This is what some of the students got up to after class friday.
Katrin (Upper-Intermediate) surfed the net while Evelyn (FCE) completed some listening exercises.
Philipp and Stefan (Pre-Intermediate) had a game of pool.
Marco (FCE) and Andre (Intermediate) played table tennis.
Stephanie, Saskia and Raphael took a ‘level-up’ test to be promoted to the Intermediate class.
We would like to say good bye and good luck to Gwen and Aaron, our Upper-Intermediate and Intermediate teachers. Eventhough, they were with us only for a short time they made a great contribution to the team.
The pictures below were taken at the ‘farewell lunch’ they organized for their classes. It was the last day for some of the students as well; Bettina, Julie, Melissa, Thiago, Sebi (Sebastian) and Camilo. Take care guys.
1. You may have already heard that Thata’s boss is looking for some cleaners (casual positions) so if you’re interested see Thata personally or me. The job is in the middle of Caloundra and not far from the campus.
2. There are also other job desciptions / vacancies listed in my office in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore.
3. I have some information about Share Accommodation in Caloundra, Kings Beach and Moffat Beach on the board as well. Be quick if you are interested!
Thanks for the tip Thata.
Congratulations to the FCE class that tested last December. All their hard work has been rewarded with fantastic results!
A special thank you to Yvonne, their teacher, who worked extremely hard with the class.
Well done guys – we’re proud of you!
“Time is flying for me and in no time, I’ll be finishing the General English Course, which I started last November.
“Studying in at Upper-Intermediate level, I’m convinced it’s the best way to improve one’s communication skills (not Academic!), apart from the useful book lessons, there is a certain amount of flexibility which is privileged. The atmosphere is very friendly and the teachers are kind, approachable and always helpful with advice or information we might need. Interesting!
As I’ll be here for another 3 months, I looked for a job last year to supplement the cost of my stay. Luckily, I found something and what’s more, it’s in a mechanical engineering company…my field!! I began the month of January doing part-time work and will go full-time as soon as my course at GV finishes. Exciting!
Also, I am training hard and trying to be fit for a triathlon competition that will be held in Caloundra the 7th of February. Practicing this sport for 2 years, I’ll present myself to the Aussies, known as world-class specialist in the triple effort. So I try to manage all 3 activities as best as I can and I’ve never been so busy. It will be challenging!
In conclusion and so far, my choice of destination is likely to be successful since I believe to have gained valuable and eye-opening experiences…adding a 3rd “properly acquired” language to all my knowledge.”
Camilo Boyer.
This is what Elodie and Marco had to say about the Noosa-Caloundra Gold Coast Trip.
“It gave me an opportunity to get to know all the students on the trip quite well. As a new student it was a good way to break the ice and feel comfortable around the other students.” (Elodie)
“Not only was it a perfect way for students to mix and to make other International friends, we stuck together the whole time. We were a real group of friends. What I really liked about the trip was the way the ‘night – club’ night was organised. We went to four different clubs on the same night. It was huge!” (Marco)
Thanks for the photos Marco.
After an unusual start to our day today, students participated in a number of activities that were based on Australia /Australia Day. Students moved from class to class to sample a variety of educational activities. Each session lasted 10 minutes and included; Aussie Slang, Tongue Twisters and Colloquialisms, An Aussie Game Show, Crosswords and wait for it … “Prepostions”. I was a little surprised by the last choice but it was requested and we do aim to please!
Thanks to all the students and teachers who joined in our Australia Day breakfast.
Prizes were awarded to Charles and Selina for the “Most Australian PJs”. House mates, Katrin and Stephanie picked up the prizes for the “Prettiest PJs” and the “Sexiest PJs” respectively. Julio won the “Cutest PJs” and Evelyn was given a prize for the “Most Imaginative”.
If we were to award another prize, it would be to Anne-Sophie for the most imaginative use of Milo.
Last week we met our new CAE teacher Adrienne and this week it’s the turn of Nathalie, who is teaching on the FCE course here at GV Caloundra.
Nathalie, currently teaching FCE at GV Caloundra
How long have you been working at GV and what did you do before you worked here?
I’ve been here for over a year now. Before moving to the Sunshine Coast I worked in English language schools in Brisbane and also as a primary school teacher and French teacher in the state system.
Do you speak another language and what was your biggest challenge when learning it?
I’ve learned a few languages over the years, including French, German and Russian. I suppose listening and grammar were always challenging for me! My mum’s French, so I never really had problems there.
Which class are you teaching at the moment?
I am teaching FCE and we’re already coming to the end of week three – time really is flying!
Please tell us about a student in your class who you feel has made outstanding progress…
It’s still a little early to say, but all the students are demonstrating themselves to be highly motivated and hard-working.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at GV?
I love the sense of community here – everybody knows everybody else by name. It’s great to meet people from around the world. The staff here also have a great working relationship.
If you weren’t a teacher, what job do you think you would be doing now?
