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In an age of population explosion and diversity becoming the trend, the need for learning a second or even a third language is becoming paramount to surviving in this great big world. Did you know that Portuguese is spoken by 200 million or more people and is the fifth most spoken language in the world? "Officially 7 countries in 4 continents speak it, Portugal (Europe), Brazil(America), Angola, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe (Africa). But countries or cities like East Timor(Indonesia), Macau (China), Goa, Damão, Diu(India)( Asia) also do it." " Learning Portuguese is always an advantage because immediately you will be able to understand some Spanish and a little Italian." Cial Centro de Linguas in Portugal are well aware of this and have the facilities to meet this market. Founded in 1959, Cial Centro de Linguas (CIAL) is dedicated to the teaching of languages. The school started out with English, French, and German courses, due to demand for those languages at that time. Later they added Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, and Japanese. As the demand for Portuguese grew by students who wanted to combine studying Portuguese with their stay in Portugal, in 1972, CIAL established a Department of Portuguese as a foreign language; thus offering Portuguese language and culture courses. By the 80s, CIAL had set up schools in major Portuguese cities such as Oporto (with one school), Faro (with another school), and three others in the heart of Lisbon. Additionally, in 1990, it created CIAL Lingua Service Worldwide which offers translation services. Through agents who specialize in the promotion of language courses in the countries where the languages are spoken, CIAL is represented in every European country, in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Ms. Claudia Soares (CS), Marketing Manager of Cial Language Centres, was able to enlighten International Connections Consulting (ICC) of some of the reasons students choose her school. ICC: "What is your role at Cial Centro de Linguas?" CS:
"I'm the Marketing Manager for the school. I'm the agent's contact and
I attend the workshops. I have been working with Cial for 2 years, before
that I worked at the World Trade Centre in Porto as Marketing Manager.
Cial Porto is now a member of an economic group that has private schools
and
CC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend Cial Centro de Linguas? What makes Cial Centro de Linguas unique?" CS: "The most important reason is our personalised programmes and a friendly professional atmosphere in a beautiful city full of history by the river." ICC: "What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance? Age? Language Proficiency?" CS: "All students are welcome in our school, we believe in the students' motivation and capacities." ICC: "What type of student do you accept? What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student?" CS: "We accept all students over 16 years old." ICC: "Explain your teaching methodology." CS: "CIAL's method places specific emphasis on language for communication. The method can be described as structural/functional, the grammar and structures being taught and learned naturally, through practical usage. Classes are progressive from the starting dates, students can join a class at any time if vacancies exist at the suitable level. Groups have a maximum of six participants (12 for Easter Courses) so that monitoring and assessment are continuous and personalised. Individual courses are programmed according to the students' specific requests including different professional and cultural themes if requested. Students are welcome to bring special documentation they may need to work on. Students are encouraged to use CIAL's audio, video and library facilities in order to practise language skills. CIAL has developed its own teaching materials over the years, now published and used world-wide including textbooks, tapes and videos. CIAL employs only qualified and highly professional teachers. Refresher courses are held regularly to bring staff up-to-date in teaching materials and techniques." ICC: "We would like to thank Ms. Claudia Soares for the interview." The schools wide selection of courses covers most areas of expertise. They offer General Portuguese Courses (beginner to advanced), Courses of Portuguese for Special Purposes (Banking, Interpreting, Tourism, Insurance, Medicine, Business, Marketing, Computer Service, Law, Translation, and Secretarial), Mini Courses (seminars aimed at pre-intermediate students of Portuguese wishing to obtain a deeper understanding of certain aspects of the culture of Portugal or the Portuguese speaking world), Teachers Training Course, Brazilian Portuguese Course (Brazil in Europe. Learn about the Brazilian gastronomy, music and culture while you are in Oporto. Brazilian Portuguese with experienced Brazilian teachers and specific materials), Special Easter Courses, individual tuition, and thats a mouth full. Cial provides two options for accommodation. Host family stays which are recommended for complete immersion or lodging at a suitable hotel near by. Transfer service from the airport is also available. A full range of extra-curricular activities are available to students which include visits to museums, monuments, and video screenings. Students will be accompanied by experienced guides who try to turn all of these outings into memorable experiences of the Portuguese's life and culture. International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Ms. Claudia Soares, Marketing Manager at Cial Language Centre, for providing all the material for the article. If you would like more information or to enroll in any of their programs, please contact International Connections Consulting.
Italian food, wine or movies have flooded the world with exquisite quality and excitement that has touched the lives of people around the globe. With its similarity to French, Spanish, and Portuguese, the Italian language shares a place with all of the other Romance Languages. I Malatesta Italian Language and Cultural Centre offers its clients the opportunity to explore the language and all of the other aspects of the Italian culture. I Malatesta Italian Language and Cultural Centre (I Malatesta) offers all of the ingredients to acquainting their students with all aspects of the Italian culture. They are a member of International Association of Language Centres (I.A.L.C.). I.A.L.C. includes selected language schools all over the world who provide a friendly atmosphere, high-quality teaching and serious pedagogical supervision. I Malatesta's main center is located in the city of Rimini, Italy. The city, favored by a particularly mild climate in all seasons of the year, provides a rich historical heritage that dates back to Roman times and beyond. Not only is it an important seaside resort, it is surrounded by a beautiful countryside where many of the artistic treasures are waiting to be discovered. Dr. Bruno Fabbri (BF), Director of I Malatesta Italian Language and Cultural Centre, provided International Connections Consulting with an indepth view of what their clients might expect. ICC: "What is your role at I Malatesta?" BF: "I have been the director of the school since 1976. Regarding my background, I have a university degree in Economic-Sciences and Tourism and I've been a teacher at the high school "Instituto Tecnico per il Turismo." ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend I Malatesta? What makes I Malatesta unique?" BF: "Students choose I Malatesta for its professionalism, reputation, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere." ICC: "Explain the language learning concept." BF: "We offer different kinds of programs:
*General Course
*Italian for Working Purposes
These types of courses provide students with an all round insight into the Italian Language. We offer also a social and recreational program. Every Monday students are informed of the Centres activities and events taking place in Rimini during the week. The School organizes excursions to places of historical and artistic interest as well as parties on the beach, night cruises and pleasant evenings at restaurants and discos." ICC: "What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance? Age? Language Proficency?" BF: "In general, we accept students aged 14 and above. Students are allocated to the appropriate level after a brief placement test (written and oral)." ICC: "What type of student do you accept? What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student?" BF: "We welcome students who are enthusiastic and willing to learn. Students may apply by E-Mail or fax, providing a deposit alongside two photos and personal information. Confirmation will be sent out once this has arrived." ICC: "Explain your teaching Methodology." BF: "The objective of the teaching syllabus is to stimulate rapid progress in the practical use of modern Italian, and classes are based on the continuous and direct use of the language under the guidance of the teacher, who provides suitable examples, explains specific points, corrects and encourages, making the learning and practice of structures and vocabulary a pleasant and rewarding experience." ICC: "Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, or assistantships to help defray the costs of tuition, room and board? academic scholarships? If so, what is the eligibility criteria?" BF: "Throughout the year, the school offers scholarships to the Italian Consulates and the Centres of Italian Language and Culture. There are Italian Consulates all round the world. Occasionally, the school offers other assistantships of 20-30% discount on all courses." ICC: "We would like to thank Dr. Bruno Fabbri for the interview." I Malatesta has a summer
program in the Tremiti Islands that gives their students a taste of paradise.
Located in the blue waters of the Mediterranean sea, between the sea and
the sky, emerges the Tremiti Islands which are made up of San Nicola,
San Domino and Capraia. The school is housed in a 3 star hotel, Hotel
San Domino. Many of the classes take place in the garden of the
hotel due to fabulous climate and Mediterranean sun. All of the courses
and facilities are similar to their main location in Rimini
International Connections
Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Dr. Bruno Fabbri,
Director of I Malatesta, for providing all of the material for the
article. If you would like more information or to enroll, please
contact International Connections Consulting.
Cathy Tesi
Heres what one of their former students had to say. I would like to recommend I Malatesta ,an Italian language school for listing on your Web Site. I attended the school for 2 weeks in May of 1996. Attendees hail from all over the world, offering one exposure to a variety of cultures. It was truly one the best vacations that I had ever taken. With only two weeks of instruction, 4 hrs/day; 5 days/wk, I was able to return to college after a 20-year absence and pick up the language where I left off, earning an 'A' for the course as well! Professor Bruno Fabbri, the owner/director of the school employs excellent teachers and shows genuine concern for the quality of instruction and overall experience of his students. The city of Rimini offers a less commercial atmosphere than many of the larger Italian cities. Prices are more moderate, beaches are clean and safe, and the food is excellent. I have every intention of returning in 2000. For more information please contact International Connections Consulting (ICC).
