Happiness is the Key - LSI Principal Andrew Edwards in the News (and on screen)!

Not only has Andrew appeared in a great article in the EL Gazette this month but he has also made a brilliant little Quick Tips video for our students to help them improve their English.

Our principal Andrew Edwards is in the EL Gazette this month, talking about what he thinks makes a successful business and life.  It's a really nice article, do read it!

If you would like to read the article in a more friendly manner - click here.

Making a Difference - Supporting Rowans Hospice.

As a group of people here at LSI Portsmouth, we are aware that we are lucky enough to lead relatively privileged lives in comparison to many in other countries or even at home who are less fortunate.  It was felt in light of this that we would like to support a charity and hopefully make a difference in some people's lives for the better.

So today we would like announce that we are proud to support Rowans Hospice.
The Rowans Hospice is a very special charity that offers hope and some respite for so many in times of severe illness, that may not have the resources otherwise.

'The Rowans Hospice is a local charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer and other life-shortening illnesses.
Established since 1994, we have helped more than 7,000 patients and families across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire.
We provide our services free from discrimination and free of charge, but each year it costs £4.8 million to continue our vital work.
If you are a patient, carer or have an interest in hospice care, we invite you to explore this site for information, support and ways to get involved.

(from the Rowans Website)

For more information about this charity, have a look at the website link below (or the icon in the side bar).  We feel it is a really worthy charity and we are delighted to support it.

Click here for more information

New Quick Tip Published!

New video available!

Click Here

Thanks Tara!

A big welcome to Rosie Ford

Rosie Ford joined us on the 6th January this year and took the role of Quality Assurance Manager and PA to the Principal (a bit of a mouthful of a title ;-).  We have been waiting for some photos, but now they are here so here is Rosie:

Are you local to Portsmouth?  No, I'm very new to the city. I’m originally a West country girl and I grew up in Bristol, then I moved here in January.

Where have you been for the last five years? America for a short while but mainly in Bristol– with a few holidays in between!

How long have you been doing this job? Well I've been 3 months at LSI but I’ve been working in language schools for nearly 5 years.

Which countries have you worked in? Both America and England.

Rosie, what are your hobbies? I love baking all kinds of sweet things – cakes, brownies, cookies etc.  Yum! I really enjoy keeping fit and love going to bootcamp fitness sessions. I’m running my first half marathon later this year for charity.  I have to do lots of exercise to compensate for all the cakes I bake and then eat!!

Your favourite place in Portsmouth?

I’m still discovering lots of different areas but I went to the top of Spinnaker Tower recently and loved being able to see over the whole city – I love a good view! In the summertime, I’m sure the beach will become my new favourite place though!

Finally Rosie what is the most interesting thing about you? Or one skill that you have really worked hard to get good at?  Most interesting thing…hmmmm….. I used to work for Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World in Florida.  Back in the day my skills on the tennis court were quite good and I won the under 16 Avon county championships – sadly these skills have gone downhill slightly!   

Thank you Rosie - where are the cakes you promised??? ;-)

We Should Have Won! - LSI Plays Football

Alert: Football language used in the following:

LSI’s team played a blinder!

We spoke to their manager John Hicks for the low down of the match.

John is in the middle with a red top

“The current group of players haven’t really been training long, they play football on Mondays and Wednesdays, but Friday was the first time they’d all played on the same team together. They were thrown together and coped really well. The team was made up of loads of different nationalities. Normally with the school we train twice a week and then the nearer we get to the Summer the more popular it gets, and yeah some of the students play down on the common (Southsea Common) as well.

So on Friday we played in The Portsmouth University tournament, which involved 15 games with teams from the university, a bit like a mini World Cup. They had some first team players who were really good and then some others ;-)

Was it fair? Well we were robbed a little bit, to be honest we had a very very difficult group, some of the teams in our group were really strong, physically and in terms of ability. We won the group then the quarter and semi finals.  We did extremely well to get to the final but I think by then they were quite drained and tired. They were also tired from the physical nature of English football, they got kicked in the air a little bit, and were a little bruised and battered.  If we had played the team from the final at the start we would have killed them!  

