Monthly Archives: July 2019

Day 21 – Wednesday, 31 July 2019 – London, Warwick Castle & Stratford

London

Because the early bird catches the worm and in this case, the worm was the largest city in the United Kingdom and the 27th largest in the world, we got up early today. We were heading to London.

London calling.

One group went to the British Museum and spent a couple of hours immersed in history, witnessing artefacts of worldwide heritage, such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles and the Egyptian mummies.

Andrei (Romania), Benedict, Charlie and Victor (Germany) after a quick history lesson about the Parthenon.

The other group went on a boat ride from the Tower of London to Westminster and then went on a walking tour towards Piccadilly Circus. Eventually, the two groups met and headed to Buckingham Palace.

We used our weather control system to make sure our photos were brilliant that day.

Warwick Castle & Stratford

At the same time, another group of students stepped back in history and explored the marvellous Warwick Castle. On the nearly 1000-year-old site, they went into a scary dungeon to experience a lesser known side of history. For a more classic story, they saw a live reenactment of an important piece of England’s past – the Wars of the Roses. Live actors, horses, and special effects served as a great reminder of how captivating history can be.

Did you know that both William the Conqueror and Winston Churchill lived in the castle? We wonder if they were roommates…

Archery, bird shows, exhibitions… There were plenty of things to do and see at Warwick, but our students had another important historical place to visit…

Stratford upon Avon

In the city’s centre, one house stands apart from all the rest. In fact, it stands apart from every other house in the world. It is where William Shakespeare was born. It is hard not to be in awe knowing that you are standing just a few feet (almost three times less in metres) away from where the greatest writer in the entire history of English literature took his first steps.

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – Hamlet

Such moments make us wonder where our students will be when they grow up – just how proud we’ll feel when we hear how they’re tackling the world’s toughest challenges. We can’t wait to read all about it in the future, when it is all history.

Header photo by Christopher Chadarevian, More Than English alumnus.

Day 20 – Tuesday, 30 July 2019 – Drama & Speeches

Today was a big day for More Than English because the students had yet another opportunity to show their work to the rest of us. Showing your work – no matter how good it is – is important if you want to promote resilience and the growth mindset. And we do!

Drama performance

First meeting for Laura’s Drama and Theatre Get Ahead group.

The Drama and Theatre Get Ahead option is ideal for those students who like doing creative work and also like to work in a group and perform on stage for an audience.

This year’s play was about what it means to be a president and had a lot to teach our students about power and responsibility.

This year’s drama group performing at Regal Theatre in Tenbury Wells.

Speeches

First meeting for Tom’s Speech Making Get Ahead group.

The Speech Making Get Ahead option is for those teenagers who want to become change-makers and spread their ideas for a better world.

This year’s theme was Respect and our three speakers talked about respecting our bodies, our fellow human beings and the environment.

Corina (Romania), Alix (France) and Miruna (Romania) delivering their speeches.

Day 19 – Monday, 29 July 2019 – Variety show & photo challenge

Can you imagine a better school?

What if somebody asked you to come up with a better school? The C-level students were given this opportunity in class and they came up with ideas to improve the school experience. They also did surveys to get opinions from other classes, where the needs and learning goals are different. When it comes to education reform, we should definitely involve the number one stakeholders: The students themselves.

Let’s make school better.

What is unihockey?

At More Than English, teenagers are encouraged to try something new. One of the clubs available to them is the sport Unihockey. It is also known as Swiss floorball, which is a variety of floorball, a floor hockey game. It can be quite challenging, that’s why it’s so popular at summer school.

Let’s play

Variety show

The variety show is a chance for students to do or perform something in front of the entire More Than English campus community. From sports and gymnastics to music and photography.

Alejandro (Spain) doing a slam dunk.

How do you define music? Can you play music using just your hands and a few plastic cups?

Apparently, you can and it can be really good too.

Photo challenge finalists

  • Photo by Moritz
  • Photo by Moritz
  • Photo by Jerzy
  • Photo by Mikulas
  • Photo by Jerzy
  • Photo by Mikulas
  • Photo by Eloi
  • Photo by Jerzy
  • Photo by Mikulas
  • Photo by Moritz
  • Photo by Jakub
  • Photo by Iveta
  • Photo by Eloi
  • Photo by Jakub
  • Photo by Iveta
  • Photo by Eloi
  • Photo by Jakub
  • Photo by Iveta
Eloi (3rd and 2nd place) and Moritz (1st place)

Day 18 – Sunday, 28 July 2019 – Jungle Adventure

On Mondays, students take a break from Get Ahead classes and pick a half-day excursion option. Today we went on an exciting jungle adventure. But not before working on our English!

