Summer in London 2013 – The Highlights So Far…

Afternoon trip on the London Eye

July in London- typically 21 degrees with a little sunshine- but July 2013 has seen daily temperatures close to 30 degrees and not a cloud in the sky! This has had a tremendous impact on London- making us all as cheerful and smiley as we were last year at the Olympics. I wonder if we could win an award for Europe’s happiest city right now?

Stafford House London has also been having a fantastic summer- the number of our students getting excellent IELTS scores on their way to UK universities and foundation programmes has been the highlight academically. Nearly every IELTS student has had a success story to tell this month.

  

Seiga got a 5.5 in IELTS and is going to study at FoundatiONcampus London in September

Outside Thorpe Park

Socially, the activities programme has never been so popular- and the photos below certainly show how much fun has been had. Highlights have definitely been day trips to Oxford and the theme park, Thorpe Park, but the wonderful weather has also encouraged a record number of students to take part in our walking tour­ of Westminster and Buckingham Palace.

The Sunday trip to Oxford

Next month, students have even more to look forward to as we take them to the world-famous Notting Hill carnival. Music fans will be delighted to attend the Canary Wharf Jazz festival, and our students from South America will surely feel at home when London hosts “Carnaval del Pueblo“ ­- Europe's largest celebration of Latin American culture.

You can follow all the events and photographs from the London social programme on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaffordHouseLondon

Waiting for the Royal Baby in Brighton

Currently the UK is experiencing some of the best summer weather in over 230 years. Its a great time of the year to come over to study English in Brighton, London or Canterbury.  Brighton is fortunately located to benefit from cooling sea breezes and our students can be found most afternoons enjoying the beaches and swimming in the refreshing waters of the English Channel. But the real hot topic is not the balmy weather it is babies!

Brighton Beach

Will it be a boy or a girl? Royal babies are the topic of conversation in the UK this week. The Duchess of Cambridge lovingly known as Kate is about to give birth to a royal prince or princess! Britain will have an heir to the throne.   Street parties are being planned to celebrate the arrival of the new baby. In Brighton at Stafford House we will be organising a special Brighton Beach BBQ to welcome our future King or Queen. Kate decided with Prince William to not ask the gender of the baby. They wanted to keep it a surprise for themselves and the world.  Many names have been suggested for the new royal baby: George seems to be a popular choice if it is a boy and Edwina a possibility for a princess.

The Laines in Brighton

The UK is expecting a great boost to the economy when the baby is born. In the shops in Brighton’s fashionable Laines we will see many beautiful souvenir gifts to commemorate this happy event.

Prince William the soon to be proud father is planning on being very involved with the upbringing of the royal baby. He has always enjoyed a close relationship with his own father Prince Charles and will want the same for his child. The UK changes and evolves but the royal family remains forever popular.  Stafford House shares the excitement of this historic birth!

A Sketch of the Stafford House London teachers… Archetypes and stereotypes (just a bit of fun!)

Here are some images and associations people make with some of the teachers at Stafford House London.

Peter is “The IELTS Wizard”

Take a look at Gandalf:

Now take a look at Peter:

See any similarities? Well Peter also has the ability to make IELTS classes FUN! Now that is magical!

Sarah is “Little Miss Sunshine”

Frequently described as “a ray of sunshine” and  “one of the most positive people I have met” and “an inspiring natural teacher”. Sarah knows that happy students learn better!

We don’t often get a lot of this:

…so it’s great to have a teacher who makes you feel the sun is always shining!

John is “The Actor”

John is one of the few members of our team actually born in London, and his dramatic leanings make him and excellent pronunciation teacher.

John likes to take centre stage, but he also likes pushing his students into the limelight and helping them to improve their performance.

Sean is “The King of Comedy”

Sean loves teaching but he also has a real passion for stand-up comedy.  Sometimes he manages to combine the two!

After classes Sean can be seen performing or being the compere at comedy nights across the capital. Sean knows that laughing when you are learning makes the lesson memorable!

These are just 4 of the teaching team at Stafford HouseLondon. If you have any memories or sketches of other teachers on the team- leave a comment below!