As you progress from middle to high school, it becomes important to start exploring your interests beyond school, prepare for advanced education, and build key academic and professional skills. English summer schools for 14 year olds can help you strengthen communication skills, build confidence, and prepare for more rigorous English classes or future study in English-speaking environments.

These programmes are designed to provide guided exposure to language development through a mix of classroom instruction, interactive activities, and real-world communication practice. They can help you build fluency while demonstrating how English is used in academic and social contexts.

What kinds of English summer schools are available for 14-year-olds?

English summer schools vary in focus, with some emphasizing general language development while others specialize in academic English, exam preparation, or creative communication. University-based programs, language institutes, and international summer schools offer structured environments combining classroom learning with experiential activities. Some programs focus on debate, journalism, or creative writing, while others integrate cultural studies or leadership communication. 

You may also find programs combining excursions, workshops, and project-based learning to reinforce practical language use. Many programs include speaking workshops, debates, storytelling exercises, and collaborative group tasks that help you actively apply the language. Some programs also include cultural excursions, allowing you to use English in real-world environments and observe how the language functions in everyday settings.

To make the selection easier for you, we have curated a list of 15 English summer schools for 14-year-olds. I have focused on factors like academic structure, language immersion depth, teaching quality, and opportunities for real-world communication practice.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online English program.

15 English Summer Schools for 14 Year Olds

1. University of Pennsylvania’s Academic English & University Readiness Academy

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.
Cost: $6,700; limited scholarships available for Philadelphia public/charter school residents
Dates: July 26th – August 8th
Application deadline: Rolling until program reaches capacity; international students are encouraged to apply by February to allow time for visa processing
Eligibility: Non-native English speakers in grades 9-11 and international high school students with a tourist or B-2 visa; applicants must be 13 or older and meet specific English language test score requirements

As one of the more academically focused english summer schools for 14 year olds, this University of Pennsylvania programme lets you spend 30 hours per week for two weeks engaging in academic and cultural activities designed to strengthen your English skills in university contexts. You will receive instruction on both spoken and written English within authentic university settings, preparing you for undergraduate-level work. Your coursework will combine reading academic texts, listening to lectures, and participating in academic discussions while using Philadelphia’s culture and history as a learning backdrop.

You will conduct research on topics related to American culture, innovation, and technology, culminating in a capstone presentation that showcases your coursework and international exposure. Living on the University of Pennsylvania campus, you will gain direct insight into American academic culture, develop independent learning skills, and experience campus life alongside other international students. 

Why it stands out: You will explore the English language while building university-readiness skills within an Ivy League campus setting, with Philadelphia’s culture as the context for learning academic English.

2. Immerse Education’s English Literature Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to motivated high school students aged roughly 16-18 with a passion for literature and critical writing; international applicants are welcome; open to international students

In the English Literature Summer School by Immerse Education, you’ll spend two weeks diving into literary study with expert tutors who guide you through critical analysis of poetry, prose, and drama from a wide range of periods and genres. Through structured classes, workshops, and personal research projects, you’ll learn how to unpack complex texts, sharpen your essay-writing skills, and articulate your own interpretations with confidence. Given the small class sizes, you’ll get plenty of one-on-one feedback and tailored support as you explore everything from Shakespearean plays to modern narratives.

Completing this course also earns you a recognised certificate of achievement, and you can even opt for UCAS points. If you want a focused literary experience that simulates the intellectual atmosphere of university study while living in one of the world’s most historic academic cities, this programme helps you build deeper analytical and creative skills. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You get an academically rigorous, university-style exploration of literature in the heart of Oxford or Cambridge with personalised mentor support.

3. The Scholars’ Programme @ Stonyhurst College

Location: Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, UK
Cost: £4,690 (three weeks) | £6,250 (four weeks)
Dates: July 10-31 (three weeks) | July 10th – August 7th (four weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students around the world, ages 14-17, with advanced (C1 – C2 grading), fluent, or native English proficiency

The Scholars’ Programme at Stonyhurst College stands out among the many english summer schools for 14 year olds as an interdisciplinary academic summer course designed for students interested in advanced academic exploration. You will examine topics such as British history, literary studies, symbolism, the natural sciences, and global debates through workshops, seminars, and guided discussions. The programme emphasises analytical thinking, research methods, presentation skills, and collaborative learning.