A good location is an essential element to any learning endeavor. Whether your learning about a culture, improving your business skills, or working on your language development, environment can have a tremendous impact on the final result. In Cape Town, South Africa, Good Hope Studies provides a relaxed yet challenging environment in which to learn English. Being one of the leading English language schools in Cape Town, Good Hope Studies (GHS) has gained an excellent reputation both through their personal attention given to students and by promoting a relaxing and challenging environment for their students. Because of its famous landmark, Table Mountain, the sparkling Atlantic and Indian Oceans, numerous beaches, the evergreen vegetation and mild climate, Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Located in one of the finest areas of Cape Town, GHS is ideally situated. Due to the great weather, many of the classes are held in the school's garden. Within walking distance are sport facilities, shopping centers, restaurants and banks. All of the teachers are highly qualified and continually undergo future training in order to keep abreast of the latest teaching methodology. The classes are small (4-8 students). This gives the instructors a chance to create an interactive learning environment, while at the same time paying individual attention to each student's individual needs. Throughout the course, each student's progress is continually monitored with regular tests and assessment. Good Hope Studies attracts a mixture of different nationalities which gives their students a chance to practice their English skills while learning about other cultures, values and ideas. Mr. Wolfgang Graser (WG), Managing Director at Good Hope Studies, offers International Connections Consulting (ICC) some insights to why students might choose GHS. ICC: "What is your role at Good Hope Studies?" WG: "I am Managing Director of Good Hope Studies and, together with my business partner Alexander Kratochwil, founded the school in 1995." ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend GHS? What makes GHS unique?" WG: "We offer a first class programme, in a beautiful country, at an affordable price." ICC: "Explain the language learning concept." WG: "We believe that learners should be relaxed and valued as individuals. Therefore, classes are kept at a maximum of 8 students, with lessons often taking place outside in our garden. We believe this informal, relaxed, yet challenging environment is conducive to the learning process, as it lowers the anxiety filters and tempers inhibition. We offer General English, ESP and EAP course, as well as Cambridge Exam Preparation courses." ICC: "What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance? Age? Language Proficiency?" WG: "Depending on the course, we have a minimum age of either 17 or 19 years. Besides this, students have to have a basic knowledge of the language and have to be at an Elementary level for the Standard courses. For certain courses, such as the Cambridge or the business course, we require them to be at least at an intermediate or upper-intermediate level." ICC: "What type of student do you accept? What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student?" WG: "We accept any student wanting to improve their English language ability." ICC: "Explain your teaching methodology." WG: "Our teaching approach is essentially an eclectic one being mainly informed by the Communicative, Naturalistic and Humane approaches. We are chiefly concerned with "communication" and the broader implications of this term, be it in the four skills or in learning grammar, vocabulary or phonology." ICC: "We would like to thank Mr. Wolfgang Graser for the interview." Good Hope Studies offers
their students a variety of options to suit different needs.
Whether the client wants to stay with one of their carefully selected
host-families, or in the student residence which is
International Connections
Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Mr. Wolfgang Graser,
Managing Director of Good Hope Studies, for providing all the information
for the article. If you would like more information or to enroll,
please contact International
Connections Consulting (ICC).
When you think of New York City, you think of Broadway, Coney Island or the Statue of Liberty. A city filled with lights, camera and action. That's what makes New York Film Academy such an ideal choice for learning about film making. The New York Film Academy
(NYFA) "was founded as an alternative to a formal film school. For
many students, a four year program is both impractical and economically
unfeasible. The NYFA believes that the correct path for future filmmakers
is to immediately start making their own films in hands-on intensive working
environments. Toward this end, all students begin making their own films
in the first week of our
The NYFA is fortunate to have Mr. Jerry Sherlock, Executive Producer of The Hunt for Red October, Independent Producer-Universal, EMI, Disney, Tristar, NBC, Paramuont, and United Artists and host of others, as Director of the Academy. He has worked on some of the major motion pictures that are world renown and have received numerous awards. Alexander Meillier (AM) is Assistant Director and faculty member at the New York Film Academy along with Production Coordinator. He is a graduate of the New York University Tisch School of the Arts School of Film and Television. He has directed over 15 short films and numerous videos. Mr. Meillier gave International Connections Consulting a host of reasons why students choose NYFA. ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend NYFA? What makes NYFA unique?" AM: "The most compelling reason to attend the New York Film Academy is that you can learn much of what students do in formal, university film programs, very quickly (eight weeks) by immediately beginning to direct your own films using film as a medium. What makes us unique is the high quality of the instructors (some of which are Academy Award winners and Emmy award winners), the unrivaled access to equipment, and the responsiveness of the instructors and staff." ICC: "Explain to us about some of the programs/majors that your school offers." AM: "In our workshops each student writes, directs, shoots, and edits their own films. To this end we have designed an integrated curriculum covering subjects such as writing for film, directing for the camera, directing actors, hands on camera, hands on lighting, cinematography, editing, sound recording, sound design, budgeting and scheduling, and special guest lectures." ICC: "What are your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance?" AM: "Our workshops are open enrollment. Students in the adult program must be 18 or older. We also have a special high school workshop for students ages 15 to 18. Only conversational English is required, we have students from all over the world (over 24 different countries so far) in attendance at the Academy." ICC: "What type
of student do you accept? What qualities do you look for or consider
in
AM: "Our students are highly motivated because they are aware of the intensity of the course and they want to squeeze the most out of their experience at the Academy. This workshop has been compared to Boot Camp, and an Outward Bound type of experience." ICC: "Explain your teaching methodology." AM: "All of the classes the students attend at the Academy are designed to be of immediate and practical use to the students. The only way to learn lighting, for example, is to set up lights, shoot film, break down the lights, screen the film, and set up the lights again. Our students learn by doing in practical hands-on workshops." ICC:
"We would like to thank Mr. Alexander Meillier for the interview."
The New York Film Academy
offers a wide variety of workshops which include Filmmaking, Acting
for Film, Writing for Film, Animation in LA, Advanced Film Directing,
Film Camp, Summer Screen Writing Intensive, Documentary, and
Music Video. They also offer private and corporate instruction.
Their summer workshops in the USA are held in New York City, New York at
NYFA; Princeton, New Jersey at
International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Jerry Sherlock, Director of the New York Film Academy, and Alexander Meillier, Assistant Director of the New York Film Academy, for providing all of the material for this article. If you would like more information about NYFA or to enroll in one of their workshops, please contact International Connections Consulting.
No matter what your background or professional experience, learning a foreign language can open up a whole new world of "culture and adventure." Whether you need it for a promotion, to get into college or just for fun, you can’t go wrong with following a course in another language. One important question is "where is the best place to learn a foreign language?" The answer of course is in the home/native country. The don Quijote Spanish Language Schools would be an obvious choice. don Quijote (dQ),established in 1986, is one of the largest schools for Spanish in Spain (4 schools in Spain and 5 partner schools in Latin America). They have their own promotional offices in 4 countries (France, Netherlands, Spain, UK,). Their "philosophy is that, making closer/personal contact easier for students coming from our major markets (USA and Europe), we can provide first-hand information on essential matters...and on the small personal details desired...to prospective students and parents and in this way, better agent support." From short holiday courses
of two-weeks to super-intensive language training; from refresher
courses for teachers of Spanish to long-term study programs, dQ offers
an extensive range of courses. A student can study from 1 week to
9 months with 4 to 6 hours of classes per day, including a break following
each two
Having an up to date and
modern facility allows the students to relax and focus on learning the
language. All of the schools are centrally located in their respective
cities to give the students an opportunity to observe and to take part
in the local Spanish lifestyle. There is a main room in each school
where the client can watch TV or do homework outside of class hours plus
each location has self-study facilities such as computers with training
programs, word games, videos, and numerous books. On hand are
Dr. Dounald Thomas is Group Director for don Quijote for the USA, The UK and France and heads up all three of the promotional offices for each of these countries . His personal background includes 20+ years in advertising and marketing with international ad agencies... having lived on 4 continents... and a 5-year stint in Latin America as Dean of the School of Communication at a university in Ecuador. This combination of international business and educational administrative experience gives him insights into how languages relate to the student's leisure and professional goals. Dr. Dounald Thomas (DT) shared with International Connections Consulting(ICC) some of the many reasons why students would choose don Quijote for their future Spanish learning needs. ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend (dQ)? What makes dQ unique?" DT:
"The dQ curriculum is founded on the idea that, to really learn a language...
vs. studying it... you have to learn to communicate in that language from
the first moment. Our professors begin by identifying
Then as the students get the idea, the conversation is progressively expanded enlarging the student´s ability to talk about themselves, their families, their lives and their experiences in Spanish. In this way confidence in their ability to communicate is built rapidly. Next, the "world" in which they find themselves is explored...in Spanish. All this is done following a well-defined lesson plan so that they learn basic (then increasingly more complex) vocabulary, tenses etc. Following this plan the students can, in two weeks, acquire a level of language ability and confidence allowing them to try more complex communication with their homestay families and in the city/town where they are studying. dQ is unique for several reasons: (a) We offer a money-back guarantee (b) We have our own promotional offices and our own schools, thus "we can guarantee delivery of what we promise", and (c) We are the largest school for Spanish for foreigners in Spain (4 schools in Spain and 5 partner schools in Latin America), (d) We attract more than twice as many students as our nearest competitor ( 5,000+ students in 1998 with more than 500,000 classroom hours of lessons delivered), ( e) We offer a wider variety of courses than any other school(basic/beginner to D.E.L.E. level plus a number of specialist courses and more." ICC: "Explain your teaching methodology." DT:
"The dQ teaching Methodology is best understood by considering the contrast
between "learning the language vs. studying it". We feel that the
language is "alive" and cannot be "dissected" like a laboratory frog.
By starting with the basics of personal identification, the vocabulary
and phrases stick in the mind because they are relevant. By keeping
it personal, the students have more fun and their attention and interest
is captured because, while they are meeting new people (from over 60 different
When a communications problem arises...when the student cannot put what he/she wants to say in the proper words or tense...the professor pauses and introduces formal grammar, tenses, etc...helping the student complete their communication and, in that way, the "academic" part is almost invisibly integrated into the communications part in a highly meaningful way...and it sticks. The language-learning concept is the "Communicative Method" which enhances the learning experience and the student´s ability to gain rapid mastery by incorporating all the "formal" learning/study elements into topics relevant to the individual student and to the group. Since all classes have a maximum size of 8 students, the class time is very active and the students are involved vs. being passive. Additionally, we offer supplementary courses after class to encourage students to explore different aspects of the culture and society in which they are studying. We offer additional formal courses related to business, the travel industry and other professional interests." ICC: "What are your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance?" DT: "Student selection criteria can be summed up in two words..."interest" and "desire". Our regular courses are open to people of 18 years of age or older while Summer School classes are open to students 15 years and older. The two ARE NOT mixed. Language proficiency IS NOT a selection criteria. We have students with "O" knowledge and professors of Spanish who come to study teaching methodology." ICC: "What type of student do you accept? What qualities do you look for or consider in a student?" DT: "We accept all types of students...we especially enjoy having seniors and professionals whose experience enlivens the class. The younger students often "enliven" the older by including them in the out-of-class activities." ICC: "Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, etc..?" DT: "We have not offered scholarships or financial aid as such in the past though we have used internships to help students defray costs when they have special skills that we can use. We do offer scholarships to Spanish professors through the AATSP (American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese) and are working on a scholarship program to be introduced within the next year. ICC: "What new programs/events/locations might be added in the near future?" DT: "donQuijote is growing rapidly. In 1998 we attracted almost twice the number of students from the US as in 1997...and so far, in 1999, we are at 225% increase so next year we will introduce two new schools... in Madrid and Tenerife in the Canary Islands." Next year as well, we will introduce a long-term language study course coupled with a professional internship work period in Spanish and international companies in Spain. This year, to celebrate don Quijote Salamanca´s 10 th anniversary we are celebrating with an Art Competition allowing students to submit original artworks based on Cervante´s book Don Quijote of La Mancha. Winners can receive prizes including free course/lodging and $500 towards their air fare to Spain." ICC:
"We would like to thank Dr. Thomas for the interview."
