Happy Class!! Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) with teacher Josie.

Our Cambridge classes have just wrapped up and finished their exams ready to enjoy summer in Australia.

Josie’s CAE class were a very studious bunch, with 7/11 students maintaining 100% attendance for the entire 12 week course.

They didn’t just study though. They also made the most of being in beautiful Byron Bay and, before they left, Josie asked them all to write a paragraph detailing what they loved best about their temporary home in Australia.

The unedited paragraphs are below and, judging by these, all the students will hopefully have done very well in their final exams.

Josie class

Yves– My time here in Byron Bay has been absolutely awesome! Lexis English school is a super professional place to learn English. The town has a lot to offer, especially the restaurants and the nightlife, which never disappoints. What’s better than having a chicken burger at Main Street Burger Bar!
Most of the time we started the night at the Beach Hotel before dancing to great techno sounds at Locura. Byron Bay is definitely a place I would recommend to everyone. Such a fantastic place just to relax and soak up positive vibes.

Sara – What I can’t get enough of is Tallow Beach. I’ll always remember the first time I saw it: white, as an unspoiled sight that makes you unwind. Blue, as the serenity that bursts in you when you walk along it.
When you need some time to come back to your centre after the madness of Byron by night, this awe-inspiring place is what you can’t miss out on.

Tamara – On our first weekend here in Byron Bay we went to Brunswick for a barbecue. It was really relaxing and I was able to have a chat with everyone and get to know them better. Great start to a new chapter of life. Byron Bay has been fantastic.
Not only did I meet great people with whom I had an incredible time and hope to stay in contact with after we leave, but also it became a second home. I stayed in a charming house with a breathtaking view over Byron Bay, a picture I will always remember.
Ther are lots of things I’m going to miss after I leave. Byron Bay is a lovely town with plenty of charismatic little cafes.

Francesco – Byron Bay is one of the most vibrant towns along the east coast. What I loved the most was Tallow Beach. Going for a wander or just lazing, soaking up the sun, gives you a sense of incredible peace.
It’s easy to bump into people, most of the time travellers, and getting to know different aspects of different traditions.

Juhee – Byron Bay has been a breath of fresh air in my life. There are lots of stunning beaches where I have been, soaking up the sun. I don’t know how many times I saw dolphins in the ocean! It was such an unforgettable experience.
Everything, such as the weather and people, makes me feel over the moon. Honestly, I don’t want to leave this paradise. I’m completely sure that I will miss this most charming place in the world.

Celine – My best way to start a typical day in Byron is to have a refreshing swim while I’m soaking up the early morning sun. Then, the place I like the most to have a delicious acai bowl is the eco-friendly Top Shop cafe, which is the meeting point for every Australian.
If I’m searching for a quiet and relaxing spot to chill out, I definitely go to the beach while having a mouth-watering ice cream. Because it’s extremely challenging to make up my mind to choose a flavour, I usually go with the one that catches my eye.
My favourite activity in the evening is unwinding with the talented musician who plays on the grass.

Florian – The lighthouse is definitely the place I prefer to go in Byron Bay. Even though it is quite challenging to get there, the view is worth the effort. Either for sunrise or sunset, the outlook is certainly breathtaking. Since my first time at the beginning of my trip, I’ve been on cloud nine every single time I reach it!

Sarah – Not only did I have the time of my life here in Byron, but I’m going to miss a lot of things for sure. Apart from the golden beaches, where I spent most of my time, I’ll miss the lighthouse, which is the most beautiful place to watch the sunset.
What also is fantastic is the town itself. I fell for the countless gorgeous and delicious cafes and the bustling and vibrant vibe in the evenings when you find live music around every corner.
Byron and the people here made me feel right at home and I’ll definitely come back!

Chloe – No sooner did I set foot in Byron that it’s relaxing vibes enveloped me and I immediately felt at home. Not only was I delighted by the heavenly food of the local farmers market as well as the charming restaurants in town, but I was also over the moon to discover the awesome music in the streets.
I would strongly recommend this lively little town, where you can wander and go with the flow to enjoy everything this place has to offer.

Eva – This experience has been a breath of fresh air in my life. I didn’t have a clue that it could bring me so many memorable moments.
Byron Bay is a spectacular village surrounded by incredible beaches, where you can play it by ear and discover yourself!
From running to the lighthouse at dawn to drinking beer with your friends enjoying the music in any charming place. Byron is full of amazing spots that will leave you speechless.

Josie class 2

 

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE, and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the Staff – Prue

Introducing to you our latest teacher here at Lexis English Byron Bay: Prue Clark!

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Languages spoken: French and English

I always wanted to be… In a punk rock band

Byron’s Best kept secret is… Tallows Beach

Prue photo Tallow

I’ll bet you didn’t know… that I have visited almost 80 countries!

At 11pm on a Saturday, you’ll find me… either at the gym or doing a lighthouse walk.

The lighthouse at Byron Bay.

My dream holiday destiniation is… Israel or Mexico

Best restaurant/ cafe in Byron Bay is… I love Barrio (Argentinian food) and O Sushi and Espressohead for the best breakfasts and coffee☕

When you’re in Byron Bay, don’t miss… The Northern happy hour, $3 beers, what could go wrong?! 🍻

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My English learning tip is…speak, speak, speak, you take your mouths, not your grammar books to the pub. Being able to have a conversation with locals will really enhance your Byron experience.

 

 

 

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

 

Suzie’s last yoga class.. May 13th

Our wonderful yoga teacher Suzie taught her final lesson with us today before she goes on maternity leave.

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Thank you Suzie for your beautiful practice every Monday afternoon.

Take care of yourself now and no more lifting heavy boxes!

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We look forward to following your journey and meeting your baby one day soon. All the best, we will miss you!

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Yoga will continue on Monday with another wonderful teacher.

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the Staff – This week the “kind and gentle” Michelle!

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“Kind and gentle” is how all of Michelle’s students describe her on their feedback forms! She is also a great teacher with a vast knowledge of linguistics and the English language. We are very lucky to have her here at Lexis Byron Bay, where she has taught for nearly two years. Find out more about her below:

HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?

2 (English and Japanese).

 

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE…?

A rich housewife.

 

WHEN YOU ARE IN BYRON BAY, DON’T MISS OUT….

on watching the sunrise at the lighthouse.

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I’LL BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW… I’ve got a pet duck called Alfie.
Michelle

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO?

Camping at the beach in the summer.

 

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION?

The Caribbean.

 

WHY DID YOU BECOME A TEACHER?

I became a teacher because it’s something I’ve wanted to be ever since I was 7 yrs old!

 

WHAT IS YOUR ENGLISH LEARNING TIP?

Make international friends and speak English every day.

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the Staff – Elizabeth

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HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK? 

Portuguese Intermediate and Japanese beginner and Dinosaur Advanced

 

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE…?

A ballerina

Elizabeth

WHEN YOU ARE IN BYRON BAY, DON’T MISS OUT…. 

On the markets and the sunset at the main beach with impromptu drumming circles (mostly on weekends)

 

BYRON BAY’S BEST KEPT SECRET IS…

Brunswick Heads!

 

I’LL BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…

You’re having the time of your life!

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO?

Stay at home and potter around the house with my family.

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HAVE YOU EVER LIVED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY?

3 years in Japan, 1 year in the UK

 

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION?

the Amazon and Antarctica

 

WHY DID YOU BECOME A TEACHER?

