Language Study Centres

LSC in Kaliningrad!

2012-02-14T00:31:00.005-08:00

Last weekend, I travelled to Kaliningrad to spread the good gospel of LSC to a previously uncharted outpost.

Undeterred by temperatures of -16C and my inability to speak Russian, I made it to the fair just in the nick of time despite getting lost on a straight road and following a fall-out with a taxi driver over the price. Things started slowly, but picked up quickly and we just had time for a quick bite all day long; lots of interest was shown and we are confident of getting a group to Portsmouth for 2012.

In the evening, we were taken to Kaliningrad Cathedral for a wonderful organ recital and symphony orchestra performance; then to a lovely restaurant to sample local food and swap stories. The younger guests (which I just about managed to be a part of) then went off for a dance and plenty of vodkas!

Many thanks to Tatiana for organising such a successful event, I look forward to meeting some students in Portsmouth, and to returning next year for longer! спасибо!

Sunny Cyprus?

2012-01-26T01:50:00.000-08:00

When one thinks of Cyprus, images of snow and mountains do not usually spring to mind.

Academic Director, Mark Hellyer has just returned from the isle of Cyprus where he visited schools and promoted the LSC summer courses. The last time he visited he encountered sunshine, however, on this occasion he was greeted by snow!

View from Mount Olympus. The highest point on Cyprus

LSC returns to Study Camp Russia January 2012

2012-01-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

LSC RETURNS TO STUDY CAMP RUSSIA WITH THE

"NEXT GENERATION" OF LSC STUDY CAMPERS

UK Centre Operator, Ben Brown, reports on his recent visit to Study Camp Russia.

Famed throughout history for its unforgiving temperatures, a Russian Winter does not evoke a sense of excitement so soon after a lovely Christmas Dinner, the Queen's speech, Doctor Who and a roaring fireplace. Years of average temperatures of -20° ensure that any visit to Russia would require a bag full of thermal underwear, long johns, hot water bottles and mettle.

This is what awaited three intrepid travellers; Goisa Rajner, Tessa Roberts and Ben Brown as they travelled to Study Camp Russia on the 2nd January to spend a week in Yaroslavl teaching English and taking part in activities, workshops and performances for 100 very lucky students.

Upon arrival in Moscow however, they were greeted by a rather tame Russian winter, with a temperature of -2° and a bag full of rather unnecessarily warm jumpers and underwear. After a lovely meal and a little vodka, the three travellers retired for the evening in Moscow to prepare for the 4 hour trip to Yaroslavl and the delights of Study Camp.

The set up for Study Camp this year was very special. Because there were three of us, we were split between two camps, two of us (Ben and Goisa) in the main Camp, while Tessa was stationed in a smaller camp slightly further away with only a handful of students. A week of fantastic English lessons, crazy activities, epic snow fights, Irish Riverdance, Tango lessons, cabbage-based meals and wonderful performances ensued, with lots of late nights and early mornings thrown in for good measure.

At the end of the week, it was fair to say that everyone was well and truly worn out! A final day in Moscow, complete with a tour of Red Square and the Kremlin by our lovely guide topped off a truly amazing trip that we will never forget.

Red Square, Moscow

The Study Camp team

LSC Christmas Party 2011

2011-12-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

The whole team had a cracker of a night at our Christmas 'do', the theme and location of which was kept from us until the last minute by Glenn. It was a 'To Russia With Love' party, held in the most amazing large tent imaginable near Old Trafford, featuring Cossack Dancers, fire jugglers, aerial acrobats. We had some invited guests from STS Sweden in attendance and they were well impressed by the LSC Party People. Some naughty boys and girls even blagged some wristbands for free drinks all night... :-/

Each person present also had to make a speech in one of the languages of our agents during the course of the night, which of course deteriorated somewhat in quality as the night wore on: the undoubted highlights were Patrick's 'Yorkshire' rime (which turned Scottish towards the end, according to some) and Mark Hellyer's speech given in Latin, which was only partially comprehensible but very funny nonetheless. Then many of us danced the night away and some risked life and limb on the dodgems.

What a great night. Roll on 2012!

LSC raises money for Children in Need

2011-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

On Friday, LSC did its bit for Children in Need (a British charity for needy children). Certain words were taboo, the mention of these words incurring a 50p 'fine'. Let's just say that some people were better at the game than others, as this photo shows!

All in all, we managed to raise £50 for a really good cause.

LSC at ICEF Berlin

2011-11-22T08:49:00.001-08:00

A somewhat belated report of our trip to Berlin at the beginning of the month.

A highly successful and fun trip was had, with lots of promising leads.

We arrived on the Sunday, and had a lovely hearty meal at a traditional German restaurant with some of our old friends. The Pilsner and Jaegermeister were flowing freely, a little too freely for some!

