Newsletter September 2015 Issue 8
Welcome to Excel College We have had a lot of changes at Excel College in the last term! Mark Harmer, the College Principal, has left the school to work in a different city. We had thrown him a farewell party, and everyone said their goodbyes. Fortunately, Matthew Spragg—the Academic Manager, has been promoted to be our new Principal. You can read the interview with Matthew on page 7. We have also had two new members joining our team—Alex Blecharczyk as a Admissions and Student Services Officer and Brian Swash as Academic Manager. Last term we announced a new Excel College course—Medical English. So far, we have had a few groups of nurses from Europe who have successfully completed this course and received certificates in Medical English. Take a look at page 3 and 4 to see how they enjoyed their stay with us. Out of class, there has been lots happening too. We have visited Old Trafford, John Rylands Library and Manchester Food Markets. Our Conversation Club has been growing—we even had some guests from outside the College joining us for a nice chat over a cup of coffee. Some of our students enjoyed a very exciting Bowling game, and we will definitely be coming back to All Star Lanes to see who can beat our Bowling champion. Excel College’s first Northern Quarter walking tour was a huge success, so we will make sure there are more sightseeing trips around Manchester. This term will be as busy as always. We are planning to watch Rugby World Championship match in a traditional English pub, enjoy some delicious food at Manchester Food and Drink Festival, visit the Museum of Science & Industry for the Science Festival, and go on a trip to see Stockport and Chester. Check on pages 9 and 10 for more information on what will be happening this term in Manchester. And you can find information on all of our 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’d 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
Tips for IELTS (and any other exam!) Preparing for IELTS, FCE or other exam? Give yourself the best chance with these top ten study tips.
1. Give yourself enough time to study It may sound like a clichÊ, but it is really important to understand it’s not the best way to approach an exam. Don't leave it until the last minute! Set out a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with. 2. Organize your study space Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out of sight? Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. 3. Use flow charts and diagrams Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. Drawing diagrams will help you to visualise information which would be hard to describe. This creates a visual memory in your mind which can be recalled in an exam.
4. Practice on old exams This is what you can do in our IELTS lesson and it is one of the most effective ways to prepare for exams. It helps you get used to the format of the questions, and - when the teacher times you - can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section. 5. Study in a group Good news for everyone who has been attending all their classes! Studying in a group can help you collect new insights to enhance your learning experience.
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Tips for IELTS (and any other exam!) 6. Take regular breaks While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps. Try going for a walk—it’s been scientifically proven that exercise can boost your memory and brain power. 7. Snack on 'brain food' Keep away from junk food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt, blueberries and apples. 8. Drink plenty of water Remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day.
9. Listen to the correct type of music Although some studies say that listening to music while you study isn’t good, for many people it’s vital. It’s calms them down, which can lead to productive studying. Music can also help elevate your mood and motivate you to study longer. Try classical music, especially Mozart, there is evidence that Mozart improves mental performance—it’s called the “Mozart Effect”. 10. Get a good night’s sleep One of the best things you can do to help you remember things is to get a good night’s sleep – not just the night before the exam, but every night. When you’re sleeping your brain performs the vital task of converting facts from short-term memory into long-term memory. During the course of a good night’s sleep, your brain processes the information you’ve learnt during the day and stores it, meaning that you’re far more likely to be able to recall it than if you barely slept.
Good luck with your exam!
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Interview with Matthew Meet our new Principal - Matthew Spragg! Find out why he became a TEFL teacher and what his favourite food is in our interview.
Name: Matthew Spragg Job title: Principal Hobbies: cooking (and eating), outdoor sports, spending time with my family Favourite food: I love trying new dishes from around the world. My favourites are French, Italian, Thai, Indian and Japanese. I also love classic British dishes like a good Sunday Roast or Shepherd’s Pie. Favourite drink: I enjoy a nice pint of real ale in a traditional country pub.
How did you become interested in TEFL? This came about through my love of travel – I met several English teachers during my trip around the world 15 years ago and this inspired me to train as a TEFL teacher. I have always been fascinated by other cultures and this job is the perfect way to experience them. Tell us about your first ever teaching job. My first teaching job was at a small school in the middle of London. I met my wife there. In what countries have you taught? I have visited many different countries but I have only taught English in London, Italy and Manchester. I like to think of this job as ‘travelling without moving’.
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What is your best teaching memory? I once taught English to a Spanish wine taster, who wanted to learn how to describe different wines in English. He brought a nice bottle of wine to each lesson for us to share. This was a great experience!