Because I think I know everything! (haha!)

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WHAT IS YOUR ENGLISH LEARNING TIP? 

Learn the following and use them all the time “Could you please speak slowly?”, “Could you tell me what _____ means?” “Hi, my name is ______ can I please practice my English with you for a few minutes?” And go up to people and talk to them!

 

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the Staff – This week find out more about our Amazing Elementary Teacher – Kristy

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We’re so lucky to have so many knowledgeable and passionate teachers and the school and Kristy is definitely one of them. Those of you that have been lucky enough to have her as your teacher will know all about her passion for grammar and pronunciation and will also agree what a kind and patient teacher she is.

Find out a bit more about her below:

HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?

English and a little Italian.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE…

…present…in the moment…

WHEN YOU ARE IN BYRON BAY, DON’T MISS OUT…

…on Tuesday woodfired pizza night at the Cavanbah Centre…yum!

BYRON BAY’S BEST KEPT SECRET IS…

…if you look closely you might see some wildlife.  A coiled python, an echidna, a jumping wallaby, and of course dolphins and whales.

I’LL BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…

…I’m in a DVD.  It’s educational.  In New Zealand.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO?

Learn.  And listen to music.

HAVE YOU EVER LIVED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY? 

I grew up in New Zealand and have spent a bit of time in Italy.  Now I live here on Australia.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? 

To do the Camino de Santiago.

WHY DID YOU BECOME A TEACHER? 

I became a teacher after I went to art school to pay off my student loan.  When I started, I loved it!  I taught Art and Design for 2 years at a high school then wanted to teach young children.  I really enjoyed having fun with 10-year-old kids.  They made me laugh a lot and I worked hard to help them learn.  I thought, ‘I would do this job for free.’  It’s a very rewarding job.  Teaching English has been a great way to travel and work.  I really love watching my students become more confident and enjoy speaking a new language.

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WHAT IS YOUR ENGLISH LEARNING TIP? 

Write a diary entry and listen to English music.  Take a notebook with you when you’re out and record new vocab and phrases you hear.

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the Staff – This week we find out more about our lovely teacher, Claudia

Claudia is one of our most-loved teachers. She has been at Lexis Byron Bay since 2011 and taught many different classes in this time including General English (Elementary to Advanced), Cambridge First Certificate and IELTS.  She also helps run our activities and stands in for the Campus/Academic Manager in her absence.  Find out more about her below:

HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?

I speak English, German and Hungarian fluently and I can get by in French. I also studied Latin for seven years and Italian for one year.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE…?

…happy in life (and I think I’m pretty close to it 🙂

WHEN YOU ARE IN BYRON BAY, DON’T MISS OUT…

….on talking to the locals. Absorb the Byron vibe and the positivity of the community.

It is inspiring to see how many conscious people life in Byron. It really makes the world seem a better place. After all, change starts within each of us.

BYRON BAY’S BEST KEPT SECRET IS…

…not so secret anymore. But secret or not, an early morning walk to the lighthouse to watch the sunrise is the most amazing thing to do.

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I’LL BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…

…that in Byron all teachers actually love teaching and genuinely like their students. 🙂

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO?

Being with my family. Running. Reading. Travelling.

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HAVE YOU EVER LIVED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY?

Yes! In Germany (Berlin) and the USA (in Los Angeles)

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION?

Because we are so lucky to have the most amazing beaches and countryside here in Byron I love exploring cities when I’m on holiday.

WHY DID YOU BECOME A TEACHER?

I do love teaching. After studying marketing and working for an international record label in Berlin I knew that talking to people from all kinds of different countries is what I love to do. It is wonderful to see students improve their English and to realise how much they appreciate our help and input. It is genuinely rewarding.

Being able to teach and inspire people from all over the world and living in Byron is pretty close to perfect for me.

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WHAT IS YOUR ENGLISH LEARNING TIP?

Speak, speak, speak. Be confident and believe in yourself (and your teacher 😉

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Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing or Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the staff – Homestay Officer, Koko

You may have noticed a new face in the office, over the last few weeks. This is Kayoko (Koko) our new Homestay Officer.

Koko is taking over from Naomi, who sadly will be leaving Byron Bay next weekend to continue on her  travels. Koko has already settled in really well and we are enjoying her positivity and enthusiasm in the office.

We asked her a few questions to introduce herself:

  1. Where did you grow up?
    We moved a lot when I was little so, many places in Japan plus Brazil for couple of years when I was 7.

    2.   Which languages can you speak?

    Japanese and English.

    3.  Which countries have you visited?
    America, Brazil, Thailand, India, Laos, Malaysia, England, Greece, Mexico

4. What do you love the most about your job?
I’m still new, so my experiences are still quite limited, but my colleagues are all super nice and it’s wonderful.
Also all the students I’ve been meeting from all over the world are so gorgeous, fun, nice, and I’m loving them. There is a great fun vibe to the school, it is a great place to work:)

5.  What is your top English learning tip?
Get a boyfriend or girlfriend!  If not, homestay is a great way:)

6.   What have you always wanted to be?
Free!

7.  Where will we find you at 11pm on Saturday?

In my jammies about to go to bed.

8.  What about 8am on a Saturday?
Hopefully jogging up to the lighthouse.

9.   Tell us something not to miss out on in Byron Bay…
Whales! If you are visiting here during June – Nov, you can see many whales migrating up north  from the lighthouse walk; often mothers with their calves. It’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of Byron and spotting whales is so exciting. The best way to experience them is to go on the whale watching boat. You get to see them so close, and they are truly magical….

10.  Which is your favourite restaurant/cafe in Byron Bay?
Kinoko for very good sushi. Miss Margarita and Cyprus Tree are very good too. Cardamon Pod and Heart and Halo for good cheap hearty meals.

11.  What is your dream holiday destination?
There are so many…  All the beautiful places in the world

12. Tell us something we didn’t know…
Less is more.

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Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing or Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Meet the Staff – Naomi; Homestay

 

Where did you grow up?

 In Watford, North London – the home of Harry Potter World!

 

Which languages can you speak?

Only one – English! How embarrassing! I got a B in GCSE French too – Bonjour!

 

Which countries have you visited?

Too many to count, but I’ll try….. Australia, India, Kenya, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, America, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Netherlands, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Macedonia, Spain, Portugal and Turkey!

 

What do you love the most about your job?

Working with such a great team – especially Claire and Lisa 🙂

 

What is your top English learning tip?

Speak English with your friends and encourage them to correct you.

  

What have you always wanted to be?

I love food, so any job relating to eating would be great!

 

Where will we find you at 11pm on a Saturday?

At the Mez Club ordering Lychee Martinis 😛

 

What about 8 am on a Saturday?

Probably still in bed – thinking about where to go for breakfast.

 

  

Tell us something not to miss out on in Byron Bay….

The tacos from Chihuahua!

 

Which is your favourite restaurant/cafe in Byron Bay?

The Farm – for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

 

What is your dream holiday destination?

On safari in Kenya – I’ve already been but I’m desperate to go back.

 

Tell us something we didn’t know…

My brother was an extra in the first Harry Potter film #claimtofame

 
Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.
 

Upper Intermediate and Elyse’s last day! 10 February

Today we have a special graduation blog just for our Upper Immediate class; not only are 4 students graduating from this class today, we also sadly say goodbye to their lovely teacher Elyse!

