tlg times issue 2

T I M E S

London Birmingham Manchester Toronto Hannover www.TheLanguageGallery.com

ISSUE 2 APRIL 2014

FOOD &COOKERY EASTERMUSIC

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3. A WORD FROM THE TEAM

4. VOX POP

8. FOOD & COOKERY

6. MUSIC

14. TLG AROUND THE WORLD

CONTENT S

13. EASTER

Easter Music

Lazy Dumplings Student Articles

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Welcome to the April edition of TLG Times!

We have had so many brilliant responses and student contributions following last month’s newsletter; this issue is packed with your writing on cookery, music and Easter! This month, students in Canada enjoyed a traditional Easter egg hunt and some Birmingham students got the chance to go to an Aston Villa football match! TLG Around The World is focusing on the Birmingham campus this time, so read on to find out all about the city’s hidden treasures – did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice? It’s true!

Well done to all the students and staff who have helped fill TLG Times’ pages with fun pictures and articles – we love to read your work! If your article wasn’t included this time, don’t be disheartened we may pick yours next time! If you would like to send us an article, drawing or photo please get in touch at [email protected]. Next month’s topics are travel, theatre and Cinqo de Mayo. We welcome all contributions. Don’t be shy – get in touch!

A W O R D F R O M T H E E D I T O R

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VOX POP

Easter Music

“In my country, we do celebrate Easter. During this time we normally try to spend time with our family, stay calm and relax, because it is a time for reflection.”

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We do not traditionally celebrate Easter in Korea, only those who are Catholics do. Most Koreans do not know what Easter is.

– Sukmin Jo from South Korea

Yes, we celebrate Easter. We normally go to church to pray and also we cook special food with our family. We can only eat fish on Friday.

– Lorena & Grace from Panama

In Russia we usually celebrate this holiday in church. It is a sort of family holiday. This year I will be in Israel to celebrate it.

– Lyudmila from Russia

In Thailand we do not celebrate Easter, it is probably a more important time of year for Christians.

– Phatharamat from Thailand

In Colombia we celebrate Easter with our family and I normally travel with my friends during this holiday.

– Jonatan from Colombia

In my country, we do celebrate Easter. During this time we normally try to spend time with our family, stay calm and relax, because it is a time for reflection.

– Stefanie from Panama

We celebrate Easter with a special lunch on Sunday with the whole family.

– Claudia from Brazil

My favourite music is Hard Rock, particularly Guns n’ Roses and SkidRow. I love Rock, but I do not know why, I just love it!

– Sukmin Jo from South Korea

We love One Direction, because they are really handsome!

– Sawapol & Phatharaporn from Thailand

I like Jazz music because when I listen to it, I can relax and it makes me feel comfortable.

– Hae Jin Kim from South Korea

I don’t have one specific favourite band, but I really like music from Brazil. It is like country music. I like music from the 80’s too.

– Claudia from Brazil

Bodyslam is my favourite band. I have liked them since I was 7 years old. Bodyslam is a rock band. All of the songs are about life and love - that is why I like this band.

– Pongpipat Kanopthammakul from Thailand

My favourite musician is Jesus Adrian Romero from Mexico. He has nine albums. My favourite song is Sublime Poetry. I like this musician because his songs are about love and spiritual life.

– Jose Mendieta from Mexico

EASTER MUSICWhat is your favourite music/band?Do you celebrate Easter in your country?

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MUSIC

THE OFFSPRING

I would like tell you about a band from the USA, specifically Orange County, California, which I had not known anything about until 2001. When I was 14 years old, I heard their song called ‘Pretty Fly (for a White Guy).’

Honestly, at first I didn’t like this kind of music for two reasons - firstly I couldn’t understand anything because I didn’t speak any English and secondly, I was born in a Latin country, Venezuela, so I grew up listening to salsa, merengue and other Caribbean rhythms. Nowadays it is very different for teenagers in Latin America as they learn more western styles of music.

The question is, why did I like this song? The rhythm is unique for me and their songs are full of energy. My next step was finding the album ‘Americana’. ‘The Offspring’ is a band of Punk Rock, their first album was in 1996 – ‘Blackball/ I’ll be Waiting.’ My favorite song ‘Pretty

Fly (for a White Guy)’, is on the album ‘Americana’ in 1998. I’d recommend ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’ and, ‘She’s Got Issues’ from the same album.

