esol oasis - city of glasgow college · sarhang haydari, the beata torz award winner, and susan...

ESOL OASIS Issue 7, December 2012

ESOL News 2

Christmas in

Europe

6

Entertainment 9

My Life in

Glasgow

12

Travelling

with

ESOL Oasis

15

Where am I

now?

16

ESOL

Activities

17

Test your

English

18

Inside this issue:

Welcome to Issue 7!

Letter to the readers

Dear readers, Welcome back to ESOL OASIS. After a break, we are finally back and happy to tell you about our newsletter written by ESOL students study-ing at City of Glasgow College for all of us. We are delighted to announce that in this issue we have articles by the students from all three of our campuses Townhead, Charles Oakley and Allan Glen’s. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this newsletter. In this issue you can find a round up of all the latest events and exciting activities our students and lecturers took part in and also find out about our ex-students who successfully graduated from the College and stared their new life. We really hope you will find our articles about Christmas in Spain and Poland, and Polish Christmas traditions discussed from a different pros-pect interesting. Thinking about all the celebrations and festive days coming, we would also like to remind you that holidays start on the 22nd of December 2012 and after a good rest we all return to the College on the 7th of January 2013. Don’t worry though, we’ve even thought up some things for you to do in the holidays! There are a lot of free events in Glasgow happening during your holidays and you can find out more about them in this issue. All of us started our life in Glasgow at different times and some of us love the city but others not so much. So we decided to share our opinion about Glasgow in “My Life in Glasgow” section. If you are interested in travelling, we can recommend two places, see “Travelling with ESOL”, and of course, we couldn’t forget about our main aim—learning English—so the “TEST YOUR ENGLISH” section is ex-actly what we need. We really hope you will find this issue useful, interesting and enjoyable. We wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Have a good time during your Winter holidays!!! ESOL OASIS TEAM

ESOL NEWS Forest Pitch

On the 25th of Au-gust 2012 two ama-teur football matches took place in a Scottish forest as a part of the Cul-tural Olympiad and London 2012 Festi-val.

An artist, Graig Coulthard, in-spired by his

childhood experiences of playing football in the middle of a forest, created ‘Forest Pitch’ as a celebration of art and sport that restores the original spirit of the Olympic Games. The teams played on a full-sized football pitch hidden deep within

a forest in the Scottish Bor-ders. One of the aims of the project was to cele-brate diversity in Scotland, and Forest Pitch successfully brought to-gether people

of various backgrounds, religions and languages through its unique teams mostly made up of recent British citizens or those living in Scotland with Indefinite Leave to Remain. ESOL students also took an active part in the event.

ESOL Oasis inter-viewed one of the participants, Leyla Shariff, from Access 2 Stage 2.

Oasis: Why did you decide to take part in the forest pitch? Leyla: It is good. I like to play football. Because I wanted to do more sport in the college because I like it. Oasis: When did you start training? Leyla: I started training for the college Forest Pitch in July. Oasis: Had you played football before? Leyla: Yes. Before I played with another group, a small one. My neighbours in my neighbourhood, near my house garden. Oasis: Do you still play football? Leyla: Yes. I play with Scottish people and it’s good because I want to under-stand people and make friends. Every-body has come from a lot of countries and me too, I am from another country. Now I have friends and we know each other. Oasis: How did you find the team? Who was in the team? Leyla: The team was supported by the college and they gave us the uniform and everything. Oasis: So did you enjoy the football match? Leyla: Yes. I enjoyed very much because I like to play football. Oasis: If there is another Forest Pitch event next year, will you participate again? Leyla: Yes. I will participate again be-cause I like it and like to make friends. Oasis: Leyla, thank you very much and

we wish you all the best for the future.

City of Glasgow College team

City of Glasgow College team training

Forest Pitch

ESOL NEWS In the ESOL department, we acknowledge our students’ suc-

cess every year in our awards ceremony. This year’s was in

October in the Bistro of the Townhead Campus. We would

like to thank both lecturers and students for their hard and

very effective work. The Prizes were awarded by Martha

Findlay from Glasgow City Life. We would also like to express

our gratitude to the team of chefs and hospitality and events

students who organised a great buffet and supported the

Ceremony. ESOL Oasis interviewed the prize winners.