Then on Monday and Tuesday, Nicola and I had a full schedule of meetings with many new potential agents from Uzbekistan to Brazil!

On Monday night, we enjoyed the ICEF Official Party, with plenty of food and drink.

All in all, a great time was had by all, great to see friends old and new!

LSC Promo Movie 2012

2011-11-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

We're proud to share with the world our promo movie for 2012, which received its premiere at a sales event in Barcelona this past weekend. Enjoy

LSC Telford- The Autumn/Winter Sensation!!

2011-11-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

Our new LSC recruit, Ben Brown reports on our out-of-season centre in Telford...

"Our Telford Centre has become the sensation in Shropshire, with our extended 'summer' campus playing host to many lovely students and their leaders. October saw just over 300 students pass through the doors, each one preparing for a Trinity exam and exploring Telford and its surrounding areas.

Each group has also had the opportunity to visit London, some on a weekend excursion, others on just a day. The students were delighted to see the nations capital, each buying more souvenirs than they had space for in their bags.

But its not just all about the excursions, staff on campus have been offering lots of activities for the students, including a Fright Fest for Halloween, featuring a couple of scary films (too scary for me actually!) and a Halloween themed disco. We are currently awaiting the arrival of two more groups next week, who will be staying on the campus until the beginning of December. Perhaps Santa will be a bit busier in Telford this year?"

Michele Does China!

2011-10-25T02:14:00.000-07:00

Michele spent almost a week in China the week before last, visiting agents and attending ICEF Beijing. She had a very hectic but profitable time, drank gallons of green tea, sampled all manner of exotic comestibles, including skewered grilled scorpions, and has established a lot of new (and reinforced old) contacts, hopefully gaining LSC a lot of groups for the UK and USA next year!

Mark on tour - October 2011

2011-10-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Portugal

Italy

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been a busy bee, travelling to Portugal and Italy to encourage even more students to come and experience LSC. Both trips were profitable and enriching, and new friendships and connections were established. Next stop for me: Berlin!

Look out for that pink tie: coming to a place near you soon!

Michele and Glenn hit California

2011-09-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

Michele Harrison and Glenn Jones are currently in California researching and confirming our LSC West Coast USA courses for 2012.

Their trip will take from San Francisco all the way down the Californian coast before departing from Los Angeles on Thursday.

Along the way they're meeting new college contacts and catching up with existing contacts. In addition to this, a heavy programme of excursions will take place to ensure that LSC knows exactly what prospective students will see and do during their stay.

This is all complemented by their new LSC friend to accompany them on the coastal highway; a Mustang Convertible.

More news and information on the LSC West Coast USA Programmes (yes, that is a plural) to follow soon.
In the meantime here's a couple of photos to keep you all happy.

LSC and the Golden Gate Bridge

The car...

Caroline says 'Goodbye'!

2011-09-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Today is Caroline Karlsson's last day working in the LSC office.

Caroline has been working with Rachel in the Finance Department organising centre accounts, supplier payments and ensuring our finances are in order and up to date.

Caroline has been a wonderful asset to the company this past summer and she will be sorely missed. We've asked her to return next summer but she'd really like to take a holiday!

She'll be sadly missed and we wish her all the best with her studies in Economics at university in Gothenburg.

Merle & Caroline- The two stars of the summer

A new academic year means a new and updated website...

2011-09-22T03:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the first official meeting between the different departments of LSC - Summer School & High School to discuss the future of the LSC website - www.lsc.ac

It's a big job and will take some time to complete but we are aiming to bring the entire thing in line with the 'Transport' design used in summer schools in 2011 and is currently being integrated into the High School programmes (we'll premier the new High School Brochure covers later in October- it looks ace).

The first step in revamping the website is to ensure all information is brought up to date including all the new programme details and centre information. We're hoping to have this live in mid-October.

Stay tuned for great things!

Looking at the current website and marking out changes to be made

LSC in the latest issue of Study Travel Magazine

2011-09-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

Check out our advert in the latest issue of Study Travel Magazine!

If you haven't got a copy you can check out their website (link below)

http://hothousemedia.clikpages.co.uk/LTM/September2011/

(we're on page 86)

For more information on LSC courses please visit our website

www.lsc.ac

or contact your local study & travel provider.

Summer 2012- It starts now!

2011-09-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

Here at LSC HQ we're already working hard on our summer courses for 2012.

There are some exciting new developments in the pipeline-

*EXCITING NEW COURSE ADDITIONS IN THE UK!*

*NEW CENTRES AND COURSES IN THE USA!*

Keep checking back for more information, reports and news on these.

Don't forget, if you want any information on LSC courses for teenagers and adults email

info@lsc.ac

or check out our website

www.lsc.ac

For a little hint of the direction we're going see the photo below!

