Speaking English... the bubble, the logo...

It's now one year since our new Language in London logo was designed. And I still love it.The speech bubble is a simple idea but it expresses perfectly the idea of a language school... this is a place to SPEAK!

In every room of the school there are bubbles painted in different colours and every room there's a lot of talking... so they must work.

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

English UK

Yesterday was the AGM and Spring conference for English UK, the national association of accredited English language centres.

It's always good to meet up with representatives from other schools and share thoughts and ideas about our "industry". The biggest discussion was on new visa requirements for students from outside the European Union, which will become law in 2009.

I also attended interesting sessions on the student market in Turkey and Russia.

It made me realise how important it is to spend some time away from my desk. I usually spend far too many hours every day staring at my computer. Time to change my work habits!

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

Old Friends #2

Maria (standing at the back) was in my class in '98 and visited London last week. We met up for breakfast in Primrose Hill but didn't have much of a chance to talk because Ben wanted to run everywhere.

When I look at some of our competition in London - the big schools which are usually part of a chain, with 200 or more students at any one time and lots and lots of teachers, I wonder what it is like to study or work in such a place.

The simple question is... if you come back to visit in ten years time will anybody remember you? At Language in London we believe that the school is part of the experience and not just the place where you study.

I know that if I was choosing somewhere to study, I'd prefer small and friendly to a school that is like a great big corporate language factory!

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

Old Friends

On Friday we had a visit from two friends from Moscow, Olga and Marina. When they first came to the school about 8 years ago they were inseparable friends and it's good to see that nothing has changed!

They missed seeing Rob, their "old" teacher, because he was climbing in Wales... so they will have to come back and say hello again soon!

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

Proud to be Blue!

In a previous post I talked about 2008 being the 20th anniversary of my becoming an English teacher. Anyone who's been in one of my classes or remembers me through Language in London / Camden College of English knows that my lifelong obsession is Chelsea Football Club. And this love of Chelsea has dominated my life since I was 5!!

Last night, at Stamford Bridge, we watched the mighty Blues beat Liverpool to get to the Champions League final. Getting into work this morning, I've read every newspaper report online, sent emails to a few friends, checked prices for getting to the final in Moscow and just smiled a lot. At some stage I need to think about work!

Come on you blues!

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

It was 20 years ago....

Well, what were you doing 20 years ago?

I can clearly remember Spring 1988... I had been working on a local newspaper which suddenly went bust and I found myself out of work. There was good weather that year because I spent a lot of time playing frisbee in the park with Martin, a friend of mine. I knew I had to find another job and so I decided to do a training course for teaching English as a foreign language. My dad gave me the money for the course and I've never looked back.

The training was fantastic although I was very nervous when I had to stand up in front of a group of students and "teach" for the first time. I didn't know then that I was going to spend my life in language schools - as a teacher, a school owner, a course designer etc. etc...

But here I am, 20 years later, still passionate about the world of language learning and still working hard to make my school - Language in London - the best possible place to experience learning English in the UK.

More thoughts on the last 20 years in the next few postings on this blog!

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

A return ticket to the present perfect please.

I'm sure the insurance would be very high and maybe it wouldn't be too comfortable but I like the idea of having a "Language in London" bus and travelling round with a group of students learning English!

I also like the idea of learning English on walking / camping holidays... or just talking about things you like. We have a new course this summer called "British Books and Films" and the idea is just to create a relaxed atmosphere to chat about interesting subjects (with a teacher there to help, correct, point in the right direction, support etc).

Let me know if you have any creative ideas about good ways of learning a language. We're open to anything here!

Regards,
Stuart Rubenstein

Language in London courses...

I just want to remind you to send your application in for the following courses because when they are full ... they are full!

Part-time Evening
Our evening classes are very popular with people who are living and working in London. You can study 1, 2 or 3 evenings per week and take any of our 12-week courses: English for Work, IELTS preparation, General English / Cambridge. The next courses begin on 08 April.

Cultural Experience
If you want to take our wonderful Cultural Experience then we have limited spaces on this one-week course on 14 April and 26 May. This is the course where all the lessons take place in London's museums and galleries. A perfect way to improve your speaking and build vocabulary.

Summer 2008
July, August and September - summer is coming and we have the best selection of courses ever!

• Cultural Experience
• General English + Conversation
• IELTS intensive
• Cambridge exam preparation
• English for Work

If you want help choosing the right course please email info@languageinlondon.com.

