks, and a laptop or tablet for project work.
Yes. Think Global includes fieldwork, debates and media projects that connect English learning with real-world topics.
Think Global is a dynamic programme designed to challenge students, but tutors can modify it so every student feels involved in the class.
A2 level is required at a minimum to fully benefit from the Think Global programme.
All residential staff are DBS-checked and trained, with a high staff-to-student ratio and 24/7 pastoral support.
Explore before you enquire
Take the detail home
No call, no pressure. Just the documents that help you decide — sent straight to your inbox.
Academic Overview
Every module, the learning outcomes and how the programme builds over the fortnight.
Free PDF download
Sample Timetable
A full fortnight, hour by hour — lessons, activities and excursions. Please note that timetables are given as an example and are subject to change.
Free PDF download
Dates & Fees
Full pricing, what's included, and when the programmes take place
IGNITE YOUR SPARK
Arrange a free consultation
Our friendly Student Experience team are happy to answer any questions, big or small, and help you find the best summer experience for your child — no pressure, ever.
What happens after you enquire
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Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our Student Experience team reviews your enquiry.
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Step 2
You're matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows this course and can answer your specific questions.
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Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
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Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you're ready.
One student's summer
Tiffany
Student · Oxford College · Indonesia
Lots of different countries in the class
Ruslam
Student · Russia
This was my child's third year with SBC
Laura
Parent · Earlscliffe · Italy
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)