British Study Centres News
A Great Success! Chinese Teacher Training Group Loved Their Experience At BSC Oxford
This winter BSC Oxford Teacher Training took great pleasure in welcoming 25 Chinese teachers from Hangzhou Province for a three week teacher development programme.
The lucky 25 were chosen from a large group of high school teachers as part of a professional development project that partnered British Study Centres Oxford and the Hangzhou Xihu District Teacher Professional Development School.
Clare Booth and Andrew Thomas the BSC course tutors for the programme were very positive about the group from China. 'It was a rewarding experience for all concerned' said the tutors 'We were surprised at both their level of English and their understanding of modern EFL teaching methodology'.
As part of their programme the Chinese teachers undertook a number of school visits to primary and secondary schools in Oxford. They were welcomed at Rose Hill Primary School, St. Andrews Primary School, Oxford Academy, Gosford Hill School and St. Ebbes Primary School (where they were invited to see the children perform their nativity play!).
At The Oxford Academy, Principal Mike Reading welcomed the teachers with a detailed presentation of the school and its history. In thanks, Ms. Mingxiang Yuan Deputy Schoolmaster of the Hangzhou Xihu School presented the Principal with a replica of the famous Qingming Scroll which hangs at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
Finally, as they left Oxford, Ms. Meiru Hu Vice-director of the Middle School Education and Research Department said that the teachers were extremely grateful for the kindness and flexibility that the British Study Centres staff had extended to their group. Furthermore they had very much enjoyed the experience of living with British families and had thoroughly enjoyed the many cultural visits they had undertaken in Oxford including trips to the world famous Ashmolean Museum, the beautiful landscape of Blenheim Palace and the first-rate shopping opportunities at Bicester Village (Oxford's designer labels outlet!).
Oxford School Director Niko Phillips was thrilled with the feedback from the group 'It has been a real pleasure to host such an interesting group at our Teacher Training centre. We hope that this is the first of many Chinese Teachers' groups we will welcome to Oxford!'.
Congratulations! Bournemouth Teacher Passes Diploma
Congratulations to Louise Kulaksiz on passing her diploma! All the hard work started earlier this year when Louise decided that she had got to a stage in her TEFL career where she needed to move on. This desire for career progression and developing as a teacher led her to undertake the gruelling task of passing her Diploma exam. This was no mean feat as during the later stages of the course she couldn't work out why she was so exhausted and thought the task was getting the better of her, only to discover she was pregnant! So now with a baby due in late November it seemed all the more important to get the diploma under her belt.
When asked what the best bit of studying for the diploma was Louise smiled and said "2pm on the 1st June when the exam was over!", she added that "it was really hard work but worth it". That hard work paid off as the exam results were released at the end of August, it showed that she had passed with flying colours! Congratulations!
British Study Centres Shortlisted Again!
It's award season for the Language Travel industry and British Study Centres has been shortlisted again for the 'LTM Star English Language School Europe 2011' at the prestigious Language Travel Magazine awards. This is the third successive year British Study Centres has been nominated in this category and after last year's win everyone at British Study Centres has their fingers crossed!
Widely considered as the 'Oscars' of the Language travel industry, British Study Centres are in the privileged position of securing one of 5 shortlist places out of a thousand schools running for the award. Voted for by language travel agents throughout the world, we are extremely touched that our partner agents think us worthy of being nominated for a third year.
An ecstatic Andrew Roper, Managing Director of British Study Centres said "Everyone at British Study centres is tickled pink to be nominated again! We are acutely aware of how stiff the competition is in this category with over a thousand eligible schools so to be shortlisted for the third year running is a real privilege" after hearing of the nomination.
The winners will be announced in September at a glittering ceremony in London where the great and the good of the industry rub shoulders, do business and exchange ideas. We are proud of all our schools and the service we give, this nomination is a reflection of the hard work everyone at British Study Centres has put in. So with the awards just around the corner, watch this space
BSC Oxford Roof Terrace Now Open
BSC Oxford can proudly announce the latest phase of its fourth floor regeneration at the English school site in Oxford city centre. Now to complement the Student Information Point and Shop, alongside our comfortable self-study centre, we are thrilled to announce the opening of our roof terrace! This newest addition to our school affords a comfortable seating area where students can enjoy al fresco drinks and snacks courtesy of our Organic Deli and coffee shop. Niko Phillips, BSC Oxford's school director, invited students to the roof terrace as an alternative to the popular student lounge. He commented 'this is a wonderful addition to our facilities - see you on the fourth floor at breaktime for an espresso between classes!'. Trevor and Christina, proprietors of the Organic Deli Roof Terrace, extended a warm welcome to all BSC students; English learners, international teachers and teachers-in-training all!
