T I M E S

Issue 3 Autumn 2014

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLDTRAVEL

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4. INTRODUCTION

5. VOX POP Why do you like to travel?

7. TLG NEWS

9. TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOLIDAYS

CONTENTS

12. REVIEWS

13. TLG AROUND THE WORLD

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Dear students,

Welcome to the re-launched TLG Times!

You’ll be receiving this magazine every three months, so you’ll know what’s happening in other campuses and what your fellow students are up to.

As the summer has just ended, this issue focuses on holidays. Our students from all over the world have sent in their stories for you to read, as well as reviews and pictures.

If you’d like to write for the magazine or have any feedback for us, email: Newsletter@TheLanguageGallery.com.

Good luck with your courses – we wish you all the best!

Kind regards,

Elena RoginskyTLG Managing Director

INTRODUCTION

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VOX POP“Travelling can help me relax and find new things I have never tried before.”

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Travelling can help me relax and find new things I have never tried before.

– Nut, Thailand (TLG London)

I love meeting new people and discovering different cultures.

– Jonatan, Colombia (TLG London)

I like to travel because when I travel, it gives me food for thought!

– Mohammed, Saudi Arabia (TLG London)

I like travelling a lot because I love to explore new places and their culture.

– Maria, Italy (TLG London)

I love to discover new places and cultures, and most of all new gastronomy.

– Anonymous (TLG London)

WHY DO YOULIKE TO TRAVEL?

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TLG

NEW OFFER FOR ALL TLG STUDENTS

InterActive, an organisation providing online courses, has partnered with The Language Gallery to offer an exclusive discount for TLG students.

All current TLG students can now get 50% off tuition fees on any of LSBF’s online certificates. Some examples of these courses include degrees in finance, digital media, and hospitality.

Check out the full list here: http://www.studyinteractive.org/programmes/executive/

Courses from eCornell are not included.

UNIVERSITY PATHWAYS PROGRAM AT TLG TORONTO

The University Pathways Program at our campus in Toronto is a fantastic opportunity for our TLG students. They can prepare for their academic life in an English-speaking environment with our partner universities and colleges across Canada.

Over the last few months, these academic partners have delivered talks and presentations at TLG. They have shared valuable information about student life, the international student community, and the programs they offer.

Through our University Pathway Program, students will be

able to enroll with these institutions after completing English language requirements with The Language Gallery.

To find out more about our current pathway partners, contact our University Pathway Advisor at Pathways@ TheLanguageGallery.com

ASTON VILLA ITALIAN SPECIAL FOR TLG STUDENTS

A party of nine from TLG Birmingham attended the pre-season friendly game of Aston Villa vs Parma on Saturday August 9th.

Students from Colombia, Bolivia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia went with acting Assistant Director Jaishanker

NEWS

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Hill and his son. The students were impressed by the stadium and enjoyed being together, even if the match was a bit slow. Diego, a mature English student from Columbia, was so impressed that he has now become an Aston Villa fan.

The players included footballers from the World Cup in Brazil and the star of Holland’s campaign, Villa Captain Ron Vlaar.

TLG Birmingham runs regular trips to Aston Villa matches.

SUMMER CELEBRATIONS AT TLG TORONTO

Students at The Language Gallery in Toronto had a very eventful few weeks enjoying social activities and

basking in the sun during summer.

They had picnics at Toronto Island, visited the Zoo, and watched a Blue Jays Game. For some, it was their first time seeing an official Major League Baseball game in a stadium.

One of the most highly anticipated and popular events for the summer was a boat cruise party. Students were able to indulge in the breath-taking views of Toronto’s skyline and dance the night away.

All of these activities are part of TLG Toronto’s Social Program, which aims to improve the student experience and help our students strengthen their English skills through conversation in an informal environment.

FEDERICA MEETS BBC SPORTS EDITOR

Federica, who worked as a journalist in Italy before studying with TLG, visited BBC Birmingham at the Mail Box. Federica told us that she was a journalist when she started her course, and this studio tour was arranged especially for her.

She had a fantastic private tour of the studios with sports editor and radio commentator, Dan Johnson. Federica met a host of fellow journalists and had the opportunity to read the news live on camera!

