Our programmes
Integrated Skills
Young people use English to research, discuss, write and present, developing the academic and personal skills that carry them through school, university and life.
About the programme
Think clearly. Speak with purpose. Write with confidence.
We use English to change the way young people think, to practise skills and to broaden their understanding: in academic research, in daily life and in the world of work.
At Active Skills, English is not the subject; it is the language young people use to explore the world. Each learning journey brings together academic skills, social and life skills and ideas from the social sciences, through projects, discussions, debates and presentations.
Every young person begins with a conversation and an initial assessment, so that their journey matches where they are and where they want to go. Learning is student-led, project-based and task-based. Groups are small, and workshops, outdoor activities and visits take learning beyond the room.
Young Learner
A joyful first step: reading real stories, writing simple sentences and speaking up with confidence.
- Reading everyday stories and finding the main idea
- Guided writing with simple grammar and vocabulary
- Talking about family, friends, school and hobbies
- Speaking in pairs and groups, and first presentations
Writing Foundation
Growing young writers through reading: from sentences to paragraphs to short stories.
- Grammar, sentence structure and tenses
- Building vocabulary through reading on a topic
- Writing sentences, paragraphs and short stories
- Writing independently with growing confidence
Storytelling
Stories about wildlife, world cultures, history, science and celebrations build reading, writing, listening and speaking together.
- Reading and writing strategies
- Sentence and paragraph structure, openings and conclusions
- Retelling, summarising and paraphrasing
- Telling and presenting stories with confidence
Public Speaking
From a first speech to a confident, well-structured talk with slides.
- Speech writing with strong openings and conclusions
- Managing nerves and building confidence
- Voice, pronunciation, eye contact and persuasive techniques
- Impromptu speaking and answering audience questions
Communication
Clear, respectful communication in social, creative, academic and digital situations.
- Active listening and questioning techniques
- Teamwork, project management and team building
- Sharing opinions logically, with evidence
- Knowing one’s strengths and values
Communication & Listening
Becoming a strong communicator through conversation techniques and active listening.
- Conversation techniques and active listening
- Asking thoughtful questions and identifying key information
- Describing and discussing images
- Summarising key points and note-taking
- One-to-one and group discussions
Books & News Discussion
Reading books and following the news, then talking about what they mean.
- Books and news stories read and discussed together
- Sharing opinions and listening to different views
- Building vocabulary and confidence in conversation
- Connecting stories and events to young people’s own lives
Study Skills
The habits and techniques that make independent study possible.
- Goal setting, time management and mind mapping
- Note-taking, summarising, research and paraphrasing
- Memory techniques, critical reading and exam strategies
- Self-assessment, reflection and managing stress
General Writing
Writing is easy to learn but hard to master: from clear structure to confident essays.
- Creative, narrative, technical and critical writing
- Essay, assignment and academic writing
- Research techniques and Harvard referencing
- Grammar, vocabulary and spelling in context
Extensive Reading & Debating
Understanding current affairs and justifying opinions with sound arguments.
- Recognising trustworthy and biased news
- Analysing arguments, viewpoints and evidence in complex texts
- Structured debate on global issues, from robotics to international aid
- Paraphrasing, summarising, synthesising and quoting accurately
Academic Writing & Debating
Clear, precise, evidence-based writing, sharpened through debate and discussion.
- Descriptive, analytical, persuasive and critical writing
- Topics from education and the environment to technology and society
- Paraphrasing, summarising, synthesising and quoting
- Debate and discussion that test every argument
Social Studies
Exploring how societies work and how global challenges affect different countries.
- Globalisation, inequality, migration and identity
- Media, democracy and privacy in the digital age
- Climate, cultural heritage and the ethics of charity
- Research, evaluating sources and presenting
Academic Research & Public Speaking
Researching a topic of one’s own choice in a precise, logical way, then presenting the findings to a real audience.
- Finding and evaluating sources, including the responsible use of AI tools
- Paraphrasing, summarising, citing and referencing
- Building evidence-based arguments and avoiding logical mistakes
- Individual and group research projects, debates and discussions
- A final presentation at a public event hosted by Active Skills
University Preparation
The academic and organisational skills needed to apply to university, and to thrive there.
- The application process and CV writing
- Writing a compelling personal statement
- Research skills and critical evaluation of sources
- Note-taking, brainstorming and outlining
Intensive English
Full summer days of skills in English, for young people of every age and level.
- Communication, reading and writing, and storytelling
- Reading time, clubs and enrichment activities every afternoon
- Education visits and a weekly Spotlight
- A final showcase and graduation to celebrate the summer
Writing Tutorial
Personal feedback that turns a good writer into a confident one.
- Writing read and returned with personal feedback
- Specialists in education, editing and language
- Essays, reports, reflections and creative work
- A portfolio that shows real progress over time
Focus areas
Research & critical thinking
Asking good questions, finding and evaluating sources, and solving problems with evidence.
Academic reading & writing
Reading for meaning and writing clear, well-structured essays and reports.
Presenting & public speaking
Communicating ideas with clarity and confidence to a real audience.
Debating & discussion
Building arguments, listening actively and disagreeing with respect.
Study skills
Note-taking, memory techniques, revision and effective self-study habits.
Self-management & goal setting
Setting goals, planning time and tracking one’s own progress.
Skills we develop
From our community
Stories from this programme
Our Stories January 2014
A Video Blog Post
In the middle of Year 12, Tuệ Minh left eight years of advanced academic classes to follow art and design....
Read the story →
Our Stories December 2013
Just a cool blog post with Images
In the middle of Year 12, Tuệ Minh left eight years of advanced academic classes to follow art and design....
Read the story →
Our Stories December 2013
Another post with A Gallery
In the middle of Year 12, Tuệ Minh left eight years of advanced academic classes to follow art and design....
Read the story →
The goal is not to know more English. It is to have more to say, and the courage to say it.
Active Skills