You will engage directly with historical artefacts, archives, and museum collections under the guidance of curators and subject experts. Practical components include debates, independent projects, and academic workshops. The course also includes excursions to UK universities and historic sites connected to the curriculum. This summer school is designed to help you build stronger research, communication, and critical thinking skills applicable to future academic study.

Why it stands out: It combines English exploration with interdisciplinary seminars and direct access to rare historical collections and curator-led academic exploration.

4. Stevenson University Summer Writers’ Workshop

Location: Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD, U.S.
Cost: High School: $500 (or $425 with early registration by May 15th) | Middle School: $475 (or $400 with early registration); limited full and partial need-based scholarships available
Dates: July 13-17
Application deadline: Rolling; registration closes when program reaches capacity
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th graders (middle school track) and rising 9th – 12th graders (high school track); international student eligibility not specified

Stevenson University runs one-week English- and writing-focused summer workshops for middle and high school students. As a 14-year-old, you can choose between the middle school or high school track, depending on your grade level. In the high school track, you will explore fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through workshops led by Stevenson faculty; topics may include flash fiction, character development, screenwriting, and interactive digital narratives. You will gain editorial and design experience by working on the workshop’s student-created online magazine.

In the middle school track, you will discover creative writing by learning how to read like a writer, working through prompts, and exploring the features of different genres. You will participate in small group writing workshops on campus, including optional hikes on the grounds with your journal, and share your work at a Friday afternoon showcase. Both tracks include visits by guest writers and artists, as well as the opportunity to have your work published in the workshop’s literary magazine or performed for family and friends.

Why it stands out: It lets you build written English skills under the guidance of published faculty writers in a university classroom environment.

5. The English Language Course @ Stonyhurst College

Location: Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, UK
Cost: £2,750 (two weeks) | £4,000 (three weeks) | £4,850 (four weeks)
Dates: July 10th – August 7th (multiple sessions available within this window)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 10-17, with English proficiency ranging from elementary (A2) to advanced (C1 – C2); beginners are not accepted. International students are eligible

In this residential summer school, you will study English at Stonyhurst, a historic school in Lancashire, where you can learn the language contextually through the setting itself. Your classes will be tailored to your ability level, with teaching methods that include group work, role-play, games, presentations, and workshops rather than traditional lectures.

Beyond the classroom, you will participate in activities like sports, creative arts, and evening entertainment, as well as two off-site excursions every week to places like theme parks, cultural landmarks, and outdoor destinations. You will live alongside students from more than 20 countries, accessing a genuinely multicultural learning experience. At the end of your course, you will receive a progress report and certificate at an awards ceremony that recognises both academic and sporting achievements.

Why it stands out: It combines intensive English instruction with full residential immersion, daily activities, and weekly excursions, making language learning part of a broader summer experience rather than classroom study alone.

6. Concord College English Summer School

Location: Concord College, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
Cost: £3,995
Dates: July 20th – August 3rd
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students, ages 11-16, from around the world

The English Summer School at Concord College is a two-week language learning experience focused on developing speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through a project-based curriculum. You will learn how to use English in business, technology, culture, sports, and the environment through General English classes and workshops. You will apply language skills in collaborative tasks, presentations, and activities designed to strengthen communication and problem-solving abilities.

Additional Discovery Workshops focus on leadership, art and design, sports skills, and British culture. The course combines classroom instruction with enrichment activities and structured social programming. The program is designed to help you build stronger language proficiency, improve communication skills, and gain confidence using English in academic and practical settings.

Why it stands out: It integrates English learning with interdisciplinary project work and age-specific workshops focused on leadership, culture, and creative skills.

7. Howard Community College’s Creative Writing for Middle School Course

Location: Howard Community College, Columbia, MD, U.S.
Cost: $339
Dates: Two-week summer sessions in July – August
Application deadline: Rolling until spots are filled
Eligibility: Middle school students, ages 11-14; ; international student eligibility not specified

Howard Community College’s Creative Writing for Middle School is a short summer course that lets you experiment with different forms of creative expression and build writing skills in English. Over two weeks, you will use various writing styles, including character sketches, personal narratives, poetry (free verse, blank verse, and lyric), and dramatic monologues.

