Staff at Embassy

Christchurch earthquake fundraising at Embassy Auckland

Nicola Conway, from Embassy Auckland, writes. TIP: double-click on any word to see its meaning.

The Christchurch earthquake has been a terrible tragedy with great loss of life and destruction.  Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch at this difficult time.

In order to help the victims of this terrible tragedy, Embassy Auckland students have managed to collect over NZ$1400 for the NZ Red Cross Earthquake appeal, and staff have donated directly to the Red Cross. Food and essential items are also being collected to donate to people in the worst affected suburbs.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the NZ Red Cross appeal can do so online <a href="http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate" target=_blank">here</a>.

Melbourne teachers share their Smart Express experience at a conference

Embassy teachers Gareth Hughes and Neil McRudden made a presentation about Study Smart, our online study environment, at a recent Moodle conference in Australia, with over 450 people in attendance.

Gareth and Neil teach on Embassy's Smart Express course – an integrated and innovative face-to-face English language course (officially launched this year), where the learning outcomes are supported by the use of Interactive whiteboard, networked student laptops and Study Smart (run on the popular learning management system Moodle).

Their Study Smart course site has evolved over the past eight months from a blank canvas to a popular resource for students. Students use Study Smart both in class on their laptops and netbooks, and for homework activities; and the site includes various games, quizzes, blogs, assignments and web-quests.

They also have used programmes such as Hot Potatoes and Wix to further enhance the functionality and appeal of their site. "Overall, teaching with and developing Study Smart for Smart Express has been an incredibly rewarding learning experience," says Neil.

Find out more about Smart Express or meet Melbourne staff including Neil.

Student-centered lessons

Staff and students at Embassy Oxford enjoyed a training session on lessons with a student-centred approach, using the technology of interactive whiteboards (which are now found in all Embassy schools). Andrea Paschoal, Head of Teaching writes:

The workshop was very hands-on and using the laptops was a great idea. Thankfully, everything worked well without any technical hiccups and teachers were engaged and motivated.

Interactive whiteboards are a big part of most teachers' lessons nowadays and it's not often we get an opportunity to reflect on how efficient they actually are as a tool, and how to use them in order to make our lessons more student-centred.

Not sure what an interactive whiteboard is? This video should make everything clear.

Award-winning student video!

Embassy staff are always thinking of new and engaging ways to help their students improve their English. That's why staff at Embassy Cambridge asked some of their students to make a video to introduce new students to their school, the town of Cambridge and life in England in general. The video has been so well received that teachers at Embassy Cambridge have used it during induction sessions for their new students, and the video was the winner of the 2009 Embassy Learning Award.

Take a look at the shorter version of the video here:

Celia Short Version

Many thanks to all of the students involved in the making of this great video! They are: Fahad Alkaabi, Ahmed Almaghthawi, Nestor Barros, Chien-chi Chou, Carmen Daniels, Malory Jublot, Sang Woo Lee, Xin Liu, Diego Sanchez, Mariana Santos, Kiri Shakir, Inthira Tangjaroensutth, and Dominga Del Campo Salina.

Would you like to see this video in full? If so, join or log on to our Student Club, a website designed to provide further information and resources for our current students and those considering studying with Embassy. Or, to find out more about our school at Cambridge, take a look at the accomodation available, the courses offered and read what our students and staff think about Embassy Cambridge.

Staff report from Embassy Oxford's Venice Ball

Staff and students at Embassy Oxford recently joined with Bellerbys Oxford students to enjoy a fantastic Venice Ball at the Halkwell House Hotel.

Fabio da Silva Moore, the Social Programme and Extra Curricular Activities Organiser for Embassy and Bellerbys in Oxford was one of the main organisers of the event and writes: ‘Finally, after a lot of hard work and effort from myself and the members of the committee we managed to organize a fantastic event. There were beautiful decorations, posters of Venice, mask decorating activities and even a gondola!

The Venice Ball was a successful event and all the students and staff members enjoyed a great night dancing and singing. This event gives us more incentive to make next year’s Ball even better!’

Visit the Embassy Oxford Facebook gallery to see more photos of this fabulous event, or go to the Embassy Oxford activities and excursions page to find out more about the other activities available to our students after class.

 

Student's success at Embassy Seattle-Tacoma

Here at Embassy, we are always proud of our students who go on to further academic success and   Turkish Pre-Masters student Gurkan Gurler (pictured below) is no exception.

