Looking forward to the first taster course student of this academic year

On Monday 19 November we will be welcoming Anastasia Badashova into college for an A-level Taster Course. She has chosen to follow a bespoke programme and will be sampling 6 different subjects during her two weeks at JLC - Biology, Maths, Psychology, Sociology, English Language and Art & Design.

Watch this space for daily blogs from Anastasia who will be sharing her experiences and photographs.

Lera makes the news in Scunthorpe

Day 10 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Here it is… my last day at John Leggot College. It was good despite the weather. English literature was alright when we watched a Macbeth movie this time produced by a BBC channel. I also got a copy of reading suggestions, might read something from that list. After break at double IELTS I had a surprise from the International centre and a couple of my teachers. They all gathered to give a Certificate of Achievement stating that I completed my two-week taster course at JLC. They also got me a gift. Thank you all very much!!! The lesson of IELTS did happen afterwards and it was interesting all the information was very useful.

The rest of the day wasn’t long as my last period didn’t happen. At French we had a goodbye party for two language teachers of French and Spanish. So the atmosphere was a little bit sad in the end.

I had a really good time here at college and gained a lot of experience. Thanks to all the teachers who were teaching me these past two weeks. I hope I will have a chance to study at JLC after I finish school.

Lera is presented with a certificate in her final English lesson.

Day 9 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Today my post won’t be big because a couple of my lessons were cancelled. But the day started great. I finally won the thing at Math I wrote about earlier. It really gave some sunshine to the day because good weather which was lasting for three days now suddenly disappeared. I guess that was the best of sun and warmth I could get. At ICT I finished my last project which was a jigsaw puzzle. I had fun doing it. Unfortunately, that was my last ICT lesson.

Day 8 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Today I hadn’t had any lessons because I visited Bradford University. I had to get up quite early because it was almost a 2 hour drive, plus we got lost in Bradford itself. As it was an ICT trip everything was connected with computering and programing. First we had a small introduction. First lecture was about creating animation and making character movements. It’s really hard to create an animated movie clip. A three-minute one takes about six months. Can you believe that? After that we worked with java and made computer do simple command like writing “Hello World” on the screen. I’ve never worked with java before but it was really interesting to know about. After a quick lunch we had a last event for the day which included a character workshop with a lady. We had to create a character for a video game which was also supposed to have something in common with a movie. It had a title “Red Riding Hood” directed by Quentin Tarantino. In the end our Red Riding Hood wasn’t exactly a girl with a basket carrying cookies to her grandma but she really corresponded to women in Quentin Tarantino films.

Day 7 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

I think this was my most active and hectic of all since I’ve been here. First of all there was Biology. I wish it never happened. Although I got to know some useful information about kite diagrams and discovered how many kinds of grasses there could be on a field that looks green and you assume it’s just an ordinary grass. So by the end of this double my legs were wet covered in dirt but at least the weather was great. I don’t know what could’ve happened if it was raining again. At my break I met the Principle of the college. After that there was a double Maths. We were revising the previous lesson topic and had to make a poster on this topic. There was also some sort of math solving competition using distance remote control system. They weren’t hard but unfortunately I didn’t win. At ICT I was still working on Flash program and our teacher gave us some “chocolate” dip (it really tasted like coffee). At my free 9^th period local press came to interview me. I enjoyed answering their questions very much. They also took some photos outside of college. So I’m hoping to see my face in the paper soon.

Interview with the local press

Lera is interviewed by a reporter at the Scunthorpe Telegraph

Meeting the principal

Official welcome to John Leggott College from Principal David Vasse

Day 6 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Here goes another week. Same classes but much more to expect. ICT and IELTS went fine. At IELTS I got my writing assignment which stated that I did alright for my first time doing this kind of work. On double French we finished watching “La Haine” which had a kind of sad ending with a hanging line in the end. Math was fun as always. We got to know how architecture can be displayed in Math on a particular example of 7 bridges of Konigsberg. Dijkstra’s algorithm was interesting to know about too. It tells us about the shortest route from one point to another throughout other different posts. Literature was quite good. We started reading Macbeth and exploring his character and personality.

Weekend by Lera Yakubova

Saturday...a visit to London.....