LSC UK Training 2011- The Staff are ready to go! Check out our video

2011-06-20T02:18:00.000-07:00

LSC EXPANDS!

2011-05-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

In preparation for a busy summer, the LSC HQ team has expanded.

LSC stalwart, Luca Manenti, returns to the UK Operations team.

Merle Jackson will be assisting Mark Pentland with student bookings, visa letters, and general summer school administration. Welcome Merle!

LSC USA - Creating the perfect team

2011-04-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

Glenn Jones - UK & USA Operations Manger gives his report on his recent recruitment visit to the USA.

"I spent some time in the USA in our New York and San Francisco destinations advertising and recruiting staff for this coming summer. I interviewed a lot of people and the standards of interviewees were very high. Everyone seemed very enthusiastic and keen to show our students the USA from their native perspective.

All this bodes very well for a fantastic summer!

Go Team LSC USA!"

ALPHE Istanbul Workshop Report

2011-04-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I spent 2 days in Istanbul trying to establish new contacts for LSC in Turkey and beyond. The workshop was very well-organised, but relaxed and informal, many agents intrigued by the bright pink table runner and coming over for a chat without a formal appointment. It all went off successfully, previous contacts were strengthened and new ones made, some of whom we hope to see again in the UK this summer!

We did have the chance to unwind a little and enjoy the local cuisine (see above) and hospitality, helped not least by Aytek, our local agent cum guide! Many thanks to all who were involved in the organisation of the event, or who I met.

LSC - Coming To A Place Near You Soon!

2011-03-28T09:07:00.001-07:00

Our team is going to be getting through a lot of Airmiles in the next few weeks!

This week:

Michele has just returned from a successful workshop in Moscow.

Glenn is currently in New York, followed by San Francisco, promoting LSC USA.

Mark is off to Istanbul on Friday to establish new contacts in Turkey.

It might sound like fun, but it is all work work work...

Olá Brasil!

2011-03-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

Our High School & Welfare Manager , Nicola Martin, reports on her recent visit to Brazil...

"Two days were spent in the heart of Sao Paulo meeting agents from all over Brazil. Unfortunately I'd just missed all the festivities of Carnival, but the city was still lively and a relaxed and friendly place to be.

The agents that we met were impressed by both our High School and Summer Programmes, appreciating the quality of both our programmes and of our company. Interestingly the UK is becoming a much more popular destination for Brazilian students as the US is becoming less appealing due to its entry restrictions and also because Brazil's economy is on the up-and-up.

The agents were incredibly welcoming and open to learning more about the opportunities that LSC could offer their students, hopefully new and interesting partnerships will develop as LSC welcomes students from this very diverse country. "

This week in LSC-Land

2011-03-22T03:52:00.000-07:00

Things are hotting up in the LSC office this week.

Nicola Martin is back from a very successful Agent Fair in Sao Paolo (her report to follow soon!)

Glenn Jones is in the thick of interviewing management and activity staff for summer 2011 at locations around the UK. At the end of this week he takes the interviewing show over to the USA with staff recruitment for our courses in New York City and San Francisco.

Mark Pentland is continuing to work hard on attracting new and existing clients into our centres in the UK & USA.

Michele Harrison is preparing for a VERY busy trip to Moscow for the ICEF agent fair at the weekend.

For one week each month, the LSC Manchester office will be complemented by our Academic Director, Mark Hellyer. Mark will travel up from his office in Torquay each month to spend time with the team in Manchester. This enables closer communication between all departments and serves to strengthen the LSC team spirit.

It's Time For Africa!

2011-03-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

The LSC & Model Project teams

LSC is very pleased to announce a collaboration with our African partners, Model Project from Nigeria.

We have been working very closely with Model Project on producing a programme that will be enjoyable & educational for students from Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Ghana & South Africa.

The students will be going to various centres in the UK & USA this summer which we hope will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.

UNDER ONE ROOF!

2011-03-09T03:43:00.000-08:00

With the company expanding it made sense for our various departments to come together in one office.

Sales, Finance, High School & Welfare, Operations & Marketing are now all based in a new office in South Manchester.

We are sure that this will create greater communication and collaboration between our different departments and allow us to move forward and turn the world LSC Pink.

The Managing Director

Finance (Hard at work!!)

Operations

Sales and Marketing

High School and Welfare

High School & Local Agent Conference- Madrid February 2011

2011-02-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

The LSC High School Programme is going from strength to strength. With the appointment of Nicola Martin as High School & Welfare Manager it only made sense to gather all the Local Agents of our High School & Homestay programmes together to liaise on procedures and collaborate on ideas.

The weekend was a fantastic success owing to the organisational skills of our partners in Spain, Emilio Bordona & Interway.

