THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND
TASIS
www.tasis.com
Summer Programs
2011
Courses for boarding & day students ages 4+-18
Campus in Lugano & Chalets in Château-d’Oex, Switzerland
CONTENTS TASIS HISTORY In 1956, Mrs. M. Crist Fleming (1910-2009) founded TASIS The American School in Switzerland to provide high-quality American college-preparatory education in the heart of Europe. Mrs. Fleming served for many years as Director of the TASIS Schools. Her daughter Lynn Fleming Aeschliman, one of TASIS’s first graduates, is now Chairman of the TASIS Board of Directors. TASIS is the oldest American boarding school in Europe. Along with her sister school, TASIS The American School in England, founded by Mrs. Fleming and her daughter in 1976, TASIS
Ages 14 -18
is renowned for excellence and leadership in international education. TASIS’s fine reputation extends Mrs. Fleming’s original vision of a community of teachers and young people from many lands united by a commitment to learning, culture, ethics, and international understanding.
For additional information regarding the TASIS schools and summer programs, or to apply online, visit www.tasis.com. The American School in Switzerland 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland
4
TASIS Summer Program Lugano, Switzerland English, French, Italian, Art History, Drawing & Painting Ticino, Digital Photography, AC Milan Soccer
Ages 11-13
11 10
Middle School Program Lugano, Switzerland English, French, Musical Theater, AC Milan Soccer Tennis Academy
16
Ages 4+ -10
17
Le Château des Enfants Lugano, Switzerland English, French, Italian, Minnows Program
Ages 14 -17 TASIS French Language Program Château-d’Oex, Switzerland Paris, France (optional 5th week)
MISSION STATEMENT TASIS is a family of international schools that welcomes young people from all nationalities to an educational community that fosters a passion for excellence along with mutual respect and understanding. Consistent with the vision of its founder, M. Crist Fleming, TASIS is committed to transmitting the heritage of Western civilization and world cultures: the creations, achievements, traditions, and ideals from the past that offer purpose in the present and hope for the future. Seeking to balance the pursuit of knowledge with
22
Intensive French the love of wisdom, and promoting the skills of lifelong learning, an appreciation for beauty, and the development of character, each school combines a challenging academic program with opportunities for artistic endeavor, physical activity, and service to others. Believing in the worth of each individual and the importance of enduring relationships, TASIS seeks to embody and instill the values of personal responsibility, civility, compassion, justice, and truth.
Middle School Program
28
Ages 11 -13 Château-d’Oex, Switzerland French and English
1
The TASIS Campus
The beautiful campus of The American School in Switzerland annually welcomes children ages 4+ 18 from more than 50 countries to its summer programs. Since 1956, TASIS has invited students to spend a special part of their summer learning, playing, and discovering. Our carefully selected staff includes teachers from Switzerland, the United States, England, Italy, France, and elsewhere. Our counselors come mainly from US colleges and universities and work tirelessly to support children in the dorms, on playing fields, and during excursions. Our low student-staff ratio allows for significant daily contact between children and adults. Nestled on the hillside of Montagnola, a short drive from Lugano, our School enjoys an impressive view of Lake Lugano and surrounding mountains. In the distance one can view the border of Italy, a reminder that Lugano, in the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino, was once a part of northern Italy. Along the lake below the School, the city of Lugano is renowned for its medical, commercial, and banking facilities - all examples of the security and stability that distinguish Switzerland. Though cosmopolitan, Lugano also offers historical charm with its broad piazzas and arcaded, cobblestone streets lined with sidewalk cafés, restaurants, jewelry stores, fashion boutiques, and local food specialty shops. Sophisticated yet traditional, urban yet surrounded 2
Lugano, Switzerland
by natural riches, our setting in beautiful Ticino offers a myriad of cultural and recreational opportunities. Indeed, all three Lugano-based programs view the School’s environs as a natural extension of the campus.
Les Chalets
Château-d’Oex, Switzerland
The 17th-century Villa De Nobili, a national historical building, lies at the heart of the campus. Still displaying a museum collection of medieval armor, the Villa consists of dining rooms, classrooms, dormitories, and offices. Within a short walk from the Villa are student and faculty residences, spacious classrooms, art and photography studios, computer and music rooms, a snack bar, and a student common room. The new Palmer Center includes gallery space and a state-of-the-art theater. Many dorm rooms and classrooms boast spectacular views of Lake Lugano.
The chalets, where our two programs are housed, are situated in the picturesque village of Château-d’Oex. This lovely village is in the French-speaking canton of Vaud in a high, sunny Alpine valley known as the Pays-d’Enhaut, famed for its beautiful, centuries-old Swiss chalets, signed like works of art by their creators, with window boxes full of flowers. A village of 3,000 inhabitants, Château-d’Oex features a charming center filled with cafés, restaurants, bakeries, boutiques, and a medieval church perched above the town. Students, counselors, and teachers all live, eat, and attend classes in four classic Alpine chalets located just minutes from the center of town. The chalet rooms offer breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and Alps.
