Spark Summer Camp 2026:
Shy to confident in one summer
June 15 to August 14, 2026.
Two camps for ages 4 to 18, in Thao Dien, HCMC.
Small classes of six. Real progress, not just activities.
Most summer English camps in HCMC are either babysitting with English songs or test-prep boot camps with no joy in them. We have built ours differently. Spark Summer Camp 2026 has two programs: a Level-Up camp for ages 4 to 16 building real English foundations through structured learning and creative work, and an IELTS & Pre-IELTS camp for ages 10 to 18 working toward exam readiness step by step. Both run in small classes of six, are taught by specialist teachers, and are designed so your child arrives at the next school year measurably stronger than they left this one.
Spark works with international and bilingual school families across Thao Dien and HCMC. Our summer camps are open to any family who wants serious English work done in a setting their child will actually enjoy.
Which camp is right for my child?
Both camps run on the same dates (June 15 to August 14, 2026), at the same location (Thao Dien), and use the same small-class structure (max 6 students). The choice is about your child's age and goal. Use the comparison below to decide quickly, or read the camp details further down.
Children aged 10 to 16 fit either camp. The deciding question is whether your child is on an IELTS pathway (heading toward IELTS in the next 1 to 3 years for university entrance, school requirements, or transfer) or whether they need general English strengthening with creative and social development. Not sure? A free assessment will tell you which is the right fit.
Leave your information here for a free assessment: https://forms.gle/wsLwWecDFxnV1rQL9
English Level-Up Summer Camp (ages 4 to 16)
From shy to confident. In one summer.
The Level-Up camp is for children building stronger English overall. We pair tailored instruction (each child grouped by actual level, not by age) with creative activities, hands-on projects, and the kind of unhurried social development that summer is supposed to be for. Children arrive in June often quiet or unsure in English. They leave in August speaking with confidence, reading at a stronger level, and writing with structure they did not have before.
English Level-Up (ages 4 to 16)
From shy to confident. In one summer.
The Level-Up camp is for children building stronger English overall. We pair tailored instruction (each child grouped by actual level, not by age) with creative activities, hands-on projects, and the kind of unhurried social development that summer is supposed to be for. Children arrive in June often quiet or unsure in English. They leave in August speaking with confidence, reading at a stronger level, and writing with structure they did not have before.
What we focus on
• Personalized English learning, with each child grouped by actual ability across reading, writing, speaking, and listening
• Speaking confidence and communication, building from quiet participation to confident expression
• Reading and writing development, with age-appropriate texts and structured writing practice
• Critical thinking and creativity, woven into every theme
• Hands-on activities and projects, so children apply their English in real situations
Streams within the camp
We group children into one of three streams based on their assessment, so the work matches what they actually need:
• Phonics stream: for younger children and any child still building decoding and early reading skills
• IB English stream: for children at international schools working toward IB English readiness, with age-appropriate academic English work
• ESL stream: for children for whom English is an additional language, building toward fluency at school-age expectations
Children move within and between streams as they progress. The level-based grouping is what makes the camp genuinely effective. A child placed in a class above their level coasts and disengages; a child placed below their level coasts and disengages. Spark's diagnostic assessment makes sure every child is in the right place from week one.
Weekly structure
• Small classes, maximum 6 students per group
• Level-based grouping across Phonics, IB English, and ESL streams
• Weekly themes and skill progression so each week builds on the last
• Mix of structured instruction and hands-on application across each day
Schedule and pricing
Choose Full Day (9 AM to 3 PM) for full immersion or Half Day (9 AM to 11:30 AM) for focused morning work. Pricing is per week, with longer enrollments at lower per-week rates. Children get more out of longer enrollments because the work compounds; the pricing reflects that.
Full Day
(9 AM - 3 PM)
2 Weeks: 12.4 million VND/Week
4 Weeks: 10.4 million VND/Week
6 Weeks: 8.4 million VND/Week
8 Weeks: 6.4 million VND/Week
Half Day
(9 AM - 11.30 PM)
2 Weeks: 6.1 million VND/Week
4 Weeks: 5.2 million VND/Week
6 Weeks: 4.2 million VND/Week
8 Weeks: 3.2 million VND/Week
IELTS & Pre-IELTS Summer (ages 10 to 18)
Real Skills. Clear Progress.
The IELTS & Pre-IELTS Summer camp is for older children working toward IELTS readiness. We have written plainly elsewhere about the IELTS-juniors trend in Vietnam and the importance of timing IELTS preparation correctly. This camp is built on that thinking. We do not push children into IELTS-style exam pressure too early. We build the language foundations first, introduce IELTS-style thinking gradually. And we bring children to the level where formal IELTS preparation will actually work when they need it.