The course is designed to help you exercise your imagination while working with structured techniques for journaling and storytelling. A core feature of the program is the chance to compile and publish your work in a digital literary zine, securing a tangible outcome. 

Why it stands out: You get to explore creative English writing and create original work over the course of two weeks.

8. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio 6-Week Online Courses

Location: Online
Cost: $475/course
Dates: June 14th – July 26th
Application deadline: April 20th
Eligibility: Rising and current 9th – 12th grade students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher or equivalent in good academic standing; international students who can read and write in English are eligible

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers students eight different creative writing courses, each taught by graduates of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop or other renowned writing programs. Through these online courses, you can explore English literary areas like nonfiction and personal essays, poetry, experimental and genre-blending creative writing, speculative fiction, fiction craft, playwriting, and television writing.

The course format is asynchronous, but you will meet weekly deadlines and engage actively in critiquing your classmates’ writing. Each week, you will spend approximately 3–4 hours reading assigned materials, completing writing assignments, responding to peers’ work, and participating in online discussions. Upon completion with a passing grade, you will receive a Letter of Completion and a downloadable final grade.

Why it stands out: It combines the flexibility of asynchronous learning with the rigor of weekly deadlines and commitments, while letting you enrol in genre-specific courses from an established university writing program.

9. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry

Location: Online
Cost: $3,200; financial aid available
Dates: June 15-26 | July 6-17
Application deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Students, ages 13-18, in grades 8-11; international students can also apply

As one of the more writing-focused english summer schools for 14 year olds, this two-week Stanford course teaches you how to write in three genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. You will read short stories, poems, and essays by well-known authors to understand how good writing works, then use those lessons in your own writing.

The course focuses on craft fundamentals through class discussions, exercises, and workshop sessions where you will share your work and receive feedback from instructors and classmates. You will complete a portfolio of your creative pieces by the end of the program. You will also spend about 1–2 hours daily on homework and writing assignments. 

Why it stands out: You will explore three writing genres in just two weeks through live online instruction with small classes, while accessing Stanford’s curriculum.

10. Georgetown University’s Creative Writing Academy

Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Residential: $3,725 | Commuter: $3,095; financial aid available
Dates: July 12-18
Application deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Current 8th – 12th-grade students with a 2.0 GPA or higher; international students can also apply

The Creative Writing Academy combines intensive craft instruction with exploration of the literary industry, all set in Washington, D.C. You will attend classroom lectures on fundamentals, such as story structure, character development, dialogue, description, and literary form, and workshop sessions led by Georgetown graduate student instructors and published literary figures from the region. Throughout the week, you will work in three main genres, poetry, fiction, and personal prose, while exploring how writers address social, political, and environmental themes in their work.

Beyond campus, the program includes field trips to Washington landmarks and the National Gallery of Art, where you will engage in writing exercises inspired by your surroundings. You will also gain insights into the publishing industry, including what markets exist for creative writing, career paths for writers, graduate and undergraduate programs in creative writing, and steps toward publication. Peer critique and revision are central to the program. You will finish the week with a capstone project that brings together your original work.

Why it stands out: You will get intensive creative writing craft instruction along with real-world publishing industry guidance and off-site experiences in Washington, D.C., in a concentrated one-week format.

11. UCLA Writing Project College-Ready Writing: Personal and Academic, Both!

Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.
Cost: $650; limited need-based scholarships are available.
Dates: Two sessions: June 22nd – July 2nd (in-person) | July 13-24 (online)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade students; international student eligibility not specified

This UCLA Writing Project workshop teaches you how to write in different styles, including poetry, narrative essays, and argumentative writing, while discovering your own voice as a writer. You will work in a small group of students throughout the program. During each session, you will read texts, debate ideas, and practice the writing process from start to finish.

As you write, you will receive feedback from your instructor and classmates, which can help you improve your ideas and how you express them. The most important part: you’re always in charge of your work. The experience can help you boost your English writing and communication skills for college and beyond.

Why it stands out: You will learn from high school teachers in a small, supportive group setting, practising creative expression and academic writing.