On-campus sports facilities include an outdoor pool, a multi-purpose hard court, a small playing field, and the modern but classically-styled Palestra (gymnasium), which includes a basketball and volleyball court, a fitness center, and a dance studio. Students use nearby facilities for tennis, soccer, and water-sports activities. The handsome M. Crist Fleming Library houses an extensive collection of books and periodicals. Wireless internet is available throughout most of the campus.
Château-d’Oex is located between the larger town of Gstaad and the quaint village of Gruyères, both of which are visited often during the programs. The setting offers much for students who love the outdoors, as the surrounding countryside boasts numerous hiking and mountain biking trails, and whitewater sports on the fast-flowing River Saane. Château-d’Oex offers real-world language experience in the context of a delightful Alpine village, giving students a summer they will cherish forever. 3
TASIS Summer Program
Ages 14 -18
1st Session: Saturday, June 25 – Thursday, July 21, 2011 2nd Session: Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, August 13, 2011 Lugano, Switzerland
COURSES OFFERED: English as an Additional Language, French, Italian, Digital Photography, Art History (first session only), Drawing & Painting Ticino (second session only) Students: 160 from over 30 countries - Student-Staff ratio 4:1
The TASIS Summer Program offers academic subjects balanced with recreational activities for boarding and day students aged 14 -18. Students select a course of study from offerings in languages and the arts. The TASIS staff includes teachers, counselors, two Co-Directors, the Academic Dean, the Dean of Students, and the Sports Director.
skills at the lower level to sophisticated reading and writing skills at the advanced level. Placement tests administered at the beginning of each session help determine the appropriate level of each student, although adjustments can be made later, if warranted. Our courses inspire EAL students to become fully integrated into the Englishspeaking community of the summer program.
Learn a Language
French
All of our courses share a commitment to our international population of students and to our unparalleled location. Guided by outstanding teachers and counselors, we offer a unique opportunity for young people to learn and grow. Our language classes emphasize spoken fluency and provide countless opportunities for students to practice the language they are learning, whether in our language lab, in conversation with their instructors, or with other native speakers in the program and beyond. After completing the program, students receive a full academic report, including a letter grade, course description, and teacher comments. The program’s enviable location offers teachers and counselors many resources to support their work. To enhance language learning, students are housed with roommates who speak a language other than their own.
English as an Additional Language Our summer EAL program focuses on the development of the four basic language skills: writing competency, reading proficiency, listening comprehension, and speaking. Offering beginning through advanced levels, our EAL program guides students through a logical progression of skills and challenges, from mastering basic vocabulary and speaking 4
Our summer French program teaches and reinforces the fundamentals of listening and reading comprehension as well as speaking and writing skills. Grammatical structures and vocabulary, essential for developing communicative competency, are presented and emphasized at the earliest levels. Through readings and discussions, classes also explore the culture of various francophone countries. Students interested in a full-immersion French language experience are encouraged to apply to the TASIS French Language Program in Château-d’Oex, (see page 22 in French-speaking Switzerland.
Italian Lugano, in Italian-speaking Switzerland, is the perfect location for students interested in studying Italian language and culture. Our summer Italian program generally offers beginning- and intermediate-level courses. Classes emphasize the fundamentals of listening and reading comprehension as well as speaking and writing skills. Grammatical structures and vocabulary, essential for developing communicative competency, are also stressed.
Learn Art History, Painting, or Digital Photography Our courses in Art History, Painting, and Digital Photography engage students both in classes on campus and during off-campus excursions where they pursue their subject firsthand. Art classes avail themselves of the countless architectural examples and stunning vistas near the school and beyond. Teachers and counselors of all subjects lead frequent field trips to both academic and recreational destinations. Classes generally meet throughout the morning, with some days committed to field excursions that begin in the morning and continue into the afternoon.
Digital Photography This course introduces students to the basics of digital photography, from capturing the best image to outputting the image for print and the web. Students learn to use image-editing software (Adobe Photoshop 5) using the School’s graphics computer lab of Macintosh computers. Once the basics of digital photography are mastered, such as composition, pixel size, color balance, sizing, and contrast, the class moves on to more advanced concepts, such as cleaning images, color channels, masking, alpha blending, filters, and special effects. The TASIS campus serves as a springboard for many photographic outings. Students consider the classical human figure at the Vela Sculpture Museum, explore abstract patterns and textures of water and granite formations in Val Verzasca’s mountain and river setting, and discover timeless architecture and picturesque villages bordering the area’s many lakes. The course culminates in an exhibit of student photography. 5
This course is ideal for rising juniors and seniors, especially for students who will soon be taking AP Art History or the IB equivalent. However, no prior knowledge of the subject is required. Students will learn techniques and will conduct visual analyses of works of art in both written and oral format. In addition, students will be asked to complete assignments to prepare for a number of the course’s site visits. This course is offered to students ages 15 and above. As this course is taught entirely in English, students must arrive to the program with strong skills in both speaking and writing, as the course requires reflective journal writing and class presentations.
