Racing Driver Courses

English for Motorsport / Racing Driver Course

Photos by Paul Costin of Fastlane Fotos.

This course is designed for international clients who would like to explore the world of motorsport and to start out on the road to becoming a racing driver.

Course, accommodation and activities programme to be organised by British Council-accredited school.

2 week stay. (Please ask for a quotation for shorter or longer courses).

The course includes the following components:
* Course 20 lessons per week of General English language studies (please see below for additional information).
* 5 lessons per week of specialist English for Motorsport on a small group basis.
* Loan of coursebooks.
* Sports and social activities (4 afternoons per week).
* Single room host family accommodation (half-board).
* Insurance (we will supply terms and conditions).
* MSA Go Racing pack. (Clients need to complete an application form and work through the course material contained within the pack).
* One day ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers Schools) course at Silverstone GP circuit.
* One half-day motorsport-themed excursion per week (ie. 2 in total: one to the National Motor Museum , Beaulieu and one to a local karting centre. Entrances included).
* One specialist lecture per week (ie. 2 in total: one on sponsorship in motorsport; one on race car design).
* Return airport transfer by coach with guide sent by school.
* Hot lunches at the school café Monday to Friday.

Total fees per person: £2400.

English for Motorsport (Specialist English Language Studies) and preparation for the ARDS written assessment
During this course, clients will be introduced to the language and specialist terminology contained within the MSA Go Racing pack. They will be guided through the various sections of the pack, following a multi-media approach, so that their English level is sufficient for coping with the written assessments that they will face during the one-day ARDS course at Silverstone.

Our partner school has systems for ensuring that students receive personalized attention. We aim to provide the kind of linguistic training and support that they need in order to make rapid progress and quickly attain a good degree of fluency and accuracy in English.

Students will study in small classes (the maximum number of students is 14, although the average number is 10) along with students of a similar age, background and language ability. Given the specialised nature of this course, it is impossible to guarantee a varied mix of nationalities within the class.

Course type

Standard course (20 lessons = 15 hours per week).

Levels
We run English Language Studies (general English) courses at six levels:

Beginner (advance notice required!).

Elementary.

Pre-intermediate.

Intermediate.

Upper-intermediate.

Advanced.

To gain the most from their specialist English for Motorsport course, clients should ideally have at least an intermediate level of English.

Built into every student’s course are the following:
* Placement test. This is designed to enable us to gauge the approximate level of a student and to place him or her in a class along with other students of similar ability.

* Needs analysis. This is used to find out what students need and would like to learn on their course.

* Skills development. Development of the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking through meaningful practice.

* Task-based activities designed to improve fluency, such as discussions, pair and group work, roleplays, problem-solving, and so on.

* Systems work. Focus on and consolidation of the systems of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Students will learn and use new language forms and vocabulary through practice in contemporary, realistic, everyday situations.

* Supportive error correction and constructive feedback.

* Learner skills development. We aim to teach students effective ways of learning, from efficient note-taking to ways of storing and activating vocabulary. In particular, we would aim to encourage students to use self-access resources, such as the library, video room, listening materials, CD-Roms, the Internet and so on.

* Progress tests. These are designed to show us how well a student is learning new forms and vocabulary, and how well he or she is able to apply new skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

* Tutorials. To provide two-way feedback, so that teachers can pass on hints, tips and advice on how best to study, as well as address any problems shown up by students’ performance in class and in their progress tests. At the same time, students can ask for help in areas that are particularly important for them.

* Homework. An essential part of every student’s course – consolidates classwork and provides extra practice in the skills and systems.

* Academic counselling. Distinct from the tutorials programme, the academic counselling that we provide aims to maximize every student’s potential, so that he or she could:
- transfer to another course at our partner school, such as an examination preparation course or an English for Special Purposes course.
- apply to go on to study at a college or university in an English-speaking country.
- seek work in an English-speaking environment (where visa regulations allow this).

* Preparation for external examinations. Where possible, we would like to help every student to prepare for an external examination, so that he or she will be able to return home with an internationally-recognized qualification.

One-day ARDS Course

For clients who wish to enter the world of motor racing, the Silverstone Motorsport Academy one-day ARDS Course is the perfect starting point, as they should be able to obtain a National B Comptetitive Licence at the end of this one-day course.

The qualification, provided by the sport’s governing body in the , the MSA (Motorsport Association), is recognised throughout the and internationally. It includes both academic and practical assessment, ensuring clients are suitable and helping to maintain safety at circuits nationally. Silverstone Motorsport Academy is one of the country’s leading Association of Racing Drivers Schools.

All Silverstone instructors are competitive drivers, which means that they can provide clients with the skills and knowledge essential for a successful licence application.

During this very busy one-day course, clients will take part in an exciting range of both practical and classroom sessions, from learning track techniques during a stimulating lecture to skid control and one-to-one coaching in a Lotus Exige.

At the end of the day, clients will take driving and written assessments and can then start looking forward to entering the exciting world of motorsport.

Before setting off for Silverstone, clients will need to have worked through an MSA Go Racing pack.

Course Format:
* Track technique briefing.
* Personal on-track tuition in a Lotus.
* Car control briefing.
* Car control session.
* Lunch break (packed lunch provided).
* ARDS briefing.
* Written test.
* Advanced car control.
* ARDS driven assessment.
* Debrief.

NB. The day may not always run in this order and actual timings depend on group size.

Requirements:
Clients must have held a full driving licence for at least 1 year, which they will need to show on the training day.
Clients must not weigh more than 16 stone and they should be between 5’2’’ and 6’2’’ tall.
To benefit fully from this course, clients will need at least an intermediate level of English prior to course commencement. If you have a lower level of English, we can organise a general English course before you start this course.

Other options:
If you wish to take a longer English language course, we can easily arrange this for you.

If you would prefer to stay in a hotel (not in host family accommodation), we can also help you to book this. Ask for more information.

Also, if you would like to take a 4-day ARDS course (which in addition to the extra training and racing driving practice offers you the chance to take part in an actual single seater race, along with other course participants), please ask us about this option. The price for this longer ARDS course is an extra £2500 - details on application.

Progression routes:
At the end of your course, we may be able to introduce you to potential driver managers / racing teams. We have contacts appropriate to a range of different race types, including rallying, Formula Renault, BTCC, GP2 and Formula 1 who may be willing to give you advice on the next step to take in order to pursue your driving ambitions. Motor racing is very competitive and very expensive, so unfortunately, we cannot guarantee your success: a lot depends on your own talent, finding the necessary funds and your commitment to success! However, we'll give you the jump start that you may need to get you going in the right direction!

Travel to the UK:
We may be able to help you to book your flight to the UK through our partner travel agents in your country: please ask us about this option.

Please call + 44 7966 578999 for more information if you are outside the UK.

Please call (07966) 578999 if you are in the UK already.

We will be delighted to hear from you and happy to help!

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