It's Festival Time - Victorious Festival Portsmouth

It’s festival time!!

If you are currently in Portsmouth, and have been for a walk around the seafront and common area, you may have noticed that huge tents have been put up, a massive stage is sitting in the middle of the common, and large green fences are cordoning off the area. This is because this weekend, Portsmouth is hosting Victorious 2015, a huge music festival which is expected to welcome 120,000 spectators!

The poster that we have up in the school for the students

The main stage will be on Southsea common, with the castle stage being located in the magnificent grounds outside Southsea Castle. There will also be an acoustic stage, a real ale tent, and a massive silent disco! The festival is a really exciting event and one of the newest festivals on the British festival scene. The star-studded line-up includes some massive names in the music industry, such as Ray Davies and Texas, and there will also be loads of local talent to discover.

Each year, the festival has got bigger and better, and this year will be the most exciting one yet!!! We strongly recommend that if you are lucky enough to be in Portsmouth this weekend, you buy yourself a ticket! They are available from Belle in room 305, or you can head down to Meat & Barrel on Palmerston Road. Alternatively, you can buy your tickets online at http://goo.gl/7IPHZu

For more information about the festival and to see the full line-up, please visit http://www.victoriousfestival.co.uk/

Kicking Off for a Good Cause

Last month, as part of the LSI Social Programme, we entered our very own football team into an 'all day' football tournament, to raise money for the Feel Yourself Campaign, which aims to promote awareness in younger men and women about the importance of checking for breast and testicular cancer. To say we were going in as the underdogs was certainly an understatement having never really played together before. However, the players were focused, ambitious, and ready to work hard. Our team comprised of:
Sercan (Turkey)
Thomas (Swiss German)
Patrick (Swiss German)
Basim (Saudi Arabia)
Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Oscar (Colombia)
Abdulrahman Kicking Off for a Goo(Saudi Arabia)
Kazuki (Japan)

The group also included one of our teachers, John Hick, who was the team manager, with Belle as photographer, and a whole group of fans. The team looked absolutely fantastic wearing our specially printed LSI Portsmouth t-shirts, in the school colour of royal blue, and after a 30 minute warm-up, the team were ready to play their first game.

For their first game, the team was quick-paced and eager, but their formation lacked structure and they required a stronger tactical approach. Under the shrewd coaching of the team manager, John, the team quickly found their footing, and managed to narrowly beat Rocker Soccer FC with a 2-1 result.

The team then went from strength to strength, with another win, an unfortunate narrow defeat, and finally a complete victory over Strong Island Records, defeating them 10-3!!! The huge goal difference from the last game meant that LSI Portsmouth came top of their league, and qualified for the semi-finals.

For our semi-final game, we faced ILDFC, and really put on an impressive performance. When the final whistle blew, it was a 3-3 draw, and the game went to a penalty shoot out. Our goalkeeper Sercan was incredible and managed to save a few shots, before going on to win the final penalty!!! (6-5 pens)

During the final game, the team were incredible, but again the game finished on a draw, and the team had to once again face a penalty shoot out. Although the team were so close to claiming victory, we had to settle for second place, being defeated by Tobacco Dock, 2-3 on penalties.

After the tournament, the crew headed to a local pub for a buffet, some drinks and to receive their 'runners up' medals. John even scooped the Manager of the Tournament award, which was thoroughly deserved. It was such a wonderful day out, a great opportunity for our students to meet local friends, and to raise money for a brilliant cause. To the LSI Portsmouth football team, well done for your amazing efforts, and for helping raise money for the Feel Yourself Campaign. Also, a huge well done to Sercan Temel, our goalkeeper, and Man of the Tournament!

To find out more about the charity, please visit http://www.feelyourselfcampaign.org/

Definitions:
underdogs - A person / team expected to lose
understatement - saying something less than it is.
quick-paced - fast
formation - the assembly / arranging a group
structure - something built or constructed
shrewd - astute / perceptive
footing - established position / stability
impressive - admirable
claiming - to say it is a fact / to take it as a right
to settle - to agree / to accept
headed - a direction
runners up - to come in second place

Amelia talks to Abdul and Majed about the Differences between Arabic and English Culture

We have just recently started a range of interviews to show some of the issues that face students living here in England.

Our first video in this series is with Amelia and Abdul from Kuwait and Majed from Saudi Arabia.  It really is interesting to hear what they think are the biggest differences and challenges that face them during their stay here.

Thank you Amelia, Abdul and Majed.

Emma and her Special Day

Last year we welcomed a new member to our accounts office when the lovely Emma joined us.  She recently got married to Dan and has been kind enough to introduce herself on the blog by showing us her stunning wedding photos:


"I started working at LSI last July & work as Assistant Accountant in the accounts office. I love working with the Accounts team, its always very busy and its nice meeting new people everyday.