The students very sweetly put on a delicious lunch to say thank you and goodbye to their wonderful teacher!

 

Francesco is from Italy and graduates with an A. His level of English is excellent and he has been a pleasure to have in the class and around campus! We hope you continue to improve your fluency and wish you all the best for the future!

Larissa is from Brazil and graduates with a B. She’s been a pleasure to have in the class and her knowledge and understanding of grammar is excellent. Good luck for the future, you will be missed!

Gaetan is from Switzerland and graduates with an A. His English, particularly his speaking, has improved greatly in his 12 weeks at Lexis. He’s been wonderful to have in class and will be missed! All the best for the future!

Luisa is from Switzerland and graduates with an A. She has been wonderful to have in class and contributed actively to conversations, which was always appreciated. Her understanding and use of grammar is excellent and her fluency has improved a lot in her 6 weeks of study. Enjoy your travels around Australia!

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

 

 

Graduation! 20th January

Congratulations to our four students graduating from Lexis Byron Bay this week!

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Axel is from Switzerland and graduates from Kathleen’s Intensive Intermediate class. He’s demonstrated a good understanding of English and grammatical structures, aswell as very good speaking and listening skills.  In addition, his great sense of humour was really appreciated by his class colleagues and teacher! We wish you all the best for the future!

Oka is from Japan and graduates from Kathleen’s Intensive Intermediate class.  She’s worked very hard in her 8 weeks at Lexis and always asked very intelligent questions. Outside the class she took may opportunities to talk with native speakers to improve her speaking and listening skills. Her lovely personality and smile contributed to a delightful classroom environment. Good luck for the future!

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Yuki is from Japan and graduates from Becky and Georgie’s Elementary class. He learnt very quickly and effectively, and his speaking and writing has improved a lot in his time at Lexis. He always worked hard and participated well in activities, as well as practicing outside the classroom with his friends! Good luck with your studies Yuki!

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Alba is from Spain and graduates from Kristy’s Pre-Intermediate class. Her English has improved greatly from her first day at Lexis 14 weeks ago. She’s always very friendly and helpful to everyone and we have all enjoyed having her friendly face and happy personality in the classroom and around campus! We wish you the very best for the future!

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Graduation! 13th January

Congratulations to the six students who graduated from Lexis Byron Bay this week!

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Iris is from Belgium and graduates from Elyse’s Upper Intermediate class. She always participated well in class activities and leaves Lexis with a very good level of English. We wish you all the best for your trip to New Zealand!

Pauline is from Belgium and graduates from Elyse’s Upper Intermediate class. Her speaking is excellent and she is able to use grammar very accurately. We have every confidence her English will continue to improve with more practice and wish you all the best for the future!

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Emiko is from Japan and graduates from Kathleen’s Intensive Intermediate class.  She has worked really hard in class and self study and this shows in her test results. During her 8 weeks here with us at Lexis her listening and speaking skills improved a great deal. Her positive friendly nature contributed greatly to the class environment and we all wish her well for the future!

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Ana is from Brazil and graduates from Iruka’s Intermediate class. She is a very lovely and clever student. She always stayed focused on the task and showed perseverance on challenging grammar points. Her listening skills and grammar are very good for her level. We wish you all the best and will miss having you here at Lexis!

Lou is from Switzerland and graduates from Iruka’s Intermediate class. She made a great effort in class and always stayed focused and persevered with anything challenging. You were a pleasure to have in the class and we wish you all the best for the future!

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Ai is from Japan and graduates from Kristy and Michelle’s Pre-Intermediate class. Her grammar and speaking has improved greatly since her first day at Lexis and she received 100% in her last test! Her smiling face and happy personality made her a pleasure to have in class. We wish you all the best for your travels to the Gold Coast!

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Graduation! 6th January

Congratulations to the three students who graduated from Lexis Byron Bay on the 6th of January!

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Shiori is from Japan and graduates from Kristy’s Pre-Intermediate class. She has only been with us for 3 weeks but her English has improved in all areas, especially her speaking ability. She was a pleasure to have in class and participated well in activities. We wish you all the best at Lexis Brisbane!

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Stefan is from Switzerland and graduates from Josie’s Pre-Intermediate class. He studied hard during his 11 weeks with Lexis and always achieved excellent grades. His writing and speaking are both at a high level and he participated well in activities. His great attitude made him a pleasure to teach. Good luck for the future!

David is from France and graduates from Josie’s Pre-Intermediate class. He has worked hard in his month at Lexis and his test results reflect this. His writing is at an excellent level and he always participated well in class. His friendly easy going nature made him a pleasure to have in class. We wish him all the best!

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing and Yoga in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Christmas Party 2016! 23rd December

On the 23rd of December we had our Lexis Byron Bay Christmas Party!

All the students and teachers gathered together for food, drinks and games!

Claudia’s class performed their own excellent version of Jingle Bell Rock, re-named Byron Bay Rock! Myuri and Jane were on the guitar and everyone was given a copy of the song so they could sing along! The words can also be found at the bottom of this blog 🙂

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Beckie and Melinda’s class had arranged a game of pass the parcel to play, with prizes including chocolate, beer and best of them all, a brick!

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Anji and Ellie’s class played a game of festive bingo! Everyone was given a piece of paper with pictures associated with Christmas on them and had to cross the correct one off when it was called out. There were lots of winners in this game, meaning plenty of prizes given out!

Kristy and Julia’s class played a game where the students had to act out whatever was on the slip of paper they were given, while everyone else had to guess what they were doing! These included making a snowman, reading a Christmas card and opening a present!

Iruka’s class split everyone into 2 groups and 2 people were assigned as doctors that had to work out what medical condition everyone was suffering from, which was that they all thought they were the person next to them! Both groups managed to work this out, good effort!

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I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and look forward to seeing those of you returning on the 3rd of January!

BYRON BAY ROCKS

Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Cheeky Monkeys
Byron Bay is fun and Byron has sun
studying at Lexis and hanging around
a hot Christmas is coming soon…
Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Byron Rocks 
People chill out and people slow down
dancing and surfing in Byron Bay town
now the Byron Bells ring!
What a great town
it’s the right town
to rock the night away 
Byron Bay town is a fun place
to go studying at Lexis school
Wake up, hurry up
pick up your feet
pop into Byron Bay
mix and mingle to the jingling bear
that’s the Byron Bay rock!
Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Byron Bay rocks
people come from all over the world
studying and having a very good time
in this wonderful town!

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

Graduation! 23rd December

Congratulations to the twenty-two students who graduated from Lexis Byron Bay on the 23rd of December!

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Simone is from Switzerland and graduates from Claudia’s Upper Intermediate class. She is a dedicated and hard working student who put a lot of effort into her 3 weeks with us here at Lexis Byron Bay. She has been a conscientious student and all her contributions to class discussions were greatly appreciated. We wish her all the best for the future!

Francesco is from Switzerland and graduates from Claudia’s Upper Intermediate class. His motivating and engaging nature always lifted the class. He participated well in class discussions and this was greatly appreciated. He is certain to improve his English further on the CAE course next year!

Ayuko is from Japan and graduates from Claudia’s Upper Intermediate class. Her English has improved a lot since she first started with us at Lexis, both her vocabulary and speaking skills have greatly improved.  She has been a pleasure to have in class and we wish her all the best!

