I’ve taught the lesson a few times now, as part of the afternoon Fluency and Discussion classes. These classes focus on verbal communication and interaction rather than grammar, loosely based around a given weekly topic. Last week’s topic was Art and Literature. Initially, I had my doubts about doing this lesson with my elementary level class, as I normally do it with higher level students. I decided to try it anyway because previous students had got so much out of the lesson; after all, why should any students miss out on Munch’s ‘The Scream‘ or Millais’ ‘Ophelia’ just because of their English level?

An important part of the lesson involves the students ‘becoming’ art critics, walking around the ‘gallery’ and commenting on the paintings they see. To help them identify what they are looking at, they are introduced to some of the more well-known art movements, e.g. Classicism, Surrealism, Pop-Art, each with a short description.

In the end, my doubts came to nothing. The lesson worked wonderfully. As I watched my Beginner and Elementary students walking slowly around the classroom gazing up at the Constables, Warhols and Chagalls, making and comparing notes, I allowed myself a smile. Why? Because there is something magical about a young Saudi student who is only just starting to put words together, choosing Magritte’s surreal ‘Hegel’s Holiday’ as his favourite because it’s ‘protection’ and it’s ‘rain’. Or when a quiet Taiwanese student votes for Constable’s ‘Study of the Trunk of an Elm Tree’ over Van Gogh or Warhol because it’s ‘strong’, which is surely what the artist originally wanted to convey.

It was worth it because, sometime in the future, those students will go back to their countries and, one day, in a busy street in Seoul or a plush office in Astana, or a board room in Kuwait, they will come across one of those paintings, and it will take them all the way back to their friends and their teacher, to their class, one wet Spring afternoon in Room 201 at Kings London.

While the Internet is lax in its grammatical restrictions, with many Russians living abroad, ‘Total Dictation’ challenges all Russians taking part to maintain and even improve their literacy. Through these events, the participants state, “Literacy is in fashion”.

Irina, this year's winner, outside Kings London

This year, more than 14,300 people around the world participated in this event. A text for dictation was written by Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin, the subject: Russian culture and history. The Total Dictation 2012 London event was hosted by Kings London. This year’s winner, Irina Kostyleva (pictured), PhD student at Imperial College London, was the only one of all London participants to be awarded grade 5 – a perfect score reflecting no mistakes in spelling or punctuation.

The event was publicized widely in the Russian press and in London reported by RIA Novosti, the internet based media company.

Many thanks to Kristina Urusova, Kings London Foundation Year graduate, for contributing this article. Kristina will be commencing her Bachelors Degree in Computer Science at King’s College University in September 2012.

The Vintage Magazine Shop in London's West End

If you’re at a loose end in London, why not spend a little (or a lot) of time browsing an old comic at the Vintage Magazine Shop? Sometimes old magazines come back of the drawer, like old blogs returning from the depths of the RSS flux. Most of the time this happens, we stop there, we smile, we remember what we read on those pages in days gone by and we lose ourselves there again. The Vintage Magazine Shop is the perfect place for that. Amongst trinkets, postcards and posters of movie and rock stars, there are enough presents for all your relatives for the next ten years…who needs another reason to enter?

Most exciting of all, when you descend to the basement, you can browse anything from old Playboys to issues of People magazine dating back to a time when any rock star would have made Amy Winehouse seem like the perfect little girl. The atmosphere, a combination of music straight out of the sixties and the scent of old paper, causes a time warp as good as any experienced by Mister Spock on the best episode of Star Trek.

Isn't that Cary Grant?

Down in the basement

But if the weather is good and you prefer to spend some time outside, why not visit the British countryside without leaving London? I had this picture as my laptop wallpaper for a long time and everybody kept asking me: “It’s lovely, where is it?”

Prince Regent Canal in Camden

Nobody believed me when I answered: “In London.” And i’m not talking about the suburbs, I’m talking about CENTRAL London.

This casting of green is accessible on foot along Regents Canal, between Camden Town and Little Venice. To get there, nothing is simpler: at Camden Lock, take the steps down and you are on the tow-path. From there, you only have to walk along the canal and dream in front of the mesmerizing house in the shade of weeping willows, to imagine a nomadic life on a houseboat, or just stay awhile on a bench listening to the lapping water. You don’t have to do the whole walk; you can take one of the many stairways ascending to one of the many bridges crossing the canal to once again find the buzz of the city!

On the banks of the canal

From Nigeria to Kings

Kings recently caught up with some of our Nigerian students at Kings Oxford. Find out what they had to say: 

Kings: So where are you all from and what courses are you studying?