English beyond the classroom

Come with us on a brief snapshot of what’s going on in Core English this morning:

  • Presentations; discussions; listening to what other people say; responding to what other people say; analysing stories; developing writing skills
Core English snapshot

We’ve said it before. We’ll say it again. Never underestimate teenagers and never underestimate what they can do with their English. In this next video B2 teacher Ian explains how his class are learning about Crisis Mapping. To be more specific, your teenagers are learning how they can use their English in the real world to map and manage crises:

A fun way to work on personal skills

Our students love spending time outdoors. Especially when they can have a lot of fun doing so – for example by playing paintball or climbing up high ropes.

The jungle adventure is a perfect example of something that is a constant in summer school experience: students going out of their comfort zone. Students trying something they never imagined themselves doing. Students embracing new challenges.

Paintball isn’t just mindless fun – it helps students learn how to master teamwork. If they didn’t work together, their chances of winning a match would be slim.

The jungle adventure (Music: bensound.com)

A nice recharge

Running around, jumping, tactical thinking… All the jungle adventures made students very tired. Seeing the delicious food waiting for them made them quite cheerful! Tonight they had a rare, but tasty snack: pizza.

…And as every one of our students are individuals (there are no groups at More Than English) – our team of chefs made an individual pizza for every student too. Quite a feat, you’ll agree.

Pizza
Yes, it’s pizza!

More outside time

After dinner, literally just across the road from the campus, students entered the magical world of Mortimer Forest. They strode uphill surrounded by trees that were hundreds of years old. Makes you think…

Not too far from the summit of Climbing Jack, we asked students if they would like to stop and return back or push on to the summit. We were so impressed when the vast majority elected to go for the top. We were also impressed by how far the less experienced walkers had reached. Well done everyone!

We finished of the day with a nice gathering around the campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows. What a long day it’s been! What an EPIC day it’s been. Let’s go to bed now and get some rest.

Forest walk
A gorgeous sunset in the forest

Day 17 – Saturday, 27 July 2019

With Saturday came a change in the weather. Last couple of days were very hot, so students didn’t mind the refreshing lower temperatures.

Enjoying lunch

Lunch isn’t just about getting your energy back up. We want students to enjoy their food and maybe try something new.
There are always multiple options available, including those for special dietary requirements. 
So, did we manage to make lunch something students look forward to? No better way to find out than to ask them. Watch the video to see what they said.

Speak up

Communication is a very important skill for young people to develop. Not only does it help their self-esteem, but it’s also useful when making small talk, meeting new people and, one day, having a successful job interview.
Students in the speech making Get Ahead class are working hard to better their speaking competence.
Before they can start inspiring others, it’s important for them to learn from the best. They listened to some of Barack Obama’s best speeches and analysed a great piece from Dr. West, a famous social critic.

I am deeply suspicious of smartness. Let the phones be smart, let us be wise.

Dr. Cornell West
Watching and learning

Go pro with Get Ahead sport

Being excellent at sports isn’t something that you’re born with. Good, maybe. But not excellent.
It takes practice, and most importantly, expert coaching to really be the best. Today, our golf students worked on their swing technique under the careful eye of PGA coach Dan.

It’ll be a long walk to get that ball back… Good job, Moritz!

A student favourite

There’s nothing more fun than bouncing around on the ground and running into your friends without anyone getting hurt. That’s exactly what bubble football is for.
Take a look at some highlights in the video below.

(Music: bensound.com)

Day 16 – Friday, 26 July 2019

Yesterday, lots of students arrived at our school. After having a nice rest, they’re all excited to join the others – in learning, making new friends, and of course, having fun!

Food for thought

Learning English actively is always challenging, so students were very hungry by lunchtime. They were happy to enjoy the most British meal there is – fish and chips!

When eating lunch, students are mixed up by nationatilites. Not only does it encourage them to meet new people from all around the world, but it also means they’ll be speaking English all day long.

In fact, they were getting along so well that it made the dining room a rather noisy place, but we certainly didn’t mind!

Lunch = time to talk

New week, new Get Aheads

Third week started off with three fresh Get Ahead options – Shakespeare, Speech making, and Drama and Theatre.
Students could also pick some of the previously available options, such as Tennis, Football, and Golf.

Students studying in Shakespeare class
Shakespeare students starting their exciting journey into the world of Macbeth

Drama and theatre is all about practice and learning from your mistakes so our students got into action from day one.

Students practicing acting
Our expert drama teacher, Laura, is helping students learn the ropes of acting

Let’s relax for a bit

In the evening, students got a choice on what they wanted to do. If they felt sporty, they could play cricket or benchball. On the other hand, crafts are great if you just want to unwind with your friends and make something nice.

