T I M E S

Issue 4 Winter 2014

NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLDWINTER HOLIDAYS

3

3. INTRODUCTION

4. VOX POP What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

6. TLG IN PICTURES

9. HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE

CONTENTS

10. TEACHER’S CHRISTMAS PLANS

11. REVIEWS

12. TLG AROUND THE WORLD

14. TLG WINTER PUZZLES

THE NEW YEAR AT HOME?

2

4

Dear students,

Welcome to the Winter Edition of the TLG Times!

The past few months have been very busy for all of us – but as you will know by now, hard work always pays off! For example, we’re really pleased to announce that we are now offering courses at a brand new campus in Dublin, Ireland.

Located right in the heart of the city, our new campus offers an ideal student experience, with facilities including debating chambers, auditoriums, and plenty of spaces for group work.

Our new students will be able to take General English, IELTS Preparation, or Cambridge Exam Preparation courses; and when they want a break, they can play some Gaelic football, visit the famous Giant’s Causeway, or learn about over 800 years of history at Dublin Castle.

Make sure to keep an eye out in our future magazines for more updates about our new students in Ireland and what they’re getting up to.

In the meantime, read on to find out how different countries celebrate New Year, see what your fellow students have been doing, and get an insight into what’s been happening at the Toronto campus – plus some winter puzzles to test your vocabulary!

Enjoy your holidays, and a happy New Year to you all.

Elena RoginskyTLG Managing Director

INTRODUCTION

3

5

VOX POP“My New Year’s Resolution is this: to keep happy and enjoy every single moment with my mates and family as if they were my last!”

4

6

Next year, I’m going to enter a university course and start working. I’ll try to give up smoking, and not spend so much time playing PC games!

– Behesdi, TLG Manchester

I haven’t made them yet, as I’m still working on the ones from the last year!

– Gustavo, TLG London

I’m going to study medicine, buy a new car, and try to cook – and try not to waste more time!

– Malek, TLG Manchester

Many New Year’s resolutions are connected with learning something new. In my country this is often connected with dance, as we are a nation with strong traditions of dancing. I might promise to improve my dancing, or learn a new technique.

– Sara, TLG Birmingham

I can’t believe it’s been a year already! My New Year’s resolution is this: to keep happy and enjoy every single moment with my mates and family as if it were the last!

– Ozcan, TLG London

Next year, I want to travel to Fortaleza, and start to learn Spanish. I’ll try to train hard in the gym every day, and not drink beer every weekend and spend a lot of money!

– Renato, TLG Manchester

WHAT ARE YOURNEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?

5

7

TLG INPICTURES

TLG LONDON

Students at TLG London had a blast at the Halloween party!

TLG BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham and the larger West Midlands area has a strong athletics and sporting scene – recently, some students and a teacher from TLG decided to get in on it.

On 9th September, there was an organised 5km run over the hills in Clent, about 10 miles south of Birmingham. The hills are a beautiful area, criss-crossed with footpaths and looked after by the National Trust. The run took in some challenging climbs, featuring the two highest points in Clent.

All three TLG participants completed it, along with 100 or so other racers. Students Andres and Fernando, both from Columbia, set a quick pace and were waiting at the finish with a cold drink by the time teacher Richard (No.203 below) crossed the line.

The most delicious trip we went on recently was visiting Cadbury World! As we got closer to the factory, we could smell the melting chocolate. It was a perfect bonding experience

for students and their tutor, Malika (below), that shared the same passion: chocolate!

Our trip to Alton Towers during the Scarefest weekend was excellent, and we had great fun on the road trip to Bath.

6

8

Bowling, cinema outings, and other activities are what makes this campus a special place to be!

TLG MANCHESTER

As usual, the monthly football stadium tours proved to be very popular and were enjoyed by everyone. It started with what has now become some sort of religious practice: a group photograph at the front of the stadium. This was followed by a tour around the museum of the most successful club in English football before moving on to the stadium, players’ lounge, press conference room and the eagerly-awaited players’ changing rooms. To cap it off, students tried on

the shirts, boots, and gloves of some of the Premier League’s biggest football stars.

