The Ultimate New York Teen Summer: Meet New Friends, Improve Your English, Explore the World
We’re here in the heart of Midtown Manhattan with the Director of the Rennert Teen English programs. We’re talking about their upcoming 2026 Summer season at Berkeley College: June 29 to August 14. Julianne, thanks for joining me today!
Director: It’s my pleasure! There is nothing quite like New York City in the summer, especially when you see it through the eyes of our students. It’s a highlight of the year for all of us at Rennert.
Interviewer: Rennert has been thriving in New York City for over 50 years now. What’s the secret sauce for this specific teen program?
Director: It’s all about the R.E.A.L. method. Rennert’s signature Experiential Approach to Learning means that our classes are a far cry from students year-round, reading-from-a-book classrooms. Our experienced teachers lead 3 hours of interactive lessons every day that focus on speaking out and building confidence. But the real secret is mixing academic expertise with topics and projects that are interesting to teens, like our New York-themed electives. One morning you’re learning about the Birth of Hip-Hop in NYC in the 80’s, and that afternoon you’re actually out in the city seeing and discovering where it all started. It’s so much more than just an English course. The combination of small class sizes, expert instructors and international friends can see students make huge strides in their English fluency in just a few short weeks. I see it time and again.
Director: Yes! The location is truly incredible! We’re right at 41st and 5th Avenue so Bryant Park and 5th Avenue are basically our backyard. The NYC Public Library is right opposite, and there are three subway lines nearby, so the whole city is our classroom. Grand Central and the Metro North and LIRR trains are blocks away from us, so we’re also an easy commute for families living in Westchester and Long Island. Our building has round-the-clock security. The school itself, located on the 6th floor, is modern and comfortable with a great student lounge and even foosball for when students want to hang out with friends between classes.
Director: Absolutely. We bring together 13 to 17-year-olds from all over the globe. Whether they are here for a week or visiting family for the whole summer, they bond over shared experiences in English-like our Cupcake Wars, exploring DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge, boating at Central Park, viewing the Masters at MoMA and the Met or taking selfies at the Statue of Liberty. Rennert Teens provides the recipe for personal growth and global friendships that last long after the summer ends. Because every student is coming into the program doing a brand new thing in a brand new place, everyone starts off on the same foot: extremely eager to have fun and make new friends. This, plus easy connections on social media, is the perfect recipe for instant and life-long friendships. We see it every summer, and it’s always a joy to see.
Interviewer: For the parents listening, "Guardianship" is a big word on your title page. How do you handle safety?
Director: Safety is our primary focus at all times. We use the term ‘Guardianship’ because we provide a secure, nurturing environment where students are fully supervised by our dedicated Rennert Teens team from start to finish. The staff is trained in specific strategies to prioritize student safety while they are travelling throughout the city, and during all aspects of their program. Whether they are in a lesson or on an excursion to Coney Island, our expert staff is right there. Parents drop off and pick up daily, and we’re always connected via a WhatsApp group both for staff to give parents updates throughout the day, as well as quick answers to any parent questions. Parents come to us year after year knowing their teens are in a safe, "English-only" zone where they can flourish.
Interviewer: Julianne, it sounds like Rennert Teens has a great team...tell me more...
Director: Well, the program has to be specially focused towards teens, and that means a dedicated experienced team across the board. I have spent over 18 years working with kids and teens and so it’s important to me to select fun and engaging, certified teachers, as well as experienced activity coordinators who know how to motivate and relate to 13-17 year-olds. They have to love it...and then they have a background check. We work so closely together, and we listen to our parents and teens. We’re a tight team.
Interviewer: It sounds like the ultimate NYC experience for teens! Any final words for teens thinking about joining?
Director: There’s simply no better way to accelerate your English, explore the "Capital of the World," and make life-long friends from all corners of the globe. Come join us! New York is waiting...
Interviewer: Thank you for those insights, Julianne, and have a great summer season!
Director: Thank you. You too!
Interviewer: Rennert has been thriving in New York City for over 50 years now. What’s the secret sauce for this specific teen program?
Director: It’s all about the R.E.A.L. method. Rennert’s signature Experiential Approach to Learning means that our classes are a far cry from students year-round, reading-from-a-book classrooms. Our experienced teachers lead 3 hours of interactive lessons every day that focus on speaking out and building confidence. But the real secret is mixing academic expertise with topics and projects that are interesting to teens, like our New York-themed electives. One morning you’re learning about the Birth of Hip-Hop in NYC in the 80’s, and that afternoon you’re actually out in the city seeing and discovering where it all started. It’s so much more than just an English course. The combination of small class sizes, expert instructors and international friends can see students make huge strides in their English fluency in just a few short weeks. I see it time and again.
Director: Yes! The location is truly incredible! We’re right at 41st and 5th Avenue so Bryant Park and 5th Avenue are basically our backyard. The NYC Public Library is right opposite, and there are three subway lines nearby, so the whole city is our classroom. Grand Central and the Metro North and LIRR trains are blocks away from us, so we’re also an easy commute for families living in Westchester and Long Island. Our building has round-the-clock security. The school itself, located on the 6th floor, is modern and comfortable with a great student lounge and even foosball for when students want to hang out with friends between classes.
Director: Absolutely. We bring together 13 to 17-year-olds from all over the globe. Whether they are here for a week or visiting family for the whole summer, they bond over shared experiences in English-like our Cupcake Wars, exploring DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge, boating at Central Park, viewing the Masters at MoMA and the Met or taking selfies at the Statue of Liberty. Rennert Teens provides the recipe for personal growth and global friendships that last long after the summer ends. Because every student is coming into the program doing a brand new thing in a brand new place, everyone starts off on the same foot: extremely eager to have fun and make new friends. This, plus easy connections on social media, is the perfect recipe for instant and life-long friendships. We see it every summer, and it’s always a joy to see.
Interviewer: For the parents listening, "Guardianship" is a big word on your title page. How do you handle safety?
Director: Safety is our primary focus at all times. We use the term ‘Guardianship’ because we provide a secure, nurturing environment where students are fully supervised by our dedicated Rennert Teens team from start to finish. The staff is trained in specific strategies to prioritize student safety while they are travelling throughout the city, and during all aspects of their program. Whether they are in a lesson or on an excursion to Coney Island, our expert staff is right there. Parents drop off and pick up daily, and we’re always connected via a WhatsApp group both for staff to give parents updates throughout the day, as well as quick answers to any parent questions. Parents come to us year after year knowing their teens are in a safe, "English-only" zone where they can flourish.
Interviewer: Julianne, it sounds like Rennert Teens has a great team...tell me more...
Director: Well, the program has to be specially focused towards teens, and that means a dedicated experienced team across the board. I have spent over 18 years working with kids and teens and so it’s important to me to select fun and engaging, certified teachers, as well as experienced activity coordinators who know how to motivate and relate to 13-17 year-olds. They have to love it...and then they have a background check. We work so closely together, and we listen to our parents and teens. We’re a tight team.
Interviewer: It sounds like the ultimate NYC experience for teens! Any final words for teens thinking about joining?
Director: There’s simply no better way to accelerate your English, explore the "Capital of the World," and make life-long friends from all corners of the globe. Come join us! New York is waiting...
Interviewer: Thank you for those insights, Julianne, and have a great summer season!
Director: Thank you. You too!
Are you In?
Do you want to hear more about the Rennert Teens Summer Program for 2026?
- Rennert International
- 12 East 41st Street
- New York, NY 10017
- TEL.: +1 212-867-8700
- apply@rennert.com
- CONTACT US
X