In total they played 6 or 7 games, each one lasts about 20 minutes to half an hour, and yes they were exhausted by the end of it.  We were unlucky not to win it, we were definitely the best footballing side, but the physical nature of English football came as a bit of a surprise to a lot of them, they were quite shocked that the ref wasn’t giving them a bit more protection, but welcome to English football ;-)

This is how everyone felt!

What’s next for us? Well there’s a language schools’ competition, where all of the local language schools will get together and have a tournament – and we will win that one!”

Eavesdropping is good! (for your English)

Our latest quick tip shows how eavesdropping (listening to other people's conversations)  can improve your English!

Thanks Shelton!

Exam Courses In Portsmouth mean Job Opportunities in Spain!

Hello Beatriz, firstly thank you for letting us interview you.


Where do you come from and how long will you stay at LSI?
My name is Beatriz Navas Gil, I come from Madrid in Spain. At first, I was going to be here just 6 weeks but in the end I will stay 17 weeks in total.


So Beatriz, why are you learning English?
I’m learning English because it’s the best way to communicate with people from all over the world and also because I’d like to work abroad.


With so many places to choose from why did you choose Portsmouth?
Mostly because of LSI.  I had my brother and one friend’s examples of their experiences here and that was what helped me to make up my mind (I was also considering Oxford and London).


What do you do back home?
I am applying for jobs.


What are your hobbies?
Reading, meeting people from all the countries.  I love finding out different cultures and traditions.  Also going out, travelling and visiting new places.


If you are taking an exam which one and why?
Cambridge CAE. Because it’s one of the best ways to show that I have an advanced level of English and also because with it, I have more opportunities of getting a job.  And what is more, it doesn’t expire.


What are you goals for the future?
Up to now finding a job to get professional experience because I would like to set up my own company one day.


Thank you Beatriz - and we wish you all the best of luck in whatever you do!

We are Happy at LSI Portsmouth ;-) The story of our video

Happy at LSI

Here is our video, showing what a great place this is to work and study.  To read more of how this happened see below.

Day of Happiness Website

Action for Happiness Website

In July 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a groundbreaking resolution which recognised happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes... happiness and well-being of all peoples”. In April 2012 the first ever UN conference on Happiness took place in New York and in July 2012 the UN General Assembly adopted a further resolution which decreed that the International Day of Happiness was to be observed every year on 20 March. It was celebrated for the first time in 2013.

So we decided to join in and make a video with our school. Circumstances stopped us making it in time for the 20th March, however we believed that it was better to be late and 'happy' than never.

Once we decided to go ahead, we found we were suddenly on a roller coaster. We posted an invitation on our Facebook page inviting everyone to get involved and letting them know that we would be filming on the Friday.  The response was tremendous, suddenly there was a real buzz around the school, with students asking how and when and where.  A lot of students were practising moves and teaching their colleagues (and teachers).  And so Friday 4th April arrived.  

Of course with an international school such as ours, and so many different cultures involved, we were mindful that it might not be appropriate for everyone.  We set up a barrier in the area of filming and told everyone that in front of the barrier was the filming area and behind was a 'safe' zone.  This worked beautifully, and while those in front were really happy to be filmed there were also many others behind who either watched or danced along, but in the knowledge that they would not end up on YouTube ;-).
The logistics meant that of course some teachers and staff were on holiday, however we knew that we needed to get it done in one day otherwise it would be a never ending project and would never be finished.  And so in one day we made our video.

We are just delighted that so many participated and had so much fun.  We are grateful to all the students, teachers and staff who were involved, our Principal who was so enthusiastic for this to go ahead, the UN for such a great idea, but most of all to Pharrell Williams for the opportunity to experience such a happy day.

If you would like to read more of the background to the day, to donate or to get ideas on how to make life happier, see the links below.

http://www.dayofhappiness.net/#context
http://www.actionforhappiness.org

If you have 24 hours to spare or are just curious - watch the 24 hour round the world video, showing how the world got involved!