An adrenaline-filled trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach was another success. Despite battling with the dismal weather, the students refused to let it dampen their spirits and had a great time. The highlights included the famous ‘Big One’ and ‘Infusion’ rollercoasters. The Big One is the tallest rollercoaster in the UK, with a drop of over 200 feet and speeds of over 75mph. Infusion stands at a more modest 110 feet, and reaches speeds of 50mph, but its fast turns and corkscrew twists over water make it a firm favourite. After tiring themselves out, the students finished their day out in true British style, eating fish and chips outside in the rain.

Our second paintballing experience was also a huge success, with many of the students requesting that we do it again soon. It was an action-packed event from the first shot to the last, and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who participated. It started with students arguing over who was going to get the opportunity to shoot the teacher, but once this was decided it was time to let battle commence. After three very enjoyable hours, everyone hobbled back to the tram station, comparing bruises. The day was finished with a trip to the pub for lunch.

7

9

TLG TORONTO

Some students got into the spirit of Halloween and took part in the Toronto Zombie Walk, donning gruesome make-up and parading down the city. TLG also threw a great Thanksgiving party complete with pumpkin pie, followed by a Halloween party where students took home prizes for highly creative costumes.

TLG IN PICTURES

A recent trip to the Sky Zone indoor trampoline park allowed students to get ultra-competitive with a dodge ball playoff. Students had a blast, though teachers noted a few absences the following morning!

“This year has been amazing! I’ve had the chance to learn about Canadian culture and to visit a lot of local touristic places. The Toronto Zombie Walk was great and I got to wear a Dracula costume to the Halloween party. That was a pretty fun time.”

– Gabriel, Brazil

“I’ve been to a lot of places lately, like the CN Tower, Casa Loma, and the zoo. I wore a hippie costume to the Halloween party and carved a pumpkin. During November I plan to go to Chicago, in December I’ll visit French Canada, and then I’ll spend New Year in New York. It’ll be great!”

– Berenice, Mexico

TELL USWHAT YOU’VEBEEN UP TO

8

10

In Chile, people celebrate New Year on December 31st and it’s a very special day.

We finish the year with a meal and good conversation whilst we wait for midnight. At one minute to midnight we stand up, hold an empty cup, and countdown to midnight.

When the New Year comes, we fill our cup with champagne, hug each other and say good wishes, and eat 12 grapes - one for each month of the year.

Some people take an empty suitcase or bag and walk a little bit to travel in this New Year. Other people eat lentils without salt for prosperity, and some wait for midnight with a note in their left hand to have enough money in the New Year. It’s important to start the New Year in the best way possible.

– Daniela, TLG Manchester

In Russia, people celebrate New Year by having dinner and watching the president’s speech before midnight. Then we stand together in front of the clocks and countdown to midnight and then watch the firework displays. After all that, we visit all our relatives.

In my region, we have a special New Year in February which lasts a month. It is called ‘White Month’. It is believed that New Year begins with the dawn of the lunar calendar on different days. We only eat white food, such as cream, milk and the like. In this month, younger people congratulate seniors as a symbol of respect for our elders.

– Luzan-Deshi, TLG Manchester

In Brazil we celebrate New Year on December 31st and January 1st. It’s like a big party in the whole country.

We usually go to the beach at Copacabana. There are about 2 million people on the beach, looking for ships and setting off fireworks for approximately 30 minutes.

Nowadays everyone wears white clothes. I don’t know if it’s because we are superstitious or fashionable – maybe it’s a little bit of both.

I think we are very excited at New Year because New Year is close to the carnival, so we are very festive.

– Raony, TLG Manchester

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATENEW YEAR AT HOME?

9

11

TEACHERS BE UP TO?

“Finally, after two years, I am going to travel back to Sri Lanka where half of my family lives. I am really excited to be celebrating Christmas there with my family and my husband’s family.

Unfortunately, my husband has to stay to work here in Toronto. We were supposed to go on a cruise together, but that got cancelled.

My daughter, Maia, is beside herself to travel. We are travelling to Colombo and having a big Christmas party, and Maia has a birthday celebration on New Year’s Eve. It should be a good time.”

– Samantha, TLG Toronto

“I’m very excited to be going home for the holidays to visit my family in Sydney, Australia. I will spend quite a lot of time with my family before Christmas.

I hope to see some friends, get to the beach as often as possible, and have a lot of barbecues and icy cold beers.

Since I’ve been living in Canada, my brother has had his second daughter, so I’ll be meeting my niece for the first time on her birthday - very exciting for me!”