What we focus on
• Grammar and vocabulary foundations, the language base IELTS rests on
• Speaking confidence and fluency, with structured turn-taking in small groups
• Listening and reading skills, with age-appropriate IELTS-style materials
• Structured writing development, from sentence to paragraph to essay
• Introduction to IELTS tasks, in a low-pressure, supportive way
• Real communication topics, so English skills transfer to the world outside the exam
Why families choose this camp
• Build foundations first: we strengthen core English skills before moving into full IELTS preparation
• Balanced skill development: speaking, listening, reading, and writing developed together
• Designed for the right level: ideal for students not yet IELTS-ready but needing a clear path forward
• Confidence without pressure: lessons paced to keep students comfortable and motivated
• Early IELTS exposure: students learn IELTS-style thinking in a simple, supportive way
• Real communication focus: practical topics help students use English beyond exams
• A clear path to IELTS success: students leave prepared for higher-level IELTS study when the time comes
Meet The Instructor
Joe Evans is the Director and lead IELTS instructor at Spark English Center Vietnam in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City. With over six years of specialized Academic IELTS teaching and a structured approach built on deliberate practice, personalized feedback, and proven exam strategies, he delivers results that speak for themselves: over 95% of his students achieve Band 7.5 or higher.
Weekly structure
• Small classes, maximum 6 students per group
• Level-based grouping across all four IELTS skill areas
• Integrated skills work, with all four IELTS skills developed together
• Weekly themes and progression so each week builds on the last
Schedule and pricing
Choose Full Day (9 AM to 3 PM) for full immersion or Half Day (9 AM to 11:30 AM) for focused morning work. Pricing is per week, with longer enrollments at lower per-week rates. Children get more out of longer enrollments because the work compounds; the pricing reflects that.
Half Day
(9 AM - 10.30 PM)
4 weeks: 5.9 mil/ week
8 weeks: 4.8 mil/ week
Why Spark Summer Camp is different
There are dozens of summer English programs in HCMC. Most are run by chain centers or international schools as commercial summer programs and follow the same format: large classes, generic curriculum, generic activities. We have done it differently because we are an English specialist year-round, and our summer camps run on the same standards we apply during the school year.
Real improvement, not just activities
Most summer camps overpromise on fun and underdeliver on learning. We promise both. The structured learning sits inside the activities so children are genuinely working in English, not just being entertained in English.
Small classes, max 6 students
Every group across both camps caps at six students. This is the same standard we use during the school year. At six, every child gets meaningful speaking time in every session and the teacher can give real feedback on every piece of writing. Larger summer camps cannot do this regardless of how good their teachers are.
Designed for international and bilingual school students
Spark works with families from BIS, ISHCMC, EIS, AIS, BVIS, the German School, Aurora, and the bilingual schools across HCMC during the school year. Our summer camps are calibrated to the academic English demands these children face when school resumes in August. They are also open to any HCMC family who wants quality English work for their child during the summer.
Confidence building, not pressure
Summer is a chance to build confidence outside the grading and reporting pressure of the school year. Our camps are paced and structured for genuine progress without anxiety. Children who arrive shy leave more confident. Children who arrive struggling leave with the structure to keep going. That is the goal of a serious summer camp.
A typical day at camp
Location
Spark English Center Vietnam is in Thao Dien, at 204B7/12 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, An Khánh, TP Hồ Chí Minh.
We are within walking or short driving distance of BIS HCMC, ISHCMC, EIS HCMC, the AIS Saigon Thao Dien campus, the German School, and the wider international school community in the area. Bilingual school families across District 2 and Thu Duc City can also reach us easily.
We have one location. Our summer camps run from this location only.
How to enroll
Step 1: Book a free assessment
Every child enrolling in either summer camp begins with a free English assessment at our Thao Dien center. The assessment takes 60 to 90 minutes and gives us a clear picture of your child's English profile across reading, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary. The result tells us which camp suits your child and which level group they should join. Book at sparkvn.com/Assessment.
Step 2: We recommend the right camp and stream
Based on the assessment, we recommend either the Level-Up camp or the IELTS & Pre-IELTS camp, plus the appropriate stream and level group. If we think your child does not need a full summer of camp, we will tell you. We have recommended shorter enrollments and even alternative options when those genuinely fit a family better.
