Course Description
All students will participate in an English Communication class each day and then move to a content focused class of their choice. The English Communication class will have different levels depending on the total number of students and the test results of a short placement test we'll administer before the program starts. While the class contents may change depending on the level of students, the general focus of our teachers is helping students practice their English conversation skills so they are prepared for future travel, study abroad, or use with international visitors and colleagues. English classes focus on skills like fluent pronunciation and how to have natural conversation flow rather than focusing on grammar or writing rules.
Students will participate in 18 hours per week (on average) of class time including "field studies" or excursions with their content class instructor each week. Content classes may rotate depending on partner interest and teacher availability but currently include Portland Pop Culture and Tourism & Food Studies. For more information about our content classes and when they are offered, please go to the Content Course section below.
Content Courses
Our “Field Study” or Content courses are an experiential learning class style where students typically rotate between one day of typical class and then a “Field Study” excursion. Each day in class students learn vocabulary and detailed content focused on a specific topic in order to prepare them for their excursion activities. Excursion activities may be mixed with other student groups or local Portlanders for activities such as volunteering while business visits or other tours will be private to the group.
Example topics are listed below:
Portland Pop Culture!
- What is Pop Culture?
- Keep Portland Weird, Portland Hipsters
- Recycling & Upcycling
- Beyond Starbucks, Cheap Eats
- Artsy Portland, Art Power in Portland
Tourism & Hospitality
- Exploration of Portland’s unique food culture, such as Voodoo Donuts, Salt & Straw ice cream, Stumptown Coffee, and food carts from around the world
- Informative surveys and research at local tourist locations
- Meeting with Portland tourism professionals
Activities and Class Excursions (Field Trips)
All students will participate in cultural activities throughout the program that are not tied to any of the content classes and are shared by all participants. These cultural activities are meant to help students learn about life in Portland and the United States, and provide students with opportunities to explore and interact with Americans on their own.
Activities (Summer 2025 Field Study Calendar) and field trips may include:
- Participate in a downtown Portland walking tour
- Visit the Oregon coast
- Go to outlet mall for tax-free shopping
- See the largest waterfall in Oregon, Multnomah Falls, which is our most popular travel destination
- Visit other popular Portland places like Saturday Market, the Farmer’s Market, Powell's Bookstore, coffee shops, etc.
Excursions are tied to content courses and may rotate depending on the availability of our partners. Example excursions include:
Pop Culture Excursions
- Thrift Store visits
- Art and mural tours of different areas of the city
- Coffee and other special food visits
- Neighborhood based scavenger hunt challenges
Tourism & Food Studies Excursions
- Coffee and other special food visits
- Local restaurants
- Travel Portland