Dana Faraj Access 3 Oasis: Dana, you attended the Prize Giving Ceremony in the Bistro in October and were among the prize winners. Congratulations from our readers. How did you feel? What were your emotions when you received the prize? Dana: Thank you so much. Well, what did I feel? I feel so pleased and it was a huge privilege to get the prize from the college. It is a nice feeling when your teacher describes you as a good student. However, I was abso-lutely astonished when I found out I had been chosen to be one of the winners, be-cause I had never aimed to it.

Oasis: How did you find the Prize Giving Ceremony itself? Dana: It was an intimate ceremony with a very friendly atmosphere. There were tears in our eyes and we had a good laugh, as well. I had invited my friend and my girlfriend and there were lots of teachers and other stu-dents who got the prize with their friends. After the official part of the ceremony there were served delicious snacks made by the college students and I had a nice chat with everyone. It was an unforgettable afternoon.

Student of the Year Awards

Badradeen Mohammed, the ESOL Overall Student of the Year, is receiving an award from Martha Findlay

Hemin Abdullah and Emily Bryson

Dana Faraj and Catrina Mackinnon

ESOL NEWS

Oasis: What about your personal experience? You study at the college and support different events and activities in the college. In addition, you work part-time. Now you are a prize-winner. How do you manage? What is your strategy? Is it good time-management or something else? Can you give some tips to our readers, please? Dana: Well, I am not sure I have a special kind

of strategy??? I simply just like helping people

and being in a friendly relationship with every-

body. I’ve had so many difficulties in my life

and in the college I met real friends who

helped me so much that it is incredible difficult

to express how much I love them for their

kindness. What is more, I have a special feeling

for other people who had a bad life, as well,

and I can not imagine how I could be indiffer-

ent to them. The things such as my participa-

tion in the Language Café and its promotion

among the students has been connected with

my thoughts that there are so many students

who need to go to the place where they can be

sure of meeting new friends, because friend-

ship is the best medicine for our problems.

Leyla Shariff Access 2 Stage 2

Oasis: Leyla, you attended the Prize Giving Ceremony in the Bistro in October and were among the prize winners. Congratulations from our readers. Did you like the ceremony? Why do you feel you got the prize? Leyla: Yes. I got the prize because I am a hard worker. I work hard. Every day I go home and I read, write and study myself. I always do my homework. My teacher helps me. I am so happy with my teacher. When I came here, I didn’t speak any English and I couldn’t make friends. But my teacher helps me and I work hard so I got the prize. Oasis: Can you recommend something to other students? How can they learn English? How can they get a prize? Leyla: If you are a hard worker, you get what you want. If you are lazy, you don’t get any-thing. If you have a friend who speaks English, you can listen and learn new words and go higher [improve your English]. It is good, if you speak English everywhere.


Leyla Sharif and Christine Palmer

Rashid Rostani and Jenifer Martin

ESOL NEWS

Oasis: How do you study? You attend your classes every day. Do you do your homework? Salim: Yes. I study here [in class] and go home and study at home. I read my book [the textbook] and write [do some writing exercises]. Oasis: What can you recommend to other stu-dents? What should they do if they want to speak English? Salim: Come to the classes every day and do homework. Ask questions. John Lamont [Salim’s teacher]: Salim is a very hard

working student and he always asks question be-

cause he wants to know about the language. Today

we were doing an exercise and some words were

in red so Salim asked why they were in read be-

cause he wanted to know. He has a good eye, he

can see the differences. He is a very attentive stu-

dent.

Salim Mohammed Access 2 Stage 1 Oasis: Salim, you at-tended the Prize Giving Ceremony in the Bistro in October and were among the prize win-ners. Congratulations from our readers. How did you feel? Did you like the ceremony?