Drawing and Painting Ticino (Second Session)
The first few days include a review of essential photographic principles. However, to make the most of this course, students should come to the program with an understanding of the fundamentals of traditional print photography. Each student must bring a digital camera with no less than 2.5 megapixel resolution, an on-camera USB or FireWire connector, and an appropriate connector cable for downloading to a computer. Although not required, a digital lens reflex camera will help students derive the greatest benefit from this course. Extra equipment such as an off-camera flash, a tripod, and filters are helpful, but not required.
Art History (First Session) The Art History course provides students with a general introduction to the field of art history and its major concepts. Through classroom teaching, on-site visits, and workshops, students develop specific techniques of examining, evaluating, and responding to works of art.
This on-site outdoor landscape drawing and watercolor painting class gives students the chance to visually express themselves as they learn to analyze, comprehend, and discover the world around them. Students frequently venture beyond the studio to work en plein aire. Such outdoor freehand sketching will allow the students to discover Ticino’s architecture, public spaces, and landscape through drawing. Students learn about perspective, shade, shadow, and watercolor technique, and keep a sketchbook as a catalog of their visual notations of Ticino. Larger-scale and more detailed drawings and paintings are pursued in the studio. Challenging, structured, and fun, this course emphasizes the importance of drawing and painting and is designed both for beginners and for those with experience. The course ensures the careful observation of our beautiful surroundings in Ticino as well as the individual development of each student’s artistic capabilities. Students present their drawings and paintings at an exhibition at the end of the course.
Sports and Activities Following morning class time, students participate in an array of activities available at the School and nearby. Typical afternoon activities include soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, sailing, and windsurfing as well as dance, music, photography, and studio art. After a full day of activities, students spend the evening hours playing recreational sports, relaxing in the student common room, or having a gelato or pizza at the School’s snack bar. Students can also attend special artisan workshops, challenge the staff in ping pong or volleyball, or practice their acts for the traditional talent show. Weekly cultural performances feature guest artists such as a dance company from La Scala in Milan, an opera singer, or an a capella singing group. Evening social time offers students the opportunity to practice the languages they are learning and to appreciate the multi-cultural and multi-lingual experience that TSP offers.
The course is designed around full-day and half-day excursions to major sites of art historical interest in the Ticino and Lombard regions, including visits to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper in Milan, several of Donato Bramante’s churches, and tours of a bronze sculpture foundry and a marble quarry. Students also have the opportunity to visit world-renowned museums and galleries, including the Brera, the Sforza Castle, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the Milan Duomo, and the Poldi Pezzoli Collection, where they may study significant works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Andrea Mantegna, Sandro Botticelli, Antonio Pollaiuolo, and Bernardino Luini. Classroom lectures, readings, and student presentations complement the class excursions. In all aspects of the course, students engage in the process of “close looking”, in which a selected work of art serves as the basis for a discussion of topics including evolutions of style, authorship, originality, reception theory, and sociopolitical concerns.
6
77
AC Milan Junior Camp Students have the exciting opportunity (at extra cost) to participate in the AC Milan Junior Camp, an intensive soccer program under the supervision of AC Milan coaches. This is a unique opportunity to learn high-quality soccer skills in a healthy, safe, and fun environment. Due to the special nature of this joint venture, students attend the soccer program four afternoons per week to maximize the experience of this focused clinic. Participating students are issued an AC Milan soccer kit.
Travel and Discover Under the guidance of staff, students participate in an array of trips, including half-day excursions on Wednesdays and Sundays, full-day trips on Saturdays, and optional extended weekend trips (at extra cost) to distant cities such as Paris, Venice, and Rome. Different trips are offered every weekend, as our location allows us easy access to magnificent central European landscapes and cities. The program uses traditional means of transport, such as funiculars and cable cars, to explore our rich
cultural, artistic, and natural surroundings. Close to home, students discover the incomparable beauty of the Italian lakes region - Lugano, Como, and Maggiore that has attracted tourists and artists for centuries. More adventuresome students can join one of our outdoor adventure trips. These include hiking, sailing, river-rafting, and walking on a glacier. Specific details of trips and additional charges are available after enrollment or upon request.
A Typical Day
NEW PICTURE
08:15-09:05 09:20-09:35 09:40-14:35 14:45-18:00
Breakfast Morning meeting Selected course of study and activity periods with a break for lunch Afternoon sports, arts, and/or excursion
18:25-19:15 Dinner 19:30-19:40 Evening meeting 19:40-22:00 Evening activities / free time, or study hall 22:00 Return to dorms, check-in 23:00 Lights out
Day-student schedule will vary. 8
9
Middle School Program 1st Session: Saturday, June 25 – Thursday, July 21, 2011 2nd Session: Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, August 13, 2011
The TASIS Middle School Program provides a structured learning environment appropriate for boarding and day students aged 11-13, combining formal classroom lessons with activities and excursions. Students are challenged each day to practice the skills they have learned in class as they meet new friends, develop their independence, and explore Switzerland. TASIS offers students a multi-cultural environment amidst a beautiful landscape – the ideal setting for language immersion and personal development. Situated in the mountains of Switzerland, TASIS seeks to expose students to the awe-inspiring beauty of our surroundings. The program begins with an all-student Alpine hike. To ensure every student can appreciate the experience, trips are designed to accommodate varying levels of physical ability.