Ronald: I’m from Lagos and I’m studying A-levels.

Femi: I’m from Lagos too, also studying A-levels.

Viano: I’m from Abuja, studying the Advanced Level Foundation.

Zainab: I’m from Kaduna and I’m studying A-levels.

Viano Helen Oniomoh from Abuja

Kings: And how about university. What course do you plan to study?

Ronald: Civil engineering.

Zainab: I plan on studying Computer Engineering or Economics & Management at university (though I’m not really sure yet).

Femi: Mechanical Engineering then a Masters or PhD in Aeronautical Engineering.

Viano: I plan on studying Architecture when I move on to university.

Kings: So why are you studying in the UK?

Viano:  My parents wanted a better Education for me. They felt that the UK provided the best education and moral upbringing and that is why I am here.

Zainab:  I have chosen to study in the UK because the British Education system has a high reputation. Also I believe learning in an area that you are not from broadens your horizon of understanding other people’s culture.

Ronald: I’m studying here because it provides you with better learning experiences and meeting up with different people from different cultures and backgrounds is also great.

RonaldUbong Ekong from Lagos

Kings: Tell us about your experience at Kings Oxford – what have you enjoyed the most about studying here?

Ronald: Students at Kings are so friendly and I found it easy to relate to most of the students.

Femi: My experience at Kings has been nothing but wonderful and eventful — the teachers are great and the students are fun and loving.

Viano: Kings is a very welcoming place. The teachers are friendly and almost everyone I have met comes from a different place than I did. It makes learning a lot fun as I am also acquiring knowledge about other cultures.

Zainab: Yes, I agree! My Stay at Kings College Oxford has been excellent, I have met people of different nationalities from all over the world. The environment is welcoming and most of all, the people are friendly.

Zainab Shehu from Kaduna

Kings: How has Kings helped you so far in preparing you for university studies?

Zainab: Kings has helped me in preparing for university studies by giving us the opportunity of having a university fair in school, university talks and also an understanding of UCAS and how it works. This has really helped me as I have a perfect knowledge on how universities in the UK operate.

Femi: I’m still in the first year of A-levels but Kings has helped me in the preparation of university, the standard of work, and level has been tough, but I know it’s for the better, the level or work has helped me know what to expect in university.

Ronald: Kings has helped me organize study plans for my exams. At Kings we also do a lot of presentation and assignments similar to what they do in university so when we get there it will not feel new.

Viano: The Advanced Level Foundation course that I am currently studying is personally the best choice for University preparation. The entire course itself is based on UK university standard, with lectures and almost three thousand word assignments, varying in each subject but still at the same level. Sounds tough but as time goes on, it just becomes a part of you.

Olufemi Olumide Lapido (Femi) from Lagos

Kings: So finally, if you were asked you to describe your experience of Kings Oxford, what would you say?

Viano: I would say that at first, it was awkward because no matter how friendly people are it is still somewhat of a shock to be so far away from home but as time went on, I learned that most of the students are as friendly as the teachers and it didn’t take long for me to feel at home. The environment is cheerful and airy and makes learning absolute fun.

Ronald: A place to interact with with people from different backgrounds and a good learning experience.

Zainab: My experience in Kings Oxford so far has been great, nothing less than that!

Femi: In one word: Excellent.

Kings: Thanks everyone — and good luck with your studies at Kings!

I was lucky enough to be in California with my family and we had plenty of sun – it wasn’t always hot, like you might expect, but I loved the endless blue skies and sunshine after our dull, grey winter.  We experienced a spectacular thunderstorm when we were visiting Alcatraz one evening, which certainly added to the atmosphere.  Unfortunately, i didn’t have time to visit Kings Los Angeles, because LA is so spread out compared to London.

California offers an interesting experience for English visitors. I can’t remember the number of times people said “I love your accent”. I was a bit less convinced by the comment that I sounded like Robert Plant (the male lead singer of Led Zeppelin, for those who don’t know or who weren’t born), though I certainly wish I could sing like him. Strangely, I found myself speaking with a more ‘British’ accent in the US, and wondering why Americans struggle to pronounce the ‘t’ in water (it sounds like ‘warder’)? It’s amazing that we speak the same language and yet so many words either have different meanings or pronunciations, for example ‘pants’ in British English are male underwear, but in America they are trousers!

Anyway back to our favourite subject – the weather. I know we have a reputation for always talking about the weather but it’s impossible not to when it changes so quickly here. This week we have a lovely French group leader staying with us. She is accompanying 11 French kids studying at Kings. I feel so sorry for them because it has rained almost every day so far. They are seeing London by night this evening, though, and the rain finally seems to have stopped for them.

