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ICC WANTS TO CHANGE SOME OF ITS LOOKS TO GIVE THEIR CLIENTS A BETTER PICTURE Optimal service is what most
companies strive to achieve in order to give their clients the best and
to compete in the long run. International Connections Consulting
(ICC) has spent the last twelve months assessing the market and the latest
trends in Education. We have actively sought out quality products
(schools, services, etc.) that could meet the growing needs our clients
(businesses, organizations, schools, students, and teachers) that are involved
in almost any aspect of the education field. Working with high quality
schools is paramount to providing our wide range of visitors to our
web site what they
ICC not only provides Free
Educational Advising but we offer several complimentary products (Resource
Directory, Global Event Calendar, Monthly Newsletters featuring our clients).
In addition to all of this, we are developing a host of other services
to further enhance our web site and current host of services.
International Connections Consulting is currently developing on-line conferencing
tools and services. These tools and services will foster the interaction
necessary between ICC clients. ICC will make
ICC realizes that many web sites offer photos and maps that allow visitors to not only read about their desired school but actually visualize it. Until, we were able to offer these features with minimal discomfort or inconvenience to our clients, we did not want to risk increasing the load time on our web site which in the long run would discourage potential visitors because of the inconvenience. After some fine tuning and above average support from our web hosting company, ICC is now going to begin a lengthy process of adding photos to our current and previous articles over the course of the next year. In the Spring of 2000, ICC will launch a special Book Section that allows independent publishers, small, medium and some big companies to take advantage of our specialized audience and continuous Marketing Program by placing a listing in our Book Section for a reasonable fee. In return, their book or web site will receive international exposure. The topics and subject matter of each book will have to meet certain guidelines predetermined by ICC to ensure that the quality and mission statement of our web site is not compromised. Please view our web sites information and Resource Directory to learn more about what we market and promote before submitting request to avoid potential conflicts of interests. Thank you in advance. Furthermore, International Connections Consulting will be setting up a special workshop page along with other special themes for example, Teacher Training, to allow the ICC family to showcase some of their other areas of expertise. Look for details regarding this section in the next six months. Last but definitely not least, ICC's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to take this opportunity to thank all of its clients (businesses, organizations, schools, students, and teachers, etc.) for all of their support and feedback that is contributing to making ICC an above average Educational Advising company with lots of extras. International Connections Consulting wishes you'll a happy, prosperous and safe year. To contact International Connections Consulting.
Whether your an artist looking for the perfect ambiance and environment for your next masterpiece or a future scholar trying to learn Spanish and have a fabulous vacation simultaneously, Hispanica Colegio Internacional will provide with everything you need to obtain your desired objective. Overlooking the Mediterranean sea with a breathtaking view of hills and mountains, Hispanica Colegio Internacional (HCI) is situated on a cliff on the outskirts of Nerja. HCI gives new meaning to an exhilarating learning experience. The school provides a quiet and peaceful setting to enjoy a historic town while staying in a hotel/school that caters to all of your desires for a luxurious accommodations and elegance. There are seven terraces, each with its own unique ambiance and character. This is a perfect site for the selective and discriminating client who wants the best at value prices. Not only will the students learning experience be enhanced by this ideal environment but their stay will be unforgettable. In addition to providing high quality accommodations and location, HCI's hotel has a sauna and Jacuzzi in their basement. So after classes, sightseeing, swimming and getting a tan, the student can just relax and get ready for the next day. Hispanica Colegio Internacional would be an ideal location for a wedding, honeymoon or even a location shoot for a commercial, movie or video. Mr. Enrique Caro Bernal,
Director of Hispánica Colegio Internacional, was only to happy
to give International Connections Consulting a host of reasons why his
school makes the grade.
ICC: "What is your role at Hispanica Colegio Internacional? How long have you been at the school?" HCI: "I am Enrique Caro Bernal, Director of Hispánica Colegio Internacional. The school was founded in 1985." ICC: "What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend Hispanica Colegio Internacional? What makes Hispanica Colegio Internacional unique?" HCI: "The most compelling reason for a student to attend Hispánica:
HCI: "Courses and programmes that we offer: Course A (ING) 4 lessons per day, max. 10 students per class
from Monday to Friday: 08.30 a.m. - 02.30 p.m. Levels: all Minimum stay: 2 weeks Course C (PHS) Private course with ad lib hours Course D (SIHS) Semi-individual Course with ad lib hoursAdditional information: As the courses are intensive and involve the complete immersion of the student in participating for a concentrated period of time, they are short in duration. Although there are other courses, our typical standard courses are organized in full cycles of his choice. Minimum enrolment is for one two-week cycle and we recommend participation in two two-week cycles in order to achieve a substantial command of the material. For those wishing to take full advantage of all facets of the method we recommend the full 4 hour-cycle programme of 8 weeks.Special courses for professionals: Those experts active in the various professions, in which the knowledge of the Spanish language is essential in today's world and in the future, such as translators of the variousOur social programme: In addition to the normal course work and daily classes, no effort will be spared to make the student feel at home and among friends and to overcome those difficulties that sometimes beset the student of a foreign language in a foreign country. We take every step to develop familiar, friendly and relaxed relationship between all the members of the college, a characteristic of which we are very proud.