After leaving college I started working at Esteé Lauder as an Accounts Payable analyst where I stayed for 2 years whilst also studying for some accountancy exams.

I then worked at an Insurance company in finance and then a Vegetable farming company as Assistant Accountant whilst I continued with my studying and built up my experience.

I’m from Southsea where I live with my Husband Dan and dog Alfie! We love Portsmouth/ Southsea for the music (Dan is in a local band- Electric Arms), the pubs & restaurants and there’s always something going on.

My Mum and Dad are a Host family and that’s how I heard about LSI J

I got married in Earnley Church, West Wittering near Chichester and we had our reception at Earnley Grange in a big Marquee. It was an amazing day with our friends and family.

It was quite traditional but a really relaxed day. We had a jazz band and pie and mash (from Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl Music Cafe) for our wedding breakfast."  

Thank you Emma!

Goodbye to Two Very Generous Omani Students

A couple of weeks ago two of our Omani students; Nasser and Bakhit left us after three months studying with us.  They delighted us by giving a small party for the teachers and staff, with chicken and rice and sweets and dates and coffee and tea.  They really were so generous, we were all touched by their kindness and wish them all the very best for their futures.  

August Vocabulary Calendar - Holiday Phrases

Each month we print a vocabulary calendar to help our students add to their vocabulary base.  We suggest they print it out and stick it up somewhere they will see it everyday!

America's Cup Comes to Portsmouth

This weekend's America's Cup event was the first of its kind in Portsmouth and really put Portsmouth on the map as far as sailing goes. Slightly marred by the typical British weather, however the Saturday of the event was just as exciting as it was expected to be.

Below are a few pictures to show what was on offer to sailing enthusiasts, who travelled far and wide to see Sir Ben Ainslee and Team Land Rover get one step closer to bringing the cup home after winning the Portsmouth leg of the race, which will finish in Bermuda in 2017.

Skipper and Team Principal; Ben Ainslie: “I’m really proud of what the team has achieved this weekend, not just on the water but with our team here at the facility in Portsmouth. To win the first Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series of 2015 in front of our home crowd is massive for our team, and sets us up for a very exciting future.” (as quoted on The Land Rover BAR site)

First sight of Ben Ainslee and Team Land Rover

A taste of how busy the sea was

All in a row - With Team Land Rover at the front!

Close up of Team Land Rover in action.

The sea was thronged with spectators

Entertainment for all the family available at the site

A short video from Lisa Marsh who was out on the water as the contestants went past.

Lisa is in white in the middle of the picture

Our very own Lisa Marsh (Accommodation Manager) was on a boat watching the sailing and got papped by the Portsmouth Evening News!

The America's Cup is coming to Portsmouth

Today is the day the America's Cup starts at Portsmouth.  Rather than try and report it, here is the link to the evening news page with all the news.

Click here to see all the news

We had a visitor!

Hannah, who left us in February to have a baby, brought him in today to meet the staff. Here is the proud dad Adam with the lovely Oscar. GORGEOUS!

The original story when our first 'working couple' were about to have their baby.

Where are they now - Hiwa from Kurdistan

Update: 30.09.14

Update (16.07.2015): Hiwa Graduated this week - we are so proud of him!

Hiwa had his MA in Fine Art Final exhibition at the University of Portsmouth last week.  We thought it would be nice to show some of his pictures here.  He explained how learning English opened up a whole new world of art to him, as there had been relatively few art books in his own language available.

Elly contemplating! (It would be true to say that this particular picture 'Shingal'  is an incredibly
powerful piece, depicting the struggle that is happening in Hiwa's homeland at the moment.

Hiwa with his picture 'Shingal' which shows the struggle of the Kurdish people.

  -------------------------------------------

We were delighted to catch up with Hiwa recently, who attended LSI Portsmouth from 2012 until last year. He went on to attend Portsmouth University to study fine art. 

"Well, I had such a great and fantastic year at Lsi, met so many good people.. friends and teachers which i always appreciate that lovely time I had with them .. '' I started October 2012 in IELTS course .. In the morning with (Nick Rickard) and afternoon (first week with Yvonne) then moved to (Rebecca Scott-Becky) .. I stayed in that course until I got 5.0 in IELTS and changed to General English. So, my teachers in G.E were (Kelly, Edmond, Robyn and Nick Rickard) .. After couple of months holiday I started in Pre-sessional course in May 2013 (Becky Elliott) in the morning and (Jessica) in the afternoon .. Until finishing and moving to Uni .. I was at Lsi for almost 10 months"

Hiwa A Perdawood

This is how Hiwa describes his art:

Hiwa A Perdawood (1987, Hawler (Erbil), South of Kurdistan/ Iraq

Makes paintings, photos and drawings. By rejecting an objective truth and global cultural narratives, Perdawood creates with daily, recognizable elements, an unprecedented situation in which the viewer is confronted with the conditioning of his own perception and has to reconsider his biased position.
''My work urges society to renegotiate painting as being part of a reactive or - at times – autistic medium, commenting on oppressing themes in our contemporary society. By exploring the concept of landscape in a nostalgic way, I investigate the dynamics of landscape, including the manipulation of its effects and the limits of spectacle based on our assumptions of what landscape means to society. Rather than presenting a factual reality, an illusion is fabricated to conjure the realms of society imagination.