Ages 11 -13
Students: 120 from 30 countries Student-Staff ratio 4:1
COURSES OFFERED: English as an Additional Language, French, Musical Theater (1st Session only) Afternoon Sports Clubs: AC Milan Junior Camp, Tennis Academy
Academics
Musical Theater (1st Session only)
The TASIS Middle School Program offers appropriatelychallenging language instruction to students at all levels in English as an Additional Language, French, and Musical Theater. Every day, students have three hours of formal classroom instruction. Through written and oral exercises, students study the basic concepts needed for mastery of the target language. Teachers prepare lessons tailored to the skill level of the whole class as well as for each individual. Students keep a portfolio of their journals, exercises, and writing samples so that they can see their progress and continue the work when they are home.
As with our language classes, Musical Theater class provides structured learning throughout the morning. As students learn the ‘language’ of musical theater, they also have opportunities outside of class to test and use this learning. Over the course of four weeks, students receive rigorous training in singing, acting, dance, and public speaking. In addition, students will have the opportunity to work in areas such as stage combat, mime, improvisation, writing, composing, and directing. Many rehearsals take place in our state-of-the-art theater, in the new Palmer Cultural Center. All of the students in this class participate in the final musical performance.
For many children, the summer at TASIS will be their first residential experience away from home. Staff members are always present to ensure safety and provide comfort to our students. To enhance language learning, students are housed with roommates who speak a language other than their own. Each student’s day is carefully structured to include a variety of educational activities, from classes and singing to mountain adventures and museum tours. The goal is to balance the need to monitor students and the freedom they desire so that they learn to develop their own sense of responsibility and independence.
10
11
Sports and Activities Students participate in one selected activity twice a week for the duration of the session. Under the guidance of trained instructors, students gain confidence and a sense of commitment while they begin to master their chosen skill, whether it is archery, art, tennis, windsurfing, mountainbiking, sailing, rock climbing, waterskiing, horseback riding, or soccer. Track activities encourage students to try new things, meet challenges, and have fun.
Sport Clubs
The Tennis Academy This intense program is designed for students who wish to enhance and improve their current tennis skills. Upon arrival, students are placed according to level and experience. Students practice three afternoons per week with certified tennis instructors for two hours at a time. Each student is given a kit that includes a bag, a jersey, shorts, and socks. Players are expected to bring their own racquet. Staff-to-student ratio is 1:5, with a maximum of 20 students in the program. Enrollment is on a firstcome, first-served basis.
The MSP Sport Clubs are designed to enhance existing skills and to prepare students for the formative years of adolescence. These clubs meet three times a week and do not allow students to participate in other organized sports. Students in these programs receive certified instruction designed especially for the Middle School student. As a result of the extra time commitment, participants may miss a few scheduled MSP events on Saturdays.
We are pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in the AC Milan Junior Camp, an intensive soccer program under the supervision of AC Milan coaches. This is a unique chance to learn high-quality soccer skills in a healthy, safe, and fun environment. Due to the special nature of this joint venture, students attend the soccer program four afternoons per week to allow them to maximize the experience of this focused clinic. Participating students are issued an AC Milan soccer kit.
12
13
Sunday Language Day Sundays provide students with an informal opportunity to communicate and work in their targeted subject. Students work with their class preparing and hosting a variety of projects, including a puppet show and a carnival for the younger students of Le Château des Enfants. This hands-on approach engages the students and increases their confidence and willingness to speak in the target language.
Afternoon and Evening Activities Special afternoon excursions and evening activities further enhance each student’s experience. This combination of artistic, cultural, and athletic endeavors contributes to the formation of healthy, well-rounded young people. During afternoon excursions, guides are provided in the target language who offer the students insight into the many treasures of this region. Whether investigating the
Travel and Discover history of a local villa or museum, navigating mountain forests on a bicycle, or remaining on campus to create with a local artisan, students experience much of what Ticino has to offer.
Day Trips Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the MSP ‘weekend’, when students explore the fascinating attractions that make Switzerland such a popular destination. Extending to cities such as Bern and Milan, the mountains and valleys of Monte Tamaro and Val Bavona, and to historical sites such as the outdoor Ballenberg Museum and the Borromean Islands, day trips always have a cultural and educational purpose. Students are given the space to learn, spend time with friends, and practice their target language within a safe, yet stimulating, environment.
Overnight Trips * Students can also choose from an array of optional overnight trips to extend the day trip experience. Like day trips, overnight excursions blend indoor and outdoor activities, guided tours, and independent exploration. Overnight trips allow students to further explore a new culture or destination. Students can choose from a variety of options, such as Château d’Oex, Tuscany, Nice, St. Moritz, Andermatt, or Verona. Each trip is specifically designed to maximize the discovery and adventure of its destination. A blend of cultural education and physical activity, these trips are always successful at broadening horizons, building friendships, and providing lasting memories. * More information about the additional fee and details for these trips will be available in Spring 2011.