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben

Day 5 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Days flow by really fast. Can’t believe it is Friday already. Not a lot of things happened today. At IELTS we had a practice writing test because it was double lesson. The tasks were quite hard and I don’t think I wrote the needed volume. We also started a new movie at French called La Haine which means Hate. It has a lot of humour and some really confusing moments. Math was fun. It’s always the funniest lesson of all. There were songs again. And we also spoke some French language. How cool is that???

Day 4 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Everything seems fine so far. Today’s math was fun. Our teacher sung us some songs (not about math) and we were solving trig equations too. I wish we had teachers like that in Ukraine.

Then there was chemistry and we learned about half-lives and how they can be measured.

ITC was next and I am still working with Flash program. Only the tasks are getting more difficult but it’s fun and interesting. After lunch and some work at library I somehow managed to get lost on my way to the English literature. At this lesson I found out about Neo Gothics and Mock Gothics which is like Gothics only not so much real and old-aged. In biology we discussed the null hypothesis had ways to prove it or reject it using previous lesson material.

Day 3 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

Well… every day’s just getting better and better. Today my first lesson was French and we were watching the same movie which is called “Welcome”. It was still on the emigration theme. Unfortunately it had a sad ending. And in the end of the lesson our teacher told a little bit about herself. She was working with the immigrants as a translator and experienced all the horrible things some people have to go through.

Then I had an IELTS preparation which I had the first time since I’ve been here. We were divided into groups and had to speak to each other on different topics. And the most important thing I got from the lesson is you have know a LOT of things to get a decent score in your exam.

Then there was English literature. We were discussing Gothics and its presence in architecture and we even watched a cartoon based on Macbeth.

Chemistry was a little bit easier today. I understood pretty much everything. We were doing a practical too. That was my first chemistry practical ever and it went great.

Lera takes part in the A-level chemistry practical.

Day 2 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

During my second day of college life I was more confident but still a little bit lost. Thanks to Helen who guided me through all the corridors. Would’ve been lost without her! Today I had more lessons. Biology was first and we were finishing the practical with snails. We also studied how statistics can be used in Biology. Maths was great two. We learned about trig identities. After lunch with some Russian girls I headed to Chemistry. It was very hard. I understood very little of the information and haven’t answered a single question. This led me to a thought, that and I might not know Chemistry at all. What a shame! My last lesson was IT and I studied Adobe Flash. It’s a very interesting programme that allows you to make moving advertisements. I made my stick man dance.

Lera starts to get to grips with her new surroundings! 

Day 1 at JLC by Lera Yakubova

I am really happy about my two week stay at JLC. The first day was great although I was very nervous. My host drove to the college and accompanied me to the international office. First Helen explained everything about the college and all the other things I needed to know - a lot of information. Then there was the best part of the day – the tour. The college itself is huge, has a lot of blocks. I was really lost at first. I got to meet all the teachers and see different classrooms. There’s a really big difference between everything in comparison to Ukraine but in a good way.

My first lesson was French. I study French in Ukraine so it was fine. We watched a film on the emigration theme which we are supposed to study during these last two weeks. The movie itself had both English and French languages because the action took place in both countries. The teacher was great, she explained and commented on everything making it very easy to understand.

Then there was biology and we studied ecosystems. We had to do a practical to measure the population of snails in the college pond. For this we collected some snails to mark and release afterwards. That was quite unusual. I had never had an outside biology lesson before.

Math was the last lesson. Right now all the students are walking through the themes and topics they will be studying in September. Trigonometry is a bit different, and the ways to solve are too but overall I managed to keep up.

Lera at the college pond where she examined the creatures during her first biology lesson

Welcome to Lera Yakubova

Today we welcomed Valeriya 'Lera' Yakubova from Ukraine to JLC for an A-level Taster Course (read her story 'Student from Ukraine wins taste of life at JLC'). Lera is attending Maths, Chemistry, Biology, ICT, French and English lessons during her two-week visit.

Keeping checking back for regular updates and photographs!

Presentation to Rita during the international concert

Rita is presented with a certificate and gift by the Principal on the last day of her A-level Taster Course

Day 12 at JLC by Rita Orlova

It was my last day at collegeL. Why all last days are so warm and emotional? It’s not fair.

My first lesson was politics. And it was really good. They spoke about the House of Lords and about reform which is holding there now. I was glad to find out that I even could answer on some questions.

