Switzerland: Junior Language Stay in Leysin Alpadia

The Language School

The summer program organized by Alpadia takes place at the family-friendly Central Residence Hotel in Leysin. This 3-star establishment is located near the main tourist attractions and the Leysin-Feydey train station. It offers a warm atmosphere with its alpine-style decoration and an impressive panoramic view of the Alps.

The site boasts excellent facilities, including multiple classrooms, a restaurant with a large terrace, and various common areas such as resting zones with free WiFi and game areas with table tennis, foosball, and billiards.

During their stay, the young learners will also have access to the hotel's indoor swimming pool and a garden with petanque and volleyball.

The Programs

Alpadia's summer program offers young learners a stimulating and attractive environment to learn English or German with pleasure during their school holidays. On the first day of classes, students take a placement test, which allows the school to place them in the appropriate class. At the end of the stay, they receive a certificate indicating their achieved level, enabling them to track their progress. The areas of writing, speaking, listening, and reading will be explored in a fun and interactive manner.

The program offers 20 lessons of 45 minutes per week in groups of up to 15 students, held in the morning from Monday to Friday.

For those who desire a more intensive course, it is possible to add 5 additional group lessons, which will be held in the late morning on weekdays. It is also possible to add a package of 5 private lessons for a more focused and personalized learning experience, also held in the late morning on weekdays.

Accommodation

Students are accommodated directly in the hotel in quadruple rooms with an alpine style. Each room features a bathroom and a balcony offering a splendid view of the Alps. Bed linen is provided, and a deposit of 50 CHF is payable in cash upon arrival, which will be refunded at the end of the stay if no damages are recorded. A laundry service is available to students starting from the second week of their stay, with a cost of 7 CHF per kilogram of laundry. The camp staff can keep pocket money for the students in a safe, which can be withdrawn once a day.

The program includes full-board meals with varied and balanced menus, including salads, hot dishes, and delicious desserts. The majority of meals are served buffet-style in the large cafeteria. On Sundays, dedicated to excursions (for stays of a minimum of two weeks), the school provides a picnic for the students. The institute can accommodate specific dietary needs, such as pork-free, vegetarian, or gluten-free, provided that we are informed at least 2 weeks before departure.

Activities

A wide range of leisure activities is offered in the afternoon, with dedicated animators who ensure a friendly atmosphere among international students. The young learners will participate in creative workshops and regularly engage in various sports activities, such as hiking, football, swimming, table tennis, handball, basketball, baseball, and many others.

A free time zone is available every day between the afternoon activity and dinner. In the evenings, the students gather for quiz nights, discos, movie nights, barbecues, karaoke, and other games.

Every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday, the students are invited to participate in excursions. For example, they will have the opportunity to visit the Vallorbe Caves, the old town of Vevey or Lausanne, the Chillon Castle, Aquapark, and the Cailler chocolate factory.

In addition to the defined activity program, the school offers two "premium" activities as an additional option for students who wish to engage more intensely in an activity for 3 afternoons per week or in the late afternoon (tennis). Students of all levels are admitted. The first option, "Adrenaline," is offered to students aged 13 and older in spring and summer. This option includes downhill sledging on the Diablerets Glacier, downhill scootering, and mountain biking in Leysin. The second option is horseback riding, which includes two sessions in a riding arena located within walking distance from the hotel and an outdoor ride. The third option is tennis, with lessons given in groups of 4 students per court/instructor in a nearby sports center, just a few minutes' walk away. Equipment is provided on-site or can be brought along. Offered during the summer for students aged 8 to 14, the fourth option is cooking, specifically teaching and preparing desserts and confectioneries (macarons, cheesecake, pies, muffins, etc.) within the hotel. Finally, the fifth option is ice hockey, available in autumn. Lessons will be taught by a coach in the ice rink of the resort.