A Typical Day 07:15 – 08:15 08:25 – 08:35 08:40 – 11:30 11:30 – 12:05 12:05 – 13:30 13:35 – 17:00 17:00 – 17:30 17:30 – 18:10 18:15 – 19:15 19:15 – 20:45 20:45 – 22:00 22:00 – 22:15 22:15
Breakfast Morning Meeting Classes (three 50-minute classes) Lunch Singing Class by Language Levels Afternoon Activities (Mon. & Thurs. specialized Activity “track” day) Dinner Preparation Family-style dinner Musical rehearsal or quiet dorm time Evening Activity Free time/shower time/ phone time (after 1st week) Quiet time Lights Out
Tuesday & Wednesday Schedule 07:30 – 08:30 Departure for All-Day Trip 21:00 – 21:30 Return from All-Day Trip Tuesday 17:00 Return by Dinner Wednesday 14
Day students may participate 7 days a week, including all evening activities. Departure and arrival times for day students vary and will be communicated daily.
15
Le Château des Enfants + Ages 4 -10
TASIS SUMMER PROGRAM
1st Session: Saturday, June 25 – Thursday, July 21, 2011 2nd Session: Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, August 13, 2011
Le Château des Enfants is an international, educational summer camp for young children from all nations, backgrounds, and cultures. It provides a unique blend of traditional camp activities for boarding (6-10-year-olds) and day (4+-10-yearolds) students with French, English, and Italian language learning in a warm, safe, and nurturing environment. With the experienced and caring support of our multilingual staff, our program encourages an interchange of experiences and customs among children. The program aims to help children develop greater independence and self-confidence in the context of a well-supervised and diverse community. Through creative learning activities, excursions, and sports, we acquaint children with a foreign language while fostering positive social interactions. Villa Belvedere, on a
16
COURSES OFFERED: English as an Additional Language, French, Italian Students: 100 from aver 20 countries Student-Staff ratio: 3:1
hillside overlooking the TASIS campus, serves as our campers’ summer home, offering bedrooms, classrooms, and dining facilities for our special summer community. The Minnows day program, for 4- to 6-year-olds, is based in a charming facility five minutes away. To enhance language learning, boarding students are housed with roommates who speak a language other than their own. Our staff of 50 includes the Director, an Assistant Director, a Head Counselor, a Program Assistant, and a Nurse, as well as teachers and counselors with various specialties in sports, arts, and music.
Learn a Language Children are exposed to a variety of languages and cultures, but English remains the principal language of the program. In morning and afternoon lessons of 2-3 students each, children learn French, English, or Italian. Our bilingual teachers create a friendly and appropriately-challenging learning environment, buoyed by drama, singing, and the wonderful energy generated by the children. Children who learn to sing and play-act in a new language soon begin seeing that language as more familiar and less foreign. These events, whether in a morning class or afternoon activity, stimulate children’s imaginations, develop their confidence, and serve as invaluable components of language instruction. At the end of each session, parents are invited to see their children perform the songs they have learned in French and English after the final evening banquet. 17
Sports and Activities Throughout the session, the children participate in a varied program of recreational and artistic activities. In our arts and crafts program, they put their creative young minds and hands to work producing paintings, puppets, collages, papier-machĂŠ, or clay models. Children especially enjoy drama as a way to explore language. Each child participates in two percussion workshops, and will learn to play various rhythmic instruments and drums. A special science program introduces the children to a variety of hands-on projects. We offer age-appropriate sports, including volleyball, tennis, soccer, and a daily swim class. Some of our excursions include paddle boating, climbing through medieval castles in Bellinzona, visiting a falconry in Locarno, exploring a fishing museum, and touring a chocolate factory. Ten-year-olds are invited to participate in a challenging ropes course that encourages self-confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving. In the evening, our staff organizes special activities for boarding children that include games, a scavenger hunt, sports tournaments, a sandcastle contest, bingo, fondue, and ice-cream-sundae parties. Each evening we conclude our busy day with children and staff settling in for a pajama party with cookies and milk along with a bedtime story, read aloud. Our boarding children also enjoy many evening and weekend activities, including a mime performance, a Harry Potter night, a Hawaiian Luau, puppet and talent shows, a casino night, a sock hop, a soccer tournament, and a sunset funicular ride up Monte San Salvatore.
18
19
Camping Our 8- to 10-year-olds enjoy a special overnight camping experience that begins with an afternoon dip in a spring-fed mountain stream and culminates with roasting marshmallows and singing around a campfire, while overlooking spectacular moonlit views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding peaks. Some of the younger children join us for swimming and for a barbeque around the fire before returning to campus for the night. Day students (6-10) participate MondayFriday, 8:45-18:00, in all weekday language classes and activities, including local excursions off campus. Children 8 years of age and older are welcome to join the overnight camping trip in the mountains. Families are cordially invited to attend some evening cultural events.
