English UK North Latest News

LILA* wins Best Language School in England award!

It is with great pleasure we announce that LILA* in Liverpool has been voted by students "Best Language School in England 2012".

The EducationStars Award shows that educational services, quality and customer satisfaction are recognised by LILA* students past and present. At the same time potential clients can see the emphasis a school is placing on these points.

Uniquely in the international education industry, the EducationStars Award is awarded based on student ratings only.

Director, Leanne Linacre, said ‘We are all absolutely thrilled to have won this award. We work so hard to ensure that students enjoy their time at LILA* so the fact that they have rated us so highly makes all the hard work worthwhile.’

Agents visit the North

11 agents from 8 countries visited for North of England on an English UK North familiarisation trip in the week commencing 17th March. The very successful trip included visits to members in Chester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, York, Scarborough, Newcastle and Manchester.

Agents in Chester

English UK North in Prague and Lima

Karen represented English UK North at the English UK Fair in Prague in early March. Karen had appointments with 24 agents during the event and some of them have already signed up for the familiarisation trip to the region being held in October. English UK North will also have a stand at the English UK Fair in Lima in mid-April. The group will be represented by the five Northern members attending the Fair; English in Chester, Melton College – York, The Sheffield College, LILA* - Liverpool and CES – Leeds.

Karen at the English UK Fair in Prague

LILA* Launches New 18 Classroom Themed School In Liverpool City Centre

LILA*, once known as Liverpool International Language Academy, is having a launch party to celebrate the opening of its city centre, 18 classroom Academy.

The new location is ideal for students who like to be in the city centre and want to have access to all the facilities that Liverpool has to offer. Victoria Lee, LILA* Director said, "We feel that LILA* has acquired the ideal location as a hotspot of Liverpool culture, right in the heart of the city. Students can shop during their lunch break, meet friends for coffee or relax in the city centre park."

Designing the custom-made school took over a year and involved consultation with Liverpool interior design company "Aztec" and Crosby based graphic design company "Eyefever"; but that wasn"t all. Director, Leanne Linacre comments, "We used feedback from our students to create a school that really reflects what a student wants. None one knows this better than the students themselves so we took their feedback very seriously! When we blended that with the expertise of Aztec and Eyefever, as well as the LILA* staff, we knew we"d be onto a winner."

The hub of the school is the reception and common room; its inviting ambiance encourages students to spend their break times scanning local artwork on the walls and searching through the 1,200 word wall that introduces the individuality that is Liverpool. LILA*s aim is to bring the essence of city into the school: in every area students are reminded of Liverpool"s heritage; even the corridors are lined with historical photos of Liverpool. Lessons are a treat for LILA* students as every classroom is uniquely themed. Whether it is a local poet or a famous singer, each room has a distinctive identity which students can explore.

There are plenty of facilities in the school to meet the students' needs; from socialising in the fully equipped common room with kitchen area, to quiet study time in the LILA* IT suite and library. Free wi-fi and computer hotspots in the common room mean that students never need to feel too far from home.

Not only do the students benefit from the school"s spacious environment, the teachers and academic management love their surroundings. The team has access to an Academic Room, which boasts 15 computers and a range of teaching materials for lesson preparation. A cosy break out area means staff can relax between lessons and take in the LILA* staff wall which captures and inspires the LILA* team spirit.

Dave Fox LILA* Director of Studies said "LILA* staff are delighted to work in a school that is so modern and students love the up-to-date facilities which improve their learning experience, such as our electronic whiteboards which enhance teacher development and their interaction with our students."

Victoria Lee said "It has always been LILA*s dream to provide students with a great learning experience and it"s our vision to Inspire and enable students to "love to learn". We feel we have lived up to this ideal and believe students will indeed "love to learn" once they visit LILA*.

LILA* are showcasing their facilities by having a launch on the 11th February, if you would like to come send an email to hello@lilalovetolearn.com.

Language Travel Magazine Star Awards 2010

English UK North sponsored the 2010 Language Travel Magazine award for Star Agency Asia. The award was presented at a formal dinner at the Hilton Park Lane on 4th September. The award was won by iAE Edunet from Korea.

Language Travel Magazine Star Awards

English UK North sponsored the 2009 Language Travel Magazine award for Star Agency Middle East & Africa. The award was presented at a formal dinner at the Hilton Park Lane on 5th September. Celine Cameron of Manchester Academy is pictured with the winner Anita Siegel of Lingualink in Israel.

