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Welcome booklet 2012 - LSI Hampstead
- 1. Welcome to LSI LondonHampstead A Message from the School Director It is very important to us that you are happy and comfortable here at LSI London Hampstead. This booklet contains information about the school and life in London, but if there is anything else you would like to know, please ask us. We are always happy to help! We want you to improve your English, but also to make new friends, experience the English way of life and learn about the culture and customs of other countries. Please remember, if you have any problems, big or small, come an speak to someone and we will do our very best to help you. Greg Wickline School Director How to Improve your English Quickly! Speak as much English as possible! Do your homework and ask if you don’t understand it. Listen for new words from TV and people around you. Listen to the radio – try the BBC World Service. Record English TV & Radio programmes so that you can listen again to the parts you didn’t understand. Read something you’re interested in from our library! Buy English magazines to find interesting new phrases. Practise writing and ask a teacher to check it. Enjoy yourself – you will not improve if you’re stressed! Talk to us if you are unhappy or have a problem. 20 1
- 2. Contents Message fromthe School Director Contents Introduction to LSI Staff Your first day at LSI The Courses, Timetable and Syllabus The School Building The Notice Boards LSI Rules Maps Your Questions Answered Living with a Host Family Living in London Emergencies and Problems Useful Information How to improve your English quickly Opening Hours - Banks and post offices close at around 4.30pm, but many shops in the centre of London open until 7pm or later. Groceries - The cheapest supermarkets are usually: Tesco, Sainsbury, ASDA, Sommerfield and Safeway. Local street markets are great for fresh produce. Clothes - Oxford Street is great if you enjoy shopping. This long street is filled with all the clothing and shoe stores you could hope for. The closest tube stations are Bond Street, Oxford Circus, and Tottenham Court Road. Shopping Centres - One of London’s best shopping centres is BLUEWATER. Despite the distance from London, it is quite easy to get to - train from London Bridge and a short bus ride to Dartford. It’s worth the effort! If you want something closer, try Brent Cross (Northern Line). This centre has many department stores and specialty shops and it is open until 8pm most nights. Street Markets - One of London’s best and ‘coolest’ markets is Camden market - just 3 stops from Hampstead. Covent Garden is famous for its covered market and street performers. Portobello Market (Notting Hill Tube) is a popular attraction on Saturdays. There are just three examples – for more information, feel free to ask the staff or check the boards! Theatre - Most of the famous musicals are showing in the centre of London (Shaftesbury Ave, Leicester Sq, Drury Lane). Check the school notice board or talk to the staff for ways to get cheap tickets! Museums & Galleries - London has some great museums and galleries! While you’re here, make sure to check out for example the National Gallery or the Tate, the Science Museum, the National History Museum and/or The Victoria & Albert Museum. The British Museum has many interesting archaeological exhibits from around the world. Madame Tussauds (Baker St Tube) is a popular wax museum. You will find more information on our Notice Boards. Again, these are only a few examples – ask the staff or check the boards for more! Bookshops - There are several chains of bookshops in London, which offer a great range of reading material. Many of these bookshops sell ESL books for inexpensive prices. In Hampstead, you will find a Waterstones bookshop on the High St.. But of course there’s many more great bookshops in London! 2 19
- 3. Greg Wickline, SchoolDirector He is responsible for the running of the school including your course of studies. You can come and talk to him if you have any problems at all, in or out of school . Andras Zareczky, Registrar/Accommodation & Welfare Officer He will help you if you have any questions about your accommodation. You should also see him if you need to extend or make changes to your course. If you are feeling homesick, need advice or information about living in the UK, he can also help. Sally Muse, Assistant Director She can help you with anything to do with your course, classes or exams. The Teachers: Jerome, Paul, Poonam, Robbie, Ronnie ,Sarah, Patricia, James Basement (downstairs) Ground floor First Floor Second Floor Teachers’ Room, Drinks Machine, Computer Room, Classroom 1 / Young Learners’ Lounge, Young Learners’ Toilets. School Office and Library, Meeting Room, Classroom 2, Adult Student Lounge, Water Machine, Adult Student Toilet, Notice Boards (Social Programme, Local Information, Classes and Exams) Classrooms 3-6, & Adult Student Toilet (Fire Exit in Room 6) Classrooms 7-10 & Adult Student Toilet (Fire Exit in Room 9) The Annexe: Sometimes when there are a lot of students in the school you may have classes in another building close to the school. The School Building LSI’s Social Programme is great fun and a good way to see London and make friends at the same time. We have at least 3 activities a week. Look at the notice board on the ground floor for the week’s social programme activities. If you have a request, just tell Patricia and she will try to organise it for you! We can also organise for you to go on weekend trips out of London or even to Europe with other international students studying here in London. Ask Andras for more information. London