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

English Teaching Innovation Awards

Last night was the Oscars for the English teaching world when the British Council "ELTONS" were presented for innovation. As you may remember, two years ago we became the first school in the world to win and so I know how nervous the 12 final nominees felt sitting through dinner waiting to find out who were successful in 2008.

I am one of the judges for these awards and was very happy that my three choices were all the winners. For me innovation is when I go... "I wish I had thought of that! It's so simple, so obvious."

The winners were Oxford University Press for ‘Bookworms Club Reading Circles’ and two BBC entries, one for their student / teacher blogs and one for their weekly soap oprea for learners, Flatmates.

Take some time and have a look at the BBC links - I genuinely believe that these will really help learners all over the world improve their English. And they're free!

It's great to know that in our "industry" of English language teaching there are creative and enthusiastic people who are dedicated to making learning easier and more fun for all the learners out there. Keep up the good work!!

Regards,
Stuart Rubenstein

I want to learn English!

As you know, Language in London / Camden College of English is always number one when it comes to innovation in learning English.

We have something new and something special for ex-students and people who have never been to the school.

We are offering an online e-learning programme where you can be part of the school, connected to our teachers and students and have the chance to improve your English. You can buy this programme for 1, 3 or 12 months.

Have a look at E-LEARNING for more information and a video presentation.

If you are taking a full-time course at the school this year and pay your fees + registration fee then you will automatically have 12 months e-learning.

You can't say "I don't have time to learn" or "I don't know what to do to improve my English" - this programme has everything you need!

Regards,
Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

Camden Fire

Sorry I haven't posted for a little while. No excuse, just been busy!

A lot of students have written to ask about the fire in Camden. The photos (see the one above from the BBC) were very dramatic and reports around the world seem to be saying that the market had been destroyed. I was in the area on the weekend (taking Ben to London Zoo) and saw that one pub had burned down and a small part of the market needs to be rebuilt. So, for lovers of Camden Market... don't worry! In my opinion the current project of "rebuilding" the market with lots of shops instead of the traditional stalls is much more damaging and is destroying the soul of the place.
I also saw that the old school building, our home for nearly 20 years, is now an art gallery!

Stuart Rubenstein
Principal

Just enough time to say bonjour...

Last Thursday, Greta and I went to Paris for a friend's wedding. We arrived in the city at around 6 pm and got on a crowded metro train at Gare du Nord. Squashed in with all the commuters going home after a day's work, I looked up to see a girl smiling at me...

It only took one second for me to realise who it was. Claire!

Back in 1999, in the old school in Camden, I was teaching one of the nicest ever groups of students. It was one of those classes that just clicked. Everyone got on well with each other, there was lots of laughter and learning and even the teacher (me!!) looked forward to the lessons every day.

Others in the class included Luana, Francesca, Serge, Jitka...

Claire must have been 18 or 19 at the time and was very shy when she arrived in London as an au pair. Bumping into her on the metro only gave us a few quick minutes to say hello and catch up. It was wonderful to see a confident Claire who is now... a teacher!

It's great to find out what happened to ex-students - if you want me to put your story on this blog for others to read then send me an email via the school website.

Regards,
Stuart Rubenstein

Happy Birthday!

Today is Ben's second birthday - I can't believe how time has flown. We opened presents this morning and had a special birthday breakfast. It's easy to see what I bought him!!

Now I'm at work and preparing the tests for 35 new students who are starting our General English evening class .... but I'd rather be in the park playing football with my little boy!

Stuart Rubenstein

This is the BBC...

As Principal of an English language school and a blogger, I'm pleased to see that the BBC is using blogs to help students learn English.

They have students and teachers blogging, helping each other with the language and discussing lots of different topics. I love resources like this because they're easy to use, open to everyone and free. You can't ask for more than that.

Have a look at BBC student / teacher blogs ... and get involved!

Stuart Rubenstein

Help!!!

We are starting to build our new website at www.languageinlondon.com. At the moment, it just links to the old www.camdencollege.com one but we have big plans for the new site!

I'd like to ask you... old students, current students, potential new students and friends of the school... what would you like to find on a language school website? What are the important features for you?

And I have another request...

We are planning to have the site in at least 15 different languages. So what I need to know is what are the key words and phrases you would use on google in your language if you were looking for a English course in the UK. (Think about the type of course you want, the location, and anything else relevant).