Bournemouth on Olympic Relay Route
In superstition Friday 13th is unlucky for some; but not for Bournemouth. Next year, on Friday 13th July 2012 Bournemouth will play host to the Olympic Torch as it takes its 70 day tour of the UK before arriving in London signifying the official start to the Olympic Games. Bournemouth Borough council are thrilled, Councillor Peter Charon said "..the Olympic Torch Relay will be greeted by the people of Bournemouth in breath-taking style". The council will host "celebratory" events in the evening for the public. The organisers of the route planned it to ensure that 95% of the population would be within a one hour journey of the torch. It seems a logical choice as a stop on the route because Bournemouth is close neighbours with Weymouth which will play host to the sailing events in the games. Full details of the Olympic Torch Relay will be announced in 2012, but you can be assured that BSC Bournemouth will be participating fully in the celebrations of this historic occasion.
Happy Birthday BSC Bournemouth!
What a difference a year makes! Last year British Study Centres Bournemouth opened with 4 students, this week the school boasts 122 students and we are still growing! With a move of location from Hanover House to Bristol and West House due to demand for classes the newest school to the British Study Centres portfolio is proving just as popular as our other more established schools. The ever increasing demand for classes in Bournemouth has seen a rise in classrooms from 12 to 14 year-round classrooms and an extra 4 summer classrooms made available for students this year. We like to thank all our agents for their continuing support and staff for making this year so memorable. If you would like to book a course for this summer, please check with the school for availability, bournemouth@british-study.com.
Students Celebrate Oxford Shop Opening!
Students at BSC Oxford were yesterday celebrating the opening of our new school shop. The shop on the fourth floor of Oxenford House (just opposite our new coffeeshop), which is open during breaks and after classes, sells all the things that our students want and need! With a comprehensive range of stationary items useful for classes such as pens and designer notebooks, students can also top-up their mobile phones, book social programme excursions, buy grammar and vocabulary books, dictionaries, city guides, BSC branded clothing, plug adaptors, Oxford souvenirs, footballs and much more!
The response to the shop opening has been incredible. Daumantas, who looks after the shop said 'I am amazed by the interest in our new shop, students come in just to browse but most leave with something. Yesterday a student popped in and walked out with an 'I Love Oxford' mug, which makes a fantastic gift for friends or family back home! The day before a student was on her way to a lesson, she popped her head around the door, saw a dictionary and said "That's just what I need". By the time she got to her lesson, she had a new dictionary to help her with her English.'
The new BSC Oxford shop - now open for business!
Organic Deli Now Serving Food and Drink at BSC
BSC Oxford is thrilled to announce the opening of our 4th floor coffee shop this morning, in partnership with Trevor and Christina from the Organic Deli. Trevor himself was here in person to make the first coffee - a cafe latte for school director, Niko Phillips.
Trevor described the ethos behind the Organic Deli: 'Our new coffee shop is truly green - we sell organic locally sourced produce in baguettes and sandwiches, and a range of organic and gluten free cakes, pastries and snacks.'
'To drink students can select from a range of 25 different different teas, as well as fairtrade coffees - whether it's a long slow latte with friends or a quick hit of espresso before class begins! All our drinks are served in 100% compostable cups which are made from recycled materials. We even have brand new compostable lids for our cups!'.
Niko Phillips went on to describe the changes afoot on the 4th floor of the building in Oxford: 'We are now offering a more complete service to our students with the opening of the coffee shop. This week we will also be opening our new student shop and information point, where students will be able to purchase useful items such as mobile phone top-up vouchers, plug adaptors, stationary, souvenirs, British Study Centres clothing and even footballs - watch this space!'.
Teacher Training - 100% CELTA Course Pass Rate
The March CELTA Course at British Study Centres Teacher Training, Oxford reaches a successful conclusion. After four weeks of hard work all seventeen candidates on the current CELTA passed the course with flying colours and will now be starting their careers as professional English Language teachers.
The CELTA course provides an initial training for people entering the profession and successful completion of the course has enabled many candidates to find their first teaching post, as it is a qualification highly regarded by employers.
It's hard work – no two ways about it, it can be stressful but it's always stimulating and well worth that glass of cava when it's all over!
Celebrity Adventurer Talks at 1st Annual General Meeting
The inaugural AGM for British Study Centres was a resounding success with staff members from all areas of the group meeting and exchanging ideas for the first time under one roof! Sessions included the launch of Bellbird, our amazing new online teaching resource facility headed up by Richard Turnbull and James Baker's and Roland Sharp's session about creating a customer service pledge.
The highlight of the day had to be celebrity adventurer Mark Beaumont's inspirational talk about his cycling challenge where he smashed the world record by 82 days for circumnavigating the globe by bike (the journey was shown in his documentary on BBC1 and explored in greater detail in his book). Mark demonstrated how mental endurance and rational choice are key to what he does. His session struck a chord with many as his book was a sought after prize in the giant raffle which saw signed copies given away along with bottles of wine, iPod Shuffles and even a digital camera.
The day was rounded off with a fantastic Hog Roast and drinks where everyone could let down their hair. Let's see if we can top such a successful day next year!