Salim: I did. Oasis: What was your prize? Who gave you the prize? Salim: I had 2 prizes: a cup and a book. It was Rosie. Oasis: Did you like the ceremony? Where was it? Salim: I liked the ceremony. It was downstairs [Salim studies in the Townhead Campus]. Oasis: Why did you get the prize? Salim: I am a good student. Every day I am in class and work hard. Oasis: Did you speak any English when you arrived in Scotland? Salim: No. But now I speak English and understand people.


Sarhang Haydari, the Beata Torz Award winner, and Susan Callander

Melioune Mohammed Sharif and Fiona Beattie

CHRISTMAS IN EUROPE

Everyone loves Christmas. It is the favourite and most eagerly awaited holiday in the year. It is a unique time when people try to be kind, friendly and gen-erous to one an-

other. They seem to forget all their problems, quarrels and just enjoy being together. Christ-mas is preceded by many days of preparation. Streets are lit by coloured lamps; shops are full of people buying presents, choosing Christmas cards. Christmas trees are set up in every home and decorated with sparkling tinsel, candles, chains and toys. The atmosphere of excitement and expectation can be felt almost everywhere. The day proceeding Christmas Eve is a unique one. It is believed that everything that might happen on it might influence the whole year to come. Much attention, for instance, is paid to the person who first enters the house and if it is a man, he ensures welfare to all members of the family. Some people say that if you ask for

food on that day, you will be hungry throughout the year. The moment everyone waits for is Christmas Eve. When the first star appears in the sky, peo-ple take seats at the Christmas table. They

do not forget about leaving an empty place for an unexpected guest. The table is covered with white tablecloth and straw is spread on it. Another custom is the number of dishes. Tradition-ally, there should be twelve of them and they must all be tasted. The most popular dishes are red borsch, pies or sour cabbage with mushrooms, fish (usually carp) and poppy-seed cake. Before the family starts eating, all its members share the holy water. There is also a custom of giving presents and everyone may find something nice under the Christmas tree. At midnight many people go to church to attend a special mess during which Christmas carols are sung. This night is miraculous because it is believed that animals can speak with human voices. The first day of Christmas, 25 De-cember, is usually spent at home. Work is forbid-den. It is believed that washing hands with silver coins in the morning may bring money. On that day carol-singers dressed as angels, devils, King Herod or Death visit people’s houses. They sing carols and play various scenes from the Bible. The second day of Christmas is spent in a different way. People pay and receive visits, spend much time at the table talking or singing carols. From that day the carnival begins. Christmas for polish people is not only the yearly

celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but also the

most familiar, traditional and joyful time of happi-

ness and reconciliation. The birth of Jesus Christ is

regarded as a kind of symbol which heralds the

days of peace and

love.

Katarzyna Sulek Intermediate 1

stage 2

Christmas in Poland

That's what an extra plate means - you keep one free place to be prepared in case some-one appears at your door. On the day of Christmas Eve it was unrecommended to mill, chop the wood or vigorously sweep the floor towards the door so the invisible members of the family, ghosts, wouldn't be harmed or of-fended. Traditionally, before starting the din-ner a farmer -the head of the family- should throw some Christmas wafer outside sum-moning the birds and wolves to come over and join the festival. 'Come now or don't show up for the next year!' - he says; it refers to the fact that both wolves and birds are pests. Also, all of the farm animals shall be fed with leftovers from the festive table, so they will be grateful for the whole next year pro-viding milk and eggs in return. There was also Christmas superstition. The Christmas dinner used to be served in one, big, ornate, earthen bowl. Under the bowl the Christmas wafer was hidden, if it stuck to the bottom it fore-told a plentiful harvest. And here comes the one I find the weirdest - can you imagine the farmer wandering through his orchard with an axe in his hand, poking gently at every tree with this dangerous tool and talking to it? Sounds like a threat! And that was exactly the general idea. The farmer was asking every tree if it was eager to give him plenty of fruits next year, supporting his speech with a per-suasive item he was ready to use in case of refusal. Sounds fun.. A touch of the old traditions we had here. Intentionally I didn't mention it before - my motherland is Poland. The traditions I have described come from the Polish countryside. I have never come across them personally but I believe, they are still being fol-lowed in some places that are im-mune to conformity. Agnieszka Ramian Higher