HCI: "The minimum age accepted at our school: 16 years. We do not ask for a special type of student or qualities. On the first day each student has to take a written test and after we will know the exact level, and we can, in this way, make a classification easily." ICC: "Explain your teaching methodology." HCI: "Our teaching methodology: HISPANICA'S method is cyclical in nature and is organized to accomplish fluency in three inter-related stages:
From the beginning, the student is immersed in a truly Spanish atmosphere. To further the aim of perfection through constant practice, radio cassette recorders could be provided for private study periods. The text and conversation books will be provided to all students as a part of the programme. Frequent video sessions will give you extra opportunities to practise, learn and discuss. All are university educated and specially trained in our method. They have had vast experience in teaching Spanish for foreign students, are endowed with distinguished linguistic qualifications and pedagogic abilities, and have been selected on the basis of their personalities and qualifications in addition to their ability to work closely and effectively in assisting each student to reach his or her individual goals."
HCI: "We are afraid we do not offer any kind of financial aid or scholarships." ICC: "We would like to thank Mr. Enrique Caro Bernal for the interview." HISPANICA offers credits according to different programmes organized by some colleges in California. International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Mr. Enrique Caro Bernal, Director of Colegio Internacional, Mrs. Bernal and staff for their hospitality during her visit in October 1999 during the FEDELE Conference. If you would like to enroll or more information regarding HCI, please contact International Connections Consulting. Some testimonies: HISPANICA is...the creation of a total experience. Overall my experience at HISPANICA was a wonderful in almost every way and I will remember it fondly forever. The care and attention given each student is very special and makes HISPANICA a unique and special place... There is no way I can express in words or thank everyone enough for this meaningful experience! You have created a magical place in which to share the language and culture of Spain.
With the new millennium, the need for quality trained employees is becoming paramount to maintain a competitive edge in most industries. Gaining valuable experience before you enter the job market can give a student the advantage he/she needs to obtain their career objectives. Not only are they more marketable but they have gained valuable life experience that will carry them through life. After numerous requests from visitors to our web site, International Connections Consulting (ICC) has decided to offer assistance with connecting potential internship candidates with ICC clients who offer Internship programs. Whether you would like to receive training in the USA or abroad, ICC’s wide selection of global clients can provide you with a unique opportunity to enrich your career and life. Many of the programs can be combined with obtaining credit, college and language courses. If you are interested in finding out more information about Internships or other courses, please visit ICC’s main pages and client page. Many of the schools have been featured in ICC’s newsletter. You can read about them by clicking on the school’s name or going directly to ICC’s newsletter’s front page and scrolling down to our Archives. After narrowing down your choices, complete the ICC Contact form with all of the appropriate information. You will be provided with a series of questions to ensure that your selections are appropriate and meet your overall needs. Then you will be put in touch with the schools that you select. It’s just that simple. The Internships vary from nonpaying to some form of compensation. This is an important consideration. If you select a location outside of your home country, you will need to keep in mind that if you select a nonpaying position, you will be responsible for all of the related expenses (travel, lodging, meals, expenses, insurance, work permit,etc.). If this is a major deterrent, you may want to look at combining the internship with your studies. This would allow you to qualify for grants or scholarships that could defer or eliminate some of these costs. These are all viable responses that you should provide when completing the ICC contact form. For whatever reason you have chosen to obtain an internship, doing as much homework and research on the designated country as possible will make your experience a "Living and Learning Experience." International Connections Consulting.
All businesses realize the importance of an effective Marketing Campaign to make their company successful. Those who don't discover too late that without an effective and forceful effort in this area the entrepreneur will never obtain the results that he/she seeks-successful/profitable company. For this reason, International Connections Consulting (ICC) has developed a host of FREE Marketing Tools that allow its clients/visitors/friends/family to take advantage of and help ICC get the word out. Its not enough to offer a quality product (web site advising services which include FREE Educational Advising, FREE Resources (funding, scholarship, and research information, etc.), Global Event Calendar, FREE Monthly Newsletter and a host of other services. Spread the word. ICC has made it easy for you to spread the word about International Connections Consulting and all their services by providing you with downloadable/printable flyers with tear offs. Print one today and hang it up in your office, school, employee cafeteria, or anywhere someone might be interested. www.intlconnections.com/brochure.htm If you are currently working with ICC, this is an added benefit to you and your staff. The ICC Resource Directory allows you to tap into a host of FREE resources. Our Global Event Calendar is great for Directors who participate in conferences/workshops worldwide. Each month, the ICC Newsletter lets you read about the quality schools that International Connections Consulting represents worldwide. This gives you a taste of what some of your competitors offer and also insights into your own course offerings and what the latest market demands are. Whatever your affiliation is, you can't lose by helping us get the word out about all that International Connections Consulting has to offer. We thank you in advance for your continued support. International Connections Consulting Brochure.
