How do I Choose the Best English Summer School Courses?

There are many ways to choose English summer school courses, but it primarily depends on what people expect to gain from a class or two. By English, many people mean the study of English in high school or college, while a few could be referring to English as a second language. Others more refer to an advanced study of English literature, as relates to particular interests.

Most public summer schools at the high school or junior high level that offer English summer school courses do so for students who have performed poorly in a class. For some students, it may be a graduation requirement that they make up an English class, at least getting enough study time in the summer to raise a grade. With budget cuts in many areas, few people may attend public school summer school that don’t have to be there, and there may be little choice on what class to take, except the ones that are required.

Students seeking advanced study at the high school level might do so by attending a local community college or attending a summer school program offered by a local or far away college. Some of these programs allow students to specialize in literature studies or related disciplines like perfecting either prose or fiction writing skills, and any English summer school courses may lead to earning college credits. At JCs or community colleges, students may earn college credits for their studies too, but they may need to take an English proficiency test before taking some of the more in-depth classes. If they aren’t eligible to participate in freshman English, they may not be eligible to take other English classes, in which case a summer high school program would be more appropriate.

When students are considered skilled enough in English at the JC level, they could decide to take English summer school courses, based on fulfilling college and high school requirements. Generally, introductory or freshman English is the ideal first course to take. It is equivalent to a senior Advanced Placement English class, which can free up a year of taking English in school, and which fulfills at least part of the English requirement of virtually any major in a four-year university. Having said this, students should be warned that summer classes, because of their shorter length, are extremely intensive and require a great deal of homework. This can eat into any relaxation time a student planned to enjoy during the summer months.

For those students who are seeking a deeper understanding in English as a second language (ESL), there are a lot of classes they might take. Some summer schools are completely oriented around ESL, and students looking to improve their knowledge of English might consider them. Many junior and community colleges also may have English summer school courses that are ESL based, and these are not like literature classes. JCs don’t typically require a student to take the same test needed for placement in standard English classes, though colleges may rate language proficiency so they can place students in the right class.

College students deciding on English summer school classes don’t always have a great deal of choice. The may be able to take basic or required English classes, and there may be a course or two offered during the summer that isn’t offered at any other time. Sometimes taking a class from an adjunct faculty member can be fascinating, particularly if that person has studied in a certain area or is approaching the topic of English in an unusual way. People will arrive at a choice based on determining their interest or the graduate requirements they need to fulfill. Summer courses can be good for remediation too, if it is needed.