Myuri is from Switzerland and graduates from Claudia’s Upper Intermediate class. She has been very conscientious and hard-working.  Her motivation and engagement in all class activities and discussions has been great and her English is at a fantastic level. We are sure you will continue to do well!

Simone is from Switzerland and graduates from Claudia’s Upper Intermediate class. She is  a hard working and dedicated student who has put a lot of effort into her 4 weeks here with us at Lexis. She has been a conscientious student who participated well in class discussions, which was greatly appreciated. We wish you all the best!

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Danny is from Switzerland and graduates from Iruka’s Intermediate class. His grammar and writing skills have improved considerably and his confidence with his speaking skills have improved a great deal. His enthusiasm and effort are sure to help him attain his goal; best of luck on your future job as a diving instructor!

Alessia is from Switzerland and graduates from Iruka’s Intermediate class. She has shown great improvement throughout her 8 weeks with Lexis. Her writing and grammar skills continue to get better. We wish her all the best for her wonderful trip!

Ayumi is from Japan and graduates from Iruka’s Intermediate class. Her speaking and writing skills have improved in her 3 weeks with us at Lexis. She was always willing to help classmates and create a nice and fun atmosphere in class. We wish you all the best for the future!

Tamaki is from Japan and graduates from Iruka’s Intermediate class. She is hard working and consistently put in her best effort on a daily basis. Her enthusiasm to understand and use new vocabulary and grammar is sure to help her improve further. Best of luck for the future!

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Sarah is from Switzerland and graduates from Kristy and Julia’s Pre-Intermediate class.  She has grown in confidence with her English speaking and listening in her 8 weeks with Lexis. She has made progress in her tests and covered many parts of English grammar which will be useful for her continued study in the future!

Thomas is from Switzerland and graduates from Kristy and Julia’s Pre-Intermediate class. His grammar and speaking have improved and he’s becoming a more confident English speaker. His smile and ease with conversation are positive things that are sure to help you in using this new language with everyone he meets!

 

With Graduation Day also being the last day of school before Christmas it was unfortunately a bit difficult to get class pictures of everyone, but we also had the below graduates from Josie’s, Kathleen’s,Melinda/Becky’s, Ellie and Anji’s classes!

 

Yuri is from Japan and graduates from Josie’s Pre-Intermediate class. She has improved so much in her time here at Lexis, all the way from Elementary to the end of Pre-Intermediate with an A! She is always smiling and happy which made her a pleasure to have in class. She is a great student and participated well in class. Good luck for the future!

Julia is from Brazil and graduates from Josie’s Pre-Intermediate class. Her confidence at speaking and written work has been excellent and she has a great level of English. Her interest and eagerness to learn has made her a pleasure to have a class. We wish you all the best for the future!

 

Maxime is from Switzerland and graduates from Kathleen’s Intermediate class.  His speaking skills are very good and, combined with his great sense of humour, made him an excellent companion in pair and group work. He applied himself very well to learn new vocabulary and grammar rules. His energy and enthusiasm have contributed to a great learning environment and will be sorely missed!

Maria is from Switzerland and graduates from Kathleen’s Intermediate class.She has been a hard working student, both in class and self study, and should be proud of her improvement in her grammar and speaking skills. Her positive attitude and lovely nature contributed greatly to class discussions. We wish her all the best for her future adventures in Australia!

 

Yuki is from Japan and graduates from Melinda and Becky’s Elementary class. She has made a big improvement in all areas over her 3 weeks with Lexis, especially her speaking ability. She has participated well in class and was a pleasure to teach. We hope you continue your English studies and we wish you all the best for the future!

Kunkae is from Japan and graduates from Melinda and Becky’s Elementary class. In her 4 weeks with Lexis her confidence has grown and her speaking ability has improved. She was a pleasure to have in the class and participated well in class discussions. Good luck for the future!

 

Isabella is from Brazil and graduates Ellie and Anji’s IELTS class. Her English has improved in her time here at Lexis, particularly in listening and speaking. We hope you continue to develop your skills while travelling and good luck with your creative writing!

Miki is from Japan and graduates Ellie and Anji’s IELTS class. She has gone from Pre-Intermediate to Upper Imediate in her time here at Lexis, which is a great achievement. Her English, particulary in writing and speaking, has greatly improved. We wish you all the very best for your future as an architect!

Francesco is from Italy and graduates Ellie and Anji’s IELTS class. His English has improved in all areas and his intelligence and inquiring mind have helped him get to advanced level. His sense of humour entertained the whole class and he was a pleasure to teach. We wish him all the best for the future!

Joane is from Spain and graduates Ellie and Anji’s IELTS class. Her English has greatly improved in her time here at Lexis, especially reading. Her intelligence and literacy have helped get her to advanced level, well done! Good luck for the future!

Mauritzio is from Italy and graduates Ellie and Anji’s IELTS class. He was a pleasure to have in the class and his English improved greatly in all areas, especially writing. Good luck with your test results!

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

 

Bye bye Josie

Today everyone is sad to say goodbye to the upper intermediate teacher Josie as she is leaving Australia…don’t worry though, it’s not forever, she is lucky enough to be taking a holiday for two and a half months! Her first stop is Hawaii, then Canada and after that a tour of Europe! She’ll be back refreshed in time for the rush of summer when our CAE and FCE Cambridge classes start up again on the 5th of September. If you want to catch her before she jets off then head to the Railway bar this evening at 6pm where some of the students are going to have a few beers and celebrate the start of the long weekend! And if you don’t know already, there’s a Brazilian party at the Buddha Bar later on this evening so don’t forget your dancing shoes!

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Lexis Byron Bay – Highly Commended in the 2016 Cambridge Awards

Lexis English Byron Bay has been “Highly Commended” in the 2016 Cambridge English Language Assessment awards for preparation centres*.

The Highly Commended status was awarded, in acknowledgement of the exemplary quality of the school’s nomination.

Our entry for the award focused on the student-centred approach Lexis English Byron Bay has towards preparing Cambridge First and Cambridge Advanced candidates.

Some features of this include:

  • An outstanding team of teachers and staff that really go that extra mile for students who need it; both with studies and personal issues.
  • An efficient academic program which includes first day, mid-course and end-course tests to and identify and support at-risk students and mid and end-course reports and individual counselling of students. (The final report shows the results of all three tests allowing students to chart the satisfying progression from their pre-test to their end test.)
  • A suite of student feedback mechanisms including an anonymous form in week two, to identify any issues in time for us to respond, a comprehensive mid-course form where students also evaluate themselves, and an exit questionnaire, where students provide feedback on all aspects of their time in Byron Bay, helping us to make ongoing improvements.
  • The utilisation of email and social media to communicate formally and informally with students, potential students and agents.

 

This is what some recent students have said about their experience of studying Cambridge Preparation at Lexis Byron Bay

celine“Oh thank you so much {for my results} I’m so happy! I would like to thank you for the organisation of Lexis School. I had a so amazing time there.  Everything was just perfect, the lessons, the schedule, our unique teacher Paul. So thank you for that!” Celine, Switzerland, CAE March 16.

