Staff at Embassy

Recent news from our Embassy schools

Here is a round-up of news from our various schools around the world. As you can see, there is a lot going on!

• A major project is currently underway to refurbish the library at Embassy Cambridge, and also revitalise some of the classrooms.
• After a year of testing and development, Smart Express classes started last week in New York, Boston, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Cambridge. Will you be on the next Smart Express course? 
• We have lots of special offers on Embassy courses and accommodation at the moment - you can get a bargain if you can be flexible on dates! 
• At Boston Merrimack, students participated in the College's Global Village - an annual event in which students showcase their country’s culture, traditions, clothing, music, and food. We had 12 countries including: Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, China, Japan, France, Spain, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, El Salvador..., & Brazil. Students took great pride in presenting their countries to the campus community.
• Recently, in Seattle, students headed to the trendy Queen Anne Neighborhood for an “Amazing Race” competition. Working in groups of three, students were given a list of tasks to perform and questions to answer in a period of two hours. They had a great time learning and exploring Seattle alongside their classmates!
• 10 new interactive whiteboards have been installed at Embassy Melbourne, meaning every classroom in that school now has access to this fab technology.
• Embassy Brisbane has a new student residence:  it's just seven minutes from school by bus; has inclusive broadband internet and utilities; and best of all there's a great social community.
• Meanwhile, Brisbane students have enjoyed trips to farmers markets, a table tennis tournament, a pizza & board games day & a sausage sizzle. OK, who knows what a sausage sizzle is? ;)
  
• Embassy Perth has a new Director of Studies - Andrew Foster. Andrew joins us after working for over 10 years with GEOS, and more recently as Senior Director of Studies for GEOS Oceania, where he was responsible for the academic management of 11 schools. He has worked as an English Language Teacher, a Teacher Traine...r and as Director of Studies in Australia, Japan, England and New Zealand.
• On Sunday 14 March, 12 teachers and staff from the Auckland campus took part in the annual Round the Bays fun run in aid of the Study Group ‘Plan Haiti Appeal’. Students and staff managed to raise $624.90 for the Plan Haiti Appeal. This amount will be matched by Study Group, so Auckland will be contributing almost $1,250!
• Embassy Sydney now offers 3-day trips for activities such as surfing camps, snowboarding weekends and tours to Melbourne and Canberra.
  

A new way of learning English

Embassy is buzzing with excitement at the new and exciting ways of learning that have come into our classrooms!

Over the last few months, all Embassy schools have installed an amazing piece of technology.

An old-fashioned piece of classroom equipment - the whiteboard - has become an incredible interactive computer screen. Teachers and students can now use the internet, video clips, sound, and immersive exercises, all at the touch of a mouse.

The best way to understand the potential of the interactive whiteboards is by seeing them in action - and you can do just that right now. Just click 'play':

75% of our classes worldwide now use interactive whiteboards, and by 2010 we are aiming for 100%.

This is all part of our exciting mission to bring the power of modern technology to your English learning. Watch this space for news on our Online Learning Environment, our use of blogs and podcasts, and other innovations that will speed up your learning and make it more fun at the same time.

Read more about interactive whiteboards on the Embassy website news page.

Great TOEIC results from Embassy Auckland

Millions of people take the TOEIC test every year - it's the standard for workplace English language proficiency worldwide.

We're proud to say that results at Embassy schools are consistently above the national average, and Embassy Auckland has been part of that trend.

In October 2008, the average score across New Zealand was 608. Test-takers at our Embassy school in Auckland, New Zealand received an average score of 877, the highest Auckland score being 920 out of a possible 990. 

Read about our TOEIC preparation courses here.

Embassy Fort Lauderdale's own election

Lelie Lott, Director of Embassy Fort Lauderdale, writes:

I thought I'd let you know about something educational and fun we did here in the Fort Lauderdale school.

As you can imagine, the US presidential campaign has been a theme of great interest among our students. The students have had lots and lots of questions: questions about how much money candidates can spend, why there are only two main parties and more. Our teachers took sample ballots to the classrooms and discussed the basics of how voting works in the US.  Students talked about how voting works in their countries (or how the leaders are chosen if there is no voting). 

Before doing any of this, we reminded teachers how important it is not to show our personal political preferences in the classroom. We also stressed the need to keep up with the regular curriculum, keep the classes student focused, etc.   

We ended the election season with voting today in the 9:00 am classes.  Each student was given the opportunity to cast an Embassy Fort Lauderdale Presidential Election Ballot.  I've counted up the ballots and will be announcing the results to the school tomorrow morning!!

We had several students turn in empty ballots with a note stating they don't know the candidates well enough to vote. A few others voted for themselves or a favorite teacher, Bart Simpson, or Mickey Mouse... but most took it seriously.

The comments the students gave were interesting. Those who chose McCain listed experience, security, and more free trade as their reasons for voting as they did.