They have 9 albums, altogether. You can find good music but if you want to hear their best songs, they have also 3 compilation albums. I would recommend their “Greatest Hits”. They are working on a new album which is due to be released this year.

– Yhoan Benavides Arcia from Venezuela

THE SCRIPT

I would like to talk about ‘The Script’ which is my favourite band. The Script is an Irish rock band from Dublin. The band formed in 2001 and is based in London. The Script has three members. The first is Danny O’Donoghue, who is the lead vocalist. He also plays keyboard and guitar. The second is Mark Sheehan who plays guitar and sings backing vocals, and the last one is Glen Power

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who is the drummer and backing singer. They released their first album in 2008. Their hit singles are ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ and ‘Breakeven’. This album peaked in the UK. Their second album is ‘Science & Faith’ and the hit single is ‘For the First Time’. This album peaked at number one in the UK as well as their first album. Their third album also went to number one and the hit song is ‘Hall Of Fame’. Danny O’Donoghue who is the lead vocalist was also a coach on ‘The Voice UK’.

I can’t remember when I listened to them for the first time. However, ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ made me interested in this band and I started to find their other songs. I really like to listen to the guitar and keyboard. The music is a wonderful. I remembered the rhythm after I listened to them for the first time. ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ was my first favorite song but later ‘For the First Time’ became my favourite. ‘For The First Time’ is about a man who has never given up and tries

to do everything for his lover. I like their song and their music video.

All of The Script’s singles are interesting; I look forward to their new singles soon.

– Onanong Tantiseree from Thailand

JAMIROQUAI

My favorite band is Jamiroquai. They are from England and they have been together since 1992. Their music has been influenced by different genres such as Funk, Jazz-Funk, Acid Jazz, Pop, R n’ B, Soul, Dance, Electronic, Disco and Reggae. Jamiroquai has won four major music awards and a Grammy Award in 1998 and sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. My favourite song is ‘Seven Days in Sunny June’. It’s cool! I like this band because I think Jay Kay, who is the lead singer, is a musical genius. I really recommend this band.

– Claudia Vargas from TLG London

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FOOD & COOKERY

Lazy Dumplings

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LAZY DUMPLINGS A SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS BREAKFASTWhat is the most important thing to do in the morning? It is to have a hearty breakfast and feed your family.

Some people do not have time to cook breakfast, but if you have children, you have to make sure that you do not buy unhealthy food or go hungry until lunch time. In this case, you do not need to cook something complicated. All you need is a quick and easy recipe that will help you out, not only in the morning, but in other emergency situations. Sandwiches or scrambled eggs are not enough in such situations, because breakfast should not only be delicious, but also varied and nutritious.

The dish which is the answer to the question of what to have for breakfast is lazy dumplings, which can literally be cooked in 20 minutes. While boiling some water in a saucepan, you have time to mix the simple ingredients and cut the dough into small pieces. Lazy dumplings in the morning are a real treat for those with a sweet tooth and not worried about indulging themselves with a few calories. These dumplings are the perfect thing for “lazy” housewives who want to give their families a quick, easy, nutritious morning meal.

Dumplings are a Slavic dish that are widespread in the Ukraine and consist of boiled, unleavened dough stuffed with minced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits and berries or cottage cheese. They are quite similar to the meat dumplings or manti of Russia and Kazakhstan, the dumplings of Chinese cuisine and Italian ravioli. The main difference between these dishes is the fillings and the outer shape of dumplings. However, lazy dumplings are usually made without a filling and served with a sweet gravy or jam.

Here is a simple quick and tasty recipe for lazy dumplings:

To cook lazy dumplings you will need cottage cheese, 2 eggs and 1 cup of flour, sugar and salt.

Mix all these ingredients together and knead them well into a soft, even dough.

Make the dough like a long sausage and cut it into small pieces, dipping it well in the flour. If you like you can make it in the form of balls.

Lower the dumplings into slightly salted boiling water. Cook for 4–5 minutes until they float.