I’d be developing curriculum and teaching resources for ESL and / or LOTE French (and I still hope to pursue this dream one day!)
What do you like most about living on the Sunshine Coast?
The laid-back family atmosphere and of course the weather and beaches.
What is your favourite cafe, restaurant, shop or place in the local area?
My favourite restaurant is a small place on Dicky Beach called ‘Guatamas’
(Read a review of Guatama’s at http://www.menufeast.com.au/info/19999/gautama/dicky-beach/ and if you’re looking for part-time work it’s a great place to drop off your cv – a number of students already work there, in fact!)
It took a little bit of effort to put this together and I must admit I had a little bit of technical help along the way, so, I would like to thank Luis (Upper-Intermediate) and Peter Walmsley from GV Brisbane for helping me finally post it on the blog.
I tried to include as many students and teachers as I could so I apologise if I left anyone out.
I hope you enjoy it!
If you can’t see the video above, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjRGrvkE8a8
| Caloundra on Australia Day | |
Tuesday 26 January 2010
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Are you always curious about some of the slang that Australians use? The Director of Studies at GV Brisbane, Mariana, has provided some helpful information this week on Australian slang.
GV Brisbane's Director of Studies, Mariana, with Edson from Brazil
Australian English is an accent that is full of lively colourful phrases. Some of the words and expressions used are taken from British slang (very informal vocabulary items).
Some words have a completely different meaning in Australia than they do in other English-speaking countries. Other words are indigenous to Australia and derived from Aboriginal terms, such as ‘boomerang’ and ‘kangaroo’. But the most characteristic aspect of the Australian accent is that common words and expressions have been shortened considerably, turning three- or four-syllable words into two-syllable ones.
It is important to notice that Australian slang exists primarily because Australians take the English language as a game to play, and they love to have fun with words.
Here are some of those everyday words and their shortened Aussie versions for you to use to sound more Australian, but more importantly, to understand natives when you talk to them! Use them whenever you can, and enjoy the language!
A snap shot of Angelica, Sharon, Jasmin, Selina and Bettina at the Australian Zoo.
Thiago has just been accepted to do a Commercial Cookery Course in Mooloolaba, which is great news because he is already a qualified and experienced cook.
He gained his qualifications in Brazil but decided to study in Australia to broaden his experience and to improve his job prospects when he returns to Brazil.
Thiago has studied with us on two separate occasions, the first time was in September 2008 and rejoined us again in October 2010.
It’s been wonderful to see Thiago achieve his goals and we wish him all the very best for the future.
This Friday afternoon’s activity was a test of athletic and linguistic skills in the summer sunshine.
The temperature was hot and the competition even hotter as teams participated in the GV Caloundra Pentathlon, five events which tested teamwork, enthusiasm and communication skills.
Events included charades, the egg and spoon race and, most challenging of all, a race in which all members of each team had to pass an onion between one another without using their hands, which led to some pretty funny results!
When the points were added up at the end of the afternoon, the Crocs team were declared the winners and celebrated with a well-earned, ice-cold six-pack!
Well done to everyone who took part – have a great weekend!
Katia, Valentina and Hong all took turns to teach the Intermediate Class today. The aim was to revise and focus on the important grammar points and vocubulary taught this week. Well done guys!
It’s nice to see two of our lovely CAE students, Jasmin and Sharon, taking some time out to relax.
The girls went to a bar in Bulcock Street, Caloundra.
Adrienne Muller is one of the latest teachers to join us at Caloundra, so if you see around, be sure to say hello and introduce yourself.
Hi every one,
I have been teaching and travelling extensively for around seven years now and have been lucky enough to experience living in countries like Nepal, Thailand, New Zealand and the USA. I have recently relocated permanently to Australia for a bit of sun and surf and I love it! I currently teach CAE which really ‘keeps me on my toes’. I hope to settle permanently on the Sunshine Coast in the future as it is by far one of the most beautiful places I have been to!
Australia Day is on the 26th January but we will be celebrating it on the 25th. So be prepared!
Australia Day Breakfast – 25/1/10
Since we will be having an Aussie breakfast we decided that you should come dressed in your pyjamas.
Prizes will be given to the –
“The Best Dressed”
“ The Best Slippers”
“ The Most Australian PJs”
“ The Most Imaginative PJs”
Beg, borrow or steal some PJs if you don’t have any – but come dressed for the occasion!
Next weekend we have a bus going to the Gold Coast with GV Noosa and GV Caloundra students. First stop is Dreamworld and Whitewaterworld, then off to Surfers Paradise for a night club tour. After a couple of hours sleep at the backpackers, some breakfast and a visit to the markets and DFO shopping on the way home.
All of this for only $220! Spaces are filling fast so get in to see Patty this week to make sure you don’t miss out.
Welcome back every one and a special welcome to our new students.
It’s only our second day back and you can see from the photos they are already in the swing of things.
The first photo was taken in our CAE class and the following two were taken in the FCE class. 