 

“Julia is a really good teacher who always asks if we have specific topics to have a look at. She gives me the opportunity to make extra preparation test or writing exercise. I enjoy participating in the class.”
Michelle, Switzerland, CAE Dec 15

 

“Ellie is a great teacher for me. She is good at teaching and her class is really organised. Also the whiteboard she write is very clearly. She always checks our reading carefully. Therefore I like her class and think she is a great teacher.”
Miho, Japan, FCE March 16

 

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“Josie’s explanations are always clear. She is also really patient when we don’t understand directly and tries to find other examples to make sure we understand properly. I had a great time at Lexis school, much more than I expected so thank you for everything.”
Ludivine, France, FCE March 16

 

We still have spaces left for the September 2016 Cambridge First and Cambridge Advanced Preparation Courses. Please contact marketing@lexisenglish.com for more details.

*See http://preparationcentre.cambridgeenglish.org/support-for-you/preparation-centre-events/ for more information about  the awards and for a list all the finalists and highly commended schools.

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students can study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

 

Final words from trainee teacher, Susan

 

IMG_2591Byron Bay’s first (10429NAT) Certificate IV in TESOL ends tomorrow. So, today, I took the opportunity to catch up with one of our 5, now almost qualified, trainees, Susan.

Why did you decide to do the course?

I’m already a primary school teacher but I wanted to be able to teach overseas. Then I saw the TESOL course was running in Byron Bay and I thought what a great place to study; It’s gorgeous here and I can go to the beach and go swimming when I’m not studying.

How did you feel on your first day?

I was looking forward to it but also worried about how much homework we would have as wanted to enjoy Byron Bay as well as study. Luckily I was able to do about half my work at school, half at home, and still enjoy the beautiful location and weather.

One of the first things you did was observe some Lexis English classes. What was that like?

It felt unreal.I thought it was really nice of them to have us in their classrooms.It was also interesting to see the different teaching styles. I could borrow ideas from the way they structured the lessons their board-work,  and how they interacted with the students.

And how did you feel about teaching your first lesson?

Actually, it went well. I had planned very carefully and knew exactly what I was going to say. I remember it was about sports and leisure and I had 5 or 6 students in the class, who were lovely. In a way, I probably put more pressure on myself because I was a teacher, so I had to do a good job, but luckily all my activities went to plan.

And did you feel very different when you taught your last lesson?

All of us improved so much and we understood what we were doing and why. The planning became faster and easier and I found my plans became more efficient.

What were the best things about the course?

Our tutor Anji was excellent. She had to manage five quite extreme personalities and did so with ease. She also brought the material to life and instructed well but at the same time made us work things out for ourselves.

I also enjoyed playing the part of the student when there weren’t many students from outside to participate in the classes and it was always good to observe different classes and the interactions within them.

I learned a lot about how to structure an English lesson and also gained an awareness of the grammar terminology. And one day we did a full IELTS test, which was really interesting.

So what are you going to do next?

Tomorrow, I’m going to visit my mum but then, next week, I’m leaving for Peru. Then my plans are flexible, I’m going to Bolivia, meeting a friend in Cuba and then heading to Mexico to work my way southwards. I might try and do some teaching work while I’m there or I might save that for when I go to South East Asia.

That sounds like a wonderful plan and I’m sure you’ll be able to put your training to good use. Thank you so much for talking to me today, Susan, and good luck.

 

 

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students can study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

 

 

Free Lesson Fun!

We are currently running Free English lessons for any non-native speakers on Monday to Thursday from 2-4pm. These lessons are taught by trainee teachers who are currently studying on our 10429NAT Certificate IV in TESOL course and are suitable for students with a basic to an intermediate level of English.

Yesterday, in class, the students played musical chairs! And everyone enjoyed some birthday cake to celebrate trainee Terri’s birthday.

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Terri's birthday

The classes will continue run daily from Monday to Thursday from 2-4pm, from 4 April to 3 May inclusive (excluding Anzac Day). Anyone is welcome to attend for one day or for all. Please just arrive in time and go to Room 6.

Learn English in Byron Bay. Lexis English students can study General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE and English plus Surfing in a friendly and professional school right in the heart of Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from the beach.

 

Meet The Staff – Megan: Activities and Student Support Officer

Hello! My name is Megan and I am the new Activities and Student Support Officer at Lexis Byron Bay.

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I am from Australia and grew up in the Barossa Valley, a famous wine region in South Australia. I have also lived in Adelaide and Melbourne, and am now very excited to be living in beautiful Byron Bay.

Over the past ten years I have done a lot of travel and have lived overseas in the UK, Europe, North America and South-East Asia. I love to travel and have many great memories of exploring new places and meeting new people.

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I really love outdoor activities – playing sports, going to the beach, hiking, snowboarding, bike riding and trying new things like paragliding. I also enjoy helping out at local animal rescue centres, and have done this in Australia, Canada and Nepal.

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I am based at Reception and will be running activities through the week, so come say hi and introduce yourself! I am so excited to be part of the team at Lexis and am looking forward to helping you all enjoy your time here in Byron Bay.

Lexis English Video Competition!

Would you like to win a $1000 Backpackers World Travel voucher to explore Australia?

Enter our school-wide video competition and be in the running to win this amazing prize! Videos should be under 2 minutes & feature your studying experience at Lexis –school, classmates, fun times and location.

To submit your entry simply:

  1. Go to your Lexis English Group on Facebook
  2. Click Add Photo/Video at the top of the group
  3. Click Upload a Photo/Video and select your video – under 2 minutes
  4. Comment with your name followed by “entry for the Destination Lexis Competition
  5. When you’re ready to share, click Post
  6. Five of the most creative videos from each campus will be selected as finalists
  7. Videos must be submitted to your Facebook group page by Friday, 11th March 2016
  8. The finalists will be uploaded onto Lexis’ YouTube channel & the most likes win!

Terms & Conditions apply.

The winner will be announced on 1 April 2016.

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Lexis Sunshine Coast and Seoul campuses are approved OET Test Centres!

We are delighted to announce Lexis Sunshine Coast and Lexis Korea are now approved OET test centres.

The Occupational English Test (OET) is an international English language test that assesses the language and communication skills of healthcare professionals who seek to register and practise in an English-speaking environment.

OET Test materials are designed to reflect real medical workplace scenarios, meaning that candidates can be confident that they will know exactly what to expect, and feel more confident on test day.

The OET provides a valid and reliable assessment of all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – with an emphasis on communication in medical and health professional settings.

OET tests international health practitioners in the following 12 professions:

  • Dentistry
  • Dietetics
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Radiography
  • Speech Pathology
  • Veterinary Science

Why the OET?

The OET is recognised and trusted by more than 30 regulatory healthcare bodies and councils in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Many organisations, including hospitals, universities and colleges, are using OET as proof of a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare environment. In addition, OET is recognised by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection for a number of visa categories, including work and student visas.

Many candidates currently employed in, or considering working in a healthcare related field choose the OET as it employs the English language that they are most familiar with – the same language that they use every day at work.

Where can I take the OET?

Lexis Sunshine Coast is a registered OET Examination Centre. Our next  2016 examination date will be:

Saturday 9 April 2016

Applications open: 18 Feb to 16 Mar

Results published: 3 May 16

I’m not sure I’m ready for the exam!

If you are concerned that you may not yet have the required level of English for your OET target score, please contact us here to arrange a language assessment. We will be pleased to assist you in arranging an appropriate course of study prior to your examination date.

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Lexis is pleased to announce our new Business and TESOL courses!

From February 22nd, students will be able to study Business and TESOL programs at Lexis. These courses will run from 2pm to 7.30pm on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with optional Supervised Consolidation of Learning class available each Thursday.