The concept of Christmas has become very com-mercialized over the last decade. All over the world, we can find similarities and we owe it to the process of urbanization and mass production. The old customs are ceasing, being forgotten. Tradition - what does it make you think of? For me it's the countryside, the last resort for the old customs. I've been living my whole life in the city so the re-search was must-do. I am going to share some of the revelations that I was lucky to find. And I must say - even though they come from my culture, they seem exotic and strange to me. The shape and content of the Christmas traditions depends on religion and region, I believe. The geo-graphical location, social niche occupied , welfare, social class - somehow, they are all affecting the way that the Christmas rituals are being per-formed, even though they have the same base. It's different in the city and different in the country-side, I man - a real countryside. It's always been. In the tradition of my country the most important is 24th of December, Christmas Eve - that's when we eat a festive dinner, a family is reunited around the table and we give gifts to each other. Probably you've heard it all before, it's just a typical pattern. But, do you know what believes stand behind it ? The Christmas tradition rises from the pagan be-lieves. It used to be 'a magic night when the dead wander among the living and supernatural powers imprint their presence'. As we all know, the Chris-tian Church did everything to redirect people's faith. The old order has been adjusted by applying a new idea to an old routine. The Church has eradi-cated completely most of the pagan customs, al-though it was very indulgent towards some of the folk customs, especially those that were con-nected with the cycle of sowing and harvesting. In the countryside it was, and probably in some places still is, believed that on Christmas Eve our loved ones that have passed away could come along in disguise - as a wolf or an errant wanderer. What else could you possibly do but invite them to join the table as it is a festive time of reunion.

CHRISTMAS IN EUROPE

Christmas in Poland… from a different angle

CHRISTMAS IN EUROPE

Time doesn’t run at the same pace for Spaniards, it’s a fact! You realised of this when midnight comes on the 1st of December and public work-ers start to hang Christmas lights up. Do not em-bellish your house with decorations until the middle of December if you want to integrate yourself within the familiar and stress- free Span-ish culture. The countdown for Christmas starts on the 8th of December, with the arrival of “La Inmaculada Concepcion”, a national holiday. Then things are a bit stagnated and it is not until the 22nd of December when everybody sits down in front of the box with the fingers cross for “El Gordo”, which literally translates for “The Fat One”. Most of the Spanish adult population (85%) participates in which is the major lottery event in the country with winnings of 2.3 BIL-LION. Can you imagine! On the 24th, “Nochebuena” – Christmas Eve. It is a big and very busy day. The preparations start early in the morning, with mums shouting at children to get up, wives screaming at her men to rush into the supermarket to buy lamb, cod or shellfish for the night. All day long “in laws” are calling asking none-sense questions just to freak you out. But around 3 pm, just after a little si-esta, everybody is hands on preparing the big-fat-long dinner. Of course grannies are very happy, but never DRUNK! On this exultation night priests around all over the country welcome you at the church for a midnight mass “La Misa del Gallo” where you can see a breathtaking Nativy Scene built up by the congregation with up a hundred characters. After words they offer to everyone a piece of tradi-tional cake called Rosca and drink cherry wine. The 25th of December- “Navidad”- Christmas Day. Once again all the family gather around a plus-sized meal while everyone cheers and sings as they are just very happy but not drunk, again! After so much happiness the body needs a break, so the gross of the population go back to work.