dQ offers their students
a choice between living with a host family or a student flat...and, in
Granada, students can live in the don Quijote residence. The flats
contain a living room with a television, a fully
Upon arrival, students
are given don Quijote Student Cards which entitle them to discounts in
various restaurants, book shops, cafes and athletic facilities, gyms and
swimming pools. Additionally, there are various activities and excursions
offered throughout the week. Activities such as traditional Spanish
singing and dancing lessons are included at no cost and there are various
one-day weekend excursions offered visiting such sites as; from the
Salamanca school...Segovia and its famous aquaduct, the walled city of
Avila, King Carlos V´s retreat...El Escorial and others. From the
Granada school tours of the fabulous Alambra are conducted as well as visits
to the nearby Sierra Nevada and costal cities on the
International Connections Consulting’s President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Dr. Thomas for supplying all of the information for this article. If you would like more information regarding any of the courses offered by don Quijote, please contact International Connections Consulting. (ICC).
With all of the many challenges today of obtaining a quality and safe education for our youth, private education is becoming more and more appealing. Everyone wants their child to receive above average schooling without the hassle of distractions that occur in many of our cities or metropolitan areas. Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine might be the alternative for your son or daughter. Located in New England's famous Mount Washington Valley area, Fryeburg Academy (FA) is in the center of a small, friendly village. FA offers easy access to the benefits of living near a town, close to the ocean, mountains, rivers, lakes and 750,000 acres of national forest which allows students to enjoy outdoor activities in every season. FA is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is also approved by the Department of Education and Cultural Services of the State of Maine. The Academy holds memberships in the College Board, The National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of Northern New England, and The Maine Association of Independent Schools. With credentials like those, FA is an ideal choice for a boarding school. Being away from the mainstream environment offers many advantages to your child. Due to the low student to teacher ratio, FA faculty are able to help their students succeed by identifying their academic capacities, setting expectations, and working with them to realize their goals. Classes focus on the unique academic needs and strengths of each student. They offer a comprehensive curriculum that addresses different degrees of ability and interest, spanning vocational to college preparation. The Academy offers special academic facilities such as a new music center which contains ample classroom and rehearsal space, private and soundproof practice rooms, a professional recording studio, office and storage space. The building is designed in such a way that it promotes ideal acoustics, a very rich and clear sound. Many of the Academy's musical groups have won district, state and regional honors. In addition, they have a state of the art Technology center and the Eastman Science Center. Fryeburg Academy provides a wide range of academic support. Some of them are computer tools to aid learning, extensive guidance and counseling services, broad range of library holdings and services and an English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. Since FA is located near both the mountains and the ocean, they offer a wide selection of Athletic activities. The Academy provides such recreational activities as cycling, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, camping, ultimate Frisbee, karate, and weight training, just to name a few. International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Mr. Alan D. Whittemore, Director of Admissions, for supplying all of the material for the article, if you would like more information regarding Fryeburg Academy or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting.
Most students today are drawn
in so many different directions as far as what to major in. They
don’t know whether to go seek out careers that they love or are interested
in or go for the economical advantages. At MLS International College,
students don’t have to worry about having a wide selection of alternative
courses of study. They not only provide each student with a wide
list of alternatives, they provide all of
MLS International College
was established in 1987 and offers accreditation to Certificate and Diploma
level in various subjects; additionally, they can facilitate
placement in United Kingdom universities and colleges of higher education
at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The college is an examination
center for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Institute of
Commercial Management, the RSA and City and Guilds. Furthermore,
it is an approved center for the Institute of Logistics. MLS specializes
in English language, management development and business training. Also
offers specialized programs in English-language, professional, executive
and vocational training . Located in the center
MLS offers scheduled, accredited training courses in management and business studies, marketing, advertising, public relations, travel and tourism, and hospitality management. In addition, they provide specially tailored programs to meet specific training requirements in English-language communication, presentation skills and other business related topics. All of the tailored programs are available to clients in the public, corporate and industrial sectors. Selecting a staff with the highest possible combination of professional and academic qualifications and experience gives MLS International College an added benefit. All of the teachers undergo regular continuation training programs and the ongoing performance of all the staff is closely monitored. By total functional and cultural immersion, the learning environment at MLS has been able to facilitate not only the learning of the English Language through intensive tuition. Their teaching methodology uses a wide variety of options to stimulate interest, inspire motivation, increase the efficiency of the learning process and achieve the highest possible levels of retention. Special emphasis is placed on obtaining an effective balance of linguistic skills, in addition to trainee participation and interaction. Monitoring and reporting on progress is a continuos process. Detailed reports are sent to sponsors on a regular basis which include the following: progress in all areas of study, attitude, motivation, effort and degree of participation, quality and submission of homework and project assignments, attendance and punctuality, major strengths and weaknesses and remedial action required, known social or welfare problems. Additionally, special reports are submitted whenever cases arise with trainees conduct, effort, motivation or aptitude raise doubts as to their ability to continue their study programs. MLS offers the following additional services: coordination and control monitored by the Director of Studies, Work-Experience program, University-Placement Service, Fitness and Adventure Training. All types of accommodation are available to MLS’s clientele. However, to ensure maximum exposure to the English Language and culture, all trainees, in the English language program, are encouraged to reside with local host-families. MLS provides both standard and executive types of accommodation. Each is on a part-board basis which offers breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday and all meals on the weekends. The MLS restaurant serves lunch Monday to Friday and can be purchased by the students. The college’s training ethos is based on the "Work hard, play hard" principle. They offer a wide selection of scheduled leisure, sports and social activities throughout the day. MLS prides itself in taking special consideration to the cultural differences between the lifestyle in England and the individual’s home countries. In order to adequately meet this requirement, their staff tries to keep in mind, among other factors, the cultural background of clients, their individual lifestyles and their religious faith. Mr. Ernest Wedgwood (EW), Marketing Administration Manager at MLS, gave International Connections Consulting (ICC) some additional reasons for choosing MLS International College. ICC: "What is your role at MLS?" EW: "I have
been Marketing Administration Manager at MLS since I joined in February
1998, dealing with all enrollments and general inquiries. Our Managing
Director, Barry Henwood, who founded MLS in 1987 is also Director of
Marketing and deals specifically with proposals for specialised courses
and group quotations. We have a strong management team, Barry himself
has been in this business for 25 years. I
ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend MLS? What makes MLS unique?" EW: "Barry decided to set up MLS specifically to provide a College distinguished from its competitors by a wide selection of specialised courses on offer." ICC: "Thank you for responses." International Connections Consulting (ICC)’s President, Tasha Lewis would like to thank Barry Henwood, Managing Director, and Ernest Wedgwood, Marketing Administration Manager, for supplying all of the material for the article. If you would like more information about MLS International College, please contact International Connections Consulting.
In today's ever-changing
market place, Information technology (IT) has been growing by leaps and
bounds. No matter where you are from, a small island in the Caribbean
or a large cosmopolitan city in Europe, information technology has touched
your life in one way or another. In response to this
As the leader of postgraduate information technology education with six campuses across Canada, and one campus in the U.S., ITI is meeting the information technology education needs of local, national and international businesses and organizations. Employers hire ITI graduates because they have seen the results of ITI's unique postgraduate program. ITI graduates are equipped with the latest skills and the knowledge to successfully adapt to any environment. This has resulted in employers coming back to ITI to recruit graduates time and time again. Ms. Susan McCurdy (SM), Manager of International Recruiting, shared her thoughts with International Connections Consulting (ICC) on the benefit of a postgraduate education from ITI: ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend ITI?" SM: "The most compelling reason to attend ITI is the fact that our graduates are so well prepared to fill the industry's demand for skilled IT professionals. Studies show that IT is the fastest growing industry in the world. The estimated number of job vacancies in the IT sector in Canada alone is expected to grow to 500,000 by the year 2010. Because of the reputation that ITI graduates have built within in the IT industry, our students are able to find employment before they even graduate. In fact, 94% of our graduates secure employment within the first six months of graduation." ICC: "What are some of the programs that ITI offers?" SM: "ITI currently offers three postgraduate programs, two of which are Master level programs. Our core program, the diploma in Applied Information Technology (AIT), is a collaborative, problem based learning program specifically designed to give university graduates the technology skills they need to succeed in today's competitive IT industry. The curriculum has been developed with the help of industry experts to meet the IT needs of the new economy. Some of the applications we teach include Visual Basic, Java, Oracle, and Windows NT. The AIT program is the core
of ITI's two Master level programs that are offered in partnership with
Dalhousie University, a respected Canadian university. The Master
of Business Administration in Information Technology (MBA(IT) gives students
the tools they need to adapt to the new way of doing
ICC: "Can you explain ITI's teaching methodology?" SM: "ITI uses a problem-based, collaborative learning methodology. At ITI, students learn by working in teams, drawing on each team member's strengths and experience in order to develop solutions to practical IT problems. As all teams work together to solve problems, they develop a deeper understanding of the material that is covered in the program. While ITI's courses are intensive, they are designed as such to reflect experience that our graduates will face in the work force. The curriculum is developed by consulting with industry leaders to determine the skills that are in demand today, and those that will be in demand in the future. Our curriculum prepares our graduates for real-world requirements, including progress reports, project plans, and presentations." ICC: "What type of students do you accept? What qualities do you look in perspective students?" SM: "We look for students with diverse backgrounds who demonstrate maturity, teamwork skills, and good problem-solving skills. Some of the criteria used to evaluate a potential student's acceptance is a university transcript, an aptitude test/entrance test, a personal interview. Applicants do not need to have a background or prior experience in the computer field; all classes are taught with the assumption that students have no, or minimal computer experience." In addition to all of the
numerous reasons for attending ITI, let's not forget that ITI's program
can be completed in an accelerated nine-month program that is designed
especially for university graduates. ITI's
Included in an ITI student's
tuition is the use of an IBM ThinkPad notebook computer, all text books,
computer programs, registration fees, Internet account, and use of their
CD ROM and Computer Based Training (CBT) library.
