Newsletter June 2016

Newsletter June 2016 Issue 9

www.excel-college.com

info@excel-college.com

+44 (0) 161 236 5551

Welcome to Excel College We have had a lot of changes at Excel College in the last term! Lynda Tate, our Admissions and Accommodation Officer, has left the College. We threw her a little farewell party, and everyone said their goodbyes. Luckily, in May we welcomed a new team member—Josh Allen—who has taken over the Accommodation Officer’s role. You can read the interview with Josh on pages 5 and 6.

In January we introduced “Student of the Month” competition at the College. Each month our teachers choose the best student at the school. The student has to be punctual, finish his/her homework on time, contribute to activities in class, and make good use of the social programme. Find out all the students who have won the “Student of the Month” title on page 11.

Recently Excel College has become a listed SELT (Secure English Language Tests) course provider.

We offer Trinity GESE preparation courses and also run Trinity ISE exam preparation courses. GESE and ISE are approved by UKVI for visa applications. For more information go to our website or visit: www.trinityselt.co.uk.

Out of class, there has been lots happening too. We have been visiting museums, festivals and exhibitions. Some of the students took part in quite a few football tournaments and played against other language schools. In November and February our Omani and Kuwaiti students hosted their National Days at the College. Everyone could learn more about their countries and culture, and there was delicious food involved as well! The first sightseeing trip this year was a huge success. We visited Liverpool and enjoyed the sunny weather at the seaside.

This term will be as busy as always. English summer is almost here and there will be a lot of exciting things to do in and around Manchester. Check on pages 9 and 10 for more information. And you can always find information on all the social activities on our Facebook page or College website, and on the noticeboard in reception.

If you would like to practise your writing skills by writing a review, a recipe, a letter or an article for the next newsletter, send an email to admin@excel-college.com. For those of you who are back at home after your Excel College experience, tell us what are doing now and how you are using your English!

We would love to see your photos and videos too!

Alex Blecharczyk Admissions and Student Services

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The term in pictures

The term in pictures

Interview with Josh Meet our new Accommodation Officer - Josh Allen!

Find out more about Josh, which countries he has been to, and what his favourite food is.

Name: Josh Allen Job title: Accommodation Officer Hobbies: Tennis, Rock Climbing, Football

(Manchester United), Movies, Music Festivals, Travelling, Photography Favourite food: Fish & Chips & Mushy Peas Favourite drink: Pint of Kingston Press Cider at the Pub Quiz

How did you become interested in working at Excel College?

I wanted a job I enjoyed. When I was travelling I loved meeting new people from different cultures.

By working in an English language school I can get the same experience meeting new people from all over the world. It was the perfect fit for me.

Tell us about what you did before coming to Excel College.

I was at University for 3 years in Manchester studying Media. After graduating I worked in video game animation for 12 months, I also bartended for a while.

I then went on a 6-month around-the-world trip before retuning home in January 2016.

Which countries have you visited?

Italy, Poland, Germany, France, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Greece, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Egypt, UAE, and Turkey.

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What is your best memory from that time (travelling)?

There are too many to choose from! I once took part in a student charity event called ‘Jailbreak’.

The aim was to get as far away from Manchester as possible in 30 hours, without spending any money on transport. There were 50 teams taking part, and my friend and I managed to get to Madrid in Spain for free! We came 2nd in the event and raised over £1000 for charity, along with creating some amazing memories.

Where is your favourite place in the UK? Pete’s Eats Café in Wales.

If you could meet with anyone you want, dead or alive, who would it be?

Anthony Kiedis—Red Hot Chilli Peppers lead singer or Karl Pilkington—actor and presenter.

Write for the Excel College Newsletter!

Are you thinking of travelling?

Do you want to visit new places in and around Manchester? Want to get discount prices in restaurants, hotels and shops?

Put your writing skills to the test!

If you are a full-time student at Excel College, you can register for a ISIC Student Card that gives you all that!

Just ask for Enrolment Letter at reception and go to STA Travel Agency on Oxford Road. You pay only £12 and your card is valid all over the world for a whole year!

Want to review a book, film or restaurant? Love or hate something about Manchester?

Want to give a big thank you to your favourite teacher?

We would love to hear from you!

Send articles, photos or ideas to

admin@excel-college.com

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Summer Term Timeline What is happening at the College, in Manchester and in the UK this term?

Have a look at our timeline to find out.

Summer Term @Excel College

Euro 2016

27 June-23 September

10 June-10 July

www.excel-college.com

www.uefa.com/uefaeuro

There will be no classes on Monday, 27 June! New term begins on Tuesday, 28 June. It will finish on Friday, 23 September.