That is the unique part of the year that work is asso-ciated with relaxation and when your boss is smiling at you and you shudder. It cannot be good, what is he thinking now? “Día de los Santos Inocentes”. It is the equivalent of “April’s Fools Day”. On 28 December you realise why your boss was smiling at you, get ready! 31st of December “Nochevieja” – Old night- Hogma-nay in Scotland or New Year’s Eve. That is the big non sense custom night. Family welcome the New Year with their eyes focus on the clock of La Puerta del Sol, Madrid. This night is full of rituals to bring the good luck in. “The 12 lucky grapes”, something gold in your cava glass and a step forward with your right foot after the 12 bells are a must. It is not unheard of to break the meal at midnight during the dinner to have the grapes only to start eating again after the bells. Again it is Spanish time! Young and no so young go out with friends for a night that doesn’t finish until you have a hot choco-late with churros –strips of fried dough- around 10 am. Prince and charming became frogs and no kiss can change it until night time! Here it comes! “Los Reyes Magos” - the three Wise Men. During the day time on January 5th, every sin-gle kid is anxious finishing their letters. They are meeting their majesties from the Far East just before the night comes and they sneak in their houses. If you are lucky they bring for you all the presents that you asked for, but you should have been a very good boy. If you were bad they will leave for you sweet coal or even worse, the cloths that your mother wants you to put on! In Spain you have to learn to wait even for the pre-sents. If you are a grown up and you don’t care about dates anymore, you will wait until the next day when you can find everything you want at half price. In Spain, sales are officially regulated by law. For Spaniards Christmas is not a matter of time, it is a family matter. Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! Cristina Prado Higher

Do not rush the Spaniards, even for Christmas!

Time: 4:00pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Calderglen Jazz Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Saturdays 15th December 2012 Time: 5:30pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Arches Choir Glasgow on Ice, George Square Date: Sunday 16th December 2012 Time: 5pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Jazz Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square Date: Sunday 16th December 2012 Time: 6pm-8pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Glasgow University Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Tuesday 18th December 2012 Time: 6pm & 6.55pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

The Salvation Army Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Tuesday 18th December 2012 Time: 8pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

The Close Shave Choir Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Thursday 20th December 2012 Time: 6pm, 7pm & 8pm Age Range: All ages

Live Music from Ginny & The Tonic at Glas-gow on Ice, George Square

Date: Friday 21st December 2012 Time: 8.30pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MARKET Venue: St. Enoch Square. Glasgow, G1 4BW Dates: Thu 6 Dec – Sat 22 Dec (10 am-7pm) & Sun 23 Dec (11am-6pm)

TASTING Whisky Tasting at River Museum: Venue: Riverside Museum, 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, G3 8RS

Date: 29th December 2012 Time: 11:30am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm Age range: 18+ years Admission: Free Booking: call 0141 287 2720. Limited places.

Three sessions. MUSIC and DANCE

Choirs at Riverside: Soundroutes Choir and Glas-gow Life Choir Venue: Riverside Museum, 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, G3 8RS

Date: Sunday 16th December 2012 Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm Admission: Free - Drop-in - no ticket re-

quired Kelvingrove Christmas Concert:

Venue: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG

Date: 23rd December 2012 Time:12:00pm - 2:00pm Age range: All ages Admission: Free Tel: 0141 276 9599

Hogmanay Ceilidh:

Venue: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG

Date: 28th December 2012 Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free - Drop-in - no ticket re-

quired Glasgow Chamber Choir at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Saturdays 15th December 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

What to do in Glasgow during the holidays

Sun 9 Dec 2pm The Grinch Wed 12 Dec 6.30pm National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Sun 16 Dec 2pm Nightmare Before Christmas Wed 19 Dec 6.30pm The Santa Clause Sun 23 Dec 3.30pm It’s a Wonderful Life Sun 30 Dec 4pm A Christmas Carol www.glasgowloveschristmas.com Secret Film Club at Christmas at Pollock Country Park Venue: The Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollok-shaws Road, Glasgow, G43 1AT

Date: 21– 24 December, 27-30 Decem-ber and 3-6 January 2013

Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Age range: All ages Admission: Free - Drop-in - no ticket

required Tel: 0141 287 2564

The Burrell Collection will be showing festive family favourites every day over the Christmas Holidays. The secret film all start at 2pm. Chil-dren must be accompanied by an adult.