Our Business and TESOL programs are fully accredited for student visas, and are ideal for students finishing their English program at Lexis and looking for a further challenge while they extend their stay in Noosa, Byron Bay or the Sunshine Coast.

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To enter the Certificate III in Business, you will need to have an Intermediate level of English at Lexis, or an equivalent IELTS score of 5. For the Certificate IV in TESOL, you will need to be in Upper Intermediate, or at a 6-6.5 IELTS equivalent.

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To launch our new courses, we are offering our current students an opening special for the 30 week Certificate III in Business – $3000, including all registration and materials fees. The usual price for this course will be $4500.

For more details, speak to your Academic Manager!

Certificate III in Business (BSB30115)

Certificate IV in TESOL (10429NAT)

RTO: 41178

CRICOS: 03459G

NRT_logoLexis TESOL updated

Lexis English partners with TAFE Queensland!

“TAFE Queensland provides ‘world class’ quality education and training that links with industry and employment outcomes.”                                       

(http://tafeqld.edu.au/resources/pdf/international/international-capability-statement.pdf)

 

Students at Lexis English can gain pathways into TAFE Queensland by studying programs such as – General English, Cambridge English FCE, CAE, CPE and IELTS.

130 years and over 230,000 students

TAFE Queensland is the government-owned and operated provider of world-class Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in Queensland. In some countries TAFE is also known as a Polytechnic, Technical College or Community College.

TAFE Queensland offers international students:

  • practical, industry-relevant training
  • a network of 6 regions with multiple locations across Queensland
  • a wide range of nationally accredited and internationally recognised courses
  • leading-edge technology and excellent facilities
  • strong links and pathways to university
  • a friendly, safe and culturally sensitive environment
  • underpinning government legislation including the ESOS Act2000 and National Code of Practice 2007.

TAFE Queensland has provided quality training for over 130 years and now enrols over 230,000 students each year, including up to 10,000 international students.

Kathleen at the Airport!

Our lovely Intermediate teacher, Kathleen, is taking a holiday for the month of August. Yesterday was her last day of teaching.

Today, Marie’s Elementary class did a dialogue build about going to the airport and used Kathleen’s impending holiday as a real-life example.

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Meanwhile, Kathleen’s desk was so unnaturally tidy this morning (usually she likes to bring the kitchen sink to work) that it prompted Grant to ask, “have you fired Kathleen?”

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Absolutely not. Kathleen, we are missing you already and look forward to your return in September. Have a great holiday.

Happy Retirement to teacher Ian!!

Ian last day

 

It’s a very sad day today at Lexis | Byron Bay as we say goodbye to our wonderful teacher Ian! Ian has been teaching here at Byron Bay since September, and has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team.

His students love him, and we will miss his wit in the staff room!! Here he is making a farewell speech, showing us his old man walk and opening his leaving gift of wine and a Mary Ryan’s book voucher! Good luck Ian, Happy Retirement!!

Lisa’s Study Corner. THIS WEEK – How can I practise speaking outside of class?

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Lisa’s Study Corner. THIS WEEK – How can I practise English outside of class?

<p>In the past, students have said to me, “I get good results in class but I really don’t think that my English is getting any better. Why not?”

The answer, in my experience, is simple. You need to practise more. Think about when you learned to drive. You had lessons with an instructor, yes, but you also probably spent a lot of time terrorising your dad, your friends and other willing victims by driving their cars while they sat white-knuckled beside you. It’s the same with English – the lessons give you the foundations but you need to practise, practise, and practise to be able to apply what you learn in class. Below are some easy ways you can do this.

1. English Only
By far the most important factor to your progress is how much time you spend using the language – that’s why Lexis English Byron Bay has an ‘English Only’ policy. Make the most of this rule by speaking in English at breaks and lunchtime and before and after school. When everybody is speaking English as a second language, you don’t need to feel embarrassed.

2. GIL
Come along to GIL which is on every afternoon in Room 1 between 2 and 3 pm. GIIL is a great opportunity to get special attention from our excellent teachers. You can get personalised help and extra practise with any language points you need.

3. Activities and Workshops
Our workshops help with particular skills – for example, Job Club (next one 23/04) offers advice on writing CVs, looking for work and going for interviews. Coffee Lounge (14/04), on the other hand, provides an opportunity to chat to students from other classes about a wide variety of topics. And, of course all our activities also provide an opportunity for you to practise English and have fun at the same time. Check out the activity calendar above for what’s on this month.

4. Homestay and Out & About
Practice makes perfect! So make the most of the opportunity to live with an Aussie family and get to know them – it’s ok to make mistakes, just give it a try. Speaking with native speakers as much as possible is an excellent way to increase your confidence, while listening to native speakers is also a great way to pick up the intonation and pronunciation patterns – so keep your ears open!

5. Real World English
During your stay in Byron you can learn from all different kinds of English language media – movies, music, newspapers and magazines. Try lots of different ways of encountering English, it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand everything – the process will build your confidence and help you on the way to fluency!

Most importantly, don’t worry about what you cannot remember, or cannot yet understand, or cannot yet say. It doesn’t matter. You are learning and improving. The language will gradually become clearer in your brain, but this will happen on a schedule that you cannot control. So enjoy!

So to summarise this week’s Tip – Just make sure you spend enough time with English. That is the greatest guarantee of success.

Lisa’s weekly tips provide answers to the most common student questions THIS WEEK – Am I ready for the next level?

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In the past, students have said to me, “I think my English is better than the other students in the class. Can I go up to the next level?”

The answer, in my experience, is not simple. It’s possible that you are ready for the next level, in which case your teacher can recommend you for promotion. However, it’s possible that you think you are better than the other students because you’re a confident speaker but really the other students may be much better at grammar or vocabulary or writing than you. When assessing students’ level teachers and Directors of Studies look at many different things; the list below might help you understand why you and your classmates have been placed together.

1. Fluency V Accuracy

Some students sound brilliant to their classmates because they always speak in class, they love participating in discussions and answering questions in front of the class. However, while they are fluent communicators, these students often are not speaking correct English but instead speaking in their own language using English words. They can still be understood but compare them to the other student who thinks carefully before he or she speaks. This second student rarely makes mistakes, they are focused on accuracy as much as communication. It takes them a long time to say what they want to say, but when they do it’s perfect. Who is the better speaker?

 

 2. Strengths and Weaknesses Likewise, you can’t just judge your classmates ability by their speaking alone. Some students are excellent at the receptive skills of listening and reading, but find the productive skills of speaking and writing more difficult. Some students find grammar really difficult but have a really wide range of vocabulary. And finally some students are easier to understand than others simply because of their pronunciation. Each student is unique and has his or her own strengths and weaknesses.

 

 3. Confidence and Commitment In my experience, it’s also important to consider a student’s personality. Some students are shy and don’t like to speak in front of others. In this case, it is usually better for the student to be placed in a class they are near the top of rather than near the bottom. Other students are very curious. They always try to see the bigger picture and ask intelligent questions about things they don’t understand. These students usually work much better in a class that is just a little difficult for them. And of course, commitment is important too. If a student is prepared to study outside of class, to look up things that they don’t understand or to go to GIL and ask the teacher there for extra help, then they can probably cope with a class a bit high for their level. On the other hand, if the student has to rush off to a job straight after class or only hangs out with friends who speak the same language their progress cannot be fast-tracked in the same way.