Here is what some of their students/clients are saying about ITI. "What ITI offers is clearly a solution for business and for companies like ourselves, and more importantly, for our customers that hire ITI grads." John Wetmore, President and CEO
Samantha Tim, ITI graduate,
In today's global environment, learning a foreign language has become central to survival in our multilingual society. Japanese is one of those languages that almost guarantees to open many doors for the businessman, student, or teacher. The Hattori Foundation has been around since 1919. It founded the Yamasa Institute's (YI) Aichi Center, located in the historic city of Okazaki, for Japanese Studies in order to provide high quality Japanese language education. Located in the Mikawa region, Yamasa Institute has become one of the leading centers of study in this region. The Japanese Government has assessed and authorized YI to be the sole education provider in that region with appropriate programs, systems, curriculum and facilities needed to study Japanese. YI has been granted the highest level of accreditation currently available. As a result, they can offer faster visa processing, later applications and longer terms of study than many other institutions. Yamasa Institute is a non-profit school and all of their high quality courses are offered at cost. "The fact is that there is no need whatsoever to pay Tokyo rents or Osaka prices in order to study in Japan." YI offers not only quality but also affordability. In spite of the fact that all of their classrooms are larger and facilities more modern, YI prices are generally lower and housing is significantly cheaper and more spacious. Because of the lower price of land and other fixed costs, they can past on all of their savings to the students. YI offers a wide variety of accommodation options for their clients. All of the students are guaranteed homestays and home visit opportunities, guaranteed accommodation within walking distance of the campus, free pickup service at Nagoya airport and Okazaki station (on any day & at any time). International Connections Consulting interviewed Mr. Declan Murphy (DM), the Admissions Director (also a graduate of Yamasa Institute) who gave us a wealth of reasons why students interested in learning Japanese would choose YI. ICC "What is your role at Yamasa?" DM "My staff and I are responsible for the quality of the total experience of the students we bring to Okazaki, including housing, health care & insurance, airport pickups, information regarding part-time work, careers and further study, scholarships and financial aid, welfare and Internet communications." ICC "In other words nearly everything?!" DM "My staff and I try to think of everything to leave their students to focus on learning the language." ICC "So what makes Yamasa the place to study Japanese, why has it grown so fast recently." DM "Basically we stand
out from the crowd so it makes it easier to attract students. The things
that set us apart are our Quality and the Diversity of the student body.
Compared to any other Institute we have smaller class sizes, large modern
classrooms with good natural light, a highly professional and well paid
faculty with years of experience in teaching JSL, teaching teams of 4-5
faculty members per class, individual academic advisors for each student,
ultra modern computer/library/language lab
ICC "A pretty well rounded package." DM "Well we can only be as good as our results. You need these sort of comprehensive systems in order to maintain those results. Graduates of Yamasa Institute have a 100% university placement rate with 12 universities accepting Yamasa graduates on our recommendation. YI has a Job placement service for students who want to work full time in Japan after graduation and a comprehensive scholarship and financial aid support system including agreements with several prestigious universities." ICC "We have heard that most students studying Japanese in Japan are Chinese and that there have been some problems as a result of this." DM "Yes thats correct. I think last time I checked the Immigration Statistics it was something like 62-63% from mainland China alone. By comparison only around 6% of our students come from China and when you include all of the Chinese speaking students in the school from HK, Taiwan, even the USA, they do not exceed 25% of the student body. And neither does any other language group. Its our policy." ICC "You restrict the number of students per language group." DM "Yes quite deliberately - I think any serious language school should. As far as I know we are the ONLY school in this country where the largest language group is neither Chinese nor Korean, the ONLY school with no majority language, the ONLY school with large numbers of European and North American students, and the ONLY school that deliberately establishes language diversity in each and every classroom." ICC "What can you tell us about the programs?" DM "Yamasa's programs are full immersion intensive courses. We also offer electives which are integrated into the program. For example Japanese computing. It enhances the learning experience not only by providing an enabling skill that can help students explore Japanese multimedia without language barriers, but many students have said that after they finished the program the Japanese computer skills assisted them at the university or when looking for a job. In all cases these electives are also taught in Japanese by highly qualified JSL specialists." ICC "Is it a difficult school to enter?" DM "I don't think
so. The minimum age limit is 18. Previous study of Japanese is not
a requirement. Diversity is also a consideration, by this we particularly
mean language diversity, a good mix of native languages so that Japanese
becomes the common language. Yamasa students are highly motivated
ICC "What teaching methodologies are used?" DM "We use teaching teams and the direct method. This means that all of the lessons are taught in Japanese (translations of each text are available) and that students can learn to speak, read and write Japanese very rapidly. The current students seem to learn much faster than I did quite frankly." ICC "Makes you jealous?" DM "Absoultely. But its to be expected. Each student has an academic advisor and access to a wide range of support services provided by the faculty." ICC "Many thanks." DM "Its a pleasure." Yamasa Institute offers a wider range of financial assistance than any other Japanese language Institute. The Eligibility Criteria is based on academic performance and demonstrated financial need. It can include Fellowships, Tuition scholarships, Rent assistance and Living expense allowances. Applicants usually need to be enrolled in a university or college. A faculty member has to provide a written recommendation for the student. International Connections
Consulting's president, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Declan Murphy,
Admissions Director for Yamasa Institute, for providing all of the material
for this article. If you would like more information regarding Yamasa
Institute, please contact International
Connections Consulting.
Testimonials: "The reason I speak Japanese all the time is because I have to. Not because of a rule, but because Japanese is the only language I can talk to my classmates in. The student mix here is wonderful."
For more information contact International Connections Consulting.
Learning a foreign language can be one of the most important accomplishments that a student can make. It offers you not only a cultural experience but a growing one. Why not try Russian? At Educacentre Russia, the student has one of the best opportunities to learn Russian. From its location, St. Petersburg which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, to the fact that St. Petersburgs Russian is the language used by many famous classical writers and the countrys modern mass-media, Educacentre Russia is the obvious choice. Educacentre Russia (ER) is a non-governmental, privately held educational establishment which was started in 1989. It is situated in a three story classic style building with all of the facilities a student requires to help him study Russian (including audio, video and computerized language laboratory). ER is situated in a prime location downtown on the Neva embankment, near the famous Nevsky prospect. Underground transportation is available near Educacentre Russia and many of St. Peterburgs museums, theatres and tourist attractions are located near by. ER offers 5 levels of Russian from Beginners to Advanced. In addition, they offer special courses available upon request such as Business Russian, Colloquial Russian, Russian Literature, Legal Russian, and Medical Russian, etc. ER's prime objective is "to teach students how to communicate in Russian, whatever the level." Their teachers are skilled professionals with a great deal of experience teaching the Russian language. The maximum class size is 10 students (usually no more than 4-5). ER's teaching methodology includes a focus on developing speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills with close attention paid to grammar. All of these skills, including grammar, are taught in a "Communicative Context." Students are divided up into groups in order to ensure that they are in their appropriate levels. The student population is multinational. A traditional and modern teaching approach is implemented to ensure that the students reach their desired level of fluency. Motivation and a genuine desire to learn Russian is the major criteria for attending Educacentre Russia. Age is secondary. Furthermore, Educacentre Russia offers almost any type of accommodation the student requires from B&B (Breakfast and Bed) in host families to V.I.P accommodation in luxurious 5-star St. Petersburg hotels. To add to this, they offer a wide range of additional services including transfer to and from the airport, English speaking guides, tickets to museums and theatres, and car hire, etc. At Educacentre Russia, the students are given the opportunity to learn about the cultural environment of their host country. A course for in depth study of the life and culture of Russian is offered. They can study business and develop skills such as negotiating, making presentations, telephone skills and dealing with business correspondence. Edward Pilistyn, manager of Russian as a foreign language at Educacentre Russia, graduated from the Department of Linguistics of St. Petersburg State University with a specialization in teaching Russian as a foreign language. His responsibilities include corresponding with agents, clients, marketing and advertising for ER. Mr. Pilistyn thought that one of the most important criteria for a students acceptance into ER was a genuine desire to learn Russian. Educacentre Russia's philosophy is "that learning must be centered on the students needs. The purpose of language teaching is to develop the ability to communicate successfully. All our students have their own particular needs and our programmes are individually designed to fit the student. We never just fit the student to the programme." ER offers discounts to long-term students. Heres what some of the
former students have to say:
"The teaching in the Educacentre is of a very high, professional standard and it lived up to all my expectations. For the individual tuition I received, their rates seemed very reasonable."
Each year International Connections Consulting (ICC) tries to participate in conferences and workshops that bring together educational advisers with various institutions (businesses, schools, organizations). During these events, ICC develops new clients and contacts to enhance the current list of programs offered on their website. In Miami, Florida USA, the third annual ICEF Americas Workshop took place at the Fountainbleau Hilton and Resort on Miami Beach. Tasha Lewis, President of International Connections Consulting, was invited to participate in the conference. Ms. Lewis has attended the last two conferences and was delighted to be given the opportunity to be involved in it this year. The workshop provides an ideal opportunity to bring together educational advisers, referral agents and travel agents together with educational institutions from all over the world. ICEF acts as a facilitator for this event. They screen all of the participates for quality control. For two days, meetings are set up before and during the conference over the course of the conference. Agent/Advisor can meet with a large variety of schools for 20 minute intervals. Introductions are made and from there you can continue communicating with the new contact. During her first workshop, Ms. Lewis was a bit overwhelmed and amazed by the numerous possibilities that the event offered. If she had to fly around the world and meet with all of the schools at her company's expense, she would spend a fortune. This offered her an opportunity to establish invaluable contacts with many institutions. Once she had attended the conference, she became an expert at navigating the meetings and developing and maintaining contact. In fact, she was able to meet with several clients from the previous year and interview Mr. Ian Joseph, President and CEO for Home Language International, who's organization will be featured in the April issue of the ICC newsletter. Furthermore, Tasha Lewis
was able to get a glimpse of a big growth area, Distance Learning.
