Certificate presentation for Alina

Certificate presentation for Alina on the final day of her Taster Course.
With International Manager Maggie, Director of Marketing Dana and host mother Amanda.

Helen, Alina and Maggie



Leggacy radio interview - Alina Savchenko

Listen to Alina's radio interview here:

Alina visits Scunthorpe town centre

Scunthorpe High Street

Shopping in Scunthorpe

Alina visits London at the weekend

Train from Scunthorpe to London

Big Ben

Alina happy to be in London

Alina's arty photo

Alina at Trafalgar Square

London bus

Shopping in London

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

Alina's blog in Russian

How did you discover the opportunity/competition to go to John Leggott College?

Как вы открыли для себя возможность учиться в колледже (John Leggott College)?

I found it while surfing the net and the competition appealed to me as I enjoy graphic design. My parents were so proud that I won and it is great to see my winning design online.

Бороздя просторы интернета, мне посчастливилось случайно найти увлекательную статью о конкурсе графического дизайна. Необходимо было придумать логотип для Выставки британского образования в России. Задание было интересным, перспективы для победителя грандиозными - поездка в Англию для обучения в коллежде (John Leggott College). Решила, что мне нужна победа  и выиграла!

How appealing are taster courses for international students?

В чём привлекательность пробного курса для иностранных студентов?

It is great to taste a college before starting longer study there. You can try different subjects, meet teachers, socialise with other students and start to understand the lifestyle. St Petersburg is a very European Russian city so the culture isn't too different.

It is a great advantage staying with a host family to learn the culture and try and see if you like it. You learn about the types of rules they have in the first couple of days and you will have a better understanding for when/if you come back.

I'm sure many students would like to come back to a host family as the atmosphere is lovely and most children are not used to being without parents and they get well looked after with a family.

Пробный курс – это прекрасная возможность познакомиться с коллеждем, понаблюдать за студенческой жизнью, выбрать те предметы, которые кажутся наиболее интересными, пообщаться с учителями и студентами.

Кроме того, это хорошая проверка для ребят, которые не привыкли жить вне дома, двух недель будет вполне достаточно, чтобы понять, что жить в доме с принимающей семьей – это очень комфортно и полезно, так как моральная поддержка и практика языка необходимы  постоянно.

How is has the Leggott experience been so far? Are you enjoying the subjects you have studied? What is your favourite?

I'm really happy to be here. The college is big and modern and I really like the big library. Amanda and her partner [host family] are lovely, supportive and helping me to improve my English.

My favourite subject at JLC is photography and Nathan is a very nice teachers. All teachers make lessons very interesting and explain difficult things simply. You work in groups here and it is very comfortable - better than doing everything alone to answer questions. Teachers use images to understand concepts and you get to do hands on work not just look in books.

В  перечне предлагаемых предметов было более 40 пунктов, я люблю искусство и общение с людьми, поэтому выбрала следующие: Технология Дизайна, искусство, психология, фотография, танцы. Выбор оказался удачным! Занятия проходят в комфортной дружеской атмосфере, преподаватели стараются сделать даже самую сложную информацию  простой для понимания. Я очень люблю фотографию, особенно работу в комнате для проявления плёнки, каждый раз чувствую себя учёным в лаборатории, когда делаю фотограммы с помощью ладжера.

What is your career goal?

Какова цель вашей карьеры?

I want to be a self-employed graphic designer. I love socialising with people too and I think this is they type of job where you can. My mother is a designer too.

Я планирую стать хорошим графически дизайнером в будущем, в тоже время, надеюсь, что моя работа будет тесно связана с общением с людьми.  Пожалуй главное моё стремление -  стать  полностью самодостаточным человеком

Do you think John Leggott College could help you achieve that goal? Do you plan to return to the UK in the future?

Думаете ли вы, что коллежд поможет помочь вам добиться цели? Планируете ли вы вернуться сюда?

It has been great to experience JLC and improve my English. I might return to UK one day.

Я всего лишь несколько дней вколежде, но чувствую, что пребывание сдесь уже принесло мне пользу! Я получаю ежедневно огромное количество очень нужной и интересной информации. Надеюсь, мне ещё удастся побывать в этом прекрасном колежде, но пока трудно планировать грандиозные перестановки в моей жизни.

How are the international team helping you with this experience?

Как Хелен и международная команда  помогает вам в  новой обстановке?