WORKSHOPS

Let it Snow, Let it Snow: Venue: Palace’s People (Glasgow Green, Glas-gow, G40 1AT)

Date: 15th December 2012 Time:1:00pm - 3:00pm Admission: Free - Drop-in - no ticket

required

Crafty Adult at Scotland Venue: Street School Museum (225 Scotland Street, Glasgow, G5 8QB)

Date: 15th December 2012 Time:1:00pm - 3:00pm Age range: Adults Admission: Free Booking: Call 0141 287 0500 or email

[email protected]

King Park Brass Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Saturday 22nd December 2012 Time: 12.50pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Craighalbert Church Choir at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Saturday 22nd December 2012 Time: 3.10pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Glasgow Wind Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Sunday 23rd December 2012 Time: 12pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

The Salvation Army Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Monday 24th December 2012 Time: 6.35pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Kings Park Brass Band at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date: Monday 24th December 2012 Time: 8.05pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

Live Music from The Aviators at Glasgow on Ice, George Square

Date:28th December 2012 Time: 8.30pm Age Range: All ages Admission: Free

CINEMA Glasgow on Ice at George Square Free Christmas films open to everybody on Wednesdays & Sundays Wed 28 Nov 6.30pm Jack Frost Wed 5 Dec 6.30pm Scrooged

ENTERNTAINTMENT


ENTERNTAINMENT


GoMA Bites- Printing Workshop Venue: Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AH

Date: 16th December 2012 Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm Age range: Adult Admission: Free Tel: 0141 287 3050

Drop in print workshop, more handmade presents. Festive Fun Family Workshop

Venue: Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Ex-change Square, Glasgow, G1 3AH

Date: 22nd December 2012 Time:10:30am - 12:30pm

Age range: 3+ (parents are welcome) Admission: Free

Have some festive fun in the last Saturday Art Club before Christmas. Puppet Show at Christmas Venue: Palace’s People (Glasgow Green, Glasgow, G40 1AT)

Date: 29th December 2012 Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Admission: Free - Drop-in - no ticket re-

quired Join specialist puppeteers for a fantastic

show at the People's Palace. There is even a chance to meet the puppets!

Christmas at the People’s Palace (Glasgow Green, Glasgow, G40 1AT)

Date: 22nd December 2012 - 6th January 2013

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm Age range: All ages Admission: Free Tel: 0141 276 0788 If you love spend time in family having same fun that event is for you! People’s palace offers entertainment for all the family with treasure hunt trail, Cornuco-pia’s creation, a Victorian horn and more activities.

Magic Show at Christmas: Venue: Palace’s People (Glasgow Green, Glas-gow, G40 1AT)

Date: 30th December 2012 Time:2:00pm - 4:00pm Admission: Free - Drop-in - no ticket

required Enjoy a fantastic magic show for Christmas. Circus Skill Funshop: Venue: Palace’s People (Glasgow Green, Glas-gow, G40 1AT)

Date: 5th January 2013 Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Age range: 6+ (parents are welcome) Admission: Free Booking: Places can only be booked by

calling 0141 276 0789 An event full of activities when you will test your skills.Participants will play with plates, diabolos, balls…

I like Glasgow. It’s a big and old city . I have been

three times to Transport museum, on the 62 bus.

Glasgow is very green and has big parks.

Ali

I live with my husband I study in English in college I like my flat Neighbour is very friendly Shawbo Raouf Ahmed

I like my area. I have a big park it`s name Botanic Gardens. I like to go there in summer because it`s fantastic. There are many people tourist are come in the sum-mer and also have many flowers and fish. There are also trees. Some time there have weddings. Fatima Hussein Sharif

MY LIFE IN GLASGOW

I like Glasgow because Glasgow people very nice and Glasgow it is beautiful city, because Glasgow atmosphere very good, because Glasgow it is music city, the weekend go to city centre every-where street performance. I like Glasgow be-cause my family live here.

Jaylin

I live in Glasgow, like this. I like Glasgow city col-lege study. This teacher is very friendly. I like to go shopping here, because it is cheap.

