Study Travel Magazine, a business publication for study abroad professionals, mentions International House, Capetown three times in Issue 208/ February 2012.
These mentions cover the new possibility of combining an English Language Course (EFL) with volunteer programmes. Both the length and content of the EFL course and the volunteer programmes vary. Students can choose to study General English or, for example, take a course leading to an IELTS exam. International House Capetown can also provide socio-cultural input that may be vital when starting a volunteer project.
Volunteering opportunities include conservation, community work, education, childcare and wildlife projects. The minimum volunteer commitment is for two weeks, but several projects are for at least four weeks. Students need to be 18+ and are expected to provide a CV and police clearance from their home country as part of the application process.
English Plus Volunteering could be an ideal way for school leavers to spend the summer, improving their English and developing themselves, adding something attractive to CVs and helping to make the world a better place to live in. Older students are, of course, warmly welcomed.
For more information go to
http://ihcapetown.com/study-and-volunteer/
or send a mail in English/Swedish to 2mest@live.se
fredag 24 februari 2012
söndag 19 februari 2012
A handshake before clinching a deal
Living in Sweden, as I do, means that winters can be bleak (curious that the Swedish word "blek" means pale) Swedes don't say "En blek vinter" but perhaps this is a good way of describing this time of year. People are wan and skies often cloudy and pale - a short break in warmer climes is on lots of "to do" lists.
My wife and I try to get away for about a month in the first quarter of each year. This year, for the second time, we took a trip to Alanya on Turkey´s Mediterranean Coast. Our Turkish is extremely limited so communicating with some locals is non - verbal but most of the staff in restaurants and shops speak some English.
As business is slow in the winter months, owners of the small shops that make most of their income from summertime tourists try to entice visitors, often by calling "Where are you from?" as an opener. I've come to believe that this is the equivalent of "Lovely/Aweful weather isn't it" in Turkish. If you understand socio-cultural Turkish, perhaps you can correct me on this. Sometimes you´ll be invited to a cup (usually small glass) of Turkish/ apple tea - with no obligation to buy.
Compared with Swedish prices clothing is cheap - socks, shirts, pullovers etc. are at bargain prices and there is a large number of clothes stores both in the town centre and tourist areas. Prices are similar in most stores but in the "tourist" shops haggling is a common sport. Saving a little gives a feel-good effect and, maybe, the store keeper is happy to reduce stocks, creating space for this year´s summer collection. Hopefully both parties are happy with the outcome and shake hands.
I was brought up in a farming community where a handshake meant "we've reached agreement". In my world shaking hands comes after signing agreements or contracts, or when something is settled verbally. So the following experience has caused me some thought:
We decided to buy some items of clothing from a storekeeper that we'd dealt with earlier. His prices were among the best we'd seen, quality was good and, previously, we'd saved a little by haggling, so naturally, I expected to get a quantity discount. But, despite compromising from both sides we couldn't agree. After a few minutes the storekeeper mentioned what I took to be his lowest price and said "Give me your hand". I took this to mean - let's agree at the price I've just mentioned and was reluctant to clinch the deal without haggling a bit more. But, why not? The price was very reasonable anyway. So I took his hand. I was quite surprised when he said "Not your price, not my price, but a price in between". This has lead me to believe that in some cultures shaking hands means "Now we've agreed to compromise. Let's go ahead and reach agreement". Does anyone have similar examples?
My wife and I try to get away for about a month in the first quarter of each year. This year, for the second time, we took a trip to Alanya on Turkey´s Mediterranean Coast. Our Turkish is extremely limited so communicating with some locals is non - verbal but most of the staff in restaurants and shops speak some English.
As business is slow in the winter months, owners of the small shops that make most of their income from summertime tourists try to entice visitors, often by calling "Where are you from?" as an opener. I've come to believe that this is the equivalent of "Lovely/Aweful weather isn't it" in Turkish. If you understand socio-cultural Turkish, perhaps you can correct me on this. Sometimes you´ll be invited to a cup (usually small glass) of Turkish/ apple tea - with no obligation to buy.
Compared with Swedish prices clothing is cheap - socks, shirts, pullovers etc. are at bargain prices and there is a large number of clothes stores both in the town centre and tourist areas. Prices are similar in most stores but in the "tourist" shops haggling is a common sport. Saving a little gives a feel-good effect and, maybe, the store keeper is happy to reduce stocks, creating space for this year´s summer collection. Hopefully both parties are happy with the outcome and shake hands.
I was brought up in a farming community where a handshake meant "we've reached agreement". In my world shaking hands comes after signing agreements or contracts, or when something is settled verbally. So the following experience has caused me some thought:
We decided to buy some items of clothing from a storekeeper that we'd dealt with earlier. His prices were among the best we'd seen, quality was good and, previously, we'd saved a little by haggling, so naturally, I expected to get a quantity discount. But, despite compromising from both sides we couldn't agree. After a few minutes the storekeeper mentioned what I took to be his lowest price and said "Give me your hand". I took this to mean - let's agree at the price I've just mentioned and was reluctant to clinch the deal without haggling a bit more. But, why not? The price was very reasonable anyway. So I took his hand. I was quite surprised when he said "Not your price, not my price, but a price in between". This has lead me to believe that in some cultures shaking hands means "Now we've agreed to compromise. Let's go ahead and reach agreement". Does anyone have similar examples?
fredag 17 februari 2012
English in Thailand
If you have been to Thailand before, maybe on business or on holiday, you will need no excuse to book a flight, pack your bag and go again. As one of the world's most popular holiday destinations, Thailand has so much to offer the traveller. So, if you want to combine the excitement and exoticism of South East Asia's most vibrant city with studying English, then IH Bangkok is for you. If you are still not convinced, here are 10 reasons to study English with at International House (IH) in Bangkok: 
1) The School.
2) The Welcome.
3) The Food.
4) The Scenery.
5) The Culture
6) The People.
7) The Beaches.
8) The Paperwork.
9) The Language.
10) The Price.
For more information about IH Bangkok and what we and Thailand can offer your students, visit our website at www.ihbangkok.com or email Graeme Savanger at studyholiday@ihbangkok.com.
1) The School.
- Our fully qualified native English speaking teachers are ready to give you the learning experience of a lifetime.
2) The Welcome.
- From the moment you land at the ultra modern Suvarnabhumi Airport you will fall in love with Thailand.
3) The Food.
- Many people say that the food is reason enough to visit Thailand. I agree but why not find out for yourself?
4) The Scenery.
- From the mountains of the north to the islands of the south, Thailand has something for everyone.
5) The Culture
- With some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the world, Thailand is the place to go to experience the exotic east.
6) The People.
- There is a very good reason why Thailand is called the "Land of Smiles".
7) The Beaches.
- There is nowhere better to relax than on a world famous Thai beach.
8) The Paperwork.
- Visas for studying English in Thailand are very easy to obtain, they are cheap and there are no restrictions on the number of students.
9) The Language.
- With English used as the second language in Thailand, you will have plenty of chance to practice your new language skills when you are not in school.
10) The Price.
- With 15 hours of study with accommodation from as little as US$300 a week, where else can you combine IH quality with the exotic holiday of a lifetime for that price?
For more information about IH Bangkok and what we and Thailand can offer your students, visit our website at www.ihbangkok.com or email Graeme Savanger at studyholiday@ihbangkok.com.
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