This is for you if you want to learn English in a relaxed, non-classroom environment and you would like to know more about English culture and history. Based on a carefully-designed in-house syllabus and materials, Cultural Experience offers an alternative and unique way to increase your confidence in speaking and listening and to improve your vocabulary on a wide range of topics not generally covered in classroom-based lessons.
Elke (68 years) from Germany (May 2019) said:
'At the beginning of the week I could not understand the museum information- today (in Exeter Cathedral) I read and understood about Scott of the Antarctic!". Here is Elke's testimonial.
Lessons are taught outside the school and all transport is in our very own hybrid Outlander vehicle, driven by our teacher, so learning takes place from the beginning to the end of your outing. For a sample programme click here- please note that the programme varies depending on the season and any specific interests you may have.
If you only have 1 week available, this course is ideal for you and will ensure you make the most of your time with us. If you are coming for longer, we recommend you combine this course with one of our other programmes.
Cultural Experience in action- click here!
English in Totnes
Gate House, 2 High St, Totnes, United Kingdom TQ9 5RZ
English plus Murder Mystery Week
If you are a fan of murder mysteries, this is the course for you!
The week's programme consists of General English lessons in a class at your level in the morning. In the afternoons and evenings there is a programme of activities and excursions themed around the “Murder Mystery” genre of crime writing, in particular focussing on writers and books with a strong local connection.
Dame Agatha Christie, the world’s most well-known crime-writer, was born in nearby Torquay and lived for most of her life at beautiful Greenway House on the beautiful banks of the River Dart.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, came to Devon to solve his most famous mystery, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.
We also look at a contemporary crime writer whose mysteries are set in Totnes and surrounding towns, Kate Ellis, and her detective Wesley Peterson. We will visit Dartmouth, the locale of her first book “The Merchant’s House”. A great one to read before you come (no obligation)!
In addition we will visit the theatre for a production of an Agatha Christie play.
The programme will take place in the week of the Agatha Christie festival in neighbouring Torquay, with many additional events and talks that can be joined at extra cost.
Course details
Course availability: 12.09.22 - 17.09.22
Course length: 1 week
Course levels: Intermediate (B1) to Advanced (C1)
Minimum age: 18 years +
Class size: maximum 12
Lesson length: 60 minutes
No of lessons: 15 hours English lessons per week+ afternoon/ evening activities as per the programme
Course prices
£500 for the week
Registration fee :£50 per course
Draft activity programme
Daily lessons: 09:00 - 12:30 General English lessons in school daily Monday to Friday
Monday
Orientation tour and welcome to Totnes and the programme
Tuesday
Optional excursion to Exeter to have a city tower and a visit to the RAMM museum and cathedral
Wednesday
Afternoon trip to visit Agatha Christie’s House at Greenway by Steam Train, followed by evening trip to local theatre to see a production of one of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries
Thursday
Afternoon trip to the beautiful port of Dartmouth, the setting for one of Devon's own 'mystery stories', “The Merchant’s House”
Saturday
Day trip to the land of the "Hound of the Baskervilles" – the village of Buckfastleigh and Dartmoor National Park
Where can I stay in Totnes?
You can choose to stay with local host families offering half board standard (single room, shared bathroom) or executive (single room, own bathroom) accommodation, or we can recommend one of the many excellent bed and breakfasts in the area. Our accommodation is all situated in Totnes, within walking distance (maximum 20 minutes) of our iconic school building in the Gate House, in the centre of the town. At lunchtime, you can step out of our building and into a High St offering excellent, independent small restaurants and cafes serving organic and locally sourced food a matter of minutes from the school.
See here for prices for accommodation and transfers.
If you want to stay longer, why not book another General English Plus course?