“Explore Learning Differently”: Our Learning Ethos Of course, it starts with the learning…
Written by Co-Founder / Director of Programmes & Operations, Edwina Laycock
After years of working in summer schools and international education, I've come to believe that a great educational experience is about much more than learning English.
Of course, language development matters. But so does what students do with that language, the people they meet, the places they explore and the experiences they take home with them.
At tangerine:ed, we specialise in tailored group stays, designed around the interests, ambitions and learning goals of each group. Because different students come with different motivations, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't always make the most of what an educational experience can offer.
Different groups, different experiences
For one group, the focus might be preparing for an international English language Olympiad. For another, it could be exploring English literature, bringing books to life through the places, people and history that inspired them. Another group might want to experience British university life, from academic study and campus life to the independence and opportunities that come with studying abroad. Each of these groups has something different to gain, so why should their courses look the same?
We want to start by understanding what matters to each group, then build a programme around it. That means thinking carefully about the balance of classroom learning, cultural experiences, excursions and opportunities to put English into practice.
The aim isn't simply to keep students busy. It's to create an experience that feels relevant, purposeful and memorable.
Learning beyond the classroom
Some of the best learning happens when students step outside the classroom and engage with the world around them. But an excursion is more than a day out, just as a lesson is more than a collection of activities.
We want experiences to connect with what students are learning, giving them opportunities to use their English, ask questions, explore ideas and apply their knowledge in real situations.
Summer schools also offer something invaluable: the chance to learn from one another. Bringing students together from different backgrounds creates opportunities to share perspectives, discover new cultures and develop a better understanding of the world.
These experiences don't always happen naturally. They need to be encouraged and built into the learning journey, with the language and confidence students need to make the most of them.
Exploring learning differently
For us, Explore Learning Differently means looking beyond the language lesson to consider the bigger picture: what students want to achieve, what they want to discover and what will make their time in the UK genuinely valuable.
It means creating tailored experiences with clear learning aims, while recognising that every group will take something different away from their time here.
Ultimately, we want students to leave with more than improved English. We want them to leave with new perspectives, greater confidence, shared experiences and memories that stay with them long after they've returned home.
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