Pictured above: Linda Walker

Nottingham Language Academy is expanding by launching its first summer schools.

The academy, which opened its doors last year, will be offering summer school sessions to teach English as a foreign language.

Aimed at people already living in the UK as well as those from overseas, classes will focus on general English, English for young learners and English for people hoping to teach English as a foreign language.

Running throughout June, July and August at the academy's base in The Ropewalk, Nottingham, classes of no more than ten will learn in a structured and enjoyable way.

Courses include social activities including theatre and film visits as well as trips to London, Cambridge and Oxford. Trips will be tailored to suit individuals in each group, particularly the young learner groups.

For overseas students the academy is also offering to help arrange accommodation - with a local host as part of its Homestay scheme, in a guesthouse or hotel. It can also arrange pick-up services from East Midlands, Birmingham, Luton or Manchester airports.

"Our small class sizes and professional and highly experienced tutors mean students can get the most out of their time with us," said Linda Walker, who runs the academy.

"We have summer schools to help those learning to teach English for the first time, those wishing to improve their English and youngsters aged from 10 to 17.

"The mix of in-class tuition and social activities will ensure all our students have a great time and staying in a British home can be the perfect way to practise your new language skills."

The English Teacher Training Summer School offers over-18s 120 hours of tuition over four weeks starting on August 8. The course offers theory, teaching practise and observation. Participation in the whole four-week course is compulsory to achieve academy certification.

The General English Summer School has an ideal balance of structured learning and stimulating activities for the over-18s. It offers 15 hours of tuition and six hours of social activities each week. After initial assessment to place students at the correct level, they will develop all four language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking - alongside grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

The Young Learners Summer School caters for students aged ten to 13 and 14 to 17 from beginner to proficient level. It includes 15 hours of English tuition and 11 hours of social activities each week.

Nottingham Language Academy offers tuition to individuals and businesses, and teaches English as a foreign language, as well as offering classes in the modern languages of French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Greek and Mandarin.

The modern foreign languages courses are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which now forms the basis of language teaching and learning in most European Union countries.