Big thanks go to Dan Johnson of the BBC for giving Federica the tour.

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People usually travel for pleasure to certain places that have recognisable landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Opera House in Sydney or the Statue of Liberty in New York. It could sometimes be for work, or for educational purposes.

For me, it has always been for educational purposes. However, my last stay was slightly different due to the fact that it wasn’t only educational but also experimental, and it included some fun and happy times. For the very first time, I travelled alone to Istanbul, Turkey, and then all the way to Manchester in the UK.

Before I arrived, I didn’t expect or imagine most of the things I’ve seen, starting with public transport. Also before I went to the UK, I never used cards to make payments; I always carried lots of cash. The list is too long, but the point is, almost everything was new for me. Moreover, I had the chance to meet people from approximately 20 different countries.

In the UK people are very friendly. The nice smile on their faces when you glance at them, expecting a frown as it is common in the Middle East, is

probably the best thing about them.

I got lost three or four times during my first week in the UK. The buildings were all the same to me, but that similarity and the different attitudes of people are the reasons why me and people like me escape. This is where one can taste what used to be bland. It is the turning point of so many things.

To sum up, travelling to the UK took me out of my comfort zone, but taught me some important life lessons. I learned that there is no such thing as losing. You either win or learn from your mistakes, and the choice is always easy.

– Kozhin O. Ismael, TLG Manchester

With gorgeous views, exhilarating boat cruises and tons of attractions, Niagara Falls is definitely worth a visit!

Toronto is the largest city in Canada, and one of the most multicultural cities in the world. There are lots of attractive points, but I would like to share one awesome place you only find here.

Niagara Falls is a natural wonder of the world and the second widest falls on earth. It is a magical place where the strong rhythmic noise of water falling from a height blends with the colours of a rainbow, usually formed above the body of water during daytime.

This gives you the unprecedented experience of “never felt before” sights and sounds. While standing on one of the waist-high walls above the fall, I stared mesmerized at the water as my mind went on a journey of its own. I was imagining how the first person who set foot on this land 12,000 years ago might have reacted to this “out of this world” natural beauty.

The falls are located on the Niagara River, less than a two hour drive from Toronto. The river is partly in Canada and partly in the USA, so you can access it from either side of the border.

Everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime!

– Helena Kim, TLG Toronto

TELL US ABOUTYOUR HOLIDAYS

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Last weekend I went to Edinburgh, Scotland, because everyone had told me good things about it.

I didn’t have long, only one day to enjoy it. My trip started after some beers with classmates and teachers at a pub in the city centre. I took my coach around 1am and got there around 7am. I went with my girlfriend.

It was too early to visit the castle museum, but we’d already planned everything. The first place we visited was called ‘Calton Hill’; it is a hill in the central area. There are a lot of monuments to see there. From the top of the hill we could enjoy a very nice view of the city.

The second place we visited was the St Mary’s Cathedral. It is a very nice church, like many others in Europe. After that we went to the most famous place there, the Edinburgh Castle. We spent a few hours there because there are a lot of areas to visit inside the castle.

It was around 2pm when we left. Then we were walking on the street to go to the National Museum when we saw a music presentation. They were playing

the famous bagpipes from Scotland but the funniest thing was after that first group, there was a Brazilian group dancing and wearing carnival clothes. I was staring at them, because it was very cold and the people were almost nude on the street. It was hilarious to find a carnival presentation so far away from Brazil.

After that we went to the National Museum and the Gallery. Over the whole day we’d visited other smaller and not so famous places, but very interesting as well. We enjoyed Edinburgh so much. I think it is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to.

– João Roberto Camzano Junior, TLG Manchester

Last April I had a very exciting holiday. I went to Wales for three days to stay with my family. I travelled by car. I went to Conway, where I saw some beautiful mountains and beautiful views. I went on a boat and I went fishing in the sea. I enjoyed the holiday very much indeed, but I didn’t go to Cardiff because unfortunately my

sister was sick. Next time I want to go Italy with my family.