Moreover, to establish a link between the landscape’s reality and that imagined by its conceiver. These works focus on concrete questions that determine our existence. By applying abstraction, I create intense personal moments masterfully created by means of rules and omissions, acceptance and refusal, luring the viewer round and round in circles.
Also, work doesn’t reference a recognisable form. The results are deconstructed to the extent that meaning is shifted and possible interpretation becomes multifaceted. Currently I live and work in Portsmouth - United Kingdom''.

at work

2009

2011

To see more of Hiwa's beautiful art see his website or instagram page:

His website: http://hiwa-p.com/index.html

He is on Instagram as @hiwaart

Sundays at Southsea Bandstand- a MUST this summer!

Now we are in July and the tennis has ended, we can safely say that summer is nearly here. Although Portsmouth is a great city to visit at any time of the year, it’s particularly fun and exciting during the summer months. Southsea, the 'music heart' of Portsmouth, plays host to a whole array of exciting outdoor events, many of which are free to attend. One of our absolute favourite events is the live music concerts every Sunday at Southsea Bandstand, held throughout the summer period.

It’s a really great day out at an absolutely stunning seaside location. And did we mention that it is entirely free? The events begin at 12.30pm  till 4.00pm, and will be entirely free and unticketed!

The rest of the summer programme is as follows:

Sunday 12th July - Reggae

Sunday 19th July - no bandstand
The site will be set up for the Americas Cup

Sunday 26th July - no bandstand
The site will be set up for the Americas Cup

Sunday 2nd August - Country Music

Sunday 9th August - 90s and popular hits

Sunday 16th August - Beats & Blues

Sunday 23rd August - 1960s

Please note that the events are prone to cancellations should there be bad weather (after all, this is England!). So grab your blankets, a picnic and your friends, and head down to Southsea Bandstand this Sunday. It tends to get pretty packed out, so get there quite early to secure a spot with the best views. We are proud that our beautiful city hosts such wonderful free events, and we hope you make the most of it!

For up to date information on Sundays at the Bandstand, please see their Facebook page  

Game Set and Match

It’s Wimbledon!

Due to copyright issues we had to use Ellis ;-)

After quite a few months of rain, cloud and the occasional storm, July has finally brought the good weather with it- and we couldn’t be more grateful! In Portsmouth, there are bright, sunshine-filled days, and long, warm evenings, and the same goes for the rest of England. Which is just as well, as it’s the time of year where the British 'go mad for' tennis- it’s Wimbledon season!

Wimbledon is often described as the world’s favourite tennis competition, and for a few weeks in July, the whole country goes tennis mad! We are no exception at LSI Portsmouth, and we have been showing the games in our student lounge during lunch breaks and afternoon coffee breaks. The cafeteria has even been selling strawberries and cream, to really make it feel like an authentic experience! In fact, strawberries and cream are so popular at Wimbledon that each year 23 tonnes of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream are consumed!

The so-called ‘Wimbledon affect’ has happened at LSI, and our fortnightly outdoor tennis club is becoming busier and busier! We think playing tennis as part of the Social Programme is a great way to get some exercise, take advantage of the beautiful weather and have some fun with fellow students. Our next tennis club is on Wednesday 15th July, and we hope to see you there!

This weekend will be the Wimbledon finals, with the ladies final on the Saturday and the men’s final on the Sunday. Live BBC One will be showing both finals from 1pm each day. Who do you want to win?

Introducing - Mr Ellis I. Bear ;-)

We are delighted to introduce to the world: the newest addition to our team - Mr Ellis I. Bear (;-) (Ellis for short).  We are hoping that he goes travelling all over the world to wonderful exotic places and his photos are posted online so we can all see them.
He is 10 cm tall, very soft and has a very sturdy key ring attachment.  He is 'unbearably' cute.

At the moment he is available in the school from Belle but we are hoping in the future to make him available to order online.

He has his own Facebook page: Facebook    

If you take a photo and post to Facebook / Instagram / Twitter with him please tag him with his hashtag: #Ellisbear

We are looking for a Marketing Officer for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan - Is this you?

STOP PRESS - THIS VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED (14.7.15)

We are really sad to know that the lovely Lisa Li has decided to spread her wings and go to pastures new, so now we need to fill her shoes - although that will not be an easy task! Here is the advert that is being posted, if you are interested or know of anyone who might be, please respond to the email address below.

