It has been designed by Eton master Dr Oliver Kramer, a fluent Chinese speaker, to deepen students' knowledge of the English language, British history and culture.

Both the director and the housemaster for the course are Eton masters, with English as a foreign language specialists teaching and Old Etonians helping out as course assistants. The programme, held in July, is open to students between 14 and 16 years and costs GBP4,500 ($64,980).

'For a normal school, it is quite expensive but this is definitely different,' said Miranda Tsang Ming-hang, manager, retail leisure, at Farrington American Express Travel Services which is responsible for the programme locally. 'If you don't get to go to Eton to study, then these three weeks are a good opportunity to have a 'royalty college' experience.'

Eton requires students attending the programme to be able to use English to actively participate in activities, Ms Tsang said. Those accepted will be assessed on arriving at Eton and divided into appropriate groups.

Most interest in Hong Kong has so far come from pupils attending local elite schools, including La Salle College, Diocesan Boys School and Raimondi College.

While other operators and Farrington itself offer courses at other famous British public schools, including Harrow and Rugby, Ms Tsang said the Eton course differed in its emphasis on spoken English, strengthening self-confidence and the typical Etonian activities to which students would be exposed.

Programme materials state: 'The course focuses on public speaking and improving spoken English with the aim being to attain the best possible accent.' In class, teachers will help pupils with pronunciation and to develop 'the accent of the upper classes'.

Students will also keep a daily diary, an Eton tradition practised for over 550 years, while Eton Fives, a hand-ball game played on a three-sided court, is among the extra-curricular activities.

Cultural visits to places such as the Tower of London, Stonehenge and Twickenham are part of the schedule.