Celine Cameron & Anita Siegel

IALCA Visitors

Seven members of the Italian Association of Language Consultants and Agents (IALCA) visited the North of England at the end of March. Their tour of the region, which was organised by English UK North, included visits to members in Manchester, Newcastle, York, Harrogate and Chester. The Italian participants had a "great experience" in the North and left determined to recommend the region to their clients.

IALCA Visitors in Chester

Sheffield City College 2010

The next few years will be an exciting time for Sheffield City College (Formerly Castle College). The redevelopment and transformation of the campus will become a reality as the modern and inspiring new building emerges to create the very first purpose-built vocational college in the region.

We will use modern technologies to create workshops and classrooms, which will be equipped with industry standard equipment to further ensure that the learners are exposed to relevant and robust teaching and learning.

This section of our website will keep you in touch with the building programme over the next 2 years and you will see the new College take shape. A webcam and regular photographic and graphic updates will feature in this section. You can also ask questions here and we will endeavour to answer or respond to you within 48 hours.

Environmentally Friendly College

An environmentally friendly approach has been taken from the start of this project. Sheffield City College is ideally placed for public transport; plans are being developed for a rain water recycling system and some of the flat roof areas will be turfed and used as a garden.

The building will have solar panels and wind turbines on the main roof, generating almost a third of the buildings electricity supply. The grounds will be landscaped and will include an environmentally friendly pond.

Building work began July 2007

Staff Changes at English in Chester

In January 2009, Jo Whittick was promoted to Academic Manager and Sam Sansom to Office Manager in charge of the administration of the school. Jo and Sam assist Nigel Paramor, the Principal, in the daily running of the school. Richard Day, who was the Principal, is now Director with special responsibility for marketing.

New Website

Our new website went live in January 2009. We hope you like it and find it useful. If you have any comments please contact Nick Day, English UK North's web developer.

New Members for 2009

English UK North is happy to welcome the following new members:

Castle College milestone at The Sheffield College

Castle College is changing its name as it reaches a milestone for the construction of its new building.

The site, which has attracted £60 million of investment, will be renamed Sheffield City College to reflect its strong ties to Sheffield, its people, their skills and the local economy.

Julie Byrne, Director of Castle College, said: "We are the largest vocational training resource for the city. The new college will be a major landmark and provide our students with outstanding facilities.

"The new building is a dynamic catalyst for change, which includes a new name. It is enabling us to raise aspirations and achievement, and focus on vocational excellence and enterprise. It will be an excellent place to work and study."

Castle College has a regional and national reputation. Staff and lecturers regularly achieve national acclaim, winning many awards.

The new name will be launched from January 2009. The Sheffield City College logo will be gradually phased in until the completion of the new building in 2010.

To date, the eco-friendly site, on Granville Road, is on budget and on time, and has just hit the half way mark in terms of its construction timeline.

Latest developments include the installation of the steel frames that will support the curved glass facade of the six-storey cathedral-style atrium.

A 60-place children's nursery has been finished and is now open. Its green roof has thousands of slow growing sedum plants that change colour with the seasons.

A three-storey tower housing the catering block, which contains six new kitchens, a bakery, aviation academy, a new restaurant open to the public, and a student refectory for 400 people with a terrace and panoramic views of the city skyline, will be fully operational for spring 2009.

A seven-storey block with a learning resource centre, and teaching and learning facilities for students studying construction, science, information technology, animal care, hairdressing and beauty therapy, is scheduled for completion by November 2009.

The building has many sustainable features that will contribute to reducing the site's carbon footprint including solar panels and wind turbines to provide power to the campus, as well as rainwater harvesting.

The site will draw energy from its link to Sheffield Heat and Power, a district heating network which provides a renewable source of economical, efficient and environmentally friendly energy. Solar panels and wind turbines will also help to provide power to the building.

A rainwater harvesting scheme will involve recycling water to flush toilets. Any rainwater overflow will support a wildlife pond. In addition to effective water management, there will also be a range of smaller environmentally friendly initiatives which include a food composting process.

The building's architects, Jefferson Sheard, and contractor, JF Finnegan, are both Sheffield-based.

