Issue 8 Spring 2016

AROUND THE WORLDSPRINGSPRING CELEBRATIONS

T I M E S

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3. INTRODUCTION

4. VOX POP What are your hopes for this year?

6. WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

7. NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD

8. SMART LEARNING @ TLG

CONTENTS

10. TLG TORONTO AND LONDON 10. GO OUT & ABOUT

14. TLG AROUND THE WORLD

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Dear students,

Welcome to the Spring edition of the TLG Times! Christmas is now well behind us, and the weather is starting to warm up again. Soon enough, summer will arrive and you can all start enjoying the good weather (and maybe go on holiday!).

We have recently introduced the Smart Learning initiative, which means you – the students – are at the centre of everything we do here at TLG. It’s an interactive learning methodology that helps you learn in flexible ways and encourages you to use your language skills outside the classroom.

We hope you’re enjoying your time with us, and we’re sure that you’ll be completing your course with an excellent grasp of all aspects of English.

In this edition of the magazine, we find out about how students from all over the world celebrated the New Year, and what they hope 2016 will bring for them.

Happy reading!

Simon PowerTLG Managing Director

INTRODUCTION

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VOX POP“I’m looking forward to learning different languages and cultures and getting a good job in 2016.”

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WHAT ARE YOUR HOPESFOR THIS YEAR?

“Well, now that I have come here from Istanbul, I want to improve my English a lot. But it’s the New Year and I also want to lose weight! I ate and drank too much at Christmas so now I’m a member at a gym here to work out.”

– Gökçe, TLG Toronto

“2016 is a big year for me. It’s the year I came to Canada to really study English. I study Law in Mato Grasso state, Brazil, so my English studies will help me specialize in law later.”

– Bárbara, TLG Toronto

“I’m looking forward to learning different languages and cultures and getting a good job in 2016.”

– Gizem, TLG Manchester

“If I get a good result from the IELTS exam, I’ll go to study a master’s degree in Switzerland. I chose Switzerland because it’s the best country to study hospitality law and the culinary arts.

I hope all my plans come true and I’ll be a good manager or chef.”

– Samet, TLG Manchester

“I hope to improve my English – my listening, writing, reading and speaking skills. I’d like to have a conversation with a native speaker without being afraid of not understanding everything. I hope to start my English for Academic Purposes course in Australia later this year, in order to improve my writing skills so I can do a Master’s at some point in the future.”

– Maria Clara Restrepo Guiral, – TLG London

“I hope that I can go back to my country for ‘Spring Festival’ this year, because it is a very important festival to celebrate with my family especially my mom, dad and girlfriend. I hope that I can be successful in studying for a Master’s degree, too.”

– Zicheng Dai, TLG London

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WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

At The Language Gallery, we’re always interested in the student experience and how we can improve it.

Two of our campuses recently acted on feedback they got from you – keep an eye out to see what the other two are working on!

TLG LONDON

Last year, around 93% of students said that TLG London was a great place to learn English, but we also acted on some of your recommendations for improvements.

• You mentioned that you didn’t like the tablet chairs – now most classrooms have tables

• You said core classes were too short, so we changed the timetable and added 45 minutes to core classes

• You wanted more activities during the day: Smart Learning now offers up to seven hours a week of extra activities during the day

• You wanted coffee facilities in the school - we are now looking into this

TLG MANCHESTER

The school receives consistently positive feedback from students, but we are always keen to improve.

We have responded to your feedback in the following ways:

• You mentioned that there were too many conversation classes in the afternoons and not enough options for other types of classes – in 2016, we introduced a writing class and an IELTS elective class

• You mentioned that the student PCs were very slow, and now new PCs have been installed

• You mentioned that the pool table was old – the pool table has now been repaired and we are looking into a replacement

• You mentioned that the social programme needed a better variety of trips and activities – so now, we have organised trips to Chester, Liverpool, and even an overnight stay in London, which was extremely popular. We have also introduced more regular football games for students, as requested.

• You asked for more readers for the library – these are being ordered

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Those who have been lucky and have experienced New Year’s celebrations in Colombia will agree with me in describing it as colourful, joyful, noisy and especially tasteful.