Being the only school dedicated exclusively to teaching Spanish in Bilbao, Spain, Etudios&Practicas (E&P) sets a trend for learning the language. They provide their students with just what they need to learn. The best way to learn a language with the minimum effort is by practice. In this way, E&P's philosophy from the beginning was to give not just the usual grammar lessons but many other alternative and optional programs based on the students hobbies. The school is able to provide civilization lessons, which are taught in a very easy way to follow, most of Spain's extensive history, literature, art and general culture. This gives the students an excuse to take notes, ask questions, read something interesting, in the language that they are learning. If they are not interested in History lessons Estudios&Practicas has up to 11 different Art workshops ranging from painting, sculpture, designing, dancing, cooking, photography, decorative arts, pottery, carving, engraving, furniture restoration. The students are placed with other Spanish people in a very relaxing atmosphere; it is the perfect excuse to make friends and practice the language while sharing common hobbies. E&P offers a variety of sport activities for the weekend such as, horseback riding, golf, scuba diving, surfing, canoeing, sailing, archery, cable sliding, bird watching, descending canyons, rock climbing, bungee jumping, caving, orienteering, mountain bike, paddle, tennis and multi-adventure. The school mixes groups of students with Spanish people who share the same passion for nature, all groups are led by professional monitors with the best gear, transportation and complete insurance is included. During the weekend, E&P organizes excursions to places of interest such as museums, prehistoric caves, historic towns, well-known wine distilleries and a very large variety of other places. All excursions are made with small groups of native tourist people who are visiting the city. Our students are encouraged to practice speaking Spanish during these encounters. The school provides the following programs: Teacher Training with a full immersion into the Spanish culture: Au-pair program combining Spanish grammar lessons, two hours a day five days a week with babysitting: Internships for those who already speak Spanish fluently and want to get some work experience abroad. E&P can help them to quickly reach the required level of Spanish in case applicants do not have it. The school offers a deep and complete immersion in local culture which makes learning an easy task. Apart from that, Bilbao has
all the advantages of one of the most dynamic cities of Spain, the third
one according to the Spanish ranking system, but at the same time all conveniences
of a city with just half a million population. The city was discovered
by the Romans and it has been the capital of Bizkaia
Estudios&Practicas also provides very convenient, varied, economic and well-selected types of accommodation such as host/families, single apartments or apartments to share with other Spanish students, youth hostel, student residences or hotels, we have optional airport pick up service. Trying to co-ordinate all these activities is not an easy task that is why E&P prefers to remain a rather medium size school than too big, our maximum capacity is 80 students, that fact allows us to know everybodys name. Mr. Gonzalo Kirkland, Director at Estudios&Practicas felt it was important that he take care of all the details. He said "My duty in the school is to take care of our students, making sure they are having a cultural immersion for the quick learning of Spanish in a familiar atmosphere." E&P only has two requirements to enroll for their Au-pair program: being a single woman from 18 to 30 years old. For the rest of the programs students must be at least 18 years of age. No minimum proficiency in Spanish is required except for Internships where an upper intermediate level is essential, therefore E&P does accept ANY student. Estudios&Practicas methodology is based on the newest material the Instituto Cervantes has presented and consists of:
The only economic aid that Estudios&Practicas offers is the Au-Pair program where female participants enjoy accommodation, full board for free and 66 Euros, approx. $70 per week as pocket money in exchange for babysitting and light home duties related with the child/dren they have to look after. International Connections Consulting's President would like to thank Mr. Gonzalo Urrutia Kirkland, Director of Estudios&Practicas, for supplying all of the material for this article. If you would like more information or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting. These are some of the testimonies gathered from the surveys we give to know the students level of satisfaction: I found the course very useful, the school is small and friendly, and it offers an interesting choice of language programs, cultural activities and sporting facilities.
