19
Nov
2009
Studying English and Surfing
English and Surfing
If you are thinking of taking an English course, make sure you do some research to find one that will be suited to your English levels and interests. There are many options for studying English, from homestays to correspondence courses. Studying overseas in an English college is also a great option as it will give you intensive lessons, as wellas plenty of opportunity to practice and meet English-speakers. GEOS English colleges in Australia have a variety of English courses, one of which is English and Surfing, where students get to combine study and fun on the waves.
Here are some common surfing terms to get you started:
- A Frame: a wave that breaks equally left and right, peeling away to form a letter A.
- Barrel: a breaking wave which is hollow under the breaking lip. Also known as a tube or greenroom.
- Backdoor: entering the tube from behind and riding through.
- Close out: a wave that does not break diagonally, allowing a surfer to continue surfing the unbroken section of a wave.
- Curdoroy sets: when a ground swell is stacked to the horizon like curdoroy.
- Groundswell: waves generated far off and forming clean lines as it travels, with longer gaps between each wave.
Surfing Destinations
If you have a passion for surfing then there is probably nothing you’d enjoy more than a holiday touring all the best surfing destinations of the world. Not all surf is the same, each spot has its own distinct style. Apart from great waves, some spots have become iconic over generations of surfers. Here are some popular spots for surfers:
- Supertubes- Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
- Banzai Pipeline- North Shore, Oahu
- Hanalei Point- Hanalei Bay, Kauai
- Surfrider Beach- Malibu, California
- Restaurants- Tavarua Island, Fiji
Of course, if you’re planning on studying English as well, many GEOS English colleges provide the perfect opportunity to combine the two.
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!
10
Nov
2009
English for Tourism and Hospitality
Tourism and Hospitality
Tourism is travel for recreational or leisure purposes, defined by the World Tourism Organisation as people who travel and stay in places other than their normal environment, for more than 24 hours and less than one consecutive year, for the purpose of leisure. Tourism can involve both relaxation and learning, participating in activities such as extreme sports or experimenting with local cuisine, exploring natural landmarks or visiting historic buildings. Hospitality is the practice of receiving and entertaining guests, and the industry covers hotels, restaurants, resorts, and places that offer tourist activities.
Hospitality and tourism often make up a substantial part of a country’s national income, depending on the opportunities and services available to tourists and the popularity of the destination. The tourist industry includes a vast array of goods and services, from transportation services, to amusement parks, shopping centres, cruise ships and more.
English Courses for Tourism
English courses that are designed for those wanting to work in the tourism and hospitality industries cover basic English skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as more specific topics. Topics covered could include types of accommodation, dealing with guests and tourists, handling customer complaints, learning related vocabulary to answer the phone and arrange tours, etc. They could also be very specific courses, such as English and Surfing.
One of the great ways to learn English for tourism is to study overseas and actually combine your studies with tourist activities. So for example, if you study at an English college on the Gold Coast, you could learn English related to activities such as marine sports (fishing, surfing, jet skiing, scuba diving), theme parks or sightseeing. Or if studying at a college in Sydney, you could learn how to interact with people actually working in the tourism and hospitality industries, including public transport officers, waiters, tour guides and so on.