This workshop had a special focus on Distance Education programs offered
around the world in addition to the regular focus of the Americas Workshop.
Some of the schools that Ms. Lewis met with were Declan Murphy of Yamasa
Institute in Japan, Cesar Rennert of Rennert Bilingual, Jean-Francois Vouilloux
of France Langue, Ian Josephs of Home Language International, Drexel University,
and Peter Hsu and Susan McCurdy of Information Technology Institute,
and Peter Bemski of Action English just
In addition to the meetings, the conference offered additional activities for attendees such as an evening lawn party and welcome reception. Since the site is located at a resort, the attendees are given many other opportunities to relax and enjoy the facility after the conference or make additional meetings outside the workshop meetings. Ms. Lewis had nothing but
positive things to say about the conference. She recognized the long
term value in participating in the Americas Workshop. Since she is
always on the lookout for new programs to offer her clients, the event
offered her another opportunity to meet with the owners, directors, etc
of some of the best educational institutions in the world. The schools
offer a wide variety of programs and activities for everyone.
Not just students but whether your a businessman, senior citizen, teacher,
or
While Ms. Lewis met with the schools, she thought about what programs she would like to take in her small amount of spare time. Since she teaches at a couple of colleges in the Washington, DC USA Metro area and a foreign language program for young people in addition to her educational advising business, she is always on the lookout for programs of study for herself. International Connections Consulting (ICC) would like to thank the staff of ICEF for providing an above average workshop. If you would like more information regarding the ICEF Workshops, you can contact them at ICEF, Hofgarten 18, 53113 Bonn, Germany, phone 49-228-201-190, fax 49-228-211-944, web site http://www.icef.com.
If you have ever wanted to learn a foreign language and couldn't understand why after numerous classes and endless practice sessions you still couldn't speak the language fluently, then your like numerous other people who have had the same difficulties. Ideally, most people think that learning a language requires only time, energy, and money; however, obtaining a level of fluency and learning the native "flavor" require much more. We realize that learning a language requires living it. Founded in 1979 by Ian Josephs, Chairman and Chief Executive, with more than 40 years' experience in directing language schools in England, France and Monaco, "we at Home Language International believe that a student has to be completely immersed in the foreign environment in order to reach their desired level". HLI is not a school but an organization with more than 2,500 teachers worldwide who receive students in their homes on a basis of full board plus 15, 20, or 25 hours of lessons in the language of the country where the teacher lives. In Mr. Joseph's opinion, "one of the most compelling reasons for a student to attend Home Language International is that it offers the fastest and most efficient way of learning a language that anyone has ever discovered. It's uniqueness is that it is the only system that prevents the student from speaking his own language after class has ended." In most other cases (foreign language schools, cassettes, and audio-visual equipment), the student is tempted to revert to speaking his own language after class which slows down the learning process and defeats the overall purpose. By isolating the client from his mother language, HLI is able to avoid this potential disruption in speaking the anguage. They have three categories
of teachers. First, they have teachers who have taken early
retirement and who accept mature, adult students. Second, they
have couples with children who accept young children to mix with
their family. Lastly, they have professional, working teachers who
accept students during their vacations from their full time jobs.
All of the teachers have a recognized teaching certificate or a University
degree. Their teaching credentials and their homes are inspected
to ensure and maintain
Home Language International welcomes students from ages 9-90. Each client is evaluated carefully by obtaining as much information as possible about him/her and comparing it with their host family. For instance, if the student is a sports enthusiast, he would be better suited to live with a family who would have similar interest. In another instance, you may have someone who prefers reading and long walks in the country, a more mature host family with a residence in the country would fit better with this client. The key is to obtain as much information as possible on the student in order to have the "Perfect Match." Another unique feature is that HLI accepts students with physical and mental disabilities, providing that they are made aware of the case in advance, because some of their teachers are married to doctors and psychologists. All of the courses are planned for the student according to their needs. From business to specialized topics, each student is given the maximum opportunity to practice the language from the time the client wakes up till he retires to bed, he is speaking in the foreign language. This method forces the student to continuously think in the designated language. Courses run from one week to as long as you like. They use their own textbooks and wall charts which are designed to promote the art of speaking and understanding the language, rather than reading it and writing it. Here are just some of the languages you can choose from-Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Home Language International has an ideal program for senior management at any company entitled the Super 5 Star Immersion Course. A selection of elite host teachers has been made to offer exceptional qualifications and a domestic environment which is far above the average teacher and closer to the senior manager's expertise. The student will enjoy a luxurious standard of living, accommodation and food, while receiving 25 hours of private classes per week designed to meet his precise needs. Meetings with people from similar backgrounds will be arranged along with activities to cater to his personal and leisure interest from bridge, horse back riding to flying. This course is more expensive than the regular course but is on par with many of the other executive immersion courses that are offered by comparable institutions. HLI is the only organization to offer the Super 5 Star Executive Program in the world. How is that for top quality!! Here's what four former students have to say. Heather McLoughlin, Professional Language Teacher said "The whole family made me feel very much at home, and I know my Italian benefited a good deal. Having had experience of Home Language International's prompt and efficient service, I would be happy to recommend the firm to any of my students!" Jean-Mchel D'arros, International Sales Director of MECI, said "For me, this is a good solution. It is easy now to understand the advantages of adding conversation to the more formal practice in a very English atmosphere." Caroline Ridding, student, said "I looked at an English/American University in France and tape courses and night school. All the advice I got was that actually living the language was important, and the Home Language International scheme seemed the best way to spend my money!" Duncan Fox, Export Area Sales Manager of Cooper Roller Bearings, said "The course went extremely well, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others." Before his course, his knowledge of French was "none at all," but now he is fluent in conversation. Home Language International programs offer something for everyone. Many of their students develop long term friendships with their teachers and their families long after the course has ended. International Connections Consulting would like to thank Mr. Ian Josephs, President and Chief Executive of HLI, for providing us with all of the information for this article. If you would like more information on any of the programs offered by HLI, please contact International Connections Consulting.
A native of St. Croix,
US Virgin Islands, Wayne James is a prime example of reaching for
the stars and making it. Growing up on an island in the Caribbean,
he was able to experience the best of both worlds, tropical and city setting.
One of ten children, his parents bestowed all of the essential values (honor,
respect, self worth, spirituality, etc.) upon him. James's mother designed
and sewed all of her children's clothes. She instilled a sense of
pride in her children' s appearance that would stay with them
Encouragement, pride, and high self worth were embedded in James's subconscious. He was allowed to explore and expand upon all of his natural talents-eye for fashion, writing, creativity, and academic excellence. By the time he was in his teens, he knew that fashion would be a dominate force in his life. He began studying to refine his talent and develop it on a professional level. His love for writing was beginning to emerge and allow him to express himself in a way that would open up other doors and career avenues. James decided to attend Georgetown
University in Washington, DC USA. He obtained a bachelors in English
and continued his graduate studies in Law. Upon graduating from Law
School in 1987 at the age of 25, his fashion designs were picked
up by New York's Bergdorf Goodman, one of the world's most exclusive retail
establishments and all of the local and national news were overwhelmed
by the expression of talent and beauty that his new clothing line demonstrated.
He was hailed by Washington, DC's Washington Post newspaper as "one of
the rising stars among young New York designers." James has
Many thought that Wayne James had made it and would settle into his new found success and career with all of the complementary products-fragrances for example. In stead, he went in a totally different direction. Developing a line of spices and condiments from his Afro-Caribbean culture entitled the CARNIVAL line, he once again shocked the world by his brilliance and innovation. All of his new creations were picked up by some of the main upscale store chains ranging from Chicago, Illinois's fashionable Marshall Fields to military commissaries. James was able to reconnect to his Caribbean roots and rise to the occasion. After surpassing many of
his earlier expectations as a fashion designer and manufacturer of condiments,
he came up with an idea of developing a book entitled Fashionable
Foods-A Guide To Modern Caribbean Cooking that will combine fashion and
cooking. What a unique and innovative concept! The thought of having
a specific outfit that links to a gourmet dish. Many of us dress
for the type of restaurant and occasion but how many of us think
to attach our attire to the main course. His book is due out some
Looking at all his major
accomplishments, you may think "where will Wayne James go from here."
He will discover his true passion and calling in life. The Homeward
Bound Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1997 by Wayne
James. The mission of the foundation encourages Black People around
the world to take a more active interest in each other culturally, economically,
politically, and socially; furthermore, it encourageous the global,
collective healing from the devastation of the transatlantic enslavement
and the aftermath of racism. By creating Homeward Bound Centers,
the
Their first major project is the Middle Passage Monument Project (MPMP). MPMP is a major focus of the Foundation's efforts and serves as the impetus for all future activities. In addition, the Homeward Bound Foundation is sponsoring the Middle Passage Monument Journey aboard the Norwegian Crown from June 26, 1999-July 3, 1999. The ship will sail from New York on June 26, 1999 for Hamilton and St. George's Bermuda. Participants will attend on-board lectures by world-class scholars and celebrities, participate in cultural activities and visit historically significant sites. For more information on MPMP and the Middle Passage Monument Journey, visit the foundation's web site www.MiddlePassage.org. In an interview with James, he indicated that "the Homeward Bound Foundation has become my mission in life. The more that I work on this project I realize that this is my true calling. I love the other aspects of my life as a fashion designer, inventor, entrepreneur, and lawyer. However, the foundation will be my life long commitment. It's purpose of healing many old wounds and creating a global understanding of my culture and heritage will be my life time objective. I feel that all of my previous accomplishments have laid the groundwork for what will be an endless journey of discovery." Wayne James is truly "a man with a vision" that seems to encompass a wide variety of objectives and trends that know no bounds or limitation. International Connections
Consulting (ICC)'s President, Tasha Lewis would like to thank Wayne
James for providing all of the material for this article. If
you would like more information please contact Wayne James Designs
contact Wayne James, LTD, POB 25333, Washington, DC 20007 USA phone 202-234-1624,
toll free 800-953-6637, fax 202-362-7684, Carnival Line contact
Wayne James LTD, UPCOMING Fashion Cookbook contact Wayne James LTD,
or the Middle Passage Monument Project contact The Homeward Bound
Foundation, Inc., POB 25333, Washington, DC 20007 USA, phone 202-333-0911,
toll free 1-888-334-9229, fax 202-362-7684, e-mail info@middlepassage.org,
web site www.MiddlePassage.org,
The Middle Passage Monument Journey contact 1-800-772-0847, 273 Chauncy
Street, Mansfield, MA 02048.