Serve the dumplings with sour cream or jam, and a small knob of butter.

– Assem Diyarova

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RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH: ZOUK

This is my feedback about “Zouk” restaurant where I had one of the tastiest meals that I have ever had. It is an Indian restautant, so most of the main dishes are Indian as well. I went there about five times, so I think I have enough experience about what they serve. They have delicious chicken rice called Chicken Biriyani. They also have a tasty and spicy well-cooked chicken with vegetables called Chicken Jalfrezi. The most amazing dish I had was Butter Chicken. It is small pieces of chicken with a sweet sauce. The only disadvantage of Zouk is that they don’t have another branch around Manchester. I recommend this restaurant. You should try it - it is worth it!

– Adulrahman Alsulaiym from Saudi Arabia

HOW TO COOK SANCOCHO

Ingredients:

Hot water, Chicken, Salt, Oregano, Chicken stock, Coriander, Sweet potatoes

Firstly, put the chicken inside the sauce pan with water, salt and some chicken stock, depending on the quantity.

Then, cut up the sweet potatoes while the saucepan beings to boil and in another sauce pan, start to cook the rice.

After that, when the water is boiling, put the sweet potatoes and the coriander in and wait until the sweet potatoes become soft.

Finally, when the sweet potatoes are soft and the soup is thickened, put the oregano and finish cooking the rice.

– Raul Eliecer Cerrud Fernandez from Panama

Student Articles

FOOD & COOKERY

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HOW TO COOK BULGOGI

First of all, prepare the ingredients.

The ingredients are: beef, salt and pepper, onions, leeks, garlic, red peppers, mushrooms, lettuce, carrots, ginger, courgettes, soybean sauce and oil.

Second, cut up the beef and the vegetables.

Third, mix up the beef, salt, red peppers, black pepper, ground garlic, ginger and oil.

Fourth, leave for 15 minutes so it properly marinates.

Fifth, mix the mixed beef and all vegetables

Sixth, prepare the grill and frying pan at a temperature of 180oC

Finally, drop the mixtures into frying pan and bake until the beef is browned

– Gyoubum Kwon from Korea

HOW TO COOK MY FAVOURITE DISH

First, to prepare this meal you should bring rice, chicken, vegetables, salt and oil. First of all, you cook the rice separately and also the vegetables. Then bring a big plate, mix the rice with the vegetables properly. Then add salt with spices. After that, knead the bread and cover the meal with it and put it inside the oven for forty minutes. Cook it at 150° and it will be the best and most delicious in the world.

– Khalid Alkahtani from Saudi Arabia

HOW TO COOK PHAD-THAI

One of my favourite Thai foods is named Phad-Thai. It is very popular in Thailand and many foreigners usually order it because it is not quite so spicy. It is grilled noodles with shrimp or any meat that you want to eat, mixed with a secret sauce makes this food different from other foods. Thai people usually

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put grilled noodles and meat in a thin omelette that covers it. Serve it with vegetables and many side dishes such as sugar, sliced lime or paprika to make the individual taste that you like.

– Pichchaya Phuangsiri from Thailand

FAMOUS FOOD IN FRANCE

Christmas time could be called ‘Foie Gras Time’ in France. This is the most famous food in December, but to enjoy the dish, please don’t ask how it is made!

It is delicious with French white wine and bread, but of course, the best way to appreciate it is by sharing it with family!

– Jonathan Tremoulet from France

THE FOOD I MISS THE MOST

In my country there are many delicious foods. Now I am writing about the food I miss the most.

I really miss rice with chicken and a lot of vegetables. I think that it is the most famous food in Panama. The people in my country are very creative with cooking. The most important thing is cooking with a lot of motivation, enthusiasm and dedication.

I can also tell you about other popular dishes in my country, such as tamales. Tamales are prepared with cream of corn and many vegetables. It is really delicious according to all Panamanian people.

– Ruth Morales from Panama

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EASTERAN EASTER EGG HUNT AT THE LANGUAGE GALLERY!

