Stafford House School of English Nationality Statistics - November 2014

 

A healthy nationality mix is key to students progression in English language and at Stafford House we are proud of the wide nationality mix across all our centres.

London

 

The widest nationality mix occurred at our London centre with 37 different nationalities taught across November. Top nationalities during this month were:

Brighton

 


Brighton has welcomed students from 18 different nationalities. Top nationalities this month were:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canterbury

 

Stafford House School of English Canterbury had students of 26 different nationalities during the month of November. Top 10 nationalities during this month were:

 

 

 

 

 

Boston

Our Boston centre saw 36 different nationalities taught across November. Top nationalities this month were:

 

 

Merry Christmas in Brighton

The importance of the social programme within a language school is not to be underestimated. A varied, interesting and unique programme can provide the perfect opportunity for students to not only make new acquaintances but also allow them to have a far better understanding of a particular place. One way we try and keep the social programme at Brighton varied is by adapting it to the particular seasonal offerings that Brighton has. By doing this we can provide wide-ranging opportunities for our students to practise their English, share our culture and hopefully help them create some fantastic memories.

 

We started off Advent in Stafford House Brighton by decorating the school in the traditional way. We have a beautiful tree in our student lounge as well as one which greets our visitors in the reception area. Our tree in reception has a particularly unique and interesting angel gracing the top of it and I would highly recommend a visit to our Facebook page in order to take a look. You won’t be disappointed!!


Other activities that have been added to the programme during this festive period are ice skating at the stunning temporary ice rink at the Royal Pavilion, a Christmas food party and classical Christmas movies such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Love Actually". We will finish the term by getting our students together to visit the Brighton Christmas Markets where there is the chance to buy some truly splendid and varied gifts before they head off for a well-earned two week holiday. As well as adapting the programme each month we will keep some of our more popular activities year round such as conversation club at a local café, visits to dog racing and of course the Pizza Party.

 

I will often say to new students that to get the most out of their experience in Brighton they must throw themselves at as many of the opportunities that are available as they can. The learning opportunities outside the classroom are hugely positive and the potential to build friendships and memories that last a life time are endless.

 

Merry Christmas!!!

Daniel Layzell, Leisure Coordinator – Stafford House Brighton

Happy Thanksgiving from Boston!!!

When the first European settlers arrived in Massachusetts in 1620s, their fate was uncertain.  They were far from their homes with little knowledge of how to support themselves in this new, foreign country.  Luckily, some of the locals befriended them and helped them to learn how to survive in America.  Surprised at having survived their first year, the settlers decided to celebrate by having a feast and by inviting their local, friends who helped them.  Since then, Americans have been celebrating Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of each November by getting together with their loved ones to feast and being thankful for each good year.

This year, the Students & Faculty of Stafford House Boston, have kept America’s most gluttonous tradition alive by having a potluck party of our own. With each student bringing in a dish from their home country, we had the most diverse food fiesta imaginable; falafel, curry, caprese, baklava, pizza, dumplings, okonomiyaki, eggrolls and on and on. If you can name it, then we ate too much of it.

 

Nearly 400 years after the origin of Thanksgiving, foreigners are still coming to Massachusetts. In the meantime Stafford House Boston is striving to make that first year more comfortable for our students. While a lot has changed since then, we are still very thankful for each good year, for the chance to build relationships with our students and for the exciting, international environment that we work in.

 

Happy Thanksgiving from Boston!!!
 

By Aaron Sisson - Center Director Stafford House Boston