Monthly Archives: December 2010
Byron Jobs
GV’s beautiful lighthouse tour
Reflections on the FCE class
Damian caught up with me this morning to have a chat about his experience of the FCE preparation course and his life in Byron Bay. Damian was an absolute pleasure to have in the school and is always a very charming and humourous student. Thanks for sharing Damian.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are from…
My name is Damian and I am from a small village in Switzerland near Luzern.
What did you do back at home and what made you decide to come to Australia?
In Switzerland I was a employee in an insurance company as an apprentice. I decided to come to Australia to take a break after my education and to improve my English.
How long have you been at GV Byron and what are you studying?
I studied at GV Byron Bay for 12 weeks in the FCE preparation course. It was extremely interesting and I learnt a lot of things. It was interesting because I met a lot of people from all over the world and we had a chance to share our own cultures with each other which was very nice.
My teacher was Andrew. I would really like to say that he is the best teacher I have had. He is a very motivating teacher, lively with a great sense of humour and terrible fashion sense! (although, we have now bought him a beautiful island shirt and he looks much better!)
What do you plan to do when you have completed your studies with us?
I finished two days ago and I am now going to enjoy my time in Byron Bay for the next three weeks. After that I will spend a week in Sydney and then very sadly I have to say good bye to Australia and go back to the snow and the cold.
What has been the single best moment that you have experienced since you joined GV Byron?
Wow. This is such a hard question as there have been so many good moments. Actually, there really isn’t specific moment. I have enjoyed meeting people from all over the world so much as it has opened my mind and my world the different opportunities that exist on this lovely planet.
What is your favourite place in Byron?
Probably the lighthouse or the rails (and I don’t drink!!) There is some great live bands playing every night and it’s good to go and hang out with your friends after studying all day!
Is there anything you’d like to add??
I would like to tell everyone to have the time of your life in the most easterly point of Australia at GV Byron Bay!
GV People – Debs!
How long have you been teaching at GV Byron Bay and what did you do before you worked here?
Hi.. I’m Debs. I’ve been here for just over a month and before that I was teaching in England in a coastal scenic town on the east coast. Funnily enough it is also the most easterly point of England.
Do you speak another language and what was your biggest challenge when learning it?
I speak a little bit of Spanish. My biggest challenge when learning Spanish was the fact that I wasn’t doing an immersion programme and learnt it at home. This meant that I wasn’t surrounded by the language and therefore couldn’t practice as much as I would have liked to have. I think the students here at GV are really lucky to have this opportunity.
Which class are you teaching at the moment?
I am teaching the pre-intermediate class who are lovely and fantastic. They are a very enthusiastic bunch whop are a pleasure to teach
Please tell us about a student in your class who you feel has made outstanding progress…
All of my students are great and it’s incredibly difficult to choose one. Hmm.. really.. Just to pick one, well, I guess Marco. Marco gave us all a real surprise today by writing a heartfelt poem revealing a real talent and understanding of the nuances of English.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at GV Byron Bay?
I enjoy being surrounded by such a collegial environment and to have so many students from such an international base. The students really improve unbelievably quickly and that’s fascinating to watch.
If you weren’t a teacher, what job do you think you would be doing now?
I would be a diving instructor.
What do you like most about living in Byron Bay?
The weather and being so close to the beach.
What is your favourite café, restaurant, shop or place in Byron ?
The top shop.
Bulgogi for GV Byron Bay
Aron very kindly made us all Bulgogi. This a traditional Korean dish. Normally this is cooked on a convex metal pan with a whole in the top so that the juices can flow down into a small tray and soak the meat. Usually the whole family sits around a low table and enjoy the great food, with, if they are lucky some wonderful Ginseng whiskey.!
GV Byron Bay Out and About
This morning the Intermediate and Pre-Intermediate class went down to the market to practice their English in a real world environment. As you can see it was lots of fun and was a great way to get our morning coffee!
Byron Bay summer jobs!
Hi Everyone!
Here are this weeks jobs. Things are getting busy in town so do have a look. Don’t forget to go to the job workshop to get all of those crucial skills that you need up!
COOK – At the Byron Beach Hotel, resume to jhollis@beachhotel.com.au
LIVE-IN NANNY – P/T. Child minding and light household duties. Call 0401569656
MASSAGE THERAPIST – Relax Haven Ph: 0488 288838
CHEF – Contact Tom @ the Balcony.
LAWN MOWER – 66854221
FOR MARKET FOOD STALL – 4 Sundays a month. Email nickijojo@hotmail.com
P/T SALES PERSON – For busy ladies fashion retailer. 0448030344
CLEANER – Must be able and willing to work hard! 0413 190 266
WORKER FOR PROPERTY – 4hrs per week @ $20 an hour. 66872340
MUNCH JUICE BAR – Apply in person. Next to the IGA at Sunrise beach
SERVICE PERSON – For pizzeria. Apply in person to Slice Pizzeria Byron.
KINOKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT NEEDS CHEF – Ph 0416111067
FOR MORE JOBS PLEASE GO TO WWW.SEEK.COM.AU
Working in Byron Bay
Today I caught up with some of our students to talk about their experiences of working in Byron. This is what they had to say….
From top left – Ben, Daniel, Aron, Rio and Filipe.
Work Testimonials:
Filipe Augusto Ribeiro,
Hi I’m Filipe from Brazil. I have been studying in the Intermediate General English class for the last two months and have really enjoyed my time here. I have had several jobs since I’ve been in Byron and right now I have two jobs.