Hostelling International's Ninth Annual International Travel Day The Ninth Annual International Travel Day (ITD) was held on February 13, 1999 at the Washington , DC Convention Center in Washington, DC USA . ITD is an event that brings together people throughout the community who share a passion for traveling to and exploring other countries. It is produced by Hostelling International, a non-profit membership organization that celebrates a spirit of openness by promoting international understanding through travel. It was sponsored by Rail Europe Group and includes a wide array of activities and exhibits geared toward the curious armchair traveler and the veteran voyager alike. Formerly "American Youth Hostels" in the United States, Hostelling International consists of a worldwide federation of 70 countries and 5,000 hostels. It all began in 1909 as a network of way stations for young Bavarian hikers. With the spread of this new movement, their mission became more than just a network of inexpensive lodging but a promotion of global awareness and understanding through travel and cultural exchange. Hostelling International embraces and welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds including families and seniors. ITD is recognized as the Mid Atlantic region's premier travel expo. Each ITD has attracted thousands of attendees, hundreds of volunteers, and dozens of commercial and nonprofit exhibitors as well as providing valuable travel advice from distinguished authors, inside information on over 50 countries, and numerous workshops and activities that give the attendees a wide selection of culture, entertainment, and more. Some of the presentations and topics for the 1999 edition of ITD included: The Practical Nomad: How To Travel Around The World, presented by Edward Hasbrouck; Air Courier Bargains, presented by Kelly Monaghan; Multicultural Tourism and the Importance of Language Learning, presented by Pamela Thomas, Editor of Pathfinders Magazine, and Tasha Lewis, President of International Connections Consulting; Becoming A Cultural Explorer, presented by Jeannette Belliveau; Five Millennia In 55-Minutes-How To See Europe's Greatest Art Without Ruining A Perfectly Good Vacation, presented by Gene Openshaw; The Art of Traveling Well and several other exciting topics. Tasha Lewis, President of International Connections Consulting (ICC), was on the panel for one of the presentations entitled "Multicultural Tourism and the Importance of Language Learning" along with Pamela Thomas, Editor of Pathfinders Magazine, a magazine dedicated to Travel for the African American community. Ms. Lewis spoke about the importance of doing your "research" or "homework" before planning any trip outside or even within the USA to better understand the new culture or country. Be it taking language course, meeting with a travel planner, or visiting an organization like Hostelling International, anyone desiring to have a successful trip should be prepared for the unexpected. For instance, Hostelling
International provides pre-departure services to inexperienced and experienced
travelers alike. They offer Budget Travel Workshops, International
Resource Center, and Travelers' Circle (a weekly discussion group) which
encourages you to share your travel dreams and make them into a reality.
At their travel store, Hostelling International Travel, they offer great
airline specials, rail passes,
Furthermore, Ms. Lewis encouraged the attendees to feel free to utilize ICCs services to assist them with their future travel needs by utilizing the many services her company offers such as Free Educational/Travel Advising, Global Event Calendar, Resource Directory (business, organizations, schools), a monthly newsletter that features many of the schools, businesses, and organizations that ICC works with worldwide to give potential students and vacationers an opportunity to read in-depth about what the schools offer. Pamela Thomas spoke about her magazine and the importance of a travel magazine dedicated to the minority community. Throughout her presentation, she highlighted the various multicultural differences that are sometimes overlooked by many of the popular travel magazines. Ms. Thomas utilized a wide array of illustrative examples along with the exceptional quality of the Pathfinder Magazine itself. In addition to all of the many presentations and workshops, International Travel Day offered a diverse group of entertainers including the Mystic Warriors, contemporary and traditional music of the Andes; the Skys Gathering, music of the Highlands; the Gypsy Strings, Eastern European Music; and Malika and Harem of the Queen, Middle Eastern music and belly dancing. There was even a Silent Auction that offered the attendees an opportunity to bid on Railpasses, Round trip tickets from Malaysia Airlines, Deluxe accommodations at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, a 7 course dinner at Marrakesh Moroccan restaurant in Washington, DC which just happens to be one of the favorite restaurants of ICC's President Tasha Lewis, Meditation lessons at the Shambhala Meditation Center and the list goes on. Peter LeBlanc, Program Director at Hostelling International-Seattle, was on hand for an interview. He told ICC "that the purpose of ITD was to increase information exchange; increase exposure for Hostelling International; and to increase the number of volunteers." He said "their goal was to encourage people to volunteer for their event and in the long term come back and continue their volunteer work with Hostelling International." Mr. Leblanc indicated that there would be another International Travel Day event in Seattle in October 1999. For details, you can visit their web site http://www.hiseattle.org or call at 206-382-0067. The next Travel Day in Washington, DC will take place in February 2000. Overall, ITD seemed to offer something for everyone no matter what your interest in travel may be. We encourage anyone interested in gaining a greater understanding of the world and its people to contact Hostelling International-AYH at Potomac Area Council, 1108 K Street NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20005-4010, Phone 202-783-0717, Fax 202-783-3148. We would like to thank Keith Berner, Executive Director-Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International-AYH, Amy Fisher, Program Director-Hostelling International-Washington, DC, Peter LeBlanc, Program Director-Hostelling International-Seattle for inviting ICC to be a part of this event and for providing the information for this article.
Spanish. Why learn Spanish? Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world and more than 330 million people speak it worldwide. It is the official language of 21 countries. In the United States, over 30 million people speak Spanish. Close to 1,000 Spanish words have been incorporated into English dictionaries. Business between different countries and Spanish speaking nations is growing rapidly. The list of reasons goes on and on. At Enforex, they believe that learning the Spanish language is a key to success for the next millennium. Enforexs Philosophy is "Perfection in work and enthusiasm for every task it develops." With five locations in Spain (Madrid, 2 locations in Marbella, Salamanca, and Barcelona) and one in Quito (Ecuador, South America) with headquarters in Madrid, Enforex offers their clients an enormous amount of opportunities to learn Spanish in some of the most famous and culturally rich cities in Europe. Enforex was founded in 1989 and is recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and by the "Instituto Cervantes", the official entity that promotes the Spanish Language and Culture throughout the world. The school offers American College credits or high school credits. This feature is especially important to many American students when deciding upon a foreign study program. By allowing students to combine
their studies in the different locations in Spain without additional cost,
Enforex gives them an opportunity to get to know the different regional
customs within Spain that makes it so unique and diverse. The schools
population ranges from children and teenagers (6-18 years old) to university
students and adults, professionals and executives, and third age (senior
citizens). From the
There are a list of services available to the students. For example, one can send and receive e-mail free of charge in the Internet room; Library has a wide variety of subjects, novels and classical Spanish Literature; video and computer rooms and exchange conversation lessons between our Spanish and International students are just some of the many advantages of attending Enforex. Lets not forget Housing. Enforex gives their students a list of various types of accommodations to meet each individuals needs. You can choose to live with a host family, university campus/residence, apartments, or even a hotel. Whatever you fancy, they have the option for you. Jose Manuel Martin, Product Manager, was on hand to give us an in-depth look at Enforex from the inside. Mr. Martin has a background in Advertising, Marketing, Merchandising, and Public Relations. He speaks English and German in addition to Spanish. His prior experience in the Spanish language school field allows him to be well equipped for the task of promoting Enforex Spanish Language School. According to Mr. Martin, the teaching methodology is an interactive method based on learning by practice (the communicative method). Included in this is Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Oral Comprehension, and Oral Expression. All of the teachers have a Bachelor in Arts (Degrees in Linguistics, Literature, History, etc.) and specialize in teaching Spanish as a Second Language with special teacher training courses and a Masters in teaching Spanish as a second language. Another thing that differentiates
Enforex from other schools is that it offers special scholarships, assistantships
and special rebates to university students, university cultural departments,
university foreign language departments, and councilors. This depends
on the total number of students who wish to attend a program at any of
their schools. For example, they offer one free place to the group
leaders (1 for every 8 to 15 students) and special discounts from 20% to
45% on the normal fees. In addition to that,
Enforex is a member of some of the leading national and international organizations, such as Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations (FIYTO), Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association (BELTA), Association of International Educators (NAFSA,), Union Latina, Asociacion Espanola de Promotores de cursos en el Extranjero (ASEPROCE), Asociacion de escuelas de espanol de Madrid (AEEM), Asociacion madrilena de centros de formacion europea (AMACFE), and Asociacion educativa de cursos academicos en el extranjero (AECAE). What types of activities
and excursions are available? Enforex offers a list of activities
for everyone including visits to museums, walking tours in Madrid to the
Prado Museum, Monastery of Las Descalzas, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Contemporary
Art Museum Reina Sofia, Archeological Museum, The Spanish Parliament, Romantic
Painting Museum, Lopa de Vega Museum, Sorolla Impressionist
Whether you're in search of a great Spanish language school, an exciting vacation, obtaining college credits toward your degree, or an adventure-whatever your pleasure, Enforex is the place for you. We would like to thank Antonio Anadon, President, and Jose Manuel Martin, Product Manager for providing us with the material for this article. If you would like more information on Enforex or any of the other information in this article, please dont hesitate to contact International Connections Consulting.