24 hours of happiness video

Finally - if you would like to see Pharrell Williams' reaction to all the many 'Happy' videos, then click below to go to Oprah Winfrey's video clip and interview - it's a joy to watch. '

"Pharrell Sobs Tears Of Joy While Watching The World Dance To ‘Happy’ "

Down Under - Andrew in Australia

Life as the principal of a large international language school is very hard; pressure, stress, decisions, problems, to name but a few.  Our poor principal Andrew Edwards has had more than his fair share, and added to that he was forced to go to Australia recently for the annual IALC (International Association of Language Centres www.ialc.org ) workshop in Brisbane.  

While he was there he attended about 40 meetings with major international agencies from all around the world, (Switzerland, Korea, Italy, Turkey, Peru, Thailand, etc.)  He also attended some very interesting and useful professional development seminars and workshops on the subject of the language travel industry.  It was a fantastic opportunity to meet and get to know many professionals in the industry and he was delighted to be able to share best practice with some of the world's leading language schools. He told us, when he returned, how proud he was to get such amazing feedback from our partners on how well we as a school are doing.  

As you can see from the photos below, life was all work and very little opportunity to see much of the local attractions ;-)

More about the IALC workshop in Brisbane

(We understood he was bringing us a koala bear back, but apparently it got lost on the way!)

Brand New Clip Available - Pronunciation of P and B

Craig's clip is now available on line - perfect for students who have problems with P and B.
Check out his video - it's great.
(to watch click the tab above or click here)

Want to know why we love Southsea?

Because on a beautiful day this is what it looks like!:

Camber Quay, Old Portsmouth

Camber Quay, Old Portsmouth

Old Portsmouth and the Solent

Portsmouth Cathedral over the rooftops

Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf

Figurehead of HMS Marlbourgh at Gunwharf

Looking at Gunwharf from Old Portsmouth

The Bookseller's Visit

We had a lovely morning today when our friends from Keltic online visited us. For many years we have had our executive and ESP English books supplied by Keltic.  When we order our books, this is done on the telephone.  We don't get to meet our suppliers very often so we were delighted to welcome Hugh and Laurie down today as they visited Portsmouth and dropped in to see us. It was the first time we have met Laurie in person, but  it was like meeting an old friend. We had a good catch up over coffee in Le Cafe Parisien downstairs from the school and then we showed them around the school. Before they left, they showed us some of the latest books on offer and as you can see below, we now have a lovely new selection of new books to look through.

Laurie and Hugh

Laurie and Sue

A few of the books we have been left to look at.

LSI-Portsmouth Online is now Active and Raring to Go

After months of preparation we are really pleased to announce that our 

LSI-Portsmouth Online learning platform is live and ready to go.

At LSI we have always prided ourselves on trying to offer the latest methods of learning to our students, to help them with their studies.  From starting online teaching back in 2000 (before technology was really ready for it) to today issuing our Executive students with mp3 player libraries.  We have wanted to offer online learning for a long time now, but wanted to be sure the platform we chose for them, was the very best we could find, and we think this is it.

A lot of preparation has gone on behind the scenes, but today is the day - and here we go!

This is what students now see when they go to our main website:

You can now study online before you arrive at LSI Portsmouth and continue to study with us online during your stay, and also for 3 months after you leave the school - all for free!New materials are available weekly - just choose your level and the activity you wish to do. You can study what you want, where you want and when you want. There is also an exam practice section to help you study for the exam of your choice (for example, IELTS or Cambridge).

... You can also link LSI-Portsmouth Online to your Facebook page if you wish and make friends with other students who are studying or have studied at LSI Portsmouth.

With LSI-Portsmouth Online, you can use the following:

• Flash Point - Weekly authentic reading with exercises (click on: General, Detailed, Vocabulary, Word List)
• Study Plan - Improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Exam Practice – Help improve your skills for your chosen exam (IELTS, FCE, CAE or CPE)

We are really looking forward to showing all our students our new learning system, and we also have quite a few plans in the pipeline to add - watch this space....