Everyone has been very supportive and I have been kept very busy during my time at JLC so far!

С того момента, когда я узнала, что победила до сегодняшнего дня я чувствовала поддержку, знала что меня ждут в колледже и помогут  сориентироваться и жить в новой обстановке.  Таки получилось!  Если у меня есть проблемы или вопросы, я уверена, что мне помогут в центре работы с иностранными студентами! Отдельное спасибо хочется сказать за помощь в организации свободного времени, ни одна минута не была скучной и утомительной с момента моего приезда! Спасибо Хелен и команде!

Would you recommend a JLC Taster Course to others?

Будете ли вы рекомендовать JLC?

I will definately speak with students in Russia and tell them about JLC. It is a really great college and a wonderful place for students who want to be successful.

Безусловно! Здесь ведётся основательная подготовка профессионалов, что ощущается с первой минуты занятий. Существуют прекрасные условия для иностранных студентов, есть всё необходимое для успешной учёбы: большая библиотека, комфортные новые корпуса, новая техника,  есть место для работы за компьютерами, персонал колледжа открыт и доброжелателен. Работать в классах можно в любое свободное время, если хочется иметь больше практики.  Многие ребята поступают в престижные университеты Великобритании и других стран после окончания колледжа. Замечательное место как для тех, кто хочет стать успешным человеком!

 

Student ID card

All JLC students must wear a lanyard with their college ID card when they are on site. Alina is no exception!

A-level photography work

Alina shows off work she has done during her A-level photography class (one of her favourite subjects!). According to Alina the tutor, Nathan, 'is very nice.'

Alina is interviewed for Leggacy Radio

Alina is interviewed by Leggacy Radio's Sam Sotheran. Sam was asking about her experience so far at JLC....

Welcome to Alina Savchenko!

This week we welcomed Alina Savchenko to JLC. Alina is from St Petersburg, Russia, and she's here to sample 5 different A-level subjects - psychology, dance, art, photography and design technology.

Here is Alina's timetable:

Certificate presentation to Yury Gorbunov

Yury and Progression Manager and Business Studies tutor Dana Walden

Yury with Team International's Helen and Maggie

Yury Gorbunov - my experience at JLC

Good morning, good evening, good afternoon….

 

I am Yury. Now I am doing A-level Taster Course and I am really proud to be here, it is such a nice place, especially for studying.

 

I have joined it because it is important to be prepared for my future studies and to make some friends here too.

 

My first impression of college? Well, it is quite different from my Russian school. People are different too but it is not bad, it’s great! And I was really impressed by the quality of education here.

 

You know it is hard not to be nervous the first time you appear at the class. However, after my first lesson I have already made a friend. His name is Arturs and he is from Latvia. He introduced me to the other international students.

 

So in a couple of days I was surrounded by good people.

 

Also in the lessons you should do a lot of group work so that is how I met some Hong Kong students. At first they seem to be a little bit closed, but after a quick conversation I understood that they are as good and kind as other international students.

 

I want to send my best gratitude’s to the international centre in JLC. Without these people I think I wouldn’t adapt to college life so fast. Their work is really important for all of the international students in college.

Welcome to Yury Gorbunov

This week we welcomed Yury Gorbunov to JLC. Yury is from Moscow, Russia, and he's here to sample 6 different A-level subjects - ICT, physics, chemistry, maths, further maths and business studies!

Good bye to Gwen



Good bye Gwen - we hope to see you back at JLC soon!

Gwen with Sociology teacher Dave Wood

Cookies for the office

Gwen brings her baking to college to share with the international team

My weekend by Gwen Chan

Saturday

After a rest this morning then I went to a windmill on the way to Lincoln. We had a look around – the first windmill I have been inside. It was an old working mill [but not spinning today]. We then carried on our journey.

We arrived in Lincoln and went to a small shop where I got souvenirs and then to a coffee shop for sandwiches and tea, it was a traditional English lunch. This was at the top of steep hill. Lynne and John took me to Lincoln Cathedral and we took some photographs. It looks very fragile and old but the windows are very impressive. I saw the castle but didn’t go inside.

Next we walked down steep hill and looked in some small accessory shops. I bought some more souvenirs. I bought a parker coat then had a walk back up the steep hill. It was exhausting! And we had a drink, too tired to shop any more. Nice city to visit, more like a village than a city.