When you think of Hawaii, you think of crystal clear, blue skies with white sandy beaches with everyone walking around in shorts and tropical shirts without a care in the world. That's just the tip of the iceberg. It offers so much more, including Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) where learning is offered in an international and culturally rich environment and getting an above average and academically challenging education is the standard. HPU has one of the most diverse student bodies in America. With students from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, as well as the United States and a host of other countries, their student body is a perfect representation of the worlds new global environment. HPU has two campuses- an urban campus in the heart of downtown Honolulu and a rural residential campus on the windward side of Oahu, eight miles away, giving its students the best of both worlds. There are also eight satellite campuses on military locations. One of the reasons that HPU
is so unique is their schools calendar year. By offering classes year round
and so many different terms, students can start their classes at almost
any time. A student can accelerate their degree and finish their
program in less time. Academically, the university's standards for admission
are on par with many of the higher quality comparable facilities.
In addition, HPU has a low student to faculty ratio with an average class
size of under 25 students. They offer the students all of
HPU offers undergraduate
and graduate degrees in most fields. Their faculty is comprised of seasoned
professionals who have graduated from some of the top Ivy League schools
such as Harvard, and Yale just to name a few. The university
has one of the largest Career Service Centers in the US assisting
students with internships, cooperative education opportunities, and job
placement with an impressive list of national and international companies.
The most important benefits of participating in the cooperative
Alexia C. Soares, International Relations Coordinator, was on hand to assist us with our article. Ms. Soares, an alumni of HPU, gave us a true to life story about what it was like to be a student at HPU. Ms. Soares came from Brazil, South America. She said "that when choosing where to study, the US was a natural choice since I already knew the language and was familiar with the culture. Hawaii was just perfect for me because I wanted to go to school in a place where I could get a high quality education, and at the same time be able to enjoy nature and have a good quality of life. Hawaii's weather is wonderful and I really appreciate our average 330 days of sunshine. I started school back in September 1996, and was able to complete my MBA studies in May of 1998. Right after my graduation I was hired by HPU to become an International Recruiter. As of right now, I have decided to pursue a second Masters Degree in Information Systems, and I am very proud to be a member of the HPU family." Ms. Soares is indeed one of the many success stories at HPU. HPU offers a balance of state-of-the-art classroom and computer technology, leading theory in diversified fields of study, and opportunities for practical application. All of the courses have a strong component in analytical reasoning, communications, teamwork and technology. The students are given the opportunity to work on team projects, network socially and professionally with students from over 90 countries and all 50 states. 80 percent of the undergraduate students are between 18 and 29 years old, where as 87 percent of their graduate students are between the ages of 22 and 39 years old. HPU's final decision for accepting students is contingent upon the following three areas; prior academic performance, professional experience, and potential for success in that field of study. The university offers most of the standard financial assistance options available at most major institutions like merit scholarships, federal loans, work-study programs, federal grants, and athletic and activity scholarships. The final amount will depend upon the students budget, need, and type of scholarship or final award. Some of the sports activities include horseback riding, surfing, tennis, fitness center, soccer, swimming, golf, squash, basketball, aerobics, volleyball, and much more. On the weekend, there are excursions to many of the other Hawaiian islands. As I'm sure you can see, Hawaii Pacific University gives you a much broader and deeper perspective of what Hawaii has to offer to the world in terms of a viable, sensible and logical educational opportunity. We would like to thank Alexia C. Soares, International Relations Coordinator and Elfi Stevenson, Finance, for providing us with the material for this article. If you would like more information on Hawaii Pacific University or any of the other information in this article, please don't hesitate to contact International Connections Consulting.
International Connections Consulting talked with the founder and owner of BWS Germanlingua, Cornelia Kossakowski about the success of a dance and language program. In cooperation with the IWANSON Dance Center, the largest private dance studio in Europe, BWS Germanlingua offers German language teaching combined with a dance training course. In the mornings, students take German and in the evenings they go for their dance instruction. After 12 weeks, a student is eligible to receive the IWANSON certificate for training directors and after 46 weeks, a student is eligible to receive the IWANSON diploma for jazz teachers. Both of these final examinations are internationally recognized. Within both training courses, the emphasis lies on dancing: modern/contemporary dance, jazz dance and classical ballet. The school also offers theory classes which focus on the history of modern dance, the anatomical principles of dance and the educational theory of modern dance for children. During the 46 week training course the students, together, will choreograph a dance piece and perform it to the public on the stage of the IWANSON studio. BWS Germanlingua has three centers--Munich, Passau, and Grun. In Munich, they take students from 16 years on and offer all levels of German from beginning to advanced. In Passau, they accept students from the age of 14, and the Grun site, a residential center, is particularly suited for Juniors ages 12-18. Knowledge of the German language is not necessary to begin with the German and Dance program. However, basic dance skills are required. To be eligible for the twelve week training course, it is required that students dance in front of a teacher at the IWANSON Dance Center, and for the 64 week course, students are required to submit a video tape of their dancing. Dance proficiency is not required for the German and Dance programme for students who are interested in dance but do not wish to do a training course. After the German lessons in the morning, which alternate between oral and written activities, students take a minimum of 3 dance lessons per week at the IWANSON Dance Center. This program can also be combined with art lessons like basic techniques of sculpture, painting or drawing at the noted Atelier Project. BWS Germanlingua is really a fantastic experience, and the fact that it's main campus is in Munich--one of Europe's most important centers for art and culture, makes it all the more appealing. We would like to thank Ms. Cornelia Kossakowski, Founder and Owner for providing us with the information for the article. If you would like more information about BWS Germanlingua's programs, please contact International Connections Consulting.
International Connections Consulting talked with the Marketing Assistant, Giambattista Pace for Scuola Leonardo da Vinci about the school and what makes it a unique program. For starters, Scuola Leonardo has campuses in three of the most famous historical world centers-- Florence, Rome, and Siena. All of these Italian cities are unique in their own right with regards to food, wine, art, culture, and landscape. In Italy, "everything can change within a few miles...." This option allows the students to take courses in the three cities within in one program term. And because the school is open all year round, and students can be enrolled anywhere from two weeks to a year, makes it all the better in terms of trotting about Italy. Since the schools' founding in 1977, the school has prided itself on its teaching staff which is comprised of only the best university graduates in Italy who are specially trained to teach Italian to foreign students. Also, the school is very proud of the fact that they offer their students the possibility to take the Italian Certificates "Firenze" (basic, intermediate, advanced levels) under the supervision of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (Academy of Italian Language). In the classrooms, Italian is the only language spoken. The school believes that this method promotes a standard for verbal communication from the very beginning, and inevitably enhances the students' confidence. Scuola Leonardo accepts students who are at least 16 years of age and who are very interested in Italian culture and have a strong desire to learn the Italian language. The average age of a Scuola Leonardo student is 25. Of all the courses offered at Scuola Leonardo, the Intensive Plus, among the language courses, is the most sought after. It's popularity can be attributed to the fact that during the six hours per day spent on Italian language a student can combine the group course in the morning and the private lessons in the afternoon. "The real PLUS is that the students choose the subjects in the afternoon classes." Among the cultural courses, the Cooking and Wine courses are the most popular. Scuola Leonardo, in all of its three campuses, affords students with a unique opportunity to learn the language, travel throughout Italy, embrace the culture and learn the art of preparing fine Italian cuisine. Sounds like a winner to me! We would like to thank Mr. Giambattista Pace, Marketing Assistant for providing us with the information for the article. If you would like more information about Scuola Leonardo da Vinci's programs, please contact International Connections Consulting.
"What a better place to study dance and English than the Dance Capital of the World, New York!" This is the thought that organizers, Cesar Rennert, President,and Carol Fonda, Organizer, had when starting Rennert Bilingual's Dance and English program. The program is structured in such a way that the students learn English at their own level in the mornings at Rennert Bilingual and then are transported to their dance classes. Meeting American students at their dance classes and at the performances that they attend together, provides Rennert students with the opportunity to put their English into practice. After all, "there is always a higher incentive to learn a foreign language when you are studying it in the context of something you are passionate about, like dance," said Christine Jones, Administrative Assistant at Dance Forum. Among the dance schools on the list for students to choose from are the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center, Dance Space, Limon Institute, and Steps. Most of these schools offer a variety of classes such as Ballet, Tap, Simonson Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop and others. Students who are at least 17 years of age and who have a beginning to advanced level of English are accepted into the program. Because of the intense nature of the program, it is required that students have at least 2 years dance experience or other kind of movement training before being accepted. A written evaluation must be presented to the school from the prospective student's current teacher or coach, so that the student can be placed in the proper class level, before arriving. Also, what makes this program unique is the BodiBalance TM technique that was developed by Carol Fonda. This technique "emphasizes balancing muscle effort with the energy flow to enable the dancer to move in more perfect harmony. This method can be applied to any dance or movement style. Within one month, students can experience an increase in strength, flexibility, coordination, and kinesthetic awareness. Most of students who have been enrolled in the Rennert Bilingual Dance and English Program agree that this is not only a unique program to learn English, but also an amazing way to experience New York City and sharpen one's dancing technique and performance. We would like to thank Mr. Cesar Rennert, President, and Carol Fonda, Organizer for providing us with the information for the article. If you would like more information about Rennert Bilingual's programs, please contact International Connections Consulting.