The 2016 tournament will be the third time that a EURO finals has been staged on French soil.

Twenty-four teams will contest the Henri Delaunay Cup.

Climate Control @Manchester Museum June-October

Fashion & Freedom @Manchester Art Gallery 13 May-27 November www.fashionandfreedom.org The liberation women experienced during the First World War is explored through items of clothing.

www.creativetourist.com/articles/festivalsand-events/manchester/climate-controlevents-at-manchester-museum/

The Centenary of the Battle of the Somme

A series of exhibitions and events explore the idea that we can’t change the past but we can change the future, and how we can each make a difference to help create the world of our choice.

www.manchester.gov.uk /events/event/3958/ somme_100_concert

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1 July

Heaton Park is home to this free concert as part of the National Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme.

Summer Term Timeline Foodies Festival @Tatton Park

Manchester Jazz Festival

15-17 July

22-31 July

www.foodiesfestival.com

www.manchesterjazz.com

The UK's biggest celebration of food and drink, brings a feast of foodie fun to the North West.

Visiting a Foodies Festival gives you a fun day out with the chance to see Michelin starred top chefs and top bakers.

Manchester’s longest-running music festival celebrates its 21st birthday, delivering ten days of music in iconic venues across the city.

Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond @MOSI 23 July-next year msimanchester.org.uk/whats-on/exhibition/wondermaterials

Levenshulme Market

First isolated by scientists at the University of Manchester back in 2004, graphene is super lightweight,

super conductive and super strong. In this groundbreaking exhibition, discover the history of graphite and graphene, journey with scientists and artists exploring the cutting edge of material technology and immerse yourself in the wonders of a two dimensional world.

every Saturday Summer Bank Holiday 29 August www.gov.uk/bankholidays Public holiday in the UK. No classes on Monday, 29 August!

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www.levymarket.com Levenshulme Market is a community run social enterprise market that operates on Saturdays between March and December in South Manchester. Here you will find a diverse range of high quality traders selling produce, street food, plants, gifts, vintage clothing and homeware.

The Peak District Discover the Peak District - an area of great natural beauty with picturesque villages, historic churches and grand houses.

All this only a short train or bus ride away from Manchester city centre.

What to see and do?

The Peak District is a wonderful place to visit, whether it be just for a day or for a long holiday.

There is so much to see, as there are numerous interesting and exciting tourist attractions, from great houses to caverns and steam railways.

Probably the biggest single attraction is Chatsworth House - a magnificent house set in a landscaped park which is the home of the Duke of Devonshire.

But there are many other great houses, such as Haddon Hall, Lyme Hall and Hardwick Hall - built by Bess of Hardwick, one of the most powerful women of the Elizabethan era.

There are numerous museums in the area - ranging from formal museums like Buxton Museum, to outdoor ones such as Crich Tramway Museum.

The Peak District also has show caves at Castleton and Buxton, steam railways at Churnet Valley and Peak Rail and a cable railway at Matlock Bath. Alton Towers - one of Britain's biggest theme parks - lies just outside the Park Boundary, within easy reach for a day trip.

The Peak District is a great place for outdoor activities and in summer and at weekends fills with walkers and cyclists.

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How to get there?

The only train service operating through the Peak District National Park is the Hope Valley Line which runs from Manchester and Stockport to Sheffield and provides a useful link to the start of the Pennine Way at Edale.

It is also possible to travel by train to the other stations just outside the peak, and take a bus into the Peak District from there: Buxton - buses run to Ashbourne, Dovedale, Bakewell, Matlock, Eyam and Tideswell.

Chesterfield - buses run to Matlock, Bakewell, Eyam, Tideswell and Buxton.

Sheffield - buses run to Castleton, Derwent, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Buxton, Eyam, Tideswell and Matlock.

You can get to the Peak District by bus or coach. National Express service 440 runs from Manchester to London, stopping in Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton. They also offer services to towns and cities around the edge of the Peak District, from where easy local connections are available, as do Megabus.

From Manchester Airport you can take bus service 199 to Buxton. You could also catch the TransPeak bus service from Manchester, which runs right through the heart of the Peak District.

Useful links: www.visitpeakdistrict.com www.peakdistrict.gov.uk www.peakdistrictinformation.com www.peakwalking.com www.walkingbritain.co.uk www.nationalrail.co.uk www.nationalexpress.com www.uk.megabus.com www.highpeakbuses.com/transpeak-service

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Student of the Month Excel College’s outstanding students and their amazing teachers!

Will you be our next Student of the Month?

January - Ramzeyah

February - Johan

May - Hawraa

March - Kazu

April - Gordon

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