Those who chose Obama listed more diverse reasons including among others: change, end to war, better relations with other countires, youth and intelligence, no connection to current president, want to see a black person as president, environment.

Our students loved having the chance to be involved in this election, they have had lots of English practice during all of the discussions in English on the theme, and we all learned a bit more about world politics. 

We'll wrap things up with the announcment of the school's choice for President on the front information board at the reception desk in the morning.

(FYI:  Our students voted to elect Obama.  Ballot count: 12 for McCain.  76 for Obama.  Remainder chose "other" or opted not to vote.)

Diplomas and cake

Students at Embassy CES Boston recently had a party to celebrate completing their Embassy Diploma of English course. A cake was made specially for the occasion and much fun was had by all.

 

From Certificate of English to Diploma of Business

Raelene James from Embassy CES Brisbane reports:

Two of our students from Japan, Natsuko Sakao (left) and Eriko Kaneda (right), are great success stories for Study Group Australia. Both students started at Embassy CES studying Certificate of English in 2006 and have now successfully completed a Martin College Diploma of Business with a Major in Travel and Tourism.

When Natsuko and Eriko commenced their studies at Embassy CES Brisbane campus, they tested into Pre-Intermediate and with dedication and wonderful attendance (Eriko 94.5% over 9 months and Natsuko 100% over 5 months), they gained entry into Martin College in April 2007. It is a true credit to both students that they were able to come from Embassy CES with a relatively low starting English language level and then pass all of their Martin College subjects at the first attempt.

Both students are going back to Japan to commence their careers in the travel industry.

Learning English through poster design

Raymond Butler, our Auckland Activities Manager, writes:

Last Friday Ray and Elena's Certificate of English classes learned all about the history of posters and then put into practice what they had learned by designing a poster to promote forthcoming class activities.

After about an hour the room ressembled an art class more than an English lesson!  Paul (Germany) and his group from Brazil and Korea made a very professional effort and also used up all the yellow paint to make a desert scene for "Snow Planet".

We could wonder how Embassy CES will fund a trip to the Middle East, particularly as the admission price is set at $10 but that didn't detract from the aim of the exercise which was to have fun and learn as well.

Their entry was a clear winner but you can see from the line-up that all the entries were of a very high standard although it looks as if Teacher Ray has attempted to get in on the strength of someone else's artwork and is also trying to win the favour of the patriotic element......

The added challenge was that the groups had to present their entry to the class and were then judged on their presentation.

The pictures also show just two of the famous "international clock collection" only a couple of which actually work but are at least it's better than throwing them out and it's great for lessons on telling the time!

Antiques Roadshow

Raymond Butler, our Auckland Activities Manager, writes:

A much smaller version of that well-known TV programme "Antiques Roadshow" was held at Embassy CES Auckland campus last week.  Armed with a variety of objects both weird and wonderful, teachers Ray and Elena introduced their classes to the "thrill of the old"!  Teacher Ray is arguably older than some of the items shown here but nevertheless everyone had a good time.

[Click to see the pictures bigger]

After viewing a clip from the programme, students picked up an object from a table and then had to ask each other questions about it as well as make up a story that matched the object in question. A toy cannon, an old jewel box, a fake whale's tooth (from a fake whale....) and Ray's grandfather's letter scale were some of the items that came to light.

Jim wondered if this old grenade would still work and if you look at Ray's face he isn't exactly sure either.......

Victoria, Celia, Jim, Young and Judy (Taiwan) stand holding their "treasures" and Horst (Brazil) and Azooz (Saudi Arabia) seem happy just to look on.

Embassy CES teachers always like to try to make the language "real", and not just words in a book - this was another chance to learn to make the language live.

Double click for definitions

You might notice a smart new feature of this blog. Double click on any word for an instant definition and the chance to hear the pronunciation! What do you think?

Onsite TOEFL® testing

As of January 2008, Embassy CES USA is proud to announce that it will partner with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to provide on-site authorized TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language ^TM) Internet-Based Tests to all interested students.

Internationally recognized as one of the most valid measurements of English language proficiency for students seeking admission to U.S. universities and colleges, the TOEFL was taken by more than 70,000 people last year.

The US Embassy CES centers are currently being outfitted with the necessary software and webcams to deliver the computerized exam. Staff in each center are being trained to administer and proctor the test. The exam will be given in 2008 at dates scheduled according to the ETS testing calendar (available in September 2007).

Pre-arrival, Embassy CES students can pre-book their TOEFL iBT exams through ETS on-line and request preferred dates.  After arrival, Embassy CES students can take advantage of the US centers' access to a sophisticated range of TOEFL study products to prepare for successful results on the exam.

The TOEFL iBT is the newest version of ETS' English language proficiency test.  Given through a secure internet-based delivery platform, the exam emphasizes integrated communication skills and communicative competence.

ETS, a nonprofit organization, is recognized as a global leader in providing fair and valid assessments and related products and services to support education and professional development for all people worldwide.

- David Tipmore, Embassy CES Fort Lauderdale