Students will be assigned to the appropriate class according to information received from parents prior to the course, using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Lessons will then be tailored to the needs of the students in each group and will provide the opportunity to practice the four core skills of language learning: listening, reading, writing and speaking. For more advanced students there is the opportunity to read great literature in the original language and examine current issues whilst beginning to develop and justify points of view in speech and writing.

This course is suitable for students for whom English is their first language or for those who have a strong command of English and is aimed at improving skills through a study of Literature and Creative Writing. Students are encouraged to  develop their literary criticism through close analysis of a range of texts and extracts, including poetry, prose, short stories and plays. There will be workshops on creating engaging openings to stories, using effective imagery, and creating tension and suspense in a variety of genres.

The computing course will combine topics including computer programming, PC building, cyber security as well as developing many ICT skills. An interest in computers, gaming or programming would help although not critical as we can work with students of all abilities. The course will be skills based and mostly practical, with some more advanced students having the opportunity to complete high level tasks including designing and building a video game using Unity.

This course is suitable for students who have a strong command of English or who are native speakers. It is aimed at improving spoken English through debates and presentations, but also with particular emphasis on the positive skills of dialogue to promote understanding and empathy; this is particularly in line with Hahn’s vision of young people from many nations as a ‘brotherhood’. Students will be encouraged to consider key global issues such as world religions, political ideologies, social media, fake news and the environment; they will learn to challenge what they are taught and to develop and express their own opinions in ways which celebrate diversity and promote global peace and co-operation.

This course is suitable for our younger age students with a good level of English. They will learn about and appreciate the biodiversity of our natural world and the value of our natural environment to global health, our society and economy. Many of the lessons will take place outside; we are fortunate to have the Gordonstoun campus at our disposal, which provides 200 acres of woodland, and the nearby Moray Firth beaches, cliffs and rockpools boast an impressive array of bird and sea life. Classroom sessions will be adapted to suit age and English ability, but will include research and project work, as well as practising more formal speaking skills through presentation and debate.

This course is suitable for students for whom English is their first language, or who have a strong command of English. On this course students will work in teams and learn about enterprise and being an entrepreneur. Workshops on spotting a business idea, creating a business plan, sourcing finance, presenting the idea and taking the idea to completion will help students become more confident in their individual creativity, and presentation and problem-solving skills. A social enterprise is one that has no shareholders but instead gives its profits to social causes. The culmination of the course will be an event, planned and presented by students, which promotes and benefits their chosen social cause.