Margo Butcher, Student Services representative for Seattle-Tacoma writes: ‘As a Diploma Pre-Masters student at our centre between September 2009 and March 2010, Gurkan made a positive impression on his classmates and teachers with his well-rounded approach to studying in America. While he was here he participated in many school activities, worked diligently in the classroom and engaged in many volunteer activities in the local community.

Gurkan came to the US with the goal of studying at an American University for his Masters degree in Material Science. So during his course, Gurkan also studied to improve his TOEFL score and worked on his application to Alfred University, an American Study Group partner school.

Fortunately, all of Gurkan’s hard work paid off when he received his acceptance letter to Alfred University the week after graduation! We are happy he is choosing to stay in the Study Group family, and wish him the best of luck in his career and educational goals.’ 

Visit the Embassy website to find out more about the Embassy Seattle-Tacoma school and the courses offered here.

Embassy Brisbane students love the Australian Football League!

There are so many great things to see and do in Brisbane, so our staff and students are never bored! Annie Azano, the Brisbane Activities Coordinator, writes about the latest excursion the school's staff and students enjoyed:

'On April 17th nearly 50 Embassy Brisbane students and teachers got together to watch the Brisbane Lions play the Western Bulldogs at the Brisbane Cricket Ground (also known as the Gabba). It was a great Australian experience for our students. The seats were very close to the field so everyone had a wonderful view of the action. The Lions were losing in the first half, but came back to beat the Bulldogs 101 points to 79. Students were cheering and shouting along with the rest of the crowd and even joined in to sing when the Lions won.

After the game, the group was able to enjoy the unique experience of rushing onto the field. “I love AFL,” French student Aurelie Gorge proclaimed at the end of the game. The students can’t wait for their next trip to an AFL game will take place on July 31st when the Lions play the Melbourne Demons.'

Do you want to find out more about all the exciting trips and activities offered to Embassy students? Take a look at the Embassy Brisbane activities and excursions page to see a list of the most popular excursions and the school’s monthly activities calendar. Also, you can find loads more pictures from Embassy Brisbane on the Facebook photo gallery.

Too beautiful not to share

 
Barbra Drizin, Centre Director at Embassy San Diego, writes:

Today I woke up to this message on my Facebook page.
 
Hi Barbra,
I just wanted to thank you for sending to Marco the picture you took of us on the day of his graduation.  I really had the best time ever at Embassy and this experience changed my life from A to Z:  I met Marco, and now I even got a job!!! AND FOR SURE it was because of this experience.  The manager who chose me (among 100 people and more!!,) told me that I will organize language journeys for students and internships abroad...and for sure i will try to send everyone to SD and Embassy!  I'd be so happy to make someone else experience the same as I did.  I will work in Italy, so it will be a bit hard for me and Marco to meet, but we really want to try.  What San Diego gave us deserves a chance....we will always be so grateful to that city and most of all to all of you at the school:  you, Antonella, Christina,Katie, Kristin...I never felt like "just someone" at Embassy.  You were always so friendly.  I got really fond of all of you.  You did soooo much for me and my future...I mean, I got the job of my dreams because of Embassy!  I miss all of you so much!  Much love from Italy, Elena
 
Barbra continues: Elena and Marco met at school! We all appreciate this career choice that gives us so much reward like this!

Our Committed Sydney Staff

Embassy Sydney staff were recently rewarded at a Length of Service ceremony - held to congratulate staff and teachers who had reached a 5, 10 or 15-year point in their career with Embassy. Five teachers received a reward and commendation for their hard-work and commitment to the care of the students.

The ceremony demostrated just how experienced, professional and dedicated Embassy staff and teachers are. Our students can be sure that they are getting the best tuition available to improve their English.

Congratulations to all the Sydney staff and teachers!

 

If you would like to study English with commited and passionate teachers like these ones, find out more about English courses in Sydney on the Embassy website. Don't forget to visit our Embassy Australia Facebook pages, too!

Teachers' conference

Peter Madams, from Embassy Oxford, writes: Teachers from UK Study Group (the parent company of Embassy) schools and affiliated institutions gathered in Brighton recently for a teachers conference.

The conference is a chance for teachers to exchange ideas and learn about new topics relevant to their subject. Short lectures included: Powerpoint and Interactive Whiteboards, Wikis, digital cameras in teaching and Visual Dictogloss. If you don't understand these terms, don't worry, but rest assured you may benefit from them in the classroom.

I'm glad to report that Oxford won the Learning Awards Scheme for 2008 which involved staff learning to develop a response to the rise in number of Middle Eastern students present in Oxford.
 
We all had a great time in Brighton - it was nice to combine meeting our colleagues from around the country and learn something new to help us become better in our jobs.