Two ways to get to the site:

LSI Online
Direct:  Guided E Learning

Happy Students and a Crazy Teacher

We received this lovely note from a student who recently attended LSI Portsmouth, and he gave us permission to publish it here - many thanks Julien!

This is my writing about LSI School :

Me and my colleagues spend very good times in your School ! During one month we have learnt a lot of things about English language of course but also about the different cultures. On this picture we can see beautiful international students. These students come from foreign countries. We learnt English thanks to the teacher (as example John D. who is a very good and crazy teacher !!! ) but thanks to other students. Your school is a school for understand the other!

Regards

Julien 

Brand New Clip Now Available - Fabulous Spelling Tip

Tom's clip is now available on-line - and it's superb - I wish I had thought of it.
Quick tip on how to remember spelling (and we all know English spelling is a horrible thing to deal with).
Check out his video - it's great.
(to watch click the tab above or click here)

Cake and Book Sale - in Aid of International Women's Day

Our lovely teachers and students have made us so proud!  One of our teachers,  Becky Elliot, suggested we had a cake sale in aid of charity.  It was decided to organise it to coincide with International Women's Day.  As we also had a lot of books not being used it was decided to add these into the mix and have a book sale.
Very generously, lots of our teachers spent the previous evening baking their cakes and then brought them in for the sale.  As you can see from the pictures, a lot of fun and some delicious goodies were had by all.  So far £261 has been raised, with more money coming in all the time.

Becky (the organiser) and Jenni

Nicky P

Andrew (the principal) with his lollipop ;-)

Delicious!

with music to accompany the sale!

Angela (marketing) getting very excited!

Brand New - Quick Tips to Improve Your English

Launching our new:

 'Quick Tips To Improve Your English' page.  

Our lovely teachers at LSI Portsmouth have put together some of their top tips for improving your English.  

Very quick - about a minute - tips and ideas of how to make your English better; ideas with listening, vocabulary, spelling and more.

Have a look at the tips and don't forget to either follow our blog (on the right) or subscribe to our YouTube channel to make sure you don't miss the new ones that get posted.

Click here to go to our page

or click the picture

Click here to go to our YouTube channel

Look at the top bar and you will find our Quick Tips page.

EnglishUK in Bristol Management Conference 2014 - what a great time we had!

Once a year EnglishUK hold a management conference, the destination changes each year. This year it was held in Bristol, and five of the managers at LSI Portsmouth attended. The programme that was organised was stimulating and thought provoking.  The refreshments were delicious and the venue, The Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, was superb, an added bonus was that we were able to catch up with some old friends.

From left: Lewis Richards (DOS) Lea Brophy (DOS) Leanne Prescott (ADOS) Sue Hodgson (ADOS) and Robyn Brooks (Course Manager)

We met up with some old friends:

colleagues from the TEN group

(From left: Viv - Sue - Nigel) 
Viv Canal the Academic Manager at Excel English Language School in London
 Nigel Paramor the Principal at English in Chester

It was lovely to finally meet Mel from Keltic who we have only ever spoken to on the phone  before and for Lea to see his old friend from Keltic Hugh Butland.

From left: Lea and Hugh

It's always good to see the new books that are available - here are a few Keltic had on show.

And we were so happy to meet up with Russell Hall, who used to work with us here at LSI Portsmouth before moving to Manchester.

From Left: Lea, Robyn, Russell, Leanne and Lewis

The hotel was placed in a perfect spot right next to this green.

And look who we found... We have the same Queen Victoria statue in Portsmouth!

Instagram - we are just so Social!

Really excited to announce that we have just launched our Instagram hub - Just click the link on the top right to go and see.

Fingers at the ready - camera - lights - action!

Do come and join us and see what goes on in LSI and Portsmouth.
Follow us and then we can see your photos too!



Visit us and follow @lsiportsmouth