In countries all around the world Easter is celebrated with an Easter Egg hunt. An Easter Egg hunt is a game during which decorated eggs, usually chocolate eggs of various sizes, are hidden in various places for children to find. The game may be both indoors and outdoors. When the hunt is over, prizes may also be given out for various achievements, such as the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, for the most eggs of a specific colour etc.

To celebrate Easter this year, The Language Gallery Toronto participated in a whole school Easter Egg hunt! Before doing so, students learnt and used the language to describe the location of objects or places in conversation class. Some students hid an Easter Egg somewhere in the school, then wrote the directions for another student to find it. Prizes were also given out to students throughout the afternoon.

All in all, students had a great time using the language they learnt in class to participate in a cultural activity.

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BIRMINGHAM UK – MORE THAN THE 2ND CITY….

London is the most famous city in England, and, with 8 million people, easily the most populated. The capital’s sights and sounds are recognised all over the world and the contrast between London and the countryside of England is also acknowledged, but what about England’s second most famous city?

Birmingham has emerged as a thriving and diverse city in the geographical heart of England. With its roots firmly in a proud industrial history, “the first manufacturing town in the world” boasts many names and inventions from the forefront of the industrial revolution and beyond. Today, while acknowledging its past, Birmingham has its sights set positively on the future and the city has seen and continues to see, dramatic changes to the landscape, culture and industry.

Visitors to Birmingham may well arrive on the train, and will be met by a bustling and busy station, the biggest outside the capital. It is currently undergoing a huge refurbishment which is due for completion in 2015. It looks set to be a fantastic and impressive asset to the city.

Preceding the railways, and to aid in the transportation of goods, Birmingham enjoyed the use of a huge canal system. Although no longer used for industry, the canals form a beautiful and interesting network in the city and beyond. The often quoted statistic of Birmingham having more canals than Venice is surprising but true! (Although Birmingham is also far larger than Venice) Nowadays the Canals are home

to dog walkers and joggers, commuters and holidaymakers, and a host of canal-side entertainment.

Visitors to Birmingham can enjoy a multitude of attractions, either in the city or nearby. Various zoos, parks, museums, safari parks, theme parks, theatres and cinemas are all readily accessible, not to mention the surrounding beauty of the Clent Hills, The Malvern Hills and the countryside of Warwickshire and Worcestershire, which are surprisingly close and well connected for a town built on industry and manufacturing.

With more than 10 theatres, several cinemas (including the oldest one in the country), the world renowned Symphony hall, and hundreds of music venues and art galleries, Birmingham really is a cultural paradise. If that isn’t your scene, it also boasts some of the best shopping in the country, from the gigantic Bull Ring Centre, to the quirky and diverse outdoor markets.

The 571 parks in the city area are proof of the fact that Birmingham is an incredibly green city, contrary to what many believe. Students staying in Birmingham really do have a fantastic opportunity to experience both city and country living, within a friendly, interesting and multi ethnic population.

Here at The Language Gallery we aim to assist all our students in getting the most out of the city and regular social events are just one of the ways in which we do this. Recent trips include an evening at a dog racing stadium, taking part in a football tournament and even joining part of Birmingham’s Scottish community for a Burns Night restaurant meal of haggis.

TLG AROUND THE WORLD

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Although the English department has a real mix of teachers from near and far, we do have local representation too (his name is Jai), and he recently organised a trip to see his beloved football team, Aston Villa, in a Premier League match against Fulham. Aston Villa has a long history, and has played at the current stadium in the north of the city since 1897. A large group of students went to the match.

A great day out was had by all, although “the Villa” were beaten 3-0. A further trip to a match will take place later this month, and Jai is praying for a win, if only to silence the ridicule from other teachers and staff!

If you’re ever in Birmingham do come and visit us at The Language Gallery – we’re sure you’ll love it!

“I really like watching football matches, so the best thing ever was attending the stadium and seeing the match from the terraces.” – Suraj Elmhaidi from Libya.

“It was so fantastic to share the experience with my classmates there and I ate a tasty pie at half time!” – Felix Jose Aizpurua from Panama.

“It was very interesting! I found great fans who encouraged me to support Villa even though it was the first time for me. It was great to make friends and speak English all the time.” – Tariq Alali from Saudia Arabia.

tlg times issue 2

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