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Check out these snapshots of England from one of our Chinese group who went on an English for Less trip. Be the next on our Educational Tour or Junior Activity Programme.
English for Less provides amazing Educational Tours and student trips in the UK, based on a range of academic subjects.
People say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look at our recent collection of black and white photos of England. Enjoy!
Hastings at night
Trafalgar Square
Hastings seafront
The Moon from England
National Gallery
Red phone box
King of the roads
London Zoo
Somewhere in London
Fishing in Hastings
Shakespeare’s Globe
I still remember the first time when I went to live in a different country. I was full of excitement and I was looking forward to experience the unknown. It has been over 15 years now but it still feels like it happened just yesterday.
Going on an exchange programme really changed my life. Apart from learning another language, I got to know a different culture. Actually, I got to know many different cultures… I met people whom I still regularly visit in their own countries and they regularly stay with me in Hastings. I went to their weddings in Mexico, Turkey and Spain – I met their newborn child and I realised that the world is a very small place. It also registered that there is no such a thing as impossible. I couldn’t have dreamt of the things that happened since. I got the travel bug and I got to travel the world.
After my exchange abroad, I started to look at things differently. I realised the important things in life and I started to pay less attention to the less significant events. I become more independent which helped me through my university years. I have got friends who have never done an exchange like mine and after 15 years, they still regret it (despite me trying to convince them back then to come with me).
I would strongly recommend everyone to try out what I have already experienced. Exploring a brand new world and getting out of your comfort zone helps you grow as a person. It will also teach you lessons that will show you a different side of the world around you.
I would never have opened my language centre if it wasn’t for the first ever exchange over a decade ago. The experience that I gained has truly changed me and my life for the best.
Steven Reznek
Director
English for Less Language Centre Hastings
Amazing few weeks in Brazil – check out what the press says about us 😉
Read the full article below (page 2).
Bright and sparky Christmas trees pop up in some of the world’s most famous squares and city centres during the festive period. We gathered a list unique Christmas trees from around the globe for you to appreciate – without going anywhere.
Are these the most impressive Christmas trees in the world? You tell us! Enjoy!
Paris, France
Melbourne, Australia
Vilnius, Lithuania
New York, USA
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Gubbio, Italy
Taipei, Taiwan
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Washington, USA
Byblos, Lebanon
Torino, Italy
I have been lucky enough to travel the world in the past 10 years. I got to know new cultures, new people and I got to understand the world better. These experiences changed the way I look at life and people around me.
However, there are thousands of children in the world who would never be able to afford to go and experience life in another country. We decided to start a fundraising event for a little group of children back in the Czech Republic.
Read the full story on the link below and help them to achieve their dreams. As Jack Cohen would say: Every little helps.
igg.me/at/english-for-less-cz/
W-CRIME MUSEUM LK.Consolidated.01 from ITV News Meridian on Vimeo.
Not for the younger ages but if you have a fascination for the most notorious criminals of the UK, it is well worth a visit. Not for the faint hearted. This attraction deserved to make it to the “things to do in Hastings” list for a very good reason – it is really good!
Re-opening in early 2016, Hastings Pier will be the cultural hub of Hastings town. After the massive 2010 fire damage, the pier is back on schedule to return to it’s previous glory with open air theatre and cinema, theme park and more.
An excellent day out for nature lovers. Grab your picnic basket (or a backpack rather) and enjoy the spectacular scenery over the English Channel. Discover the hidden path ways and take a dip in the sea at the abandoned beaches.
A great educational afternoon. Learn more about the 1066 Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror and the scale of smuggling in the past in and around Hastings. Two attractions, one price.
Did you know? Hastings organises every year the Crazy Golf Wold Championship. The Crazy Golf courts are even better fun with an ice cream. Play right by the sea and enjoy the game with your friends and family. There are three different types of courts to choose from. Crazy Gold, Adventure Golf and Pirate themed golf courts. After you played, visit the beach volleyball courts and join others for a game.
There are so many other attractions in Hastings that would well deserve to be in the “5 things to do in Hastings” list. These are just little snippets, everything else is waiting for you the discover. Enjoy the your stay and leave a comment to suggest other places to include in this list the next time.
At the end of the 18th century (1776), whether you were declaring independence from the British crown or swearing loyalty to King George III, your pronunciation would have been about the same. Back in those days, the American and British accents hadn’t yet got distanced.
When the British settlers started to conquer the American continent, they took away the current accent from Britain. Due to the geographical distance and the absent of FaceTime, there were no real ways to keep in contact with the mother country anymore for many.
