BISS (Brighton International Summer School)
BISS is a private English Language School based at, and working in partnership with, Dorothy Stringer High School. It arranges short 'integrated' study programmes at Stringer for school groups from many different countries around the world. These have included Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Russia, Ukraine, Khazakstan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Serbia, Greece, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Brazil and many more. The groups come mainly in the summer months, although we now have groups attending BISS all year round.
As well as mixing and making friends with the international students of the same age during break and lunch times (eg. game of football, chat in the canteen), Stringer pupils also benefit from visits to the BISS lessons, where the students discuss and teach aspects of their culture, relevant to the specific subject area, such as cookery, art, geography, languages, sport, drama, music and more. Stringer pupils have learned how to cook Japanese sushi and Italian pasta, have tried Origami (Japanese paper folding), looked at Arabic lettering, studied the Kobe earthquake and Arabian desert and discussed a range of topics including lifestyle differences, school rules, crime and punishment, mobile phones and football!
Whole group presentations are avoided with the emphasis on small groups and one to one interaction. The vast majority of Stringer pupils are very welcoming, genuinely fascinated to learn about their international guests and become very focused and engaged in the cultural activity they are involved in.
The whole project exposes Stringer pupils to fellow students from many different cultures and nationalities, which has the secondary benefit of breaking down cultural and national stereotypes and barriers. Some Stringer pupils keep in touch with their new international friends via email and even holidays and visits.
International students are hosted, where possible, by local 'Stringer' families (for payment). Any family interested in getting involved, or interested in finding out more about our programmes can visit out website, www.biss-school.com of contact Biss Director Jim Ward by email at jim.ward@biss-school.com or telephone on (+441273) 852225.
BISS is accredited by the British Council.