If you want to learn English in a setting that gives you the feel and connection with learning English, Manchester Language School (MLS) in Manchester, United Kingdom is the place for you. (Manchester is a city with a history surrounded by the spectacular beauty of four National Parks. It provides a warm welcome for those who are considering an alternative to the more well-known language school destinations without sacrificing quality.) Manchester Language School gives its students all of the important essentials that they need to improve their English with many extras. Mr. Bill Godfrey (BG), Proprietor of Manchester Language School was only to happy to provide International Connections Consulting (ICC) with a host of reasons why clients select their school. ICC: "What is your role at Manchester Language School? How long have you been at the school? (any other background information that you wish to provide)." BG: "Manchester Language School is a small dynamic proprietor-run business. I have been involved as its Administrator since the school opened in April 1994. The Principal is my wife, Judith Godfrey, and the Course Director is Stephanie Aldred. Judith and Stephanie had previously worked together for fifteen years running the University of Manchester's Summer Language School at Owens Park. The school is based in our own home, a beautiful Georgian house with a large private garden in South Manchester, North West England." ICC: " What in your opinion is the most compelling reason for a student to attend Manchester Language School? What makes Manchester Language School unique?" BG: "I suggest eight reasons for adult students to choose MLS: 1) The high quality of the teaching and the experience of Principal and Course Director. Over 50% of our work this year has come from personal recommendation. 6) Manchester's International Airport provides scheduled flights to over 75 destinations world-wide. Alternatively, students may arrive at Heathrow Airport and either take the Shuttle to Manchester Airport or travel by train to Manchester after a day or two in London.ICC: "Explain some of the programs that you offer? How does this enhance the learning experience for your students? What types of courses do you offer?" BG: " We offer seven different residential English language courses. 1. TEACHERS¹ COURSES. THEMED (Language Plus)What makes all MLS programmes unique is the total integration of the academic with the recreational programme. Inside the classroom teachers have access to a full range of modern facilities (video, audio cassettes, computers etc. but these lessons are supported by experiential learning at appropriate venues all over the North West. A clear example of this approach can be seen in our Language Plus programmes: Literary Landscapes - combines a review of selected texts using them as a basis for language and literary analysis and excursions to centres of literary interest including The Lake District; Stratford-upon-Avon (including RSC performance) and Haworth.Revolution a history course that examines the birth of the Industrial Revolution. Specialist seminars, play readings, slide lectures and group study are combined with tours of sites including Ironbridge - the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in 1709, Quarry Bank Cotton Mill 1784 and the Wedgwood Factory at Stoke-on-Trent. This tour also includes a day visit to the Lake District. However, even on courses with an exclusive English language focus the approach is a breakfast to bedtime accompanied programme where the student is in constant contact with the language." ICC: "What is your criteria for evaluating a student for acceptance? Age? language proficiency?" BG: "Our main criterion is age. Ours is an adult school. We do not accept students under the age of 17 years on any group courses. We occasionally accept students under this age on one-to-one and family courses. Language proficiency is not
a criterion but a student of intermediate level+ has most to gain from
our approach. Our three Language plus programmes appeal to native
and non-native English speakers alike.
ICC: "What type of student do you accept? What qualities do you look for or consider when deciding to accept a student?" BG: "We accept students wishing to study on an academic or recreational basis. The ground floor of Moor Cottage is barrier-free and there is wheel-chair access. In 1999, MLS welcomed students from thirteen different countries." ICC: "Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, or assistanceships to help defray the costs of tuition, room and board? academic scholarships? dance scholarships? If so, what is the eligibility criteria?" BG: "We offer one free place per year in the summer. We accept one student on an au pair basis where language tuition, accommodation, board and full participation in the programmes is offered free in return for domestic help. The criterion for consideration for this place is a high level of language and a strong personal reference." ICC: "We would like to thank Mr. Bill Godfrey for the interview." International Connections Consulting's President, Tasha Lewis, would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Bill Godfrey, Proprietors of Manchester Language School, for providing all of the information for the article. If you would like more information or to enroll, please contact International Connections Consulting. TESTIMONIALS: Susan Burton wrote a longer testimonial (of which this is only a part), for an agent in the US. She lives in San Francisco and is a mature student majoring in English literature. "The Godfreys have a beautiful home and they are warm and gracious hosts. Stephanie Aldred is a wonderful teacher - sensitive to the needs of her students, thoroughly knowledgeable and funny. The balance of classroom time and outside excursions was just right. I was amazed to see so much in one week. We saw three plays. We went to Styal Mill- a good introduction to the Industrial Revolution and we visited Gawsworth Hall, Haworth and the Lake District. All of the excursions were tremendous fun, but more important, these trips gave me the background of the literature that I was reading--the context of the texts."
A Note from the President
Over the next year, International Connections Consulting (ICC) will be working with various Editorial Consultants (including Publishers, Education Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Undergraduate/Graduate students, and a list of other professionals) with a wide background of expertise in order to give our newsletter a global and innovative approach to appeal to our audience.
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