MARKETING OFFICER FOR CHINA, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN

LSI Portsmouth is a large, high quality, year-round English language school, offering a wide range of courses to adults, including IELTS and Cambridge courses, EAP and University Pre-Sessional programmes, and is also one of the UK’s top Executive language training centres.

We are looking to recruit a full-time sales and marketing person to join our team to recruit students from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan for all these programmes, but in particular onto our University Pre-sessional programme. The role will involve active recruitment of partners and students from these countries, as well as providing pastoral, administrative and, where necessary, linguistic support to students in school from those territories. Up to 4 marketing trips per year may be required.

Essential:

Proficiency in both written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and English.

Excellent admin. and IT skills

Excellent interpersonal, customer service and teamwork skills

Desirable:

Experience in EFL or education marketing/international student recruitment.

University degree

Knowledge and experience of dealing with UKVI and student visa policies

Knowledge of the Chinese student market

Considerable travel (up to 4 times per year) will be required.

For the right candidate with experience, other territories and responsibilities may be offered.

Salary: Competitive and dependent upon experience

Applicants should send a covering letter and CV to Andrew@lsi-portsmouth.co.uk by Friday 10th July 2015. Interviews will be held in the week of 13^th July and be conducted in both Chinese and English. The role will ideally commence from as soon as possible after that date, but by August 10^th at the very latest.

July Vocabulary Calendar - In the Restaurant

Each month we print a vocabulary calendar to help our students add to their vocabulary base.  We suggest they print it out and stick it up somewhere they will see it everyday!

We Had a Facelift - The New Face of LSI Portsmouth

LSI Portsmouth is a beautiful large eight storey 1930s Art Deco building.  While it is a lovely building, it does take a lot of maintenance, for which we have to thank Terry and Adam for managing.  Over the last year we have had a major redecoration project on the outside of the building.  The pictures below show some of what was involved.  The builders Mark and Rick with the help of Andy have done a fantastic job (and been great fun to have around), and we are now delighted to unveil the FABULOUS new face of LSI Portsmouth.

The big reveal!  We are so pleased with the new look.

Going back to the start, when it was very cold ...

 Mark and Rick braving the cold.

All covered in scaffolding and netting.

We got used to seeing paint everywhere!

And more paint!

Andy, Mark and Rick - proud of their handiwork.

Just so you can see how the look of the building and the surrounding area have changed, here is a picture from when we first moved into the school.  Note the cars driving past the building!  Now we have a fantastic cafe at the base of the school, new signage, and a beautiful pedestrianised area, but of course with that come new traffic signs ;-(

Approx 1998-9

Today! 2015

Congratulations to our Pre-Sessional Students!

We would like to say a massive 'well done' to our recently graduated pre-sessional students for all their hard work and commitment to their course over the past 4 months. Some of the students we have had to say goodbye to, have been here for over a year, and their progress has been outstanding.

We are so grateful to have such hard-working and dedicated students studying here at LSI Portsmouth, and we wish you every luck and success for the future. Our pre-sessional students will be starting their Bachelor degrees at the University of Portsmouth in September, and we are confident that they will all be amazing!

Here are some photos from the pre-sessional leaving ceremony last week, as well as a few photos from a delicious Arabic feast organised by one of the groups to say thank you to the teachers and staff that have helped them throughout their course.  You have all been fantastic to teach, your progress has been amazing, and we hope you will come back and visit us in the near future!

Happy ‘Official’ Birthday to the Queen!

Happy ‘Official’ Birthday to the Queen!

Did you know that The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year? Her actual birthday falls on the 21^st of April , which she usually spends privately, probably with her family and those closest to her. However, it has long been tradition in the United Kingdom, for the king or queen to have a second ‘official’ birthday which is held on a Saturday in June (the 13th June this year). This is because there is a greater chance of good weather for the Birthday Parade, which is also known as ‘Trooping the Colour’.

This military ceremony dates right back to the early eighteenth century, and involves an impressive display by the Queen’s guards. After this ceremony takes place the Queen then rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace before taking the salute at the Palace on a special royal throne. The Queen then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony to watch the Royal Air Force perform a ceremonial flight over the palace.

Her official birthday is also publicly celebrated by gun salutes all across London! There is a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London and a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park. There will be lots of exciting things happening all over the city and it will probably be even busier than usual in London this weekend!

If you aren’t visiting London this weekend, you can watch the parade as it is broadcast live on the BBC. Everyone here at LSI Portsmouth would like to wish The Queen a very happy ‘official’ birthday!

Songs and Swear Words - Some of the Advantages of being Bilingual!

What is it like to be able to speak equally well in two (or more) languages?  Luis and Frankie here discuss how they became bilingual, and give tips on how to learn a language (after all they are experts!).

June Vocabulary Calendar - Sport