12. Languages United Summer School in Bath

Location: Bath College building, Bath, UK
Cost: £920/week (with accommodation) | £555 – £655/week (without accommodation) | £300/week (lessons only)
Dates: June 28th – August 9th
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students, ages 12-17, from around the world

This summer program offers structured English language instruction combined with supervised cultural and activity-based learning. You will engage in activities that help develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through 15 hours of weekly sessions on thematic content such as culture, identity, and communication. The program emphasises communicative language learning through classroom projects, group discussions, and creative tasks.

You will apply English in real-world contexts during excursions, activities, and projects, including film-making and presentations. Lessons are delivered by teachers who follow structured syllabi aligned with British Council standards. You can also choose to engage in cultural immersion through homestay accommodation and guided trips across the UK. 

Why it stands out: You will build English speech and writing skills through structured language learning, thematic project work, and cultural immersion through homestay and trips across the UK.

13. GrubStreet Teen Summer Writing Sessions

Location: GrubStreet, Boston, MA
Cost: Typically, $715 for members | $750 for non-members
Dates: June 22nd – August 21st (multiple sessions within this window)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 13-18-year-olds; international student eligibility not specified

GrubStreet’s Teen Summer Writing Sessions allow students to explore English writing genres in a collaborative environment while learning from writers and performers. Each two-week session splits participants into small, genre-based groups, within which you will participate in daily writing exercises and workshops and receive instructor feedback.

As a participant, you will have access to one-on-one mentorship opportunities, guest author sessions, and a professional writing day focused on college and career readiness. The program also features open mic events, free writing time in GrubStreet’s writing space, and publication opportunities. 

Why it stands out: You get to engage in focused writing practice and learn from professionals while building a portfolio, all within two weeks.

14. Georgetown University’s Creative Writing: The Power of Storytelling

Location: Online
Cost: Enrichment: $1,895 | College Credit: $3,995; need-based scholarships available
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up; international students are also eligible

This online creative writing course teaches you how to write compelling fiction by exploring the building blocks of great stories: vivid characters, intriguing plots, and powerful narrative techniques. You will work through lessons on finding your unique writer’s voice, understanding different points of view, building effective plots, developing characters, and revising your work to strengthen it. The course is fully self-paced.

You will receive support from a mentor or teaching assistant who will answer questions, offer feedback on your assignments, and help with your final capstone project, which will be a portfolio of original fiction pieces that highlight your growth as a writer. The enrichment version (20–30 hours) earns you a certificate, while the college credit version (128 hours) earns you a college transcript and official credit from Georgetown University and a letter grade.

Why it stands out: You get to learn at your own pace, build strong writing skills, get individual mentor support, and earn college credit while building a creative writing portfolio.

15. Intensive English Programme @ Whitgift School

Location: Whitgift School, Croydon, England, UK
Cost: £4,100 – £9,900, depending on the program length
Dates: July 5th – August 16th (multiple options within this window)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students, ages 14-17, with English proficiency levels A2 – C1 and at least two years of English language study; international students can apply

Whitgift School’s Intensive English Programme is one of the more immersive english summer schools for 14 year olds, designed for teenagers seeking to refine their English skills in an academic environment. You will participate in 23 hours of English instruction each week within small classes capped at 12 students. The curriculum emphasises language development through structured classroom learning and project-based activities.

In the afternoons, you will work alongside English-speaking students from Whitgift School and its partner school through the Progressive Skills in Action programme, applying your language skills in collaborative settings. Weekly sessions on British culture will help you connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. Beyond formal lessons, you will take part in afternoon and evening activities as well as two excursions each week. At the end, you will receive a detailed course report outlining your progress and future language-learning goals.

Why it stands out: It offers immersive English language learning through intensive classroom instruction, project-based collaboration with local students, and cultural experiences designed to strengthen real-world communication skills.

From Summer English Practice to University Readiness

Strong English skills make schoolwork easier to manage, especially when you need to explain ideas, analyse texts, and communicate with confidence in new settings clearly.

The English summer schools for 14 year olds listed here offer structured lessons, writing workshops, cultural activities, speaking practice, and individual feedback for progress.

Through creative projects, discussions, presentations, and reading tasks, you can develop stronger habits before moving into more demanding academic work with more confidence.

Want to keep building those skills for future study? Read our University Preparation blogs for practical guidance on academics, applications, and university confidence.