At night we went to a Chinese restaurant in Scunthorpe to celebrate Chinese New Year. I had Singapore fried noodles (spicy) and Yeung Chow fried rice. It was very English Chinese food, not traditional, but I was happy to have rice with chop sticks! Overall a good day.

Gwen with host 'mum' Lynne at Lincoln Cathedral

 

Inside Lincoln Cathedral

Sunday – Chinese New Year

Today we went to a farm coffee shop for brunch. I had a super sweet cake. We then went to a garden centre for a walk, Lynne did lots of shopping – plants for her classroom at college.

Later we went home and baked some chocolate chip cookies - the first time I've made cookies (and they look great!) - and then in the evening I packed up my suitcase ready to leave on Monday.



Gwen doing a spot of baking

Waiting for the finished cookies!

 

Gwen's experience (Thursday 7 February)

Hi! I am Gwen Chan and I come from Hong Kong.

I am joining the JLC A-Level Taster Course for this week. This is my fourth day; I think I am definitely having a good time in college. :)

I join this course because I like the A-Level course in England, and I am thinking of quitting the HKDSE to continue study in England. Also, my cousin had recommended that JLC is a good school for international students. So when I was worried about how should I make a good decision, I heard about this taster course. Then I decided to have a try, and hoping to gain experience from here too.

My first impression of college is “Big”. I think the college is really big that I will not be able to get used to it! The college is like 5 times larger than my school in HK, and the facilities are very impressive, so are the students I met here, they are nice and friendly.

 
I think the JLC international centre is very helpful, and every staff in the office is being so friendly to me! When I was here on the first day, I was very nervous, the teachers in the centre helped me to calm down, and this gave me a brilliant impression of the college.

I am living in a host family now, and my host mother is a teacher of JLC. I feel warm living in a host family, as we can always have a chat with different things we have done during the day, and eat dinner together, etc. Personally, I prefer living in host family more than in the school dorm.

I have been to UK twice before, one is for a study tour and the other one is for sightseeing. However, after a few days of school life in JLC, I feel like I am a real UK student now, though the weather is a bit cold, I am still enjoying life here in UK.

I am studying Economics, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Maths, and Chemistry in the Taster Course. The subject I like the most is Sociology and Economics. I have been learning about “Childhood” in Sociology, “Aggregate Demand & Supply” in Economics. I found it a little difficult, but very interesting! I really enjoyed the lessons. Therefore, I will continue with these 2 subjects in the future if I am coming again.

I have been learning by doing practical work, discussion and group work in the lessons,  I think a diversity in learning ways is important, as I can learn by myself and from others.

As I have mentioned, I am here for this taster course, and hoping to make the best decision after trying the A-Level course. I think the taster course has helped me a lot with my decision, I am now much more confident in making the decision that will affect my future life. 

Meeting the Principal

John Leggott College Principal David Vasse presents certificates of achievement to Jessica and Gwen as they near the end of their A-level Taster Course

My weekend by Jessica Li

Saturday

Today I was feeling very tired. In the afternoon I went with my host family to Scunthorpe. We went to the cinema to see Life of Pi [which I really enjoyed] and then went to a big supermarket called Asda.

Sunday

I went to Lincoln today. Lincoln  is an small peaceful lovely city, that contains lots of English culture. We went to Lincoln cathedral and then Lincoln castle, but it’s the old shops in the lanes that gave me the deepest impression.

There is a canal running through Lincoln which separate Lincoln shops into modern ones and old traditional ones. Standing  among the new modern shops make you feel no different  between the other big cities in the world.  So I think it is the old shops that make Lincoln different. There are sweet shop, clock shop, clothes shops, pot shop, old book shops and lots of tea rooms among the old streets.

I went to a fossil shop where is full of fossils that are all collected by the shopkeeper. It was amazing to look at different kinds of fossils, it seems like you are connected with the antiquity when you are observing the fossils. Then I went to a tea shop where sells different types of tea and tea cups. The shopkeeper collected all kinds of tea cups or pots which are from China, Japan, German, England and so on. I’m very interested in tea cup so it took me a long time to wondering in the shop.

There are not many tourists at the time I go, which made me feel great that escape from the crowded. Although the transport are not convenient in Lincoln, but it’s still worth to visit there.     

Welcome to Gwen!

 

Today we welcomed Gwen Chan to college. Gwen is from Hong Kong and has come to sample JLC lessons for a week. This is her very busy timetable!

