British Study Centres News July - December 2011

Chinese English Teachers At British Study Centres Oxford

A Great Success! Chinese Teacher Training Group Loved Their Experience At BSC Oxford

By Niko Phillips, 19 December 2011

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!'.

Louise with her DELTA Certificate

Congratulations! Bournemouth Teacher Passes Diploma

By Vania Roper, 29 September 2011

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!

By Vania Roper, 28 July 2011

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!

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

Roof Terrace in BSC Oxford

BSC Oxford Roof Terrace Now Open

By Niko Phillips, 12 July 2011

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!