June-mid August – 2, 3 or 4 week courses – 18 hours/week – Small classes (max 12) – Sports, activities & excursion programme – Homestay accommodation
For 60 years, students from all over the world have learnt English at our Family-run British Council Accredited English language school in Exeter. Founded in 1966, our small family-run school has built a reputation for high-quality teaching & care,- and a genuine passion for helping students grow in confidence.
We offer carefully designed English language courses for teenagers that focus on real communication skills, cultural immersion, and personal development. Students learn in small classes with our experienced teachers. Our students live in carefully selected homestays in Exeter, giving them the chance to practice English every day while discovering real British culture, traditions, and of course food!
At the Isca School, we believe that learning English is about much more than lessons- it’s about connection, community, and unforgettable experiences. Make 2026 your year to join us!
The Family-Run British Council Accredited Language School in Exeter!
Founded in 1966 by Margery and Ronald Tomlinson, this British Council Accredited School school has always been family-run. Their son, Richard, and his wife, Jo, continued the tradition, and today their daughter, Sarah Tomlinson, keeps the same care and dedication at the heart of the school.
For six decades, Isca has been a place where students feel at home while learning English in the heart of Exeter.
For 60 years, students from all over the world have learnt English at our Family-run British Council Accredited English language school in Exeter. Founded in 1966, our small family-run school has built a reputation for high-quality teaching & care,- and a genuine passion for helping students grow in confidence.
We offer carefully designed English language courses for teenagers that focus on real communication skills, cultural immersion, and personal development. Students learn in small classes with our experienced teachers. Our students live in carefully selected homestays in Exeter, giving them the chance to practice English every day while discovering real British culture, traditions, and of course food!
At the Isca School, we believe that learning English is about much more than lessons- it’s about connection, community, and unforgettable experiences. Make 2026 your year to join us!
Planning your teenager’s summer English course!
Your safety, our priority
We know sending your teenager abroad is a big decision. That’s why we have a 24-hour emergency phone and WhatsApp support for our students. We collect detailed dietary and medical information before you arrive, and every activity has a full risk assessment. Our staff-to-student ratios exceed minimum requirements. If anything comes up – from a headache to homesickness – we’re here, day and night.
The best Family-run English Language School for teenagers
The Isca School of English is accredited by the British Council and is a member of EnglishUK, ensuring we meet the highest standards of English language teaching. This accreditation guarantees a top-quality learning experience for all our students. Based on the results of our last full British Council inspection, the EL Gazette has named us as one of the best English language schools in the UK since 2008 and the best family-run Summer school since 2017!
Your safety, our priority
The Isca School of English is accredited by the British Council and is a member of EnglishUK, ensuring we meet the highest standards of English language teaching. This accreditation guarantees a top-quality learning experience for all our students. Based on the results of our last full British Council inspection, the EL Gazette has named us as one of the best English language schools in the UK since 2008 and the best family-run Summer school since 2017!
Summer 2026 start dates
2-week courses
June 28 • July 12 • July 26
3-week courses
June 28 • July 19
4-week courses
June 28 • July 12
Make 2026 the year you join us!
Our English Courses for teenagers
English courses for teenagers (14–17), levels A2–C1, with a pre-arrival online placement test and supportive teaching that builds confidence and fluency.
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Weekly Excursions: Tuesdays & Saturdays
Learning happens outside the classroom too. Enjoy supervised weekly excursions—Devon coast trips midweek and full Saturday adventures to iconic UK sights.
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Activities & Sports
Learn English the fun way: a supervised weekly programme with team sports, beach afternoons, bowling and games nights, and cultural options too.
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London Excursion
Join us for an unforgettable day trip to London to see all the famous landmarks.
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Student Welfare & Support
We follow British Council and government guidance for juniors, with a dedicated team that takes student welfare seriously.
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Google reviews from our students about our English courses for teenagers
Don’t just take our word for it, – our students love to talk! Take a look to see what our past students have to say! We are proud of our google reviews and even prouder that so many students come back summer after summer to learn English, – and that past students send their children and grandchildren to learn English!
Frequently asked questions by Parents and teenagers about our Summer courses
Small classes mean real conversations
With a maximum of 12 students, you’ll actually speak English – not just listen to it. Before you arrive, you’ll take an Oxford University online placement test, so you’re in exactly the right class from day one. And because we’ve specialised in teaching teenagers aged 14-17 since 2008, we know what works for your age group.
You will have 18 hours of English tuition every week, covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing. But the learning doesn’t stop when your class ends. You will practise your English with your homestay family over dinner, with new friends during activities, and on excursions to some of the most beautiful places in the South West, cities like Bath and Bristol! At the end of your course, you will receive a personalised progress report showing exactly how far you’ve come.
Live like a local, learn like a native
Your homestay family isn’t just somewhere to sleep – they’re part of your English adventure. Every family is personally selected by our Principal, Sarah, who visits each home herself. We choose families for their warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in welcoming international students. You’ll share meals together (and yes, you’ll discover real British food!), chat about your day, and experience everyday life in Exeter. It’s where you’ll practise the English you learned in class, ask questions without pressure, and maybe even pick up some Devon slang. All our host families undergo safeguarding checks and receive 24/7 support from our team, so you’re safe, comfortable, and cared for.
Excursions
We will take you to Bath to see the Roman Baths, to Bristol to visit the SMS Great Britain and more… You’ll explore Devon’s stunning coastline and discover Cornwall’s dramatic cliffs at Tintagel and learn about nature at the Eden Project before heading to the adventure gravity swing. These aren’t just coach trips – they’re chances to use your English in the real world, take a thousand photos, and create memories that’ll last long after summer ends!
Your summer, packed with adventure!
Learning English isn’t just about the classroom – it’s about living it. After lessons, you’ll try watersports on the Devon coast, play five-a-side football with new friends, climb at local centres, or perfect your tennis serve. Fancy something different? How about paddleboarding, volleyball on the beach, or games evenings where everyone’s laughing too much to worry about grammar?