 

As teachers we all want our students to develop and progress as quickly as possible, but we also recognise the problems of students trying to run before they can walk. If you genuinely feel like you are not learning in the class you are in you should speak to your teacher or Director of Studies as soon as possible, but, generally speaking, when your teacher thinks that you are ready for the next level they will discuss it with you.

 

 

So to summarise this week’s Tip – Don’t automatically think that because you are the best speaker in the class you should be in a higher level. If you are still learning or getting better you are probably in the right class. However, you can (and should) always speak to you teacher or you Director of Studies if you don’t think your English is improving.

LISA’S WEEKLY TIPS – How can I remember new vocabulary?

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In the past, my students have often said to me, “When I study vocabulary in class, it’s easy to remember but a couple of days later I’ve completely forgotten it. What can I do to make sure I remember the words?”

The answer, in my experience, is simple: Repetition and Personalisation

1.      Repetition
Yes, learning vocabulary is just like anything else; the more you do it, the better you get. Most studies agree that it is essential to repeat or practice a new set of words immediately after being exposed to them. And then repetition should follow at progressively longer intervals. So when you learn new words remember the saying “Use it or lose it”.  Try to use the new words in your journal or in conversation with your classmates, or stick post-its of the words around your bedroom and when you see a post-it try to use the word in a sentence to describe your current situation. Choose one day per week to go back over the words you have learned that week and if there are any you forgot, add them to the list for the following week and keep doing this until they are stuck in your brain. Make it fun by getting a friend to test you or test yourself and buy yourself a small reward when you get 10/10.

2.      Personalisation
It’s a fact that memory works best when dealing with things that are already important to us. Therefore, if you link a new word into an aspect of your life you are much more likely to remember it. For example, imagine the word: difficult. You could try to learn this word by looking at its opposite: easy, or by using synonyms: hard but you’re more likely to remember it if you write three example sentences that make the word mean something to you. e.g.

  • Monday’s test was really difficult so I only got 5 out of 10.
  • I’m no good at tennis. I find it really difficult to hit the ball.
  • Yesterday was a difficult day for me because my car broke down and I was late for work.

This takes more time to do, but the personalised example sentence not only helps the word stick in your brain it also helps you feel confident in adding the word to the range of vocabulary you already use. Try it, and then remember to follow up with Step 1.

The most important thing is to be realistic and to self-study. Very few people can remember something they only see once but if you take the time outside class to review and personalise the new vocabulary you learn every day, you’ll soon find that you can remember more and more.

So to summarise this week’s Tip – To remember new vocabulary, make it meaningful to you and then try to review and use it regularly.


 

Lisa’s Study Corner – Should I do Cambridge or IELTS?

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THIS WEEK – Should I do Cambridge or IELTS?

In the past, my higher level students have often asked me about studying on an exam course. They (rightly) think it would be a good idea for them to gain an English qualification but don’t know which exam would be most suitable for them.
Here, I will try to make the answer simple by asking you three questions.

1. What is your English level?

Basically the Cambridge First Certificate is an Upper Intermediate examination and the Cambridge Advanced Certificate is, you guessed it, Advanced. These courses and tests are written for students specifically at that particular level of English. A student needs to get 60% or above to pass, 75% or above for a B and 80% or above for an A.

IELTS is a bit different. There is no pass and fail rate and the material is not adapted for a particular level. The test is designed to find out a candidate’s English ability. Scoring is out of 9 and a score of 4-5 indicates roughly an Intermediate level while a score of 6.5 – 7.5 is Advanced.

2. What do you want the qualification for?

The majority of students who take the IELTS exam, do it because they have to. For example, if you want to study at a university or TAFE in Australia, the UK and various other countries around the world, you may be asked for an IELTS score. Also, if you are applying for a visa to immigrate to Australia and the UK you may be required to prove your level of English by taking an IELTS test.

In contrast, many people take the Cambridge exams for their own satisfaction, for the beneficial effects of taking an exam course or to be able to list their qualification on their resume. Many international businesses recognise the Cambridge courses as a great preparation for working with native speakers and the Cambridge exams have the benefit of being valid for life. Your IELTS score, on the other hand, can only be used for official purposes if less than two years old.

3. What kind of English do you want to learn?

This is probably the most important consideration. There are two different IELTS tests but most schools focus on the Academic one that students need for further study. This test involves skills such as listening to lectures, describing graphs and tables and reading academic articles from books and journals. It’s a very useful course for giving students the vocabulary and reading/writing skills they need for study, particularly at a university in an English speaking country.

On the other hand the Cambridge exam courses are more focused on everyday English; the English that people use in everyday conversations, in magazines, newspapers and films and in the workplace. It’s a great course for improving your accuracy, increasing your knowledge of phrasal verbs and idioms and learning how to write for different purposes and genres.

So to summarise this week’s Tip – My recommendation is to choose IELTS if you plan to study in English or if you have been told you need to provide an IELTS score but to choose Cambridge if you want to do a qualification that will help you focus on accuracy and equip you better for work, travel and conversing with native speakers.

Meet the Staff: this week – Marie!!

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Marie hails from England, used to be a secondary school teacher in London, and is one of our English teachers here at Lexis English | Byron Bay!

She studied Arabic at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and spent some time living in the Lebanon where she was able to practice her use of the language.

Marie is incredibly popular as our Elementary teacher, as well as teaching Business English, Movies and Songs and Debate Club in the afternoon Options sessions.

You will also find her running sports tournaments and taking students to the beach on a Friday afternoon, where she has been known to throw herself into volleyball, football, beach cricket and ultimate frisbee!

Here are some things that you might not know about Marie, as well as her top tips for learning English:

– she always wanted to be an Astronomer!

– she thinks that Byron Bay’s best kept secret is the stunning hinterland and farmland surrounding the town.

– at 8 am on a Saturday, you’ll find her running on the beach or eating soft boiled eggs and soldiers (toast cut into strips).

– her dream holiday destination would be island hopping around Indonesia and the Philippines.

– and last, but not least, her English learning tip is…. to have fun! Not only do you learn so much more quickly, but also when you’re relaxed you find yourself speaking a lot more. Crack out the jokes guys.

Thanks Marie!

Dave’s TTT (Teaching Tips and Tricks)!

Grammar Books for Teachers.

For the majority of English language teachers starting out in the TESOL industry, there is one aspect of the job that scares the pants off us – teaching grammar. I’m not sure about you, but when I went through primary and secondary school, we weren’t taught English grammar, so when I first became an English language teacher in Hungary, notions such as subjects, objects, and past participles were, forgive the pun, foreign.  Not speaking a lick of Hungarian at the time, knowing that I needed to eat (and therefore make this teaching thing work), compelled me to set about teaching myself English grammar before I taught it to my students.

This week, I would like to share with you the grammar books that helped me at the various stages of my career. I don’t claim they are the best, as there are a lot of good reference books out there, but these are the ones I have used and still do use and so I can vouch for.

English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy – Cambridge University Press

This is a great book for new teachers with little grammar knowledge. The middle book in the series, this self-study reference book is pitched at intermediate level students. It consists of 145 two-page chapters covering the language structures that an intermediate student would need.