Today, our Chinese student asked us if we were expecting snow later, but I assured her that was unlikely…better check though, just in case! Students coming to the UK at this time of year have to pack for all weathers, but it wouldn’t be England if you could predict the weather! Now where are my snow boots…?

One of the reasons why I chose to study in London was because I watched many YouTube videos of British YouTubers, whose accents I love! Anyhow, they arranged a meeting in Hyde Park the other day and I went along. I was so happy to be there. The people were lovely, I took a photo with them, and they even signed my umbrella. Furthermore I met some awesome people. I had such a great day and I didn’t want it to end but you know; all good things have to come to an end.

On Sunday, I went to see a new film ‘The Hunger Games’ and I got into the story so much that I went to the next bookshop and bought myself a copy of the book in English. I am reading it right now. It’s pretty good and I recommend anyone to watch or read it! I don’t want to spoil the story, but it was set in the future in a fictional American city called ‘Panem’, where food is short. The Hunger Games are a horrific TV reality show, in which children from between the ages of 12 and 18 have to fight to death. There is only one winner and their prize is food or money for the next year. The main character is a girl from the ‘poor’ district who volunteers for her sister as a tribute. There are always a boy and a girl from each of 12 districts.

The following weekend I spent with those people I met and it was really funny, I taught them some German words. Like the word ‘Geister’ which means ghosts. And now when we’re on Facebook chatting, they’re always like ‘there are Geister in the house’! I know I’ve never told you before, but I’m a big fan of Harry Potter, the books and the movies. Anyway, the weekend before I leave I’m going to the Harry Potter Tour. You can go there every now and then, just take a look at the Kings social programme. There are also other great deals you can get with Kings Colleges, for example you can see ‘The Lion King’ much cheaper than the usual price!

So sadly the time will come soon when I have to pack my suitcase. I don’t really want to go home though, not even for holidays. I know that my English has improved a lot since I’ve been here and I’m going to carry on reading and speaking in English after I get back to Switzerland and, hopefully, for the rest of my life! Anyway I have to sign off now, but wanted to thank all of you who read the blog and support Kings Colleges, where I hope your dreams will come true like mine did. Vivian xx

Veronika Nikitina - at Kings London

Last year, Veronika Nikitina won a Kings quiz (held in conjunction with Russian partner agent Ya Language School, based in Novosibirsk). 1st prize was a two-week Intensive English course at Kings London.

We recently caught up with Veronika half-way through her course and found out that for her, studying in London was a life-long dream come true. 

Kings: So tell us, what was the Kings Quiz and how did you win it?
Veronika: The Kings Quiz was called “How well you know Britain?”. So all questions were about British lifestyle, history and culture. I have been always interested in everything connected with the UK so for me taking part in this Quiz was a present! I got all the answers correct and became a winner.
Kings: OK, can you tell us about your experience at Kings London – what have you enjoyed the most about studying here?
Veronika: Kings London has become a special place for me. This college is a great place where you can study and spend an amazing time. Teachers make everything easy for you to enjoy classes and feel comfortable.
Kings: You mentioned that you had always wanted to visit London… what’s it like now you are really here?!
Veronika: I have been learning English since childhood. So I always heard stories about England and especially London from my teachers. Those stories turned to be my dream to see England “with my eyes”. When I finally came to England my first feeling was like I was living in the pictures which I’d seen before. But after some time I got used to London and now it’s incredible to be here.
Kings: What are you going to tell your friends about the experience?
Veronika: I’d totally recommend Kings London to everybody who wants to improve their English and study in a friendly atmosphere. Kings is a great place to study.
Kings: Any message to Ya Language – who organised the quiz with Kings?
Veronika: I’d like to say, ‘THANKS A LOT!’
Kings: So, tell us more about your time here at Kings London.
Veronika: Kings is a mixture of positive things. My accommodation and family was perfect. The teachers are amazing – they are so into students and the subjects they teach. All the other students are welcoming and you have an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I’d really love to come back and study longer at Kings London.
Kings: And finally, what’s the most amazing thing you’ve seen or done in London?
Kings: The “tempo” and atmosphere of London. I’ve visited a lot of places in my life, but London is the first place where I feel so comfortable it feels like I’m at home.

