Here at Trebinshun House, students have been visiting us for over forty years to take part in our intensive programmes. We have offered distance lessons for some time (often by phone) but did you know we also offer lessons online? These can serve as a useful bridge between courses or they can be an introduction to our teaching methods. Technology has improved to the extent where we can simulate the face-to-face contact (but unfortunately without access to Ken’s food!). Let’s look at the ways to maximise the benefits of distance learning.
At the beginning of a new year, our thoughts inevitably look to the future and what we want to achieve. At Trebinshun House, we always want to focus on our solid traditions and values and at the same time, keep up-to-date with changes in the field of learning. This should make your – or your company’s – language training strategy more efficient and make sure that you are learning in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere. Let’s look at some language learning trends which we’ll be using in the classroom and which you can follow through after your course.
As we come to the end of the year, we’re all busy with reports, end of year processes and getting ready for Christmas. It’s the time of year that we will – eventually - have some time to reflect. We’d like to encourage you to reflect on your progress in English over the last year.
Many of you will know Stephen Covey’s ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ (since updated to eight!). How can we translate them in a language learning context? Let’s look at each habit and apply it to the context of language learning.
You’ve heard of top-down and bottom up management but have you heard of these terms in language development?! We use them to talk about listening skills and you’re probably aware that becoming a better communicator involves focussing on your speaking and listening skills. Let’s look at these different techniques that we use in class on our intensive English courses – ones that you can also use at home.
Our last blog article focussed on what you shouldn’t do when learning English. We’d like to bring our attention to helpful habits and approaches to learning and what should be on your ‘to-do’ list. Don’t worry, some of these can be done instantly….
Over the last two weeks at Trebinshun House while working with students from Elementary to Advanced level, I've become aware of a common theme: how relatively easy it is to get blocked or stuck when learning a language - regardless of level. So we've been discussing with our students what they can each change about their English NOW to enable them to improve their learning experience and their long term success.
At Trebinshun House, we often work with students who want to develop their social English. Do you ever attend networking events, have business dinners with visiting colleagues, or even just work with a multinational team and have everyday conversations about the weekend, family news etc. How can you socialise more easily and effectively in English?
The Trebinshun House courses are completed by lunch time each Friday and start again with new participants in the early evening of the following Sunday.
During your course you will learn an enormous amount of English and the weekend gives you an opportunity to use this new knowledge in a variety of practical situations and at the same time to visit places of interest, meet friends or relax and unwind in a new and different location.
There are many possibilities for your week-end and the Trebinshun House team is happy to help you with any arrangements.
My name is Andrea and I came to Trebinshun House for a 2 week executive English course in August. For the week-end in the middle of my course I decided to visit Robin and Liza in Pembrokeshire.
I arrived at their castle on Friday in the early evening when the little town was in full sunshine. I was shown into my comfortable bedroom with its private bathroom. This is a very old house so there are no ensuite bathrooms or even showers!
I went for a beautiful walk straight from the Castle down into the little town with its shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and walked down to the beach and watched the boats in the harbour. I had a nice supper in the pub and it was a 5 minute walk back up to the Castle and my comfortable bed.
I was working with a Swiss student recently who had specified the need to work on email language. A common request at Trebinshun House: we teach Business English after all. But exploring informal and formal phrases, another form of useful language also came to light: how to use the right tone for internal messages and semi-formal chat forums.
Our classrooms are a perfect microcosm of the business world today: a mix of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. How do we all interact? What helps to break down the cultural barriers? I had this very debate this week in my Intensive Combination group who represented Switzerland, Denmark and Germany and we came up with three key points.
How to make the most of distance learning
My name is Andrea and I came to Trebinshun House for a 2 week executive English course in August. For the week-end in the middle of my course I decided to visit Robin and Liza in Pembrokeshire.