Escuela Internacional (E.I.) is building success stories of students, teachers, career changers, and lay people, all interested in learning or perfecting the Spanish language. E.I. has changed the way their students think about learning a foreign language, and they are winning. With campuses in three Spanish cities, Alcala, Salamanca, Malaga in Spain, and one in Cancun, Mexico, a record of ensuring language proficiency in three months, a variety of certification options, internship offerings, and an "Individual Course in a teacher's home," it's no wonder that Escuela Internacional is a dynamic, and challenging environment that makes learning Spanish muy divertido (very amusing/a lot of fun). Escuela Internacional has secured qualified standards regarding facility, course structures, and teaching staff from the University of Alcala, one of the most historical and renowned universities in Spain. E.I. is unique in its course format because it places an emphasis on communication and interaction, by focusing on speaking, hearing, reading, and writing. According to Midori Ishizaka, Director of Marketing and Admissions at E.I., the communication dynamic is a somewhat less-traditional style of classroom learning and teaching, yet nonetheless demanding. I was quite impressed with the fact that the E.I.'s administrative staff is versed in English, French, German, and Japanese, and all have had a wide range of study abroad experiences. With such diversity there, it is no wonder that E.I. is able to attract an internationally broad student population, which surely makes for a very dynamic learning environment. Students who are educated at E.I. are, in three months, just as proficient as students who have been studying the language for about three years. How can this be, you may say, for when I was a student in grade school, studying Spanish for six years, I was no where near fluent, I was still adjusting to being able to comprehend the language without having to dissect the verbal tenses beforehand. Well, for one, at E.I. students are exposed to the language 4-6 times a day, everyday, and are immersed in a Spanish language environment, both inside and outside of the classroom. For those of you who may have had language courses similar to those in my experience, remember having to memorize the present tense, then the past tense, and finally the future, and perfect, and pluperfect? Well, at E.I. it would be rare that a student would define the language in that very calculated way because the teaching methodology does not advocate memorization of one grammatical tense before moving on to another. One of the reasons that the school can implement a methodology that emphasizes communication is because the student is hearing all of the grammatical tenses everyday, in the town, or with their host family. Thus, as far as teaching goes, the instructors have to confront speech in a very communicative way that embraces all of the verbal possibilities. That is what's most exciting to me because the language is no longer artificial, it becomes real. I believe that this kind of intensity makes all the difference--maybe I'd even be fluent by now! E.I. has a rolling admissions process (on going enrollment) and accepts students from sixteen years old. It is only during the summer, in the Young People's Course, in Salamanca and Malaga, that they accept students who are at least fourteen years of age. Students do not have to have any knowledge of Spanish, but rather a sheer desire to learn. However, it is recommended that students who have not had any exposure to the language start their courses at the beginning of the four week course blocks, as opposed to coming in midway or towards the end of a course block. Or the true beginner can take individual lessons to catch up with the class that is currently in session. With such a dynamic curriculum, wonderful instructors and a supportive environment, it's no wonder E.I. students love the school. Claudia Boccato, a student from Italy, remarked that she "...like[s] everything [about the school] and wouldn't change a thing...well, just one thing, my plane ticket, because I don't want to go home yet." If you would like more information
on any of the programs at Escuela Internacional, please contact International
Connections Consulting. Special thanks to Midori Ishizaka, Director
of Marketing and Admissions at E.I., who provided
the information for this article.
BLS (Bordeaux Language Studies) enables foreigners to discover the French culture through its language. The school was conceived in Bordeaux in 1993 by Damien Renaux. At the age of 30, Damien had an awesome amount of travel experiences throughout the United States and abroad, and had the idea to start a school to teach foreign students all aspects of French culture and language. Now in its fifth year, the school is expanding at such a rapid pace that they have had approximately 2,000 students already. BLS prides itself on its innovative method for teaching French. They offer approximately 20 themes per level: grammar, contemporary civilization, classical literature, contemporary literature, communication techniques, the history of Bordeaux, advertising, the theatre, and French savoir-vivre' (study of different life styles). Although these are the courses offered, a student has the option of organizing personalized lessons that support their individual needs and interests. For example, In 1997, for a Swedish Cardiologist, BLS organized French medical vocabulary tuition plus accompanied visits to hospitals and laboratories as well as meetings with fellow French doctors. Also, private lessons are offered for students who have highly ambitious linguistic objectives. Moving away from the somewhat traditional language instruction methodology, BLS offers linguistic workshops to enhance the diverse teaching and learning styles. The main goal of these workshops is to encourage verbal expression in French and to give [the students] a taste for the language. Contrary to the usual language classes offered in most traditional schooling environments, BLS teaches students to speak and to hear the language first, and then grammar and syntax are approached. BLS prepares candidates for the DELF (Diplome d'Etudes en Langue Francaise) or DALF (Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francaise) exams, set by the Ministere de l'Education Nationale. BLS has had a 98% pass rate with students taking these exams. Also, students can be prepared for the Certificat Pratique de Francais Commercial de la Chambre de Comerce de Paris. BLS has had a 100% pass result. With all that BLS offers, and the small class size of four to eight students, BLS is definitely accomplishing their objective: to teach its students to communicate in everyday situations. In addition to French language teaching , BLS offers a variety of courses that inevitably immerse the students in some of the well-known aspects of French culture. By taking French Gastronomy, a two-hour cheese-tasting session organized by Jean d'Alos, a prominent cheese maker in Bordeaux, students learn about the wonders and distinctions of cheese. Of course, this class wouldn't be complete without a wine course. The World of Wine is a course offered to enable students to discover and appreciate the cultural richness and superb efforts behind wine-making. The students are taken on visits to wine cellars where they learn about vine maintenance, vinification methods, etc. These lessons are taught by the chateau owners. For a more in-depth course, students may enroll in The Bordeaux Wine Course and the Art of Wine tasting. The course lasts for six days (40 hours a week) and is comprised of lectures, wine-tasting sessions, visits to some very well-known chateaus, meetings with cellar-masters, buffet dinners, and of course a test at the end of the course. Students who successfully complete the course are presented with a Connoisseur's Certificate. In addition to cheese and wine courses, students can choose other classes like regional cookery, floral decoration and display. I imagine these classes are a lot of fun because they allow students to learn about some of the aspects that make up French culture, and thus the students truly begin to feel apart of the culture. For the younger sports-loving student (between the ages of 13 and 17) BLS offers the International Summer Programme in Biarritz. In 1997, the program's first year, close to fifty young people from around the world were enrolled. The students in this program take morning French lessons four days a week. The whole of Wednesday in addition to one afternoon a week, are set aside for excursions, museum visits, hill-walking in the Pyrenees, rafting in the Basque County, a visit to the natural reserve of wild horses, visits to village towns such as St. Jean de Luz, and St. Jean Pied de Port'. The main goal of this program is to create a structured language and cultural program for the adolescent that makes learning French fun. The program runs from the 5th of July to the 29th of August. BLS has just opened up English Language Schools at the BLS campus in Chicago, Illinois, USA. If you are interested in any of the programs offered at BLS, please contact International Connections Consulting. Special thanks to Corinne Woodward, Director Of Marketing, for providing the information for this article. TASHA LEWIS AND STUDY ABROAD PANEL CONSULT AT FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Whether you're a foreign language teacher, a student who wants to study abroad, or an educational advisor who wants to send some of your students abroad, you obviously are interested in the opportunities that are available for studying in another country. Whether it is because you recognize the importance of visiting a country that speaks the language that you are learning or teaching, or you know the value of being exposed to other cultures, or any myriad of compelling reasons, you are interested in foreign study. As excited as you are, you undoubtedly havequestions that must be answered regarding procedures, language requirements, opportunities before embarking on your journey. The Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) along with the Greater Washington Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages (GWATFL)hosted the first annual joint conference: "Bringing the World into ourClassrooms," on November 6th and 7th, 1998 at the Fairview Marriot in Falls Church, Virginia. The conference was open to teachers of alllevels of foreign language instruction. According to Lynn McGovern-Waite, president of FLAVA, the goal of the conference was to "offer each participant an opportunity for professional growth and fornetworking with colleagues." And according to one of the study abroadpanelists, Tasha Lewis, it was quite successful. The presenters on the Study Abroad panel included Tasha Lewis, President of International Connections Consulting, Starlett Craig, Director of Pre-College Enrichment Programs at Clemson University, Shawn Grant, Coordinator of Minority Student Recruitment at Messiah College, Barbara Rondeau, Training Specialist at Prince George's Community College, Dr. Brett Mills, Dean of Institutional Advancement at LaSalle University, and Christian de Poly, Director at France Langue. Although the latter two mentioned were not able to participate, Tasha Lewis, Starlett Craig, Shawn Grant, and Barbara Rondeau were able to impart some very useful information and advice. Starlett Craig, with her background as Director for Pre-College Enrichment Programs at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, including coordinator for travel-study tours for pre-college students, aswell as her prior positions as a foreign student advisor, a study abroadadvisor, a consultant for the Council of International Educational Exchange, and a member of the Scholarship Review Committee for the American Institute for Foreign Studies, made her an awesome resource fora number of the foreign language teachers in attendance who had questionsregarding study abroad opportunities for high school students as well as the language proficiency requirements for various universities and programs. As coordinator of Minority Student Recruitment for Messiah College, just south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Shawn Grant provided an interestingperspective on the travel opportunities that Messiah offers students who wish to travel almost anywhere in the world including England, Ecuador,Costa Rica, Spain, Tibet, Malaysia, France, Singapore, and Egypt. As Grant said, "You name it our students have been there." For students,teachers, or advisors interested in any of those countries, Grant's relaying of student's past experiences, particularly in regards to some of the options available for accommodation, was very insightful. Barbara Rondeau, with her
vast experience administering and delivering training
programs in foreign language
In terms of resources, scholarships, and short term study programs, Tasha Lewis, of International Connections Consulting, was able to helpsome of the audience members as she referred them to her website, www.intlconnections.com, as well as noted further research that she will perform to assist with their needs. With such diverse backgrounds, the four presenters were able to impart some very useful information that have and will continue to help teachers, students, and advisors, as they begin to gain some resolve in regards to the ins and outs of studying and traveling abroad. What impressed me most about the study abroad panel was the fact that one of the presenters participated via telephone speakerphone. This meantthat when a question was asked and the panelist was not able to verifythe information off of the top of her head, she was able to do some quick research and then simply jump back into the conversation with the correctinformation. Thus, the emphasis at this panel was placed on accessing the information and getting the answers. With such a savy way ofconferencing and the diversity of panelists and the information presented, I am sure the audience appreciated all that was offered. For further information, or if you have questions about studying/traveling abroad and you would like to contact any of the panelists, please e-mail Tasha Lewis, tLewis@intlconnections.com or write to International Connections Consulting, P.O. Box 8384, Silver Spring, MD 20907. E-Mail
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