Anyway, it’s a very simple game. All you need is a group of people seated in a circle. Next, choose a topic. As we’d just been learning town and country vocabulary, I began with, ‘I went for a walk in the country and I saw…’. The next person adds something, a noun or phrase, for example, ‘a cow’. Then the person next to them repeats what they’ve just said as well as adding something of their own, for example, ‘I went for a walk in the country and I saw a cow, a farm…’ And so it continues.

We had great fun. There were about 6 of us, including myself. I had to stop the game after, oh, I think it was the third round. 18 things to remember! Can you imagine? When you get to my age your memory starts to go. I don’t know where it goes, but it goes somewhere. Somewhere I can’t find it. But my eager students wanted to continue: ‘Come on, teacher!’ Such enthusiasm, such committed English learners! They would have carried on for the whole lesson, but my brain was starting to boil!

Next it was the town version. ‘I went for a walk in the town and I saw…’ Strangely, when we were playing the town version, after a little while the game started to go in a distinctly south-east Asian direction. One of the students, whose nationality shall remain nameless (although you might be able to guess where they came from if you are very clever), decided to introduce a distinctly local building. Suddenly we had ‘I went for a walk in a town and I saw a street, a bus, a police station, a river, a bridge, a shopping arcade, a library and Taipei Tower 101…’ Taipei Tower 101? Hmmm. I don’t remember ‘Taipei Tower 101’ being on the English File Student Book vocabulary page we’d just been looking at. But it was too late. Next Big Ben appeared. Maybe Taipei Tower 101 was lonely? Or was it London Bridge? I can’t remember. As I said, when you get to my age your memory starts to go. Oh well, as long as my students remember their town and country vocabulary, it doesn’t matter. And do you know what? After all the fun we had, I think they will.

The English have some strange phrases, but in some way they are connected to British culture. As you know, English people drink a lot of tea and when they don’t like something, they say ‘it’s not my cup of tea’. I use it quite often, at least once a day! In German, we would say ‘es ist nicht mein typ’ – meaning it is not my type. But we have quite a few expressions which are identical in English:

Out of sight, out of mind (Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn)
Break a leg (Hals und Beinbruch!) – you can say this when you want to wish someone good luck before doing something

And some which are different:

Good things come in threes (Aller guten Dinge sind drei) – the English say ‘Bad things come in threes’!

My lessons are really varied. There are lots of different ways of improving listening, speaking and other skills, like listening to CDs or discussing a topic. Every day is different : -) Also, we have two or three different teachers a day which makes it more exciting. One of my teachers, Johnny, left last week. We were talking about Johnny with our new teacher and I said: ‘I’ll miss him he’s a funny lad!’, however Anthony understood ‘bonny’ lad, or something that sounds similar and means handsome lad. That was quite awkward!

At the moment, we have Anthony in the first lesson. He’s a really good teacher and you can read his blog on the website next week. And then there is Amorita. She’s amazing I have no words! She brings the lessons to life if you get what I mean? She can make the most boring grammar lessons become the most exciting thing in the world! Her American character is just funny and interesting! I really like her!

Anyway, ‘Break a leg’ this weekend…and I don’t meant that literally!

As we have been hosting for quite a few years, over time we have developed and refined an information sheet to give to students when they arrive. We found that, whilst students often have good basic English, they may find our London accent difficult to understand. Many arrive after a long flight feeling tired, perhaps they are anxious and worried about coming into a strange family home and for many students it will be their first experience living abroad. The last thing we want to do is to bombard them with information on arrival! We always go through the most important information with them and leave a copy in their room so that they can digest it at their leisure – and look up some words in a dictionary, if necessary. It’s important to make it clear they must tell us if they do not understand, as that is how they improve their English outside Kings. We often have conversations via the international language of mime and gestures : -)

The information sheet covers things like the names of the members of the family (after my son Ryan kept being called Brian), meal times and security, and so on. It is also a good check list for me to ensure I have covered everything. Misunderstandings sometimes still occur due to cultural differences and we have found that they just need to be dealt with promptly, clearly and tactfully. For a while, we hosted a Chinese boy, who would come home and go straight to his room. We explained to him that, in England, it is normal to say hello when coming in, to let us know he was home. He thought he was being polite by not disturbing us. Other students have thought that the bathroom is a ‘wet room’ because that is what they have at home. We quickly show them the shower curtain! Explaining the use of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ is always fun and ‘pardon’ instead of ‘what’. These are some of the first subtleties of English language and culture that students can get to grips with through the homestay experience.

We are currently student-less as we are going on our own travels over Easter. Have a great chocolate-filled Easter and let’s hope the sun keeps shining as much as it has been this week!

Lynda and some Italian students