Next was law. The lesson itself was really boring but due to the nice guys at my table I didn’t feel bored. They were so funny and hilarious. We talked about different stuff and I even didn’t notice that the lesson was over. Also the teacher was nice and kind and tried to explain me different things whose meaning I couldn’t understand.

Geography lessons were quite interesting as they do the same topic that I have at school. So, it was really interesting to compare two different styles of teaching and learn the subject from different angles.  On the second lesson we watched very educational video about global warming and then had a short discussion about it.

Geology lesson was boring so I’ll move to the next subject - History. History was nice. They wrote an essay about Vikings and during the lesson I talked with the teacher about the subject itself.

I also have one last event tonight at college the International concert. Looking forward to going there and say good bye to all Russian speaking friends.

To sum it all up, I can say that JLC is really good college. Everything is great. There are nice teachers, helpful staff and nice students. I want to thank everybody who helped me during my stay in the UK. Thanks to my mum who arranged this trip and encouraged me all the time.  Thanks to my host family they’ve done so many good things and they are just awesome. Thanks to the International centre of JLC: Helen, Maggie, Clare, Steph you were so nice and kind and did all your best to help me feel comfortable at college. Thanks to nice students who helped me and were kind I’ll miss you all.

And I’d love to come to college and study there some day. J

Day 11 at JLC by Rita Orlova

I’m sorry today I won’t be long. As I feel terrible and practically all lessons were boring. Maths was the only nice lesson. The teacher is lovely and funny. But I was really surprised by what they are studying now. The whole lesson consists of talking with teacher and the simple tasks like to find the area of different simple figures. But despite my condition it was really  nice.

Business Studies lesson was boring and not for me and I couldn’t wait until the end of the lessons.

Today I had a quick conversation with a nice girl from marketing. And she told me about the work in public relations. It was really nice of her. And now I understand the meaning if this job.

Last lesson I had economics. And I think it was the best lesson of the day. They didn’t do something special but the atmosphere was really nice so I enjoyed it pretty much.

Rita in the Scunthorpe Telegraph

Scunthorpe Telegraph, Thursday 26 April 2012

Day 10 at JLC by Rita Orlova

English and Media studies day. The first lesson was an English one. It was really good. They asked me different questions about the town and the country where I live. It was very nice of them. And then they studied different texts and discussed what they were about, what were the style and genre of the texts etc.

Next was English literature. Unfortunately for me they studied the Charles Dickens’ book that I haven’t read, so I could understand what they were talking about. So the lesson I spent by reading this book. And I can say that it was really hard for me as it was written in old English language.

After, I had media studies. And at first I couldn’t understand why there were so many boys on the course. I didn’t think that advertising is something interesting for boys. But during the lesson I changed my point of view.  They compared different advertisements and then spoke about women sexuality and how it is used in the advertising sphere. So, lots of boys were pretty excited about it.  And on the whole it was quite a funny lesson.

Unfortunately for me because of changes in the climate I’ve caught a cold and I couldn't enjoyed the lesson in the way I wantedL.

Moreover, the next lesson made me feel really sick. It was film studies. There they compared two films about vampires. In this case they watched their beginnings and ending.  And in fact they were terrible!!! They watched the film “Let me in” and “Marthin”. And I won’t recommend to anyone. As they are scary and sickening. And they have no positive theme in them. They make you upset and depressed. I think I’m not made for this. I like to watch different films and then discus them and compare with each other. But I wouldn’t be able to watch and compare such films like these two.

Day 9 at JLC by Rita Orlova

Actually, I don’t know what to write about this day, as it was the language day. First and the best was German lesson. I came during the time they were taking their exam. So I just sat at the exam for a couple of minutes and then went to the class where I studied German with the rest of the group. And I found German very interesting subject. I had been learning German for a couple of years in Russia but then I changed the school so I didn’t have any practice. But on today’s lesson I realised that I’m not as bad in German as I thought. I worked with the whole group and I understood most of the German speech and I even could answer on some questions. That was amazing.

Other lessons were boring as I know neither French nor Spanish. And also they did tests for the exam so I also couldn’t just hear the foreign speech. That was a bit of a shame.

The last lesson was Italian with Maggie one-to-one, and it was awesome! I could understand everything! And I love Italian so much!!! I hope I will have an opportunity to study it!!! Maggie mille grazie!!