Xiao

My family live in Glasgow. I like air Glasgow, but I do not like the Glasgow weather is too cold. I like my house my neighbours are good people. My kids in the neighbourhood nursery. I every day at 8am in the morning distribution to the nursery. Then I go to school. Reading to go back to pick him up.

Jamie

by Access 2 Stage 2 students

MY LIFE IN GLASGOW

I like Glasgow because Glasgow has a lot of nice peo-

ple .I always live in Glasgow.

Jie

I don’t like Glasgow because Glasgow is very cold. So I don’t like it. I like London because London scen-ery is beautiful. China Town is very very busy and a lot of Chinese food. May

I come to Glasgow four years, I like Glasgow, be-cause Glasgow has kind people. I don`t like Glas-gow weather because it rains every day. Ming

I like City of Glasgow college because it is first place I started to study English. Then I realized more about life. So I’m thankful for

the amazing people I have meet.

Mudgal Mohammed Ahmed

I live in Glasgow for 3 years. I like Glasgow because it

is quiet and safe. I don’t like the weather when it

snows. I like to take my children to the park.

Sahra Hassan


My family live in Glasgow, I like Glasgow. Some-

time my wife and I with our children go shop-

ping. On the street, you will see a lot of people,

some of them work here. Some of them come

here to shop. In the street, you will see some-

one singing in the street, my son often gives 1

pound because they singing sounds good. You

will also see someone holding a small jar in

fundraising. It is donated to sick elderly and

children. They are very nice people. The street

has a lot of flashing colour lights. That is be-

cause Christmas is coming. Many shops show

window, put a decoration. Although the

weather was cold but it doesn’t affect their en-

thusiasm. I wish you all a merry Christmas.

Yi Ling Dong

MY LIFE IN GLASGOW

Before I don’t like Glasgow because some people don’t like refugees, they throw eggs. People now stop. Now better. I like Glasgow because it is very nice not much traffic. It has nice education for children and people. I don’t like London because it’s very busy traffic everyday. Sometimes shop is expensive and Glasgow is cheap. Adrienne

I like Glasgow city centre. It’s too many shops. My children and my wife like shopping. Glasgow city is very beautiful city, and people are nice.

Ren Lin


TRAVELLING WITH ESOL OASIS

Four months ago I was in the Holy Island. I want tell you about this place. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a place of pilgrimage. Lindisfarne is the very fountain head of England's Christian heritage. Many people go to the place, to see the Castle on the cliff first built in 1550. The tide at Holy Island have ebbs and flows two times on the day . If you go to the centre island, you must see timetable before. If you find timetable, you can make sure

when you can go out from island. This place is cen-tre a wildlife. You can see many types of plants, birds and grey seals. Should you walk along the coast, you will see beautiful views. If you visit the place one time, you are sure to come again. Agnieszka Pazik-Dynska Access 2 Stage 3

I like Scotland very much because it is beauti-ful country and mysterious climate. Scotland have fantastic landscapes , amazing mountains and very nice castles . In Scotland I found my passion , I take photos in Scotland .At weekend I like to go see differ-ent places. Sometimes Scotland has foggy days then you can take fantastic and very climate pictures. I recommend GlenCoe - beautiful views moun-tains, I prefer to stay few days, because you can’t see all GlenCoe. I recommend see Scot-tish Loch like Loch Lomond , Loch Ard , Loch Arklet and Ben A’an admire beautiful rivers from up above. In Scotland you can spend your time very ac-tively and nice . Monika Filipiak Access 2 Stage 2

WHERE AM I NOW?

In this issue we are delighted to introduce one

of the alumni of City of Glasgow College who

studied in the ESOL department— Angelika

Kmiec.