Due to Events in Middle East & North Africa
Due to the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa, British Study Centres would like to offer their continued support to the international students studying with us.
We are working with the Embassies to ensure that our students are supported throughout this time and that all due care and consideration is offered to those involved. We understand that there may be students with us that may require additional information with regards to their visa, course and accommodation and we will be working with these individuals to offer our services to the best of our ability.
We understand that students may be experiencing difficulties communicating with their family and friends at home and we would like make it known that these students are free to visit their student services team to fully utilise the telephones and internet access that we have, should they need any assistance with making contact.
Please be sure to inform your school of any appointments of planned visits to the Embassy, as we will require this information for our records.
BSC Teacher Training Oxford Grand Opening Event
Last Friday evening saw the official opening of our dedicated teacher training centre in Oxford.
The good and the great from the world of EFL were in attendance. People travelled from as far afield as Russia and Colombia to join us on the night, and we also welcomed representatives from France, Italy, Spain and Turkey.
Niko Phillips, Oxford School Director, was proud to introduce Marion Williams ex-President of IATEFL and published EFL author to cut the ribbon and officially 'open' the centre. Other speakers on the night included BSC Chairman Simon Cleaver, and Oxford Head of Teacher Training Steve Haysham who addressed an audience including representatives from OUP and Macmillan, as well as from a number of Oxford's language schools, colleges and universities. Also in attendance were this month's CELTA graduates, alongside a number of people currently undertaking our DELTA course under the tutelage of Mark Bartram. It was a pleasure to see novice teachers rubbing shoulders with their more experienced counterparts - we hope to welcome those CELTA graduates back to BSC TT when they too are ready to consider doing their DELTAs!
The night was a great success as ex-colleagues got re-acquainted and industry professionals networked, while a gypsy jazz band played in the background and waiters served champagne and canapés!
The evening ended with a prize raffle which one of our CELTA graduates, Sara Rawnsley, won. Sara won a meal for two at Jamie's Italian in Oxford, we expect Sara will take her boyfriend, Adam Hunt, along to the restaurant to celebrate the fact that he too also just completed his CELTA at BSC TT in Oxford!
Hotcourses Foundation Fund Raising Gala Dinner at the Houses of Parliament
On Thursday the 3rd of February 2011 British Study Centres took part in a gala dinner in the Members Dining Room at the House of Commons hosted by Baroness Morris of Yardley. Baroness Morris is one of the Hotcourses Foundation Trustees, along with Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and BSC's own Chairman, Simon Cleaver.
The dinner was attended by 150 people and Jonathan Dimbleby was a very erudite guest speaker. Sister Mary Owens, head of the Nyumbani HIV orphanage, came all the way from Kenya to attend the event and speak about the work being done in Kenya. It was really moving to hear directly how many children are being helped and understand the challenges ahead.
Since the event we have received some really wonderful feedback from guests who described the evening as 'inspiring', 'fascinating' and 'thought provoking' and everyone who attended seemed to be in agreement that the House of Commons is a really special venue.
The auction was a huge success with a massive total of £45,000 raised with a further large donations being given including a generous donation to cover the cost of the construction of the sports pitch for the orphanage High School which was one of the key aims for the evening.
Another highlight was the presentation of a cheque for £1,000, single-handedly raised by Georgia Nicklin, the daughter of British Study Centres' Group Accountant. Sixteen year old Georgia had raised the money by baking and selling cakes to friends and at her school over a six month period. Sister Mary was absolutely thrilled to receive Georgia's donation and wrote her a special letter of thanks on her return to Kenya.
So all in all the event was a great success and most importantly helped to raise awareness of the work that is being done for the children in Kenya and will hopefully have made a lot of new friends for Nyumbani UK & Hotcourses Foundation. A huge thanks to everyone who attended and thank you to everyone who continues to support everything we are trying to achieve.
BSC Bournemouth Accredited by the British Council
British Study Centres Bournemouth can now sit at the top table alongside BSC's other schools, (London, Oxford and Brighton) after receiving a glowing report in our recent British Council inspection. As with the other schools, Bournemouth received a point of excellence for the premises in the publishable statement which proves that as a group, British Study Centres is committed to providing the best environment for you to study in (please see the Bournemouth school photo tour here).
The team at BSC Bournemouth deserve great credit for all the effort and hard work they put in to making the school such a success and a pleasurable place to be! It was an outstanding achievement to receive this point of excellence having been open for less than six months!
BSC Bournemouth can now apply for an individual sponsor licence number and will be more visible worldwide - please check your local British Council office for further information.
Well done everybody!!!
Head Office: 2nd Floor, 37 Duke Street, London W1U 1LN Tel: +44 (0)207 487 9030 Fax: +44 (0)207 487 9051 Email: info@british-study.com
British Study Centres School of English is a member of British Study Centres Group, which, in addition to the Schools of English, consists of two vocational colleges: West London College and Hove College.
© 2009-2011 British Study Centres