Where's your favourite place in the UK? There are so many wonderful places in the UK. My favourites are Snowdonia, the Lake District, and the Highlands of Scotland. And Manchester of course!
If you could travel anywhere you want, where would you go? Right now I would love to be on a beach in Thailand or the South of France.
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?
Write for the Excel College Newsletter! 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 ÂŁ12 and your card is valid all over the world for a whole year!
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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
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.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival
Manchester Literature Festival
Halloween
10-21 September
12-15 October
An urban food and drink festival with famous chefs showing their talent and dozens of events, both indoor and outdoor. Festival takes over as much of the City Centre, so you definitely won’t miss it!
Experience literature live! There are a lot of project activities, tours, lectures and performances. Just take a look at the brochure or check the website: manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.
The ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celts believed that this transition between the seasons was a bridge to the world of the dead. Over the millennia the holiday evolved from a pagan ritual to a day of merriment, costumes, parades and sweet treats for children and adults.
31 October
Guy Fawkes Day - Bonfire Night 5 November Rugby World Cup
On this night, throughout Britain, people commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes, who tried to assassinate King James I. There are bonfires and fireworks, and an effigy of Guy is burnt on fire.
18 September-31 October Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the UK. The tournament is contested every four years between the top international teams. You can watch it on TV, but some of the games will actually take place in Manchester!
Manchester Science Festival 22 October—1 November Play, create and experiment with your scientific side, as Manchester Science Festival brings together a unique blend of art, makeit workshops, performances and big experiences for all ages across Greater Manchester. For more information see: manchestersciencefestival.com.
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Term Timeline
Manchester Ice Rink
Christmas
November 2015 - January 2016
25 - 26 December
Manchester Ice Rink returns to Spinningfields in November. You can get your tickets on: manchestericerink.co.uk.
Bank Holiday Weekend: 26 - 28 December
Manchester Christmas Markets 14 November – 21 December Manchester Christmas Lights Switch On 6 November Six weeks before Christmas the biggest Christmas lights switchon in Greater Manchester takes place in Albert Square.
Manchester’s world famous Christmas Market attracts shoppers from all over the UK and beyond. No Mancunian winter is complete without a wander through the chalet-lined streets of the markets. So, don your Santa hat, dust off the mulled wine glass, and get into the festive spirit!
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New Year’s Eve 31 December Bank Holiday Weekend: 1 - 3 January
Gastronomic Crossword In September we are celebrating Manchester’s Food and Drink Festival. But before you go and explore what is going on in Albert Square, find out how much you know about eating... in English!
Across 3) The most common kind of fruit grown in England. 7) People often wear this when working in the kitchen. 8) America’s favourite food. 10) A cup that does not need a saucer. 11) A form in which corn is often eaten, especially for breakfast. 14) Prepare a table for a meal. 16) Evening meal. 17) Very small piece of bread or cake. 20) Utensil for cooking in or making sauce in. 21) Brazilian starch, used to thicken soups or casseroles. 22) Where people cook. 23) Parsley is one, so is basil.
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Down 1) Orange jam. 2) Gastropods much appreciated in France. 4) Dried plum 5) Roast ….. of mutton is a popular joint in England. 6) Waiters do this 9) Small, round and whitish vegetables, eaten in tomato stew. 12) Two slices of bread with a filling between them. 13) Drink made in a brewery. 15) A meal combining breakfast and lunch. 18) Wash … after a meal. 19) Synonym of mutton. 20) Flat metal container used to fry food. 21) Britain’s favourite hot drink.
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Speaking of food… English has lots of picturesque expressions referring to food. Can you select the correct meaning of these idioms? 1. He’s really in the soup. A) He is very successful. B) He has real problems. C) He is very busy. 2. I’m really cheesed off. A) I’m very tired. B) I’ve finished everything. C) I’m very annoyed. 3. Jessica is the apple of her father’s eye. A) Jessica’s father adores her. B) Jessica’s father gets angry with her. C) Jessica gets angry with her father. 4. That’s money for jam. A) It’s very expensive. B) It’s a waste of money. C) It’s easy money. 5. John is so full of beans! A) John is very energetic. B) John is ill. C) John is very amusing.
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Answers 1 marmalade, 2 snails, 3 apples, 4 prune, 5 leg, 6 serve, 7 apron, 8 hamburger, 9 baked beans, 10 mug, 11 flakes, 12 sandwich, 13 beer, 14 lay, 15 brunch, 16 dinner, 17 crumb, 18 up, 19 lamb, 20 pan, 21 tea, 22 kitchen, 23 herb 1.B, 2.C, 3.A, 4.C, 5.A