SOL has developed its programme of activities based on years of experience gained from welcoming hundreds of groups and is different to what other organisations offer. Foreign students coming to England are often provided with a leisure and visits programme with self-catering which does not enhance their language skills in English at all. Others sign for a language school course which takes no account of their background and any visits offered are to places which may be interesting but are not linked into the lessons.

We believe the quality of SOL's programmes sets us apart from traditional language schools and we do not claim to be one. We pride ourselves in providing a visits programme that is high on quality and provides students with an enjoyable mix of observation, fieldwork, research and cultural experiences which at the same time give them a great deal of confidence in using English.

We also prepare pre-course material for the teachers to use with the students before the visit and then audio recordings and their transcripts are given to teachers to take back so theat they can continue to develop work with the native English dialogue they hav experienced in their own class.

On a SOL programme students get an experience that combines the magic of King Arthur’s ruined castle, the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful beaches, the traditional friendliness of local towns and their people. Our visits take full advantage of the beautiful Devon coast and countryside, and the local knowledge SOL has of the area.

They get to interview local people and experience many things new to them - this could include visiting a lifeboat, a castle, a manor house, a farm, a private village, a cathedral, a fishing port, a naval dockyard, having a boat trip on the sea. On each visit students will have observational, fieldwork or research tasks to do which will be followed up afterwards.

Here is a list of some of the SOL visits:

• Exeter - The county town of Devon with much historical interest dating back to Roman times. Exeter has a magnificent cathedral, many old and interesting shops and has the oldest canal in Britain linking it to the sea. Several places of interest are easy to visit on foot.
  


• Exeter & Knightshayes - The county town of Devon with much historical interest dating back to Roman times. Exeter has a magnificent cathedral, many old and interesting shops and has the oldest canal in Britain linking it to the sea. Several places of interest are easy to visit on foot. At Knightshayes visitors will have the chance to visit the magnificent Victorian country house with richly decorated interiors and a fine garden.
  


• Torbay & Brixham - Visit the English Riviera, home of Agatha Christie. From Torquay a 30 minute boat trip across the bay to Brixham harbour and experience the bustle of one of Britain's busiest fishing ports. If there is time a walk to magnificent Berry Head with its Napoleonic fort and environmental centre with TV cameras showing the birds nesting on the cliffs below.
  


• Tintagel - An almost compulsory visit for all groups because of its spectacular coastal scenery as well as the legend of King Arthur. Tintagel Castle, set on the wild Atlantic coastline, the ruins of a medieval royal castle reputed to be King Arthur's birthplace.
  
  


• Clovelly -a unique lovely coastal village, privately owned, with one main narrow cobbled street and traditional whitewashed cottages, set into a steep hillside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. (not possible to visit from Tiverton)
  


• Woolacombe & Ilfracombe Woolacombe is a seaside resort with arguably the best beach in Britain, 4km long with wonderful views out to Lundy Island. The town of Ilfracombe dates back to a Bronze Age settlement and was one of the first places in Britain to attract tourists. Ilfracombe has a picturesque harbour (and numerous souvenir shops!).
  


• Dunster – regarded as the jewel of Exmoor, is a lovely well-kept village set below Dunster Castle, which dates back to 1066 and has a very interesting tour on offer.
  



• Lynton & Lynmouth - For groups wanting to enjoy the beauty of the North Devon coast and countryside then this will be hard to beat. From spectacular cliff scenery to deep wooded river valleys Lynton & Lynmouth are truly beautiful. The area is famous for its 110 year old Cliff Railway. This amazing water-powered railway transports thousands every month between the coastal town of Lynmouth and its twin, Lynton above.
  


• Plymouth - The largest city in Devon (quarter of a million people) and historically one of Britain's most important, because of its close links with the sea and explorers. There are many modern shops, but the Barbican area reflects more of the old Plymouth and its history. It remains an important naval base and one option is to take a boat trip past the Naval Dockyard and its submarines. The Hoe is famous historically but is also a magnificent viewpoint and during the summer also houses a 53 metre high Big Wheel. The city also is home to the National Marine Aquarium.
  


• Teignmouth - Small seaside resort on the South Devon Coast and at the estuary of the river Teign. It has a nice sea front with a sandy beach and Victorian pier. This trip will include a train ride from Exeter along one of the most spectacular stretches of railway in the UK and certainly the most costly to maintain as it is set between the red cliffs and the sea.
  


• Dartmoor - only really accessible from Tiverton – the large granite moorland in the centre of Devon is a fascinating place to visit. Only 600 metres at its highest it has some great viewpoints (like Haytor rocks) and scenery plus the well known village of Widecombe set in a valley right in the heart of the moor.
  


• *Torrington 1664 -A very interesting and interactive attraction bringing to life the last battle of the English civil war and what it was like to live in England in the 17th century. Torrington is also home to the famous Dartington Glass Factory. (there is a supplementary charge for the visit to 1646)