Were you to be at the mountains, the plains, the coast or the rain forest, you will witness an awesome display of decorations, accompanied by music for all tastes almost everywhere.

On the 31st of December in the morning, most people would be either cleaning and preparing their houses, cooking the delicious food they will share at night, or traveling to their hometowns to see their land and beloved ones.

But the best things come with the moon. At night the doorbell will announce the arrival of all the family, friends, and friends of your friends, who will be dressed in their best clothes for the special dinner. You can imagine how extraordinary and delightful it is.

We have many customs and traditions to follow at New Year’s Eve. For example, eating 12 grapes at midnight for luck, or wearing yellow underwear for wealth, or being sure that the first foot you put out of the bed that morning is the right one.

But of all of those traditions, the one that I always follow is to go outside with my backpack (with some clothing, food

and money inside) and run around the block just five minutes before midnight, as it is supposed to bring me travel and adventure. And I swear it works!

“The best thing is at 12 O’clock: being received by uncountable kisses, hugs, phone calls and best wishes from those who I love.”

- Laura Natalia Acero Penagos, TLG Birmingham

“For New Year’s, we have a party on New Year’s Eve like here. I just get together with family for a big dinner. Brazil’s spring is when it’s fall in Canada. In my city Recife, spring comes with a lot of rain. It’s tough to drive to my university where I’m doing my degree in business administration. That’s what I am going to finish when I go back to Brazil soon.”

- Rodrigo, TLG Toronto

“We do New Year’s parties. I like to party with my friends with some good wine. Our spring happens at the same time as Canada’s spring. There’s not a lot of real celebration but a lot of people still go skiing and skating, and also do indoor sports like soccer during the spring season.”

- Patrice, TLG Toronto

NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD

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UP TO SEVEN HOURS OF FUN, FREE LEARNING!

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SMART LEARNING@TLG

Want to find out more? Have a chat with your academic manager –

they’ll be happy to help!

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TLG TORONTO AND LONDONGo Out & About

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TORONTO

Just before the holidays, TLG Toronto students were involved with a number of fun activities. Tours of the Graffiti Alley and Chinatown, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Christmas Market, and decorating the main campus lounge were just some of the many events at TLG Toronto. Students also had a chance to celebrate both Christmas and New

Year’s Eve at the campus with parties and learning activities, complete with snack food and drink!

As winter progressed into the New Year, Toronto was still unseasonably warm. However, TLG Toronto students had an exciting time ice skating at Nathan Philips Square and taking in an Irish music and food night at the Irish Embassy

Pub and Grill. In class, students were introduced to the Smart Learning programme and partook in a number of interactive English learning activities, led by TLG Toronto’s great staff.

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LONDON

Our students visited the oldest universities in England with trips to Cambridge and Oxford, as well as exploring the famous historical cities.

On a trip to Stonehenge, students visited the ancient landmark that

has intrigued anthropologists for decades.

TLG London celebrated Chinese New Year with a special event where our students learned about origami.

At the London campus, our Smart Learning initiative was launched with a party and fun activities for students and staff.

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TLG TORONTO AND TLG LONDON Go Out & About

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TLG AROUND THE WORLD Manchester

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With international tourism on the rise, more airlines opening new routes to Manchester, and the development of the Northern Powerhouse, Manchester is becoming one of Britain’s most popular destinations.

It is a great city to study in. Home to three international universities with famous students - Benedict Cumberbatch being one of them - it truly is an international city of students.

There are many things to visit in Manchester, with different attractions that appeal to different people. Whether it’s the National Football Museum and the world famous Old Trafford Stadium or the museums that are dotted around the city, Manchester has something for everyone.

Throughout the year there are a variety of events and festivals from different cultures. In February, we celebrate Chinese New Year, with the lantern show and the parade; March is St Patrick’s Day; and we have our very own Manchester Day in July.

The city is divided into areas and all have great, different dynamics, from the Northern Quarter with its arts and crafts to Spinningfields with its up-market restaurants and famous faces.

In Manchester, students from all over the world come together to study, explore, and have the opportunity to meet others and make life-long friends.

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©2016 The Language Gallery. All rights reserved. The Language Gallery Times, Issue 8  – Spring 2015.

London Birmingham Manchester Hannover Toronto www.TheLanguageGallery.com