A Typical Day 07:00-07:45 Awake, dress, and tidy rooms 07:45-08:30 Breakfast 08:40 Room check 08:50 Daily meeting 09:00 Language class 10:00-12:00 Sports, tennis, swimming, science, and excursions 12:00 Lunch 13:00-14:00 Rest time 14:00 Second language class 15:00 Activities, art, drama, or excursions 16:00 Go没ter/afternoon snack 16:20 Art and drama 17:20 Singing 18:00 Dinner 18:45 Games, parties, and excursions 20:00 Showers and PJs 20:30 Story time, milk and cookies
Minnows The 4+- (between Pre-K and K) to 6-year-old children form our Minnows Day Program from Monday to Friday. The Minnows start their day at Belvedere, with the older children, at our morning meeting. They are then transported to their own facility five minutes down the hill, in the Focolare building. The Minnows attend their own language classes in English, French, or Italian, as well as special age-appropriate physical, artistic, and musical activities, including nature walks and excursions to the local zoo, Swiss Miniature amusement park, sightseeing in
20
Lugano, and an adventure to nearby castles. The Minnows have access to a playground, a sandbox, and water play. After lunch, they have a rest period followed by activities such as arts and crafts, snacks, water play, and building sand castles. Our science specialist provides a variety of science experiences a few afternoons each week. Parents pick up their 4+-5-year-olds at 15:00, while 6-year-olds may stay until 18:00. At 15:00, the 6-yearolds join the older children on the main campus for swimming and singing.
21 21
TASIS French Language Program Ages 14 -17
TASIS SUMMER PROGRAM
Saturday, June 25 – Thursday, July 21, 2011 Optional 5th week in Paris - July 21 - July 28, 2011
The TASIS French Language Program welcomes students at all levels of French. Located in the stunning Alpine village of Château-d’Oex, the program allows for unparalleled immersion in the French language. In the beautiful surroundings of the chalets and village, students strengthen their language skills in an intimate setting as they get to know each other and their teachers. This program is especially appealing to students who seek a spectacular country setting blended with frequent excursions to cities. Our French program teaches and reinforces the fundamentals of listening and reading comprehension as well as speaking and writing skills. Upon arrival, students take oral and written placement tests and are grouped according to ability. An average class size of 10-12 students ensures personal attention and rapid progress.
COURSE OFFERED: Intensive French Students: 55 from 15 countries Students-Staff ratio 5:1
Teachers evaluate students’ academic performance on the basis of class participation, oral and written examinations, homework, and daily journal entries. At the end of the program, students receive a full academic report, including a letter grade, course description, and teacher comments for use in future French course placement. The unique local setting offers students excellent opportunities to speak French outside the classroom. Evening activities complement the language learning process with various activities within the community, including bonfires, singing and conversation with locals, and sports matches against local teens on the village soccer field.
Our experienced teachers use a variety of teaching methods that make learning French dynamic and fun. Grammatical structures and vocabulary, essential for developing communicative competency, are presented and emphasized at the earliest levels. Through readings and discussions, classes also explore the culture of various francophone countries. In addition to structured classroom academics, a teacher-guided “language-inlife” activity period refines oral competency through music, cooking, and experiencing the Arts in French through videos, music, and film.
22
23
Sports and Activities During the program, students participate in our focused sports program, with regular meetings throughout the session, such as tennis, basketball, soccer, swimming, and horseback riding. The more adventurous may choose to participate in one of the new offerings: Outdoor Adventure and Skills: This new track activity will be offered by highly skilled instructors who will lead the students through a variety of exciting activities, each taught in a progressive and safe manner. These engaging pursuits include hydro-speed, canyoning, rafting, canoeing, archery, and rock climbing. All of these will challenge the participants to collaborate, work within a team concept, as well as place a strong emphasis in building their level of confidence. Orienteering: Orienteering focuses on developing self-esteem, as well as communication and decision-making skills, which are important aspects of good leadership. Students will engage in highly-challenging activities such as zip lining, hiking, and rock climbing. They also learn basic survival skills and navigation (using a
24
map and compass to to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain). Connecting with the outdoors provides opportunities for developing life skills, awareness and respect for the environment. With parental permission and at an extra cost, students may try a tandem paraglide flight, as well as ballooning. As an alternative to enrolling in a focused sports activity, students may participate in the Arts and Crafts Workshop to draw, paint, and learn some of the local crafts. Our location boasts numerous Alpine traditions to explore. On the mountainsides above Château-d’Oex, students can observe the life of Swiss farmers, with their centuries-old summer tradition of making cheese. Students visit popular sites such as the Castle of Gruyère and the nearby Etivaz Caves, known for their high-quality cheese. On weekends, students also enjoy attending openair musical performances and exploring nearby villages. The program uses the village soccer field, basketball court, Olympic-sized outdoor pool, tennis courts, and bowling alleys, all located within walking distance of the campus. Sign up forms will be sent out in the spring.
25
Extend the French Adventure Optional Fifth Week in Paris* Interested students can end the summer session with an extra six days in Paris, the French capital and city of lights. Students tour the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, watch a ballet or opera, hear an organ recital in Notre Dame, and visit other famous sites and monuments, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, and Montmartre. Students also have free time to explore in small groups. This trip should appeal to students who wish to experience the cultural and artistic aspects of this exciting city and practice the language they have been studying. *There is an additional fee for this program. Please check the application form for the price. Spaces are limited to 25 students.
