Cultural Heritage, Language Learning
English in Nature – Intermediate Level (B1/B2)
6 days
This course offers an immersive, practical, and interactive approach to English for intermediate learners. Through indoor lessons, outdoor activities, and cultural exploration, participants develop stronger listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills alongside genuine fluency in everyday and professional contexts.
Using PIC XXI's innovative methodologies — including experiential learning, outdoor language challenges, collaborative projects, and reflective journaling — participants use English confidently in natural, real-life contexts while exploring Madeira's landscapes, culture, and heritage.
Learning Outcomes
Participants to the course will learn to:
Communicate ideas, opinions, and personal experiences with increased fluency in social and professional contexts
Understand and produce extended texts, narratives, and instructions related to travel, culture, nature, and everyday situations
Engage in debates, role-plays, and discussions on cultural and environmental topics
Apply creative and experiential learning methods to teaching English in outdoor or project-based contexts
Develop confidence in problem-solving and collaboration in English-speaking situations
Reflect critically on learning experiences and integrate vocabulary and grammar naturally into communication
Programme
English in Nature – Intermediate Level (B1/B2)
Monday
Fluency Foundations — Reactivating and Extending Your English
Welcome and ice-breaking: fluency warm-up activities, conversation starters, anecdote sharing.
Diagnostic assessment: speaking tasks to identify strengths and development areas.
Grammar review and extension: tenses, conditionals, passive structures.
Introduction to the week's project: a written and spoken reflection on Madeira.
Tuesday
Describing the World — Vocabulary Extension and Narrative Skills
Vocabulary building: landscape, culture, emotion, opinion.
Outdoor observation and extended description: practising rich, precise language in the field.
Narrative writing: a detailed account of the excursion experience.
Peer feedback on writing: structured correction and improvement techniques.
Wednesday
Discussion, Debate and Critical Language
Levada walk with integrated language tasks: guided discussion themes on sustainability, culture and identity.
Debate preparation: students argue for and against positions on local and global issues.
Formal and informal registers: how and when to switch between them in English.
Workshop: language for academic and professional contexts.
Thursday
Project, Presentation and Professional English
English for professional contexts: emails, presentations, interviews and meetings.
Workshop: participants prepare and deliver a short English presentation on a topic of their choice.
Peer coaching: structured feedback on presentation skills.
Final project preparation: written and spoken reflection on the Madeira experience.
Friday
Language in Action — Sea or City
Plan A 🌊: Catamaran whale-watching adventure. English conversation challenge: describe wildlife, weather and emotions in real time. Partner storytelling and creative writing inspired by the Atlantic.
Plan B 🏫: Indoor language workshop. Creative writing, grammar consolidation and portfolio preparation. Reflective journal: language learning highlights of the week.
Saturday
Certificate Ceremony & Closing
Participants present a short spoken piece in English: a story, reflection or creative work from the week.
Group reflection: language learning journey and personal highlights.
Certificate presentation ceremony.
Group photograph and informal closing celebration.
Course package: field trips, guided excursions, catamaran whale-watching (Plan A) or indoor workshop (Plan B) are included. Accommodation, meals and flights are not included.
Materials, digital tools & other learning resources
Course participants will receive training and engage in exercises designed to develop their skills as trainers. The provision of additional materials or resources will be determined based on the course structure and the instructor’s approach to meeting the learning objectives
Course package content:
Services and activities included in the course package are those described above. Please note that accommodation, transport, and meals are not provided.
Cancellation & changes:
Common sense prevails when it comes to cancellations, which are analyzed on a case-by-case basis.