Each chapter starts with a page of ‘accessible’ presentations about the meaning, usage and form of the structures. I say ‘accessible’ because it is written for students, and therefore we teachers have a shot at understanding the content. This is a great starting point for new teachers. On top of this, the second page in each chapter has exercises for practice! No silly, not for you the teacher, but they are very handy for homework for your students. All in all, I would say this is a great book to get you started on your grammar teaching path and you will be able to refer to it and use it for years to come.

Notable mention – The Good Grammar Book by Michael Swan – Oxford University Press

Practical English Usage by Michael Swan – Oxford University Press

This book delves a little deeper into the English Language, providing fairly detailed information on grammar, vocabulary, idiom, style, pronunciation and spelling. I found I didn’t really appreciate this book until I had a slight grasp of the workings of the language. Sure I had used it in CELTA assignments, but that was about it. I found (and sometimes still find) that I used this book a lot more when dealing with students’ questions that were outside of what I was teaching in class that day. This is a great book that you will get years of use out of and it can (sorry, but I can’t promise more than that) sometimes stop you from looking silly in front of your class.

Notable mention – Grammar for English Language Teachers by Martin Parrott – Cambridge University Press

About Language by Scott Thornbury – Cambridge University Press

This is the book you turn to just before DELTA, to help bring out your inner grammar geek. The book consists of 28 ‘task’ units covering various aspects of the English language and looks at them in a high level of detail. The tasks really make you think about how English is used, and I must confess, when I began working through the book I had to look at the key and commentary a couple of times first to understand what exactly was being asked in each task. That brings me to the other great thing about this book – the commentary. It is easy to follow and a real eye opener. The way the language is analysed and applied to everyday usage is brilliant. It leaves you wondering a) just how smart is this Scott Thornbury bloke and b) surely he has better things to do. This is a must-have book for DELTA or MA level courses and a great source of PD for experienced teachers.

Anyway, that’s it for this week. Three grammar books to take you through your EFL teaching career, they have worked for me and I have a feeling they’ll work for you too.

Dave

Dave Fox is an experienced teacher and teacher trainer who has worked in Australia, the UK, and Europe

Dave’s weekly tips and tricks for teachers!

Concept Checking Questions

As a teacher, there are a couple of things we should never say or do to our students. For example, pointing at them and laughing when they make a mistake is often frowned upon and will most likely result in an upset student, poor classroom atmosphere, and a newly unemployed teacher. But this, in my opinion, isn’t the worst thing a teacher can say or do in the classroom. In my opinion, the worst thing a teacher can do happens regularly throughout the English language teaching industry and often goes unnoticed. It involves three simple words and is of absolutely no use to teacher or student – the question ‘Do you understand?’

In response to this question, nine times out of ten students will reply with a nodding of their heads, leading the inexperienced TESOL teacher to believe that they all ‘get it’. In actual fact, most students are reluctant to admit in front of a class that they do not understand something and so other methods must be used to check students’ understanding.

One useful method of doing this is through the use of Concept Checking Questions (CCQs). CCQs can be used to highlight the meaning of the target language item, be it vocabulary or a structure. They can be used to point students in the right direction when they are unsure and help teachers recognise whether or not their presentations have been effective.

To work out the CCQs for a particular piece of language, you first need to work out the concept for yourself. For example:

I managed to open the window

When breaking down this sentence into simple statements we can see that:

  1. I opened the window
  2. It was difficult.

So to create our CCQs, we simply turn these sentences into questions:

  1. Did I open the window? (Yes)
  2. Was it easy? (No)
  3. But did I succeed? (Yes)

Seems simple enough, right? But there are a few other things to remember:

  • CCQs should be easy to understand – you’re not checking their comprehension of the questions themselves
  • They should not contain the word or structure being taught – how can you check understanding of something they don’t know by using the exact language they don’t know?

Dave

Dave Fox is an experienced teacher and teacher trainer who has worked in Australia, the UK, and Europe

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.

Welcome James!!

Today I caught up with the newest member of the team. James!

How long have you been teaching at GV Byron Bay and what did you do before you worked here?

I have been here for a month which has been great!  Before I came here I was working for another language school in Sydney. I came to Byron because it’s a great lifestyle, the beach, the weather and the general natural beauty of the landscape

Do you speak another language and what was your biggest challenge when learning it?

I’m currently learning Spanish at the local community college. The biggest challenge is finding native speakers of Spanish to speak with. I think it’s really important for any language teacher to experience the other side of the classroom.

Which class are you teaching at the moment?

I am teaching the intermediate class who are a great bunch. Everyone is really friendly and well motivated to learn, and are a  pleasure to teach

Please tell us about a student in your class who you feel has made outstanding progress…

I have had a young Japanese student in my class for the last two weeks. He is a great student and works very hard at developing his language skills. He has made amazing progress in the very short time that he has been here, and is a real inspiration to the other classmates and I.

What do you most enjoy about teaching at GV Byron Bay?

I like that the school is small and very friendly community of teachers and students who are supportive of one another. I also enjoy the activities that the school puts on after class. Things like kayaking and surfing are really valuable in bringing the whole school together and helps us all bond more closely with one another.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job do you think you would be doing now?

I would be producing websites.

What do you like most about living in Byron Bay?

Well, like I’m sure everyone says, the beach and the environment. That, and I find people in Byron to be very friendly.

What is your favourite café, restaurant, shop or place in Byron?

My favourite café is “Ate” which is a small café in Bangalow, the vibe and the food are great.

Thanks James. Welcome to the team.

Thanks Monica! We will miss you…

Today was a very sad day for us all here at GV Byron, as we said goodbye to teacher Monica..

Monica has been an extremely well-loved and respected teacher, and we will certainly miss you very much. I’d like to thank you very much on behalf of the whole GV team for all of your hard work, dedication and…. fun that you have brought into our lives. Keep in touch, and all the best!!!

Meet one of our Dedicated GV Byron Bay Teachers

Lynne Holian has been teaching at GV Byron Bay for a year. All of the students know her as a happy and dedicated teacher. This week we caught up with her and asked her a few questions.

So Lynne, tell us a bit about yourself.

Okay, well I arrived in Byron Bay from Switzerland about 18 months ago. My husband is Swiss and we had been living in Switzerland. We bought the “Byron Local” opposite the surf club which sells great food, coffee and juices. We have two children, Anouk who is 2 years old and Chiara who is 4. I have lived overseas and taught English in many places around the world including Africa, Alaska, England, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

Do you speak any other languages?

Yes I speak fluent German.

Do you have any other hidden talents ?

Well I am a published author – I have written a series of children’s books which have been published.

That is impressive! Now about GV, what class are you teaching at the moment?

I am teaching the Pre-Intermediate class. They are a really good group of students and because the class size is fairly small I can give each student a lot of personal attention and really get to know them.

Is there any student you have taught at GV Byron Bay who has specially impressed you?

There is a quite a few actually but one student who stood out was Jema. She had very little English but she worked hard and it improved rapidly. She also took to the Byron lifestyle. She has left GV now and works in Byron for a Sky Diving School. She went sky-diving while she was at GV and loved it and she now works for them.

So tell us what is your favourite place to eat in Byron Bay?

Lynne and her family in front of their Cafe, "The Byron Local"

Lynne and her family in front of their Cafe, "The Byron Local"

The Byron Local of course! We have the biggest and best hamburgers in town and Michael prides himself on serving up fresh, healthy and yummy food.  I also love going to The Balcony around sunset and having a cocktail or two!