A Typical Day 08:00-08:45 Breakfast 09:00-13:00 Classes 13:00-13:45 Lunch 14:00-17:00 Sports & Activities 18:00 Dinner
19:00-20:00 Study Time 20:00-22:00 Evening Activities and time to enjoy the village 22:30 Check-in Lights out 23:15
Travel and Discover Each week we include a half-day and a full-day excursion to some of Switzerland’s many sites of cultural interest and importance such as Geneva, Bern, Lausanne, Martigny, and Montreux, for its world-famous Jazz Festival. We also visit the famous Les Diableretes glacier for outdoor adventure sports. These trips combine guided visits with free time to explore in smaller groups. Optional overnight trips are offered to students who enjoy hiking and camping in mountain huts.
Optional Trip to the French Riviera* The French Riviera has been a holiday resort since Roman times and an artist haven for centuries. Students interested in exploring this region and its culture can join their classmates and teachers on a four-day visit to southern France during the program. They will visit places noted for their historical and cultural significance, including Nice, Monaco, Eze, and St. Paul de Vence. Nice provides an ideal base for our students, where we stay in a hotel close to the beach and Vieux Nice. * There is an additional fee for this trip. More details will be provided in the spring information packet, sent to enrolled students. Spaces are limited.
26
27
Château -d’Oex Middle School Program
Ages 11 -13
Saturday, June 25 – Thursday, July 21, 2011
COURSES OFFERED: French, English as an Additional Language Students: 35 from 10 countries Students-Staff ratio 4:1
The Château-d’Oex Middle School Program, located in a beautiful Alpine setting, provides the opportunity for students aged 11-13 to learn or improve French or English in a structured learning environment. Students have many occasions throughout the day to practice the skills they learn in class as they meet new friends, develop their independence, and explore Switzerland. Based in two lovely chalets in the picture-postcard mountain region of the French-speaking part of Switzerland, the program exposes students to the beauty of our surroundings and takes advantage of the stunning settings for sports and cultural activities. For many of the students this will be their first experience away from home. Trained staff members are always present to help students adjust to their new environment and to encourage them to find common bonds with fellow students. To assist with language learning, no two students with the same mother tongue are roomed together. The Middle School Program at Château-d’Oex is based on the strong academic tradition of TASIS and provides an opportunity for children to learn a certain amount of independence through mountain sports coupled with the cultural and historical appreciation of the area. We are proud to provide a program in the French part of Switzerland that is specifically designed for the needs of Middle School students who are at a critical stage in their development and need a certain amount of freedom and autonomy within clearly-set boundaries and guidelines.
28
English as an Additional Language (EAL) & French The Middle School Program offers appropriately challenging language instruction to students at all levels in English as an Additional Language or in French. Students have three hours of formal classroom language instruction daily. Through written and oral exercises, students study the basic concepts needed for mastery of the target language. Teachers prepare lessons tailored to the skill level of the whole class as well as for each individual. Students keep a portfolio of their journals, exercises, and writing samples so they can see their progress over the four weeks.
29
Sports and Activities
During the program, students have a variety of outdoor pursuits to choose from, such as hiking, bicycling, swimming, or horseback riding. Sunday clubs offer a varied choice of activities, such as cooking, theater, photography, and yearbook. The village sports facilities, including the outdoor pool, minigolf, soccer field, and bowling alleys are all popular attractions located within easy walking distance of the chalet. Students also sign up for a more focused optional sports and activities program to participate in regularly throughout the program such as tennis, soccer, basketball, adventure and skills, orienteering, climbing, or arts and crafts.
Excursions and Trips The glorious countryside and delightful villages boast countless Alpine traditions to explore. Throughout the week, students take trips to the mountains above Châteaud’Oex to hike and observe the age-old tradition of local dairy farmers. They visit popular sites such as the Castle of Gruyère and nearby Etivaz Caves. On weekends, students enjoy visiting Glacier 3000 at Les Diablerets or a beach volleyball tournament in Gstaad, a salt mine in Bex, attending open-air musical performances, and exploring nearby villages, all while practicing their target languages. Each week we include a half-day and a full-day excursion to one of Switzerland’s many sites of cultural interest and importance such as Geneva, Bern, Lausanne, Lucerne, and the Open Air Museum of Ballenberg. These trips offer excellent opportunities to see and learn about the varied cultures of Switzerland. In addition to the regular weekend excursions included in the program fee, students may select to join an overnight trip (at additional cost) to Nice or Lugano, or a climbing trip to La Videmanette in the Swiss Alps.
A Typical Day 08:15 – 08:45 Breakfast 09:00 - 12:00 Classes 12:15 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 13:15 Student Meeting 13:15 - 14:00 Quiet Dorm Time 14:00 - 18:00 Afternoon Activity/ Excursions/Sports 18:15 – 19:15 Family-Style Dinner 18:45 - 20:45 Study Hall / Evening Activity 20:45 - 22:00 Supervised Free Time/ Shower Time 22:15 Lights Out
30
31 31
TASIS Schools
Switzerland
TASIS The American School in Switzerland offers a
challenging college-preparatory academic year program on its Lugano campus to day students grades Pre-K-13 and boarding students grades 7-13. With a student body comprising over 50 nationalities, TASIS takes advantage of its location in the heart of Europe to provide an outstanding educational program with an unparalleled international dimension. In addition to a strong American college-preparatory curriculum, TASIS offers the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Englishas-an-Additional-Language courses, along with many travel opportunities. A highlight is the annual January ski week when the school relocates to Crans-Montana for skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating.
