Archive for the ‘English colleges in Australia’ Category
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19
Nov
2009
English and Surfing
Surfing
Many of the GEOS English colleges are located near world-reknown beaches, providing the perfect opportunity to combine learning English with fun on the waves. Surfing originated in Hawaii, and was first observed by Europeans in 1767 by crewmembers of the Dolphin in Tahiti. It basically involves a person standing on a board while riding the face of a breaking wave.
Surfing has become a major international sport as well as a tourist industry, with surfers travelling around the world to find the best waves. Two major subdivisions are longboarding and shortboarding, related to differences in surfboard design and riding style. Other derivative surfing sports include kitesurfing and windsurfing, using the wind to ride waves. Then there is wakesurfing, which involves surfing the wake created by a boat.
Learning English
While it is important to learn basic skills in reading, speaking, listening and writing English, it is also important to be able to use it in context and be motivated about it. While all language learners should have a grasp on basic phrases and vocabulary, it is also useful to learn specific vocabulary related to what you will be using it for. So those wanting to enter university should learn academic English, while those seeking employment should learn some business terminology. The key to language learning is using it consistently, so it is important to be able to engage in the language in an area that will interest you.
For example, for those who love to read novels should pick up some English books that are a suitable level. For those who love cooking, maybe take a cooking class in English. So for those who enjoy being outdoors and love to surf, an English course that combines study with surfing is perfect. Take a surf class, meet fellow surfers, read English surfing magazines and most of all practice your English!
23
Oct
2009
GEOS Oceania English Colleges
GEOS Oceania
The GEOS International Group has English language colleges around the world, including Europe, North America, Canada, Asia and Oceania. These colleges offer quality language teaching with highly qualified and experienced English teachers, professional accredited courses (such as CAE, TOEFL, IELTS), modern facilities in exciting and attractive locations, and flexible starting dates. The colleges often offer holiday programmes as well, with courses that combine sightseeing or a particular activity (e.g surfing, cooking, dancing) with English lessons.
GEOS International Colleges Oceania has English language schools in countries within the South Pacific, such as South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. These colleges have a reputation for providing students with outstanding teaching ensuring that student’s language goals are achieved, in combination with exciting cultural experiences. All the colleges are located in cities that have much to offer, from sightseeing to live entertainment, shopping, and various activities.
Oceania Colleges
GEOS Oceania’s Australian colleges are situated in Sydney (NSW, since 1973), Cairns (Qld, since 1995), Brisbane (Qld, since 1987), the Gold Coast (Qld, since 1997), Adelaide (SA, since 2006), Perth (WA, since 1991) and Melbourne (VIC, since 1997) - most of the Australian states in fact. New Zealand has GEOS colleges in Auckland (established in 1984), Christchurch (established 1997) and Wellington (established 2003).
The Sydney GEOS college started out in Bondi Junction and how has 3 other locations as well, all within easy access to public transport and the city centre. The Cairns college caters for approximately 220 students, and is right in the centre of the City with plenty of excitement available. The Brisbane college is situated over the Brisbane River, and located only a short walk away from cafes and shopping centres. The Gold Coast is famous for its beaches, and the college is only a 2 minute walk from Surfers Paradise beach. Adelaide is a beautiful parkland city, and the college is close to beaches as well as shopping and cinemas. Both the Perth and Melbourne colleges are in prime locations as well, perfect for combining tourism with education.
18
Sep
2009
English Tenses
Verb Tenses
A tense is how a verb is conjugated to indicate the time as well as the nature of the action. Through using a sequence of tenses in a sentence or paragraph, it is possible to demonstrate the complex temporal relationship of actions, events and conditions. It shows the order and nature of action: what happened? when did it happen? what happened next? It can also describe whether the action is indefinite, complete or continuing. To conjugate English verbs often auxiliary verbs are used, which can also be used on their own. These include common verbs such as be, do, have, will, as well as modal auxiliaries which express necessity or possibility, such as can, may, must, ought, would.
The four past tenses in English are:
- the simple past (I ate),
- the past progressive (I was eating),
- the past perfect (I had eaten),
- the past perfect progressive (I had been eating).
The four present tenses are:
- the simple present (I eat),
- the present progressive (I am eating),
- the present perfect (I have eaten),
- the present perfect progressive (I have been eating).
The four future tenses are:
- the simple future (I will eat),
- the future progressive (I will be eating),
- the future perfect (I will have eaten),
- the future perfect progressive (I will have been eating).
The Simple Present Tense
In English, the simple present is used to describe an action or condition that is occurring in the present, at the moment of speaking, and its beginning or end is unknown.
Apart from actions and conditions, it can also be used to express general truths (e.g. The Earth is round), a habitual action (e.g. I catch a train every morning), and action in a novel or work of art (e.g. Sherlock Holmes smokes a pipe while thinking). It can also be used to refer to a future event when used with an adverb or adverbial phrase, such as The doors open in 10 minutes.