– Michelle, TLG Toronto

“For my Christmas holiday, I’ll be visiting my family, eating a lot of food, and watching the children opening their presents.

All my kids will be around, so it will be nice to have everyone together. We always get together here in Toronto, so I hope to get to go skiing and maybe do some snowshoeing. I’m really hoping there will be snow on the ground for us to get outside for those activities.”

– Robert, TLG Toronto

10

12

JARHEAD

As this year is the centenary of the First World War, I am recommending Jarhead. For me, this film is much more than a war movie. It is also a good way to pay tribute to the fallen, and all soldiers that are still facing the horrors of war.

It was based on U.S marine Tony Swofford’s memory of his experiences in the Gulf War. I like this movie because the director, Sam Mendes, finds a way to show a side of war that movies often forget: the agony of waiting.

– Ingrid, TLG London

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

If you love fantasy and surreal experiences, you will love The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus just like I did the first time I saw it.

This movie is a 2009 fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam. The film follows a travelling theatre troupe whose leader, having made a bet with the Devil, takes audience members with him through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations. The film presents the audience with a choice between self-fulfilling enlightenment, or gratifying ignorance.

I really enjoyed the theatrical and moral elements it involves, as well as the visual aspects. I truly recommend it - especially as one of the characters is performed by my favourite actor, Johnny Depp.

– Stephanie, TLG London

REVIEWS

11

13

TLG AROUND THE WORLD

Toronto

12

14

Toronto is the largest and most diverse city in Canada. With its thriving banking, real estate, and educational industries, the city is as exciting as any other you’ll find in North America. These days, the city is seeing a rise in economic development, and many students are excited about the opportunities to become involved in various professional and academic programmes.

There is always something happening in Toronto, often steps away from TLG’s front doors on College Street, and that is an atmosphere which we are happy to be part of. The number of amusements and events in Toronto are almost endless.

Recently, the Toronto International Film Festival wrapped up, with celebrities from Hollywood and various parts of Asia and Europe visiting the city to showcase their films and participate in the festival.

Other festivals like Pride, Taste of the Danforth, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Nuit Blanche, and the Zombie

Walk were held as city-wide events, so everyone - students included – could participate.

Toronto is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team and Toronto Raptors basketball team, both of whom have begun their seasons with gusto. The city is also playing host to the 2015 PAN-AM games in July, and is busy preparing its infrastructure to welcome all PAN-AM countries to compete in a wide variety of sports. Students studying at that time might get a chance to see some of their own countries’ best athletes.

With Christmas fast approaching, Toronto will be decorated with bright lights, hold its famous Santa Claus parade, and offer activities such as outdoor skating at City Hall’s Nathan Philips Square to complement the winter spirit.

TLG Toronto is lucky to be situated downtown, in the heart of the city. Both staff and students are eager to participate in more events as winter begins and the holidays unfold.

13

15

WORDS TO FIND:

Celebration, Cold, Family, Holiday, Ice Skating, Icicle, Scarf, Snowball

TLG’S WINTER WORDSERACH

e t a j a f r u r h a s z q e

p l v k c l y n o r j n h t t

i y c a n v d o w v j o w m w

b r s i h p u c g w v w p f t

g p r y c t u e k v n b m j j

r c n h c i x i m x o a e q o

i c e s k a t i n g i l q f y

f f o g d p y r b l t l o e k

d a r o n a z w x s a t r j b

a m m a d n w q i z r v w m l

g w a i c c p d r m b r j r j

n o l e l s d l o c e x x l q

g o x t t y x y n h l g s p l

h b r n j o u q w s e h i o m

t s y u t k c b g o c h x n g

14

16

ACROSS

1. We wish you a _____ Christmas!

5. A promise you make for the New Year

6. You might be receiving these on 25 December

8. The coldest season of the year!

DOWN

2. A bird with a red chest that you see in winter

3. A popular celebration of a famous birth

4. You’ll see these on New Year’s Eve

7. Lots of people decorate these with tinsel and a star at the top

TLG’S WINTER CROSSWORD

1

4

6

8

7

3

5

2

15

©2014 The Language Gallery. All rights reserved. The Language Gallery Times, Issue 4  – Winter 2014.

London Oxford Birmingham Manchester Dublin Hannover Toronto www.TheLanguageGallery.com