England TASIS The American School in England, frequently cited as the premier American school in England, offers an American collegepreparatory curriculum to day students from Pre-K through 12 and to boarding students from grades 9 through 12. Located 18 miles southwest of London on a beautiful 35-acre estate of Georgian mansions and 17th-century cottages, TASIS England combines an excellent academic program with exceptional facilities for art, drama, music, computers, and sports. TASIS also offers the International Baccalaureate, a full Englishas-an-Additional-Language course of study, and Advanced Placement courses in all disciplines.
Other TASIS Summer Programs TASIS England Summer School, located on the TASIS England campus, offers courses for students ages 11-18 English Literature and Composition, SAT and TOEFL Review, Middle School Skills, and mathematics courses that include IB Preparation components. Enrichment courses offered include ShakespeareXperience, Art in London, London Through a Lens, International Business, Speaking in English, Theater in London, Movie Animation, Reading for Success, and Lights Camera Action. Sports take place every afternoon, Excursions to London, Windsor, Brighton Stonehenge, Oxford & Cambridge are offered along with weekend trips to Wales, Edinburgh, Paris, and Brussels. Four-week, three-week, and seven week sessions are offered.
TASIS English Language Program is located on the TASIS England Summer School campus. This program offers intensive Englishas-a-Second-Language for students ages 11-18 along with sports every afternoon. Excursions to London, Windsor, Brighton Stonehenge, Oxford & Cambridge are offered along with weekend trips to Wales, Edinburgh, Paris, and Brussels. Students share accommodation with TASIS England Summer School students and consequently have many opportunities to develop their English-language skills in a relaxed setting as well as in the classroom. Four-week, three-week, and seven-week sessions.
TASIS Spanish Summer Program is an intensive one-month Spanish course for high school students ages 13-17. The program is based in the beautiful city of Salamanca, center of the historic kingdom of Castile and home of one of Europe’s oldest universities. Six levels of Spanish are offered from beginning to advanced and all classes have small student-teacher ratios. The program includes travel to Madrid, Granada, Toledo, and the Alhambra. All students and teachers relocate to the Costa del Sol for the Program’s final week.
Les Tapies Arts & Architecture Program offers an intensive
Directions to Château d’Oex: From Geneva, follow the highway network via Lausanne/Montreux to Fribourg/Bern. (Do not take the Lausanne exit to Fribourg/Bern; take the exit to Fribourg/Bern closer to Montreux.) Leave the highway at Bulle. From the Bulle exit, follow the signs to direction Château-d’Oex and turn into the village from the roundabout with the air balloon sculpture in the middle. TFLP: Follow signs for the Bon Accueil hotel. Prior to reaching Bon Accueil, turn left and drive 200m. As you pass a large apartment building, Le Vieux Chalet will be down the hill on your right. There is a small sign for Le Vieux Chalet and a parking area opposite the driveway entrance. CDMSP: follow the indications for the village center. Prior to reaching the Commune, turn left (bear sculpture on the corner). Cross the rails and follow the signs for Les Iris .
The TASIS campus is conveniently located just a 10-minute taxi ride from the Lugano train station and the LuganoAgno airport. If driving, take the Lugano Sud exit from the autostrada. Follow signs for Lugano until you get to the first set of traffic lights. Turn left at these lights, following the signs for Ponte Tresa. At the second set of traffic lights, turn left again and drive up the winding hill until you get to the village of Sorengo. At the top of the hill, turn left at the lights and immediately again at the next set of lights. Notice a white sign to Agra-Montagnola-Gentilino. Continue up the hill, passing the Baroque St. Abbondio church on the left. At the sharp right curve at the top of the hill, you will notice the sign for TASIS. The main entrance is a little further up on the left. A warm welcome awaits you!
Credits:
32
TASIS admits qualified students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in its admissions policies and practices.
The American School in Switzerland 6926 Montagnola Switzerland Tel: +41 91 9605151 Fax: +41 91 9931647 e-mail: summer@tasis.ch
TASIS The American School in England Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe Surrey, TW20 8TE, England Tel: +44 1932 565 252 Fax: +44 1932 564 644 e-mail: ukadmissions@tasis.com
TASIS US Office 1640 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: 202 965 5800; 800 442 6005 Fax: 202 965 5816 e-mail: usadmissions@tasis.com
Photos: Michelle Arslanian, Michele Kestenholz, Jane Vasilyeva, Milo Zanecchia, and other TASIS staff Graphic Design: Michele Kestenholz - Editor: Lynn Aeschliman - Printer: Lepori & Storni, Viganello
IX/2010/6000
Location
three-week design and cultural experience for students ages 14-19 through a hands-on study of French vernacular architecture, photography, and drawing and painting. The program is for students who have a strong interest in the arts or who may be considering a career in architecture, art, or design. The Program’s ideal location just north of Provence provides extensive opportunities for excursions that draw on the cultural richness of this fascinating area.