Students playing cricket
Taking a break from technology and learning a new sport
Arts and crafts at More Than English summer school
You can make a DIY bracelet in five minutes.

A short trip

Finally, it was time to go to the cinema. Last week, we watched Johnny English. We liked his humour, but when it’s really important you won’t talk to him – you’ll go to the new Men in Black film. So we did!

Off campus at the cinema

Day 15 – Thursday, 25 July 2019

Thursdays bring new blood life to More Than English summer school, but at the same time we have to say goodbye to departing students who have completed their journey.

This is how we say goodbye

Departures

A big group leaves today, after spending the last two weeks at summer school. We wish them the best and hope to see them again. Also, we would love to keep hearing from them.

Time to go.
Robert, Richard, Julian and Maximilian (aka Max) heading back home, in Germany.

Summer school is a great way to make new friends. Plus, it’s so easy for teenagers to stay in touch afterwards thanks to technology. These connections might not be active at all times, but they are not dormant either. They are on stand-by and who knows what they can enable these friends to do in the future. Belonging to a worldwide network of connected friends definitely sounds very empowering in our age.

Friends saying goodbye before departing from More Than English summer school.
Saying goodbye to a friend is never easy.

Arrivals

Lots of teenagers from nine countries joined us today. We welcome them all and wish them to make the most out of their experience at More Than English summer school.

Corina – a newcomer – meets Tudor. They are both from Romania.
Welcome to your new home for the next few weeks.

An exciting week lies ahead, with new Get Ahead options, clubs, activities, trips and excursions. Are you ready for week 3?

Day 14 – Wednesday, 24 July 2019 – Bath & Liverpool

Another Wednesday with two full-day excursions that help More Than English students get immersed in the English history, culture and language, as well as broaden their horizons.

Bath

Travelling is an amazing experience. Travelling with peers from other countries to Bath, a place with such a long history, going back more than two thousand years is a truly magical experience – a journey in time. The main attraction in Bath is the Roman Baths.

Don’t come for a bath here…

Incredible architecture that leaves you wondering how the Romans managed to build all this. Of course, there is some information about this inside the museum…

Outside the Roman Baths, back from our journey in time.

Liverpool

The other group visited the lively, modern, beautiful city of Liverpool. One of the most interesting places to visit is the Merseyside Maritime Museum, with an exhibition about the Titanic.

If you go to Liverpool you should definitely pay a visit to the Beatles Story.

Can you spot the John Lennon look-alike?

After an incredible day, it’s time to get back to base, because tomorrow is a big day, with departures and arrivals. Can’t wait!

Day 13 – Tuesday 23 July 2019 – THE THEATRE

Also featuring: a journey back in time to Ancient Greece

Today is a very, very, very special day at More Than English.

A day when we celebrate students’ efforts and a day when students really, truly step outside their comfort zone. Everyone is down at the local art deco cinema for a feast of entertainment. Ladies and gentlemen, take a seat, grab some pop-corn, make a *smoothie and settle down in your favourite armchair for THE BIG SHOW:

(*no added sugar version)

On the stage tonight:

  • The Dance Choreographers (Get Ahead)
  • The Film Makers (Get Ahead)
  • The ‘Club Time’ Dramatists

First ladies and gentlemen, please give a huge round of applause for the greatest dancers the world has ever seen:

The Greatest dance show on Earth

Next up, our feature film: The Alien Invasion

Rated PG

Warning: contains scenes of extreme comedy.

Tonight’s featured film: “The Alien Invasion“

And now ladies and gentlemen, a feast for your eyes. This is the first year that we have had the pleasure of welcoming Greek students to More Than English, and so it gives us particular pleasure to present to you a drama inspired by the most eminent writers from ancient Greece: Homer, Herodotus, Sophocles and Virgil. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the story of The Troy War adapted for the stage by our so, so hardworking Activity Design Manager, Anna:

Come with us on a journey back in time to Ancient Greece
#??????

A note for the audience:

“I could never do that.”

Is this what you are thinking?
If so, we’d like you to think again.

‘Talent’ or ‘Hard work’?

Sitting in the audience and watching such an amazing show it’s easy for us in the audience to think that we could never do that. It’s easy to think “those people are so talented, I could never do that.”

At More Than English we prefer to talk about hard work and practice, NOT talent.

People are not born good at dance, acting, film making or anything else. People become good at something because of hard work and practice. Lots of practice. This is the basic idea behind “Growth Mindset”, which is the theory that every single one of us (yes, including you) can become good, very good at anything.

Read more about "Growth Mindset"

So, next year, it’s your turn.