My first job is at the Pacific Italian Restaurant where I work as a kitchen hand and I do this a few nights a week. This is a cool job for me as I am a chef at home in Brazil and it’s interesting to work in a kitchen in a different country as things in the kitchen are done quite differently.
The other job I have is as a rickshaw driver. This job is great fun, I really like this job as i get to improve my English skills and make money. It is lots of fun as everyone talks (usually in English) to me and I get to meet people from all around the world. It is often funny as people talk to me and tell me crazy things but are always very nice. They can be quite hard to understand when they are very drunk, but it’s always friendly.
This is my last week at the school and after this I will have another job to go to as a kitchen hand in another restaurant!
Daniel Feas.
Hi I’m Daniel from Spain/ Switzerland. I have been studying at GV Byron Bay for the last three months doing the FCE preparation course. I will be in Byron for another month and then am off to Perth to study the CAE preparation course for ten weeks!
I am just about to start a new job this weekend in Byron. Since my family is Spanish I speak fluent Spanish. I grew up in Switzerland so I also speak fluent French and of course my English is great! (Thanks GV!) This means that I am pretty much tri-lingual. Happily I have found a job where I can put my language skills to use. I am going to be a tour guide in Byron, taking people around Byron Bay and showing them different areas and the different activities that one can do in Byron, from Kayaking, to dolphin watching, the lighthouse etc etc. I can’t wait to start as it will be a great way to practise my language skills and meet lots of new people.
Ben- Sang Il Byun.
Hi I’m Ben from Korea. I have been studying General English as GV Byron for two months in the upper intermediate class. Today is my last day at school, and it has been great as I have learnt a lot and found the job workshop to be really useful.
At the moment I am working as a kitchen hand for “Red, Hot and Green” a cafe in town. I work four days a week for three hours a day which fits in perfectly with my study. Last month I had a different job, which Justin found for me. This was an interesting job. I had to ring doctors in Korea from Byron Bay and interview them and then collate the results for the marketing team for the company I worked for. I really liked this job as it was quite relaxed!
Aron – Young – Sik
Hi, I’m Aron from Korea. I have been studying at GV in the General English course for the last ten weeks.
At the moment I have a small part-time job working for GV, helping the staff move furniture around and set up and close the school. This is a great job as it doesn’t take much time but I work every day! It also helps keep me very fit which is nice!
Rio- Jong Ha Lee
Hi, I’m Rio from Korea! I have been studying at GV Byron for 14 weeks and will be here for another 36 weeks! I’m very excited today as I just got a new job which I start tonight working for Why Not Cafe.
I will be working as a Kitchen Hand which will be a new experience for me. I think it will be a great experience as I will have to practise my English and earn money at the same time
Congratulations to our friends at ESL!
Many congratulations from all of us here at GV Byron Bay to the ESL team who were recently voted Best Agency in Western Europe by the readers of Language Travel Magazine.
ESL operates in all major European countries including Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Czech Republic, and currently has students studying at all GV Australia schools.
GV Byron – The final frontier!
We have a very special treat for the students on Monday Night. Phil, our beloved bicycle man, is coming to the school at 8pm. Phil is an avid star watcher and has a huge telescope which he is going to bring so that everyone can see the night sky in great detail.
He has very kindly offered to teach everyone about the southern night sky. This will be a beautiful evening and it is amazing to be able to see the stars and planets so clearly through the telescope! An event not to be missed.
GV Byron Bay After Dark
It looks like the weather is going to be perfect this weekend!
Have a look at the list below to see what fun things you can do in Byron for the weekend!
Some great things happening tonight. Don’t forget that you can all get free entry into Cheeky Monkeys with your GV Byron Bay green wristbands, cheap beer and $5 meals. Only available for GV Byron Bay students.
Friday Night:
More great live local music this Friday. This time we have Engine 37 at the Hotel Great Northern. They put on one hell of a good show so come check it out!
Beach Hotel – Redback City and Zahlu and The Alchemists.
Treehouse – Robert Owen Campell- Very nice tunes
and don’t to get out and about to try and spot the Oprah Winfrey Crew!
Saturday:
Beach Hotel – The Vauderville Smash
The Rails – Byron
Cheeky Monkeys, Ladies night.
Enjoy folks!!
Oprah Winfrey in Byron Bay!
Farewell CAE/ FCE guys!
As always we had a very touching and lovely farewell to our Cambridge students. It is always a sad time for those of us left here, as it is for the guys leaving.
We had a really great bunch of students through from September who have constantly impressed us with their charm, the diligence and their good humour. Thank you everyone for making the school such a special, warm and wonderful place. We will MISS YOU ALL!
More jobs around Byron
TAXI DRIVERS – Call 66209211
WEEKEND WORK – Must have own car. Excellent rates Ph 0431122051
CASUAL/PART TIME – Lawn and garden maintenance business. Must have car with tow bar 0410653775
WORKER FOR PROPERTY – $20 per hour. Must be strong. 66872340
KIVA SPA – Looking for beauty therapist info@thekivaspa.com
RECEPTIONIST – Glen Villa Resort. Apply in person.
MASSEURES – Text for interview 0413940927
CASUAL COOK – Ph 66851773
FOR MORE JOBS GO TO WWW.SEEK.COM.AU
Kayaking the high seas!
On Thursday last week Global village students braved the wild rainy weather and high seas to go kayaking in the bay. It was fantastic! Plenty of fish in big schools were seen and on the way in we rode some huge waves. Our next kayaking adventure will be in February 2011. See you all there for some more Fun and laughs! 🙂