Several years ago Angelika came from Poland

with no knowledge of English. In order to learn

English and supplement her studies, she

started working in a care home. Despite having

a heavy workload and difficult working hours,

Angelika was a hard working and an incredibly

responsible and diligent student. She made

excellent progress and was soon moved to In-

termediate 1 level. Thanks to her hard work

and serious attitude towards her studies in the

College, Angelika’s English improved very

quickly which was supported by the excellent

results in her preliminary exams. Having left

the College after achieving good results, Ange-

lika accepted a place at Glasgow Caledonian

University and is now studying for a degree in

Business Management. Angelika has always

been very enthusiastic about English and was

among the students who helped to start the

Language Café.

This is what she says:

“I deeply believe that the project allowed

many foreign students to develop their English

as well as widen their friendship circles. The

great support of the College as well as the

ESOL lecturers that lead the project gave me

and my friends the opportunity to learn about

Scotland, build up my confidence in using the

English language and also helped develop my

employability skills. In my personal experience

the ESOL lecturers were very approachable

and always willing to help both on an academic

and personal level.

The Language Cafe is an excellent focal point

for bringing different people together and

celebrating a diverse range of cultures. I en-

joyed the most the fact that I was able to so-

cialise with many people and learn about their

countries. I have a lot of colourful memories

regarding the project.

I will always be very grateful for the support

and advice I was provided with from Susie

Rintoul and Christine Palmer. Having received

this help I am currently studying for an hon-

ours degree in Business Management at Glas-

gow Caledonian University”.

Angelika (left)

WRITING COURSE

WHEN?

SATURDAYS 9.30 – 12.30

WHERE? NHS. Room 308

For students at Intermediate 1,

Intermediate 2 and Higher levels

Learn: Academic and descriptive writing skills Discussion/conversation skills Confidence in your writing abilities

Focus: Diversity and multi-cultural issues Many other topics

Do: Produce articles for a magazine Enter the Diversity Competition

ESOL HELP HUB

WHEN?

MONDAYS 9.30 – 4.30 THURSDAYS 9.30—12.30

WHERE? Room GN24C

Townhead Building (on the ground floor next to the food court)

WHAT?

HELP WITH… Application forms, letters, communications with

banks and other services

ESOL VOLUNTEERING HUB

WHEN and WHERE?

MONDAYS 9.30 – 11.30

Room 2/2 Charles Oakley Buidling

WHAT?

HELP WITH… Finding Volunteering opportunities;

Communication with Voluntary Organisations; Receiving a Certificate of Achievement

Tuesday 18th December at 12—1

Students Association, 2nd Floor, T/H

ESOL ACTIVITIES

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=CREATIVE+WRITING&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1024&bih=584&tbm=isch&tbnid=g6UQhUnCGvDBEM:&imgrefurl=http://norwichartscentre.co.uk/continuin-creative-writing/&docid=PgwhOTvYbs1LIM&imgurl=http://norwichartscentre.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/i/

TEST YOUR ENGLISH

Christmas 1

3

2 4

3

5

6 7

10 8

11

13

12

14

Across

2. a gum used for perfume or incense, one of the

gifts that the three wise men gave to Jesus.

3. a partly enclosed space in a house where people

light a fire for warmth.

5. a bright point in the night sky which is a large,

distant incandescent body like the sun.

6. a cylinder of wax with a central wick (like

string) which burns to produce light.

7. the mother of Jesus.

8. a parasitic plant with white berries, tradition-

ally used as a Christmas decoration.

9. the husband of Mary (the mother of Jesus).

11. the small town in the Middle East believed to

be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

12. a traditional Christmas drink made of alcohol

with beaten eggs and milk (__-__).

14. a decorated paper tube that makes a sharp

noise ("crack!") and releases a small toy when two

people pull it apart.

Down

1. a bird like a large chicken, traditionally eaten at

Christmas.

3. a gum used for incense, one of the gifts that

the three wise men gave to Jesus.

4. a vertical pipe in a house that allows smoke and

gases to escape from a fireplace.

10. a person who looks after sheep.

13. a yellow precious metal, one of the gifts that

the three wise men gave to Jesus.

esol oasis - city of glasgow college · sarhang haydari, the beata torz award winner, and susan...

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