Clifton College’s The English Experience

Location：Bristol

Ages： 12 to 17

Fees(费用)： 2 Weeks:£ 2740;3 Weeks:£4110; 4 Weeks：£ 5480

Start Dates：9,16,23,30 July & 6,13 August 2023

The English Experience challenges students while building their confidence in English and many other skills that are useful inside and outside the classroom. At the beginning of each week, students are put into small groups and given a complex problem to work through to find a solution and present it in their chosen way. Teachers are there to guide the students, which is why class sizes are 12at most.

In the afternoons, students choose an elective(选修课) to follow for 6 hours per week. These include such courses as news reporting, presentation skills, a Mini UN, and creative writing. Extra electives such as professional golf, tennis, and football coaching, as well as horse riding and exam preparation, lead to an additional cost.

Students go on two full-day excursions(短途旅行)per week. Mid-week excursions are planned around that week’s topic, soon the environmental week we go to a local environmental activity center, while the theatre week involves a trip to a West End show with a drama workshop. Saturday excursions are more relaxed but still engaging, and include set time for shopping. Sunday excursions are shorter but also include an entrance to a local attraction.

What a day! I started at my new school this morning and had the best time. I made lots of new friends and really liked my teachers. I was nervous the night before, but I had no reason to be. Everyone was so friendly and polite. They made me feel at ease. It was like I’d been at the school for a hundred years!

The day started very early at 7：00 am. I had my breakfast down stairs with my mom. She could tell that I was very nervous. Mom kept asking me what was wrong. She told me I had nothing to worry about and that everyone was going to love me. If they didn’t love me, she would send them her way for a good talking to. I couldn't stop laughing.

My mom dropped me off at the school gate about five minutes before the bell. A little blonde (金发的) girl got dropped off at the same time and started waving(招手) at me. She ran over and told me her name was Abigail. She was very nice and we became close straight away. We spent all morning together and began to talk to another girl called Stacey. The three of us sat together in class all day and we even made our way home together! It went so quickly. Our teacher told us that tomorrow we would really start learning and developing new skills.

I cannot wait until tomorrow and feel as though I am really going to enjoy my time at my new school. I only hope that my new friends feel the same way too.

Should We Fear Maths?

How good are you at maths? Some people love the challenge of algebra (代数) or enjoy working out number puzzles. But many dread the moment when they have to deal with numbers and figures and feel a real sense of worry and confusion. It can seem depressing(令人沮丧的), but this maths anxiety is perfectly normal, and you’re definitely not alone. And anyway, our worries and fears don’t necessarily reflect our ability.

Research has found that maths teachers who are nervous about teaching the subject can pass on their anxiety to the pupils, and girls maybe more likely to be affected. The Programme for International Student Assessment found around 31% of 15-and 16-year-olds across 34 countries said they got very nervous while doing maths problems, 33% said they got tense while doing maths homework, and nearly 60% said they worried maths classes would be difficult.

Psychologists (心理学家) have been trying to work out why mental arithmetic (心算) can bring us out in a sweat. That seed of fear may come from many sources, but some suggest that expressing your fears can loosen their hold on you, and encourage children to see a maths test as a challenge, not a threat. In fact, we need to think positively about maths and give it a second chance.

In America, after middle school comes high school, which includes grades 9 through 12.Students are required to take compulsory subjects like English, social studies, maths, science, and physical education. In addition, they choose among elective subjects to complete their high school education. Electives include subjects in technology, music, art, and foreign languages

Each student in the school has their own locker (储物柜) for books and personal items. This convenience saves students from carrying textbooks, and allows students a small space they can decorate with posters and favorite objects.

Cheating in any form is strictly prohibited (禁止) in American schools. And in fact, high school students usually don’t cheat. If they are caught cheating, they will have to face severe punishment.

Each school holds certain yearly activities for all school students, such as homecoming (返校节), prom night (学年舞会), holiday celebrations, etc.

Most high schools have at least one sports team that competes in local games, and all students are encouraged to take part in athletics. Schools often offer football, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. Some may even have sports like golf, swimming, gymnastics and cross-country skiing.

Many high school students have part-time jobs by the age of 15 or 16, some even earlier. Their first jobs are often baby sitting or cutting lawns (草坪), but later they will likely get a job at a fast-food restaurant, video store, or clothing shop.

Sixteen years old is the legal (法定的) driving age in most states, and students usually want to own a car as soon as they can. Some parents allow their children to drive a family car, and may even buy a car as a graduation present. Others prefer that their sons and daughters earn enough to buy a used car. Many teenagers feel it's necessary to own a car, and will do whatever it takes to be able to drive.