Get Communicating

This course offers an excellent opportunity for students who enjoy writing about local, national and international stories to develop their journalistic skills and share their work with a real audience. Students contribute to a bi-termly, in-house college magazine, gaining hands-on experience as writers, editors, and members of a collaborative team responsible for the content, design, and presentation of each issue. Alongside writing and editing articles, students develop layout, typography and visual communication skills using digital platforms such as Canva, exploring how design choices influence meaning and audience engagement. The course also included a strong visual communication element, encouraging students to take, edit and select images that complement articles and contribute to the publication's overall identity. Students may also opt to join the Young Reporter Scheme, run by Newsquest Media, working as real journalists over an eight-month period with articles published on the Colchester Gazette website (see https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/young-reporter/). Those who complete the scheme receive a letter of recognition from the regional editor, opportunities to compete nationally for awards, access to online mentoring from industry professionals, and the chance to apply to interview celebrities or attend events and performances for review writing. Overall, the course provides valuable experience in journalism, publishing and media production while strengthening CVs and UCAS applications, making it particularly beneficial for students considering careers in journalism, media, publishing, or the creative industries.

Debating is a challenging and engaging course that supports academic development, spoken communication skills and future progression, by enabling students to explore current and relevant issues through structured discussion, argument, and active listening. Each week, students debate topical issues, research ideas, present viewpoints clearly and respond to others using reasoned, evidence-based arguments on subjects that may include social issues, ethical questions and current affairs. The programme builds confidence in a supportive environment while helping students organise ideas, sustain contributions and communicate effectively for different purposes and audiences. Skills also support preparation for interviews, presentations and university‑style discussions. Public speaking opportunities are encouraged, though not compulsory, and students may choose to participate in optional local or national speaking or debating competitions. Debating develops a range of transferable skills valued by universities and employers, including communication, critical thinking, teamwork and confidence, all of which are useful across a wide range of academic and professional pathways.

Mainly for ESOL students who need to learn:

• Punctuation & word terminology and rules
• Figures of speech
• Language features
• Writing techniques for emphasis
• Basic sentence structure
• Basic paragraph structure

Especially useful for those who are studying for English GCSE/basic A-Level requirements.

For ESOL students who already have English GCSE 4 or above. Mainly for students who need to learn:

• Higher level sentence structure
• Essay planning techniques
• Paragraph structure
• Analysing questions
• Higher level reading essay comprehension
• Summarising / expanding information techniques
• Proof reading techniques etcetera…

For short term ESOL support (1 ~ 4 weeks).

• Seen through referral from the student/tutor/teacher, in discussion with the ESOL teacher (David P) and Learning Support (Alison D).
• Mainly for students who need support with one or two specific issues to do with their language.
• Times arranged according to timetable free periods.

See “get qualified"

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to France or another francophone country? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite French restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon French you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in French is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in French would be helpful. 

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to Germany? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite German restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon German you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in German is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in German would be helpful. 

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to Italy? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite Italian restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon Italian you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in Italian is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in Italian would be helpful. 

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to Spain or South America? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite Spanish restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon Spanish you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in Spanish is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in Spanish would be helpful. 

Our Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) is the perfect first step on your British Sign Language BSL journey. The Introduction to British Sign Language course is designed for students who want to gain a foundation in BSL and learn about the deaf community. This is ideal for anyone who is curious to learn the basics of British Sign Language. Sessions are fun, practical and designed for all students. Do you want to know how to sign your name? Learn the BSL alphabet and key signs in various topics such as weather, food and drink and hobbies and interests. This course will give you the key skills in sign language, teaching you all the fundamental signs that form the basis of British Sign Language.

Anime? Would you like to speak Japanese? Japan for a gap year? Do you know there was an African Samurai in the 16th Century and an English Samurai in the 17th Century in Japan? If you would like to know Japanese language, culture and history, then this course is for you! There is lots of fun while you are learning.

Topics to be covered include:

• Introducing yourself in Japanese.  
• Speaking, listening and writing. 
• Shopping in Japanese.
• Origami, how fun & mindful an activity it is!
• Writing calligraphy in Japanese
• Learning Japanese culture & history.

For those who really enjoy the course, there will be an opportunity to continue their studies into their second year.

This is a one-year course, one lesson per week. You need no previous knowledge of Latin or of the ancient world, although a general knowledge of the world of ancient Greece and Rome would be useful. If you are studying another language or History, English or Classical Civilisation, Latin would be a useful complement to your studies. Apart from enjoyment, there are many benefits of learning basic Latin. It will make you think about your own language, e.g. what is the origin of words like television, fax, birth by caesarean section, habeas corpus, Colchester? Where do expressions like e.g., i.e., NB, PS come from? It will also help you improve your knowledge of English grammar. You will learn something about an ancient culture and the way they lived. You will be able to put it on your UCAS form and the subject is particularly relevant for students considering applying to Oxbridge.

Are you interested in Chinese culture and language? Are you thinking of travelling or taking a gap year? Are you fascinated by Chinese characters? The course will enable you to greet people, introduce yourself and your family, buy things and identify objects. The focus is on spoken & listening skills, but will also cover basic character recognition. No previous knowledge of Chinese is needed.

Storm Radio is the sound of The Sixth Form College. Student volunteers present three shows a day, guided by experienced second year producers. You will gain presenting skills, confidence and experience with broadcast equipment. As well as playing music, we record podcasts, review new releases and organise live DJing events using a Numark Omni controller. Several volunteers have gone on to senior positions at university radio stations across the country.