Artist's impression of the new Sheffield City College

Students Communicate Across Cultures

International Foundation Studies (IFS) and Modern Language students recently had the chance to communicate across cultures at an event held at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

Thirty IFS students, from a range of countries including Iran, Iraq, Cyprus, Turkey, China, Poland and Greece met with a group of fifty Level 2 modern language students as they ate and chatted together, then took part in a number of intercultural tasks.

Next year, many of the IFS students will go on to full degree programmes at Leeds Met whilst the language students will spend a year abroad, experiencing the cultures of the languages they're studying. The language students will experience exhilaration, shock, amazement, dismay, despondency, wonder, frustration, as they struggle to adapt to different cultural systems, a different way of life and for them a new way of being. Something the IFS students are already experiencing.

Student Mentors at Headingley Carnegie Stadium

An innovative mentoring scheme has seen English Language Teaching students improve their intercultural skills, as they provide support at a unique after school club. Headingley Learning Centre, based at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, runs in partnership with Leeds Rugby and Yorkshire County Cricket Club and offers Maths, IT and literacy support once a week to schoolchildren across Leeds. Leeds Met international students act as one-to-one mentors to the children as part of a programme designed to supplement their language studies.

Deniz Yesil, a Pre-Masters student from Turkey, comments, "When I came to the UK I had a strong desire to understand British life and culture. I know that learning how to teach and work with children is good for my future career. Sometimes the children can be shy so I've had to learn to be calm and share my own ideas - the children respond better when we are patient. I also now understand the importance of teachers giving students the chance to learn independently."

Ajay Sharma, another Pre-Masters student from India adds, "The mentoring experience has really helped me to improve my English and also learn so much about the British culture. The teaching here is very different from in India and I have learnt so much, as the children have also become our teachers." Dawn Leggott, Principal Lecturer and International Teacher Fellow set up the scheme to develop international students' language and cultural skills, "Volunteering within the Leeds community can give international students the chance to meet local people, practise their English and learn about British life and culture in a fun environment."

English UK North Conference

Over 40 delegates attended the English UK North annual conference in Chester on 28 November 2008. Speakers included Tony Millns (Chief Executive of English UK), Liz McLaren (Manager, Accreditation UK) and Mark Walmsley from the UK Border Agency, who spoke about the new Points Based System. 18 members then went on for a very enjoyable annual dinner.

English UK North Members in Italy

On 14 November 8 English UK North members went to Italy to meet members of IALCA, who had travelled to Padova for their annual general meeting. The full-day meeting took the form of a presentation about English UK North and the North of England and a workshop with the Italian agents present. English UK North and IALCA members then joined together for an excellent dinner.

Richard Day in Padova with Pina Foti the President of IALCA on the left

Agents Familiarisation Trip

Educational agents from Colombia, Poland, Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea and the Ukraine visited the North of England for a week in October 2008. During their visit the agents travelled around the region and visited 8 member institutions. The agents are pictured with Richard Day, the Co-ordinator of English UK North, during their visit to Chester.

Postgraduate Research Conference

The University recently hosted the 6th British Universities Postgraduate Research Conference at Cloth Hall Court.

The conference provided postgraduate students and researchers from British, EU and overseas universities with an opportunity to put forward and exchange ideas on the interface between learning, teaching and materials development from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

A great networking opportunity and environment to debate ideas, the conference focussed on materials in the ESOL context, socio-cultural issues and materials development, as well as implementing methodologies in different contexts.

Dr Ivor Timmis was the plenary guest speaker. His talk entitled, "Materials Design: Principled Compromise or Compromised Principles?" discussed the process of writing materials for publication, with a particular emphasis on what happens when the principles of the materials writer conflict with the views of other stakeholders, such as publishers and education authorities.

Russians visit Leeds Metropolitan University

A group of 16 lecturers from Moscow State Linguistics University recently completed a two week tailor-made language course at Leeds Metropolitan University.

The teaching drew on expertise from across the faculty as the Russian academics looked at approaches and methods in language teaching. The group also spent time exploring the University's curriculum design and teaching methods and the visit provided a great experience for English Language Teaching staff to expand their perspectives.

Feedback from the visitors was encouraging with the academics commenting on the 'thorough and creative approach to presenting materials', the 'effective use of modern technology and multimedia' and the 'enthusiastic and well structured teaching'.

Matthew Wilson, who co-ordinated the visit added: "It was a rich exchange of ideas and experiences with such a sense of being colleagues. The Russians were interested in methodologies in English language teaching as well as procedures in a UK university."