Training and Support

OISE welcomes both newly-qualified and experienced teachers, and is committed to supporting them in all areas of their work. Training on every aspect of the programme is given shortly before each school opens, and ongoing help and guidance is provided throughout the course by the Course Leader and other senior staff on site. In addition to this, a team in Oxford is in contact with each school, and visits regularly during the summer. This means that our staff are able to teach English in the best environment possible.

Lesson Format

Octorial™ lessons - 8 students per teacher. Classes are limited to a maximum of 8 students ensuring that all pupils receive the benefit of individual attention within a group dynamic. This is a fundamental principle of OISE.

Online Support

Employed teachers will be given access to the Staff Zone. This is a website that provides information about the operations of OISE courses as well as added resources, such as exam specific materials, listenings etc. to help staff. 

Teaching Programme

The syllabus has been created with the specific needs of a summer school in mind. Each centre runs its own unique programme(s). There are ready-to-go lessons for life skill and project lessons, to support teachers. For subject lessons, exam lessons and the 'Future' courses teachers plan their own sessions using the Content, performance and language tools (CPL) template, explained at interview or induction.

The Daily Timetable

Teachers deliver a timetable of 30 contact hours per week. The schedule includes the Wednesday afternoon field trip and supervised homework sessions (on residential courses). Evening activities on the residential courses are the responsibility of the leisure team. These may be sports, art and craft activities, treasure hunts, ten pin bowling,etc, and are organised in advance. Residential teachers will also work either a Saturday or Sunday.  Supervision rotas vary between residential and non-residential courses. Involvement in the weekly evening social and Saturday excursion is voluntary for non-residential teachers and attracts a supplement. For more details, please go to the ‘Job Descriptions’ link.

* Start and finish times and break/meal times may vary slightly for each centre