Week 1: Chemistry, Maths and Physics lessons by Jessica Li

Chemistry

We are learning organic chemistry recently, which is quite different from what we have learnt in China. We had to do an experiment about the addition reactions of ethene, which helps us understand the reactions of alkenes. Then we learn about the addition of hydrogen bromide. The difference between here and China is that here we learn the chemistry knowledge more detailed.

 
Maths and Further Maths and Scary Maths

Maths is always the classes that full of Chinese students. We learn about function in maths class and bubble, shuttle, quick, shell sort in further math. It’s not as hard as the other subjects. The teacher in further math really gave me a lot of help to help me understand the difference between bubble sort and shuttle sort. It’s different from China that we have lots of maths exercise to do, here they do have exercise but not that much. 

Physics

This is the hardest class I think. Because the AS class are having practical  experiment, so I was sent to A2 class  to study. We learn  about resonances for the first class which is quite difficult for me, I couldn’t understand a word in the class at all which made me felt quite sad. It didn’t become better even when it was the last class for the whole week. I think it may be better if I started with AS class.  

College newspaper

Jessica joins an enrichment class - the college newspaper - and plans her piece for the next issue

Student reporters Veronica and Alisa with college newspaper teacher Richard Beken [who teachers Sociology]

Week 1: English for IELTS lessons by Jessica Li

It’s a class for international students. I have had a class for vocabulary. It’s quite interesting because Clare told us lots of phrases, and how to use the words in the sentence. We learnt vocabulary by reading an article. In order to let us get familiar with the phrase, Clare divided us into groups (with students of different nationalities) to play a phrase match game.

Week 1: A-level Biology lessons by Jessica Li

For the first class we had a test about testing pulse rate. It really made me confused because I have never done this in China. The questions were practical. It needs you to think widely, guess reasonably and use your knowledge flexibly. It’s quite difficult to me, but the second lesson we began to learn meiosis. This is something that I have learnt in China, that made things easier, the only difficulty is vocabulary, lots of words that I don’t know. But after searching I could understand the teacher.

Jessica Li - first impressions

Why did you join the JLC A-Level Taster Course?

I am planning to study A-levels in the UK from September 2013 and wanted to get a taste of the A-level classes and the style of study in the UK. JLC was recommended by my agency as they know the college specialises in this type of course.



Welcome to Jessica!

What are your first impressions of college?

The college atmosphere is relaxed and happy and students appear to be enjoying their time. The buildings are modern and the campus large and it takes time to find the class rooms!

How are you finding A-level lessons? Which is your favourite subject so far?

I don’t really have a favourite so far but maybe after a week or so. Lessons are different from China – both content and teaching style. Biology is very different and difficult and I felt a little bit anxious before joining the class.

I have tried an A2 physics class and it’s really difficult. There are things that I’ve never studied before in China.



Jessica borrows library book to brush up on her biology

Are the teachers and what happens in lessons what you expected?

At JLC they are good and helpful and help you to understand. They are encouraging and try to help and reassure you that it’s ok and you can have a go at everything even if you’re not sure of the answer.
In China the teacher stands at the front of the room and teaches. Here the teacher gets close to the students and moves around. In China there is no opportunity to ask questions as there are too many students but sometimes teachers ask us though.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but the style of learning may suit some better than others, it depends on the student. I think you have to adapt.

How well have you got on with other students (UK and International)?

I have worked with other students in lessons – when you work on tasks in pairs. I have met other Chinese students but it is a bit tricky to enter a class as a new student as everyone else has known each other since September.

Gemma (from China) has taken good care of me at lunch time. She is a very enthusiastic student and knows everyone and has lots of friends.

What do you think of the JLC international centre?

It’s like a big family and anyone with any difficulties can come here. They help lots and solve problems.



Jessica's souvenir ID card

What are your first impressions of your host family / their home? What is it like living with a host family?

My family is very nice. This is my second visit to England and second host family experience but this is better than my than my previous homestay. The family has 3 children and they have taken good care of me and made me feel at home. It’s a nice old house, 100 years old, in the countryside. It’s really nice and quiet.

New student! Jessica Li

Yesterday we welcomed Li Zhe 'Jessica' from Guangzhou, China, to the college for a 2 week taster course. She is our first taster course student from China.

Jessica has been super busy since her arrival into the UK on Saturday so watch this space for updates and photographs - coming soon!