– Saitharn Phukhung, TLG Manchester

People go on holidays to enjoy life. I went this summer to Ederle with some mates. It is a good holiday place. We spent most our time in the sea and playing tennis. At night we used to go almost every day to a beautiful place near to the main venue, where there were many clubs where we met more people. That’s why we only slept for a few hours, but that was not a big problem. I think that when you are with your friends, the only thing you want is have a good time and make memories.

– Onur, TLG London

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THE WINNER STANDS ALONE, BY PAULO COELHO

The Winner Stands Alone is a book written by Paulo Coelho, one of the most famous Brazilian authors abroad. The book is set in the exciting world of fashion and cinema during the Cannes Film Festival.

The book is about Igor, a Russian man who is very successful in his career. Igor is left by his wife Eva, who gets married to a famous movie director and moves on with her life without him. Igor does not accept this, and tells her that he would destroy the world to have her back.

Paulo Coelho is a great author who always comes up with subjects which make us think about life. In this book he shows how life can be superficial depending on the way we see it, and how sometimes, it is important to put aside money and fame. Instead, you should take care of you, your personal life, and give more attention to the people around you and what you can do better in your life.

– Carolina Gomes Miranda, TLG Toronto

BLINDNESS, BY JOSE SARAMAGO

In this book, Saramago poses reflections about life to the reader using one of our biggest fears: being blind.

The novel is about an epidemic that makes every person in the world blind.

It follows the experiences of the central characters in an overcrowded asylum, where they and other blind people have been quarantined.

After escaping the asylum, the group reaches the streets and realises that society was destroyed because of this epidemic. Just one woman with vision is left to register all the horror that happens in this dark world.

It’s a great novel that challenges us to think about the consequences of losing one of our five senses and trying to survive in a destroyed civilization.

– Leandro Monteiro, TLG Toronto

THE BIG BANG THEORY

My favourite TV show is undoubtedly The Big Bang Theory.

This show is amazing, not only because of the hilarious jokes but because it is also something totally different to other comedy series. It’s a kind of smart humour that is hard to find. For those that don’t know about it, I strongly recommend you watch it as soon as possible.

The story is about some nerds and a beautiful girl, and how they became friends even with totally opposite ideas.

I cannot wait to see the eighth season, which is going to start in September.

– Amanda Rocha, TLG Toronto

REVIEWS

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TLG AROUND THE WORLD Manchester

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Manchester is one of the most famous cities in Europe. This is partly due to its popular music scene, which has brought the world such artists as Oasis, The Smiths, Take That, The Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses.

Another reason for Manchester’s global recognition is due to the highly emotive topic that is football. The city, which was once dominated by the red of Manchester United, now has an additional force competing at the highest stages of Europe: the blue of Manchester City. In fact, the Barclay’s Premier League trophy has not left Manchester since 2010, which has seen both teams pass the highest prize in English football back and forth for the past four years. This dominance in football is a major factor for many people to come and live in the city. So, with this in mind, we decided to organise a social programme trip to the biggest club stadium in England and home to the most successful English club, the 76,000-seater Old Trafford Stadium.

A great day was had by all, starting with a quick photo just outside the stadium. For a lot of students this was an amazing experience. One commented that he had always wanted to go to the Old Trafford stadium, but had thought that the closest he would ever come was watching it on television at home – and now there he was!

After this, we collected our passes and had a quick walk around the Manchester United museum whilst waiting for our stadium tour guide. The vast number of trophies in the trophy room was the main attraction and talking point amongst the students, including the famous treble win in 1999.

When we had finished in the museum we were met by our very pleasant tour guide, Dave. He showed us around and shared with us his great knowledge about the stadium. We were treated to further tours of the press conference room, players’ lounge room and the very highly anticipated players’ changing rooms. The students loved it and found it interesting to be able to see where their footballing heroes get ready before they go out onto the field.

The tour ended with the opportunity for students to try on football kits from players past and present. Match-worn shirts from the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Peter Schmeichel were amongst the favourites. Others preferred to try on the football boots of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, or the gloves of Edwin Van Der Sar.

With a great day behind us, we all just hope that Manchester United can do as well on the pitch next season as they did off the pitch, showing us around their magnificent stadium!

©2014 The Language Gallery. All rights reserved. The Language Gallery Times, Issue 3  –  Autumn 2014.

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