Step 3: Choose duration and schedule
Choose 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Choose Full Day or Half Day. Longer enrollments produce stronger compounding progress and come at lower per-week rates. We can advise on the right combination for your child during the assessment conversation.
Step 4: Confirm and prepare
Once enrolled, you will receive a welcome pack with the start date, what to bring, lunch and snack arrangements (Full Day only), and any pre-camp materials. We send a single follow-up email a week before camp begins so you have what you need without inbox clutter.
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions parents ask before enrolling.
Q: What ages does Spark Summer Camp accept?
A: Ages 4 to 16 for the Level-Up Summer Camp. Ages 10 to 18 for the IELTS & Pre-IELTS Summer. Children aged 10 to 16 can fit either camp depending on whether they are on an IELTS pathway or building general English. The free assessment will help you decide.
Q: What is the maximum class size?
A: Six students per group. This is the same maximum we use during the school year. At this size, every child gets meaningful speaking time and individual feedback in every session.
Q: When does Spark Summer Camp 2026 run?
A: June 15 to August 14, 2026. Both camps run within this window. You can enroll for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks within that window, with start dates flexible based on availability.
Q: Are the camps suitable for international school students?
A: Yes. We are designed for international and bilingual school students specifically, though both camps are open to any HCMC family who wants serious English work for their child. Children from BIS, ISHCMC, EIS, AIS, BVIS, the German School, Aurora, the bilingual schools across HCMC, and other schools attend Spark camps regularly.
Q: Are the camps suitable for children new to English or English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners?
A: Yes. The Level-Up camp has a dedicated ESL stream for children for whom English is an additional language. The diagnostic assessment ensures children are placed at the right level so they progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Q: What if my child has only been in HCMC for a short time and is new to international school English?
A: The Level-Up camp is well suited to this situation. The ESL stream handles the language bridging children need to function in international school English. We can also coordinate the camp work with your child's incoming school requirements during the assessment conversation.
Q: How does Spark group children by level?
A: Every child completes a free assessment before enrolling. We assess reading, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary separately, because these skills do not develop at the same rate in the same child. Grouping is based on the actual diagnostic profile, not on age or school year. Children are also free to move between groups as they progress.
Q: Do the camps include lunch and snacks?
A: Full Day camps include a supervised lunch break. Snack and lunch arrangements will be confirmed in the welcome pack after enrollment. Half Day camps end before lunch.
Q: What is the language of instruction at the camps?
A: English. Our teachers conduct sessions in English. We have Vietnamese-speaking staff for parent communication and we welcome children whose first language is Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, or any other language. The instructional language is always English.
Q: Where is Spark located?
A: Spark English Center Vietnam is at 204B7/12 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien Ward, District 2 (Thu Duc City), HCMC. We are within walking or short driving distance of the major Thao Dien international schools.
Q: How much does Spark Summer Camp cost?
A: Level-Up Summer Camp starts at 6.4 million VND per week for the 8-week Full Day option, with shorter enrollments at higher per-week rates. Half Day starts at 3.2 million VND per week for 8 weeks. The full pricing tables are above. IELTS & Pre-IELTS Summer pricing follows the same structure and will be finalized shortly. Contact us for the latest IELTS camp pricing.
Q: Is there a discount for siblings or for early enrollment?
A: Sibling and early-enrollment terms vary by year. Ask us during the assessment conversation. We will tell you what applies to your situation rather than promote a generic discount that may not be the best deal for your family.
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: Cancellation terms are confirmed at enrollment. We work with families on genuine changes of circumstance (illness, family travel, school commitments). The full terms are on the enrollment confirmation.
Q: Can my child join a camp after it has started?
A: Often yes, depending on the week and the level group. Mid-camp joiners get a placement assessment to ensure they enter the right group without disruption. Talk to us about your specific dates.
Q: How is Spark Summer Camp different from international school summer programs?
A: International schools run summer programs primarily as activities for their existing students. Spark runs a year-round English specialism, and the summer camps apply the same standards: max 6 students per class, specialist teachers, diagnostic placement, real progress measurement. International school summer programs are excellent for many children. Spark is the better fit when serious English progress is the primary goal.
Q: How do I book a free assessment?
A: Visit sparkvn.com/Assessment, fill in the form, and we will confirm a time. The assessment is genuinely free and there is no obligation to enroll afterward.
Ready to enroll?
Spaces in both camps are limited because of our small-class structure. We recommend booking your free assessment by mid-May 2026 if you want to secure a specific date and stream.