English Curriculum Enhancement Projects in the UK "A perfect combination of exciting visits to London and the surrounding area, fun afternoon activities and of course learning the English language in a total immersion environment"

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Who are we?

What do we do? We provide all-inclusive organisation of the highest quality for 2/3-week inter-cultural language and home-stay programmes in the UK based on: Staying with welcoming Host Families Learning from highly qualified and specially trained teachers Utilising and benefiting from tailored learning resources Developing skills and building confidence for future success Experience exciting excursions and group activities Safe and reliable transport arrangements including airport transfers Who are we? Excel Communication Institute was formally incorporated in 1994 to serve schools and teachers so that their students can benefit from our curriculum enhancement projects. The company is officially listed with Companies House UK (under the name of Excel Communications Ltd No. 2941066), a public government organisation that controls the incorporation of companies by enforcing compliance with legal requirements. In 1997 Excel Communication was accredited by the British Council and has regular inspections to ensure the standard of excellence of teaching, management and home-stay arrangements is maintained. Since 1998 Excel Communication has obtained annual certification for Quality Assurance from ISO 9002. In 2002, the inspector's report certified the highest level of quality for its management systems and processes. Students benefit from Excel Institute's work over the last 2 decades in bringing together specialisms, expertise and international experience from wide ranging disciplines within the domain of education. The key to our success is based on our on-going and increasing personal working relationships with educationalists, teachers and schools. Our specialist team develops and adapts quality course programmes and teaching approaches in response to the needs identified by client schools and teachers. Management teams visit client educationalists twice a year to receive feedback and update on current issues, policies and objectives in order to achieve the highest quality service. This collaboration maximises students' progress during their stays in the UK. The Academic Director Hanna Walton, founder of Excel Communication Institute, is in charge of the overall management of the project. Throughout her career she has been deeply committed to developing strategies for second language acquisition in a variety of academic, business, professional training and teaching contexts based on psycho-linguistic theories of learning. Her work has involved operating in a great number of different teaching and training environments. At University level she taught and lectured Chinese and European undergraduates on BEd degree and pre-sessional EAP courses. She also designed and delivered an advanced one year BEd course in TESOL. For the last 11 years she has been working with head teachers and senior teachers from major Hong Kong Secondary Schools on developing school-based projects delivered both in Hong Kong and in the UK. In addition she researched the Secondary English Language Syllabus prepared by the Curriculum Development Council, Hong Kong and presented a detailed plan for a series of course materials. She authored a series of course books for secondary school forms 1-2, published by the Oxford University Press, Hong Kong in June 2001. As a result, our schemes of work reflect the key principles and objectives of the Hong Kong syllabus. Who is in charge of the different school programmes? A select team of highly qualified, experienced teachers, activities' organisers in mainstream secondary education and youth leaders. Under the leadership of the academic director and course directors, clearly set targets are implemented positively and meaningfully. Targeted lesson plans focus on regular oral interaction in English between students and teachers. Small student groups (13-15 students) allow the fruitful development of close inter-personal relationships creating a non-threatening and positive learning environment. This maximises the students' benefit of learning by doing in a very different culture. The role of the visiting staff One teacher or responsible adult will accompany each group of 15 students from each client school. The key role of the staff is to accompany the group on the journey to London and on the return to flight. In addition a Chinese speaking staff member will always be available in the role of a consultant to the British staff to deal with any problems that may arise during the stay in the UK. However, as soon as the students arrive in London, their English teachers and Activity staff, who are all fully qualified, will guide them.

Contact Us Excel Communication Institute  51 Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3NH, UK Tel: +44 (0)208 466 7070 Fax: +44 (0)208 466 5111 Email: info@excel-institute.co.uk