Rita with Maggie Williamson - Italian teacher and International Manager

Day 8 at JLC by Rita Orlova

This was a performance art day! And you know it was amazing! My first lesson was music technology. And of course they were preparing for their exams, but it was very interesting. They searched the internet for information about different rock groups and then discussed it. I also did some research.

Second lessons was dance! I was really glad to be there. The girls were friendly and nice and the teacher was just brilliant! She explains everything very clearly and simple with lots of examples thus that everyone could understand the subject. Though we studied the whole two lessons the spine and how we use it in dance it was very interesting. I like dancing so much but I've never thought about such useful things as the functionality of our spine.

Then was drama lesson. And it wasn't my favourite lesson despite the lovely girls who explained  everything. They read one play that is entitled 'catch'. It's a very weird one.

And the last lesson was performing art! It was one of the best lessons! They did some small scene and the teacher let me be involved in them. And the scene were so interesting and creative that I was really excited about it for the rest of the day!!

Weekend by Rita - visit to Lincoln

It was an educational day.  We went to Lincoln. It’s very old and very beautiful town. There are many small ancient streets. So I felt like I was one of those medieval people during the walk.

We went to the Lincolnshire life museum and there I got to know about the Lincoln town in different periods of time. Then we went to the Lincoln castle and got to the top of it. There was a beautiful view on the town. After, we went to the prison museum. And it was a bit scary. As everything seemed very plausible: all these rooms where the prisoners lived, the little church with false dead bodies.

Host 'brother' and 'sister' with Rita at Lincoln Museum

Then we went to the wing where there is a Magna Carta. Actually I didn’t expect that in the small town like this there would be such treasure like Magna Carta. And it was really interesting as mainly in Russia we speak quite a lot about it, but nobody sees the original example of it. Nobody except me J.

The Sunday was the day when Scouts celebrate the St. George day. So there was a big parade that started at the castle. And we were accidental spectators. It was so funny. All these little scouts in their amazing uniform, with many flags. It all looked so pretty.

After the castle we went to the Lincoln Cathedral. I think it was one of the most beautiful cathedrals that I’ve ever seen. It was really massive and impressive. Also there was a mass so the cathedral seemed even more beautiful.

Lincoln cathedral

After sightseeing we went to the Damon’s restaurant and it was so delicious and the atmosphere was so nice that I enjoyed everything. So I have to say thank you to my host family. They are the best!

Weekend by Rita - visit to Meadowhall

[A very rainy day!]

Finally, I had 2 days off studying. And this was a nice Saturday - it was a shopping day!

I have to mention the fact that I’m not a shopaholic. I mean it. And I don’t like it very much. But this day was an exception. I went to the big shopping mall with the mother of my host family. We spent quite a lot of time there but it was really good. I bought practically everything I wanted to.

It was a really nice decision to come early as there were not so many queues. By the time we had left there were so many people and I felt so uncomfortable with my bags.

Actually there is no much to tell you about that day I just had a good time with my host family.

Host 'sister' with Rita at Meadowhall, Sheffield

Day 5 at JLC by Rita Orlova

This was a really nice day at college. 

First lesson I think was the best one. I’ve had a P.E lesson. I got to know  lots of different thing for example about racial discrimination in sport. We do have the same thing in Russia but we don’t speak about it and pay no attention.

Next lesson was travel and tourism. It was pretty interesting as I saw how people are getting ready for their course work. The students were very friendly and spend quite a lot of time explaining to me what they were doing and what the course is about. I think that this is a very interesting course and you get to know about work with different people and learn how to sell your product. But it I thought it’s a very lonely course. You spend the whole time in front of your computer writing your course work and you don’t have any work with group.

Actually I didn’t like the last lesson [health]. Not because all student were busy writing their course work.  No. But I didn’t like the subject itself. I don’t find it very special. But it’s my point of view. The teacher was very nice he also spent a lot of time describing his subject.

I can’t say a lot about leisure studies as I’m there now and I’m writing my blog. I don’t know anything about this lesson. It’s something connecting with leisure time. And people learn also how to sell products.

I had a very important meeting today! I met a journalist from the local paper and I gave an interview. I was so excited about this and a bit nervous at the same time. I was afraid that I wouldn’t understand his questions or I wouldn’t be able to answer them. But the interview was quite good. And I’m looking forward to seeing my picture in the paper one day!)) So, on the whole the day was really good!!