Please, please, please send this information to the school's email, which you can find at www.languageinlondon.com and put your name and nationality. I'll make sure that everyone who helps has an official online thank-you!!!

Well, that's your homework. Don't forget to do it!

Have a good weekend.

Stuart Rubenstein

New year, new faces...

Last week was a little quiet as our students slowly began to come back to school. This morning there are a lot of new faces and the buzz is back.

We know it can be a little nerve-wracking arriving at a language school on the first day (are they expecting me? will I understand what they say? how do I introduce myself? how will they know what my level is?).

For many students, coming to study English in London is not just about studying English... whether they are coming for one or 48 weeks, this is a great opportunity to meet people from many different countries, make new friends and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I get emails from ex-students every week and they always tell me that they are still in contact with a number of people who were in their class. On the school's Facebook page there are students who were here this summer... and some who were students at Camden College of English more than 15 years ago!

I always believe that a language school is the easiest place to meet people and make friends. All you need to say is, "Hi, my name is.................., where are you from?" and a conversation begins.

So.... if your new year's resolution is to improve your language skills and meet some new people... you know where to go!

Regards,
Stuart Rubenstein

Happy New Year!!!

Wow.... what a year 2007 has been. After so many years the school finally moved to Bloomsbury and has changed names from Camden College of English to Language in London.

Now we're looking ahead to a wonderful 2008 and the opportunity to welcome new students who will become new friends.

On behalf of the teachers and staff at Camden College of English, I would like to wish a happy, healthy and peaceful year to all those we know and all those we are still to meet.

Have fun and see you in 2008!

Stuart Rubenstein

Exam week!!

I just want to wish our wonderful students ... GOOD LUCK because this week some of them are taking Cambridge English exams (First Certificate, Advanced and Proficiency).

These are difficult exams, which students have been preparing for since September. There are five papers (speaking, listening, reading, writing, use of English), and the students need to get a minimum of 60% to pass.
Sometimes I think that both teachers and students spend too long on worrying about how to pass the exam rather than how to be better at English. However, that might be because I never liked exams when I was at school!

There is no doubt that having an exam at the end of a course does motivate most students - and that must be a good thing.

Of course, it's true that our courses and these exams really can make a difference to someone's life. This week I received a lovely email from an old student in response to this blog. Anne (or, Nanou, as she was called), was at the school nearly 10 years ago. She wrote to say that she is working now as a Clinical Research Associate in Paediatrics in Paris. Nanou took the highest Cambridge exam and tells us, "I must say that it was my English that really made the difference when I was hired ... So thank you very much. It's partly thanks to you and the school that I have a great job I really like!"

Thanks Nanou!

Hopefully, over the next few years we'll hear some success stories about the students who are sitting their exams this week.

Regards,
Stuart Rubenstein

Skating and Pantomime...

While I was stuck at my computer all day yesterday... Rob (director of studies) and the students were having the most fantastic winter afternoon in London.

Here are my favourite pictures... I think it clearly shows that coming to London to take an English course is really NOT just about the present perfect simple!!

Happy skating!
Stuart Rubenstein

I wish I were a student at Language in London

Of course, every day is a wonderful day at Language in London... but today is something special!

We've planned a magical winter experience to start at lunchtime, after the morning lessons.

Firstly, Rob is taking a group students ice skating at Somerset House, which is a wonderful building just by the river Thames. After skating (and hot chocolate!), everyone is going up to Regent Street for some Christmas shopping. This means Hamleys - the best toy shop in London and then Libertys, which is a wonderful store and the perfect place for our students to get something for mum!

By this time it will be getting dark and everyone will be able to enjoy the famous Regent Street lights, which attract millions of visitors every December.


After the shopping, it will be time to head to the theatre for a pantomime. Now most people think that this means actors miming, or not speaking. But actually, pantomime in English is something completely different. This is one of our great traditions and the easiest way of describing it is... theatre for children (and big children!).

Generally, pantomimes tell traditional stories like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, as well as some English tales that are not universally known. In all pantomimes there is a lot of audience participation and every one has a fantastic time.

We have chosen to go to see Dick Whittington, which was first staged in 1814 and is a story about the Lord Mayor of London... and his cat!

Hopefully we'll have lots of pictures of the day to post on here... but while everyone is skating, shopping and at the theatre... I hope they think of me sitting here working in the office!!

Have fun!

Stuart Rubenstein