In all reality, the standard British accent was the one that changed significantly in the last two centuries while the American accent stayed more or less the same. During the American Revolution, the English language started to change in Britain.
A new wealthy sector emerged during the industrial revolution. These citizens were born with a low birth rank and they were desperately seeking for a way to distinguish themselves from others. They wanted to show by speech that they were much more than simple middle class or lower middle class citizens. They started to use the prestigious non-rhotic** pronunciation in order to demonstrate their new upper-class status.
** non-rhotic pronunciation: Traditional English was largely “rhotic.” Rhotic speakers pronounce the “R” sound in such words as “hard” and “winter,” while non-rhotic speakers do not.
This manner of speech developed and later on become standardised by the newly emerged intellectuals (doctors, teachers, etc.) while the American continent’s English stayed more or less the same. The US English is still rhotic apart from New York and Boston (where it has become non-rhotic over time). They become non-rhotic due to the influence of British elite after the American Revolution.
The shopping in London is among the best in the world with something to suit every budget and style. One of the most popular shopping destination in London is Oxford Street which offers something to everyone. Oxford Street is the home to the well-known Selfridges. It also offers a range of popular department stores like John Lewis.
You will find Regent Street and Jeremy Street just at Oxford Circus which is also a great destination for shoppers. Don’t forget to visit Liberty Shopping Centre in Regent Street.
If you have time – go for a window shopping in Bond Street and Mayfair. Great day out with an ice cream and a good place for people watching. Take a cup of latte in South Molton Street and enjoy the “relaxing London”.
My ultimate favourite is Covent Garden if I’d like to have the option to shop as well as want to be entertained. Watch the street dancers and entertainers at Coven Garden and visit the shops and restaurants in Long Acre (only few minutes walk from Covent Garden entertainment area and Apple store).
The world famous Nothing Hill (thanks to the film of the same name, Notting Hill) offers a vast variation of small, unique shops selling unusual and vintage clothing, rare antiques, quirky gifts, books and organic food. Check out the Portobello Road and Noting Hill map and visit the Portobello Road on the Saturday morning.
And lastly, Marylebone High Street. The high street has been voted best high street in London by BBC Radio 4 listeners. This high street combines high class London style with a small village feel, and is definitely worth a visit. The brands there, tend to be in the slightly higher price category, but that way you can purchase without fear of too many crowds and there are some delicious independent shops too. Once the shopping is finished, you can relax in some of the great local pubs and restaurants.
Take a look at the video above and tell us what you think. Which shopping area sounds the best for your taste? Leave a comment.
Recommended by Steven at English for Less
The world is full of wonderful places that are filled with unusual destinations to discover. I was lucky enough to travel around the world in the past few years. Here is my personal recommendation for the top 5 places to visit.
Moscow is something else. It is huge, exiting and tiring at the same time. If you really want to get the whole picture, you need to get out there and meet people. The people of Moscow are really friendly and if you are lucky enough, you get to know some of the good old drinking games too.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow
One word: exciting. My trip to Seoul was short and sweet. It started off a little shaky (an overpriced taxi ride) but ended with a real blast. Don’t forget to visit Dongdaemun Market while you are there. This is not an everyday shopping experience…
Myeong Dong, Seoul
Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island
THE REAL DEAL! I was truly amazed on this little island in the middle of nowhere. The most amazing place I have ever seen. The island is located about six hours away by plane from Santiago de Chile but it’s worth the hustle. I learnt about Easter Island when I was in primary school and it was so exciting to be there. This is a real lifetime memory.
Chile again. The driest desert in the world. I rented a car in Calama and drove all the way to Argentina back in 2013. Breathtaking scenery (Licancabur, Valle de la Lune, Geysers el Tatio and all the lagunas). Stargazing in the desert or just a little walk in San Pedro de Atacama – they have it all. I stayed at Rancho Quitapenas. Amazing little place in the middle of the desert. Pitch black at night – excellent for stargazing but you need a car to get there. Don’t forget to take plenty of water with you wherever you go.
Valle de la Luna, Chile
A very different city close to Shanghai. Green, peaceful (in Chinese terms) but vibrant. I only stayed there for a couple of nights but I had a great time. Visit the West Lake at night as well while you are in Hangzhou. Really pretty when the lotus flowers are out.
West Lake, Hangzhou
My last advice is to travel cheap. Stay at hostels, travel like the locals (bus, bus, bus) and you will meet others on the way. I met some amazing people during my travels. I may never see them again but we shared unforgettable memories together which will stay with us for life. This is my top 5 places to visit – what is yours?
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