The conference on Saturday morning allowed Local Agents to learn about and understand the different practices which are in place to ensure the High School programme runs smoothly. A presentation from Birmingham local agent Fay Gilbert about how to set up links with families and local schools enabled newer and less experienced agents to understand how Fay runs such a successful programme in the Midlands.

This was supplemented by Irene Krogh, the High School Regional Manager, who shared her wealth of expert knowledge on how to solve numerous issues that can arise when the students are on the High School Programme. This was very well received by newer members of staff.

The conference was accompanied by a rich social programme which mainly consisted of eating a variety of Spanish foods and drinking lots of red wine!

From a delicious tapas lunch in Plaza Mayor to the frenetic energy of flamenco, this weekend ensured that LSC treated the valued local agents to something special to allow them to realise how important they are to the running of these programmes.

The task set for all Local Agents for September 2011 is to place 100 students in schools around the country.

The prize? The conference in 2012 in New York City!

LSC & Study Camp Russia

2011-02-18T04:17:00.001-08:00

Every January LSC sends Glenn Jones (UK & USA Operations Manager) to Russia to visit our Russian partners Winter Study Camp.

Here's what he has to say about his experience in 2011.

" Most people think I'm crazy, going to Russia every year on the 2nd January to participate in Study Camp Russia. Maybe I am, but I love it there!

The Camp takes place in Yaroslavl, which is 4 hours north of Moscow. Since I did exactly the same thing in 2010, in the same place, with the same staff and students, I knew exactly what to expect - or did I?

The students are divided into groups according to their ages and they came from all over Russia- Moscow, Vladivostock (which is on the other side of the planet) and another place which I can't remember. Each group is assigned two camp counsellors (or our version of Activity Monitors). These are essentially their parents/group leaders for the week.

Almost immediately upon arrival the action starts. There's a big welcome party where all the counsellors are introduced and team bonding games.

The theme of this years camp was 'Around the World in 80 Days', so each day of the camp would have a different country theme. This was introduced each evening and each age group had to make decorations/ thematic activities for each of the days.

My favourite day was 'USA' day- since I had to participate in a dance to 'Cotton Eye Joe' and present the 'Dance Evening Show'. The Dance Show was perhaps one of the best evening activities I'd ever experienced. During the afternoon each group had to choreograph a dance routine. They performed this at the show in the evening. But in addition to this there were some competitions such as one where each group was given a music video by an American singer and made to copy it. Watching a bunch of 8 year old doing 'Single Ladies' by Beyonce, was a bit strange. I was made to introduce this activity by dancing as Michael Jackson- I showed off some moves I never knew I had, maybe even the spirit of Michael was inside me at the time.

The days were REALLY long.

A typical day would be like this-

7.30 - Wake Up & make sure the children are awake. Prepare English lessons for that day.

9.00- Breakfast

9.30- Minute of trust- This is a bonding exercise with each group where they do some simple games relating to that days theme.

10.00- First English lesson

10.45 - Second English lesson

11.30- Short break/ Preparation.

12.00 - Games (from role plays to outdoor activities)

13.30 - Lunch

14.00 - Rest hour (for students only, the staff would be preparing everything for the activities)

15.00- Workshops- students choose from a variety of activities. I did one on 'How to Be An Activity Monitor in the UK'

16.00- Preparation for evening activity.

18.00- Dinner

19.30- Evening activity (which always started late!!)

22.00- Minute of trust- groups at the end of the day sit down and talk through what they enjoyed, didn't enjoy etc.

22.30- Students go to bed

23.10 - Staff meeting where we talk about the day, and what will be happening the next day.

00.15- Staff bonding games, dance rehearsals. Chillout for staff.

2.30(ish) - Bed.

And then the next day it starts all over again!!

One thing I loved about Study Camp was the dedication of the staff. They don't rest, they don't sleep- they just focus on making sure the students are enjoying themselves. The activities were genius. The staff quickly became friends (well, some of them were already friends from 2010).

I always had to participate in the staff dances just simply because I was male and was needed to make up the numbers. All dances were rehearsed at 2am in the morning which meant waking up and thinking 'did I just dream that?!'

The students were wonderful, really curious about English culture and invited me to get to understand Russian culture.

I think for me, Study Camp, is really humbling. In the UK, I am a Manager but Study Camp lets me go back to what I love- working with students and staff on activities. I was just another activity monitor and I learnt so many different things which I can now bring into the LSC social programme. This, I hope, will ensure that our students go away happy that they've just created memories that will last a lifetime.

Russia & Study Camp - I love you! "

For more information on Study Camp please visit

http://studycamp.ru/

LSC enters the Blogosphere

2011-02-18T04:15:00.000-08:00

Want to find out more about LSC?

Here's the place to do it!

Find out what goes on behind the scenes.

What crazy antics we're getting up to.

Learn more about the processes that go into making our Summer School & High School such successes.