Interview with the local press

Rita is interviewed by Scunthorpe Telegraph education reporter

Look out for the interview and photographs on http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/ and in the newspaper on Thursday 26 April!

Day 4 at JLC by Rita Orlova

It was a science day! I’m sorry but I can’t say lots of positive things about it. So my post is going to be short today. I don’t like science at all and I’m convinced of this again. Physics was boring as I didn’t understand a word from teachers lecture.

Biology was fine in first 15 minutes after then they did a test so I had got nothing to do again. So I moved to the library and spent the biology time by reading Somerset Maugham’s stories. That was a positive thing today. Then there was a lunch, there was nothing special.

Then I had chemistry. I understood a bit there, just because we have the same topic at Russia. But verbally I still hardly could understand a word.

I haven’t got an electronics lesson yet, but I don’t think there will be something interesting for me.

To sum up, I can say that it wasn’t the best day at college. I hope it was the last [boring] one.

Day 3 at JLC by Rita Orlova

Today was sociology day! It was just awesome! Most of all I liked sociology! I was deeply impressed by everything - teacher Dave, friendly students, the subject itself. I got to know about some sociology basics at my school, but I couldn't imagine that it is so interesting. We talked about families and had a lot of fun!! Also I enjoyed psychology. I want to say thank you to Sally as she allowed me to work with the whole group and do the same things, despite the fact that i' m not good in different terms. And students were so kind to me! They helped me in everything and we had just a nice conversation. In the whole I liked the atmosphere:) During lunch time I met the principal David and had just a short chat with him, but it was very informative. Well, that was very tiring day but I enjoyed it all!!!

Meeting the Principal

Official welcome to John Leggott College from Principal David Vasse

University advice from former JLC student

Rita meets former JLC student Viki Gasparyan from Pyatigorsk, Russia, who is now studying at UCL in London. 

Day 2 at JLC by Rita Orlova

So, today was the art day! Most of all I enjoyed the art and design and textiles lessons. In the first lesson I got to know about different techniques they use during their work. Also I was impressed by different works of people who had finished college and are now studying at prestigous universities. I won't explain the photography lesson, as there not much things to speak about as all students were preparing for their exams. I was really glad to be in on the textile lesson. There I was not omnipresent, but also I had some work to do and work I really liked!! I had to look through some magazines and then copy down some models that I liked. By the end of the lesson I had even created my own new look!!! Also it was important to mention about the people whom I met today and they were really friendly. They are Anastasia, Kamilla, Robert, Lanves (I'm so sorry I just don't know how to write this name...I promise I'll learn it) :)) that's all for now...looking forward to the next day.

Day 2 A taste of Art & Design

Day 2 A taste of Art & Design - Rita samples an A-level Textiles lesson

Day 1 at JLC by Rita Orlova



 “The first day at college was really a hardworking one. First, I came to the international room and spent there around an hour learning different facts about JLC. Then there was an interesting part of my introduction to JLC - the tour.  I was deeply impressed by the college itself. It’s really amazing. It’s like a labyrinth with different ways and areas. There are different buildings with different sections in them. I found the art section is most attracting and charming of all - looking forward to coming back there soon.

“Actually, I’m a bit nervous about my next days as I’m going to attend classes and there will be lots of unfamiliar people. Today I had a lunch with the Russian girls and that was pretty good, we had lots of things to share.

“[In the afternoon] I had the English class. Clare, the teacher, is really professional. She was kind to me and clearly explained every detail to me. We were working with the BBC website. It was hard but very entertaining.

“Finally, I’d like to thank Helen, as she helped me with everything today. I just don’t know what I would do without her. She explained to me everything, showed me how to work with the computers and many other useful thing, including the tour that she arranged for me with Maggie. Thank you soooo much!!”

Looking forward to our new student

On Monday 16 April we will be welcoming Margarita 'Rita' Orlova into college for an A-level Taster Course. She will be sampling more than 40 different subjects at JLC in just two weeks!

We [Maggie and Helen] first met Rita and her mother at the British Council Education UK Exhibition in Moscow October 2011 and then again in Moscow in February 2012. It will be great to finally see her in the UK tomorrow!

Watch this space for daily blogs from Rita who will be sharing her experiences and photographs.