is one of the most exciting cities in the world. For information on what is happening in London, buy ‘Time Out’ magazine or visit www.a-london-guide.co.uk. Remember to take your student card with you – many places are cheaper or even free if you show your LSI Student Card! And while you’re here, why not check out one of London’s many parks (e.g. Green Park, Regent’s Park, St. James’ Park) where you can go for a walk, ride horses, rent boats etc.? Furthermore, no visit in London is complete without a visit to an English Pub. There you can have drinks and all of them also serve food (at cheaper prices than in the restaurants!). Make sure to buy your drinks and food at the bar because you won’t find a waiter here! When it comes to Bars & Discos – fashions regularly change in London! Check Time Out for the best and most fashionable places to go. Some are cheaper if you go early and some bars charge an entrance price after 8pm. Look for ‘happy hour’ signs for cheaper drinks. Of course there’s also a gay and lesbian London. Head for Old Compton St. in Soho, Central London. With its diverse array of bars, clubs, cafes and bookshops, it will provide you with a good reference point for finding out where your interests lay. Of course, these are just examples and ideas – if you want more info on what to do in London, feel free to ask the LSI staff! 18 3
- 4. Your first dayat school: Welcome Test to find out your level Information about the programme, rules and timetables First lesson at 11:15 (except during the Summer*) *In Summer, your first class will start at 14:00 if you are studying on an afternoon programme or at 9:00 on Tuesday if you are on a morning only Hampstead Village! One of the oldest and prettiest parts of London, Hampstead is unique because it feels like a traditional English village, but is only 20 minutes from Central London. Day and night there is a lot to do in Hampstead. There are pubs with traditional atmosphere and good food, but you will also find modern bars, cafes and restaurants. There are also plenty of shops, banks, cinemas and nearby sports centres if you feel energetic! If you are tired of the city, then go for a walk amongst the trees and lakes of Hampstead Heath. Banks and post office - They are marked on the map. The banks are open until 4.30pm and the post office until 5.30pm Shopping - There are clothes shops (some quite expensive), a good bookshop (Waterstones), several newsagents’ for newspapers, magazines and snacks and a stationery shop (Rymans), where you can buy pens, pencils etc. Library -There is a big public library next to Swiss Cottage underground station. Chemist – If you need any medicines, there are 2 chemists near Hampstead station and you can find a Boots or Superdrug on most high streets. Supermarkets also sell basic medicines and health products and can be cheaper. If you have any questions about your medicines or your symptoms, ask to speak to the chemist in one of the pharmacies. They are very helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask – they are used to it! Like to go to the cinema? - There are 3 nice cinemas close to the school: The Everyman Cinema http://www.everymancinema.com Vue Finchley Road O2 Centre http://www.myvue.co.uk Swiss Cottage Odeon http://www.odeon.co.uk/ Tickets are often cheaper before 5pm and remember you can get a discount with your LSI Student Card! Check Time Out Magazine or http://www.timeout.com/london/ for more film listings. Watching movies at the cinema can help you practise your English skills! 4 17 STANDARD 20 & INTENSIVE 30 9:00-10:45 Lesson 1 with 5 minute break 10:45-11:15 BREAK 11:15 – 13:00 Lesson 2 with 5 minute break STANDARD 20 ENDS 13:00- 14:00 LUNCH INTENSIVE 30 CONTINUES 14:00-15:45 (with 5 minute break) Afternoon Options • Fluency (speaking, listening and pronunciation) • Academic English (preparation and skills for IELTS, and TOEFL ) (Strong Intermediate +) • Business English (and TOEIC preparation) (Upper-Intermediate +) Your timetable:
- 5. Courses , Timetable& Syllabus STANDARD 20 & INTENSIVE 30 9:00-10:45 Lesson 1 with 5 minute break 10:45-11:15 BREAK 11:15 – 13:00 Lesson 2 with 5 minute break STANDARD 20 ENDS 13:00- 14:00 LUNCH INTENSIVE 30 CONTINUES 14:00-15:45 (with 5 minute break) Afternoon Options • Fluency (speaking, listening and pronunciation) • Academic English (preparation and skills for IELTS, and TOEFL ) (Strong Intermediate +) • Business English (and TOEIC preparation) (Upper- Intermediate +) Safety Don’t leave home without your Oyster Card, your LSI Student Card and an umbrella! Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you. Just have enough for transport and food. Most English people just have a bank card to withdraw money whenever they need it. Please take care of your possessions both inside and outside school. Keep them with you at all times – especially on public transport, in pubs and in crowded touristy areas. Don’t leave valuables in the classrooms during breaks. Please read the fire instructions in the classrooms and the directions to the fire escapes. IF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS, PLEASE EXIT THE BUILDING USING THE NEAREST EXIT AND MEET AT THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL. If you’re hungry after a long day of studying or you don’t know where to eat at lunch break – here’s some tips! TESCO Supermarket is located on the way to the underground station (#4 on the map on page 8 in this booklet), and sells sandwiches, salads etc. You can bring food back to eat in the school. If you need to heat up something you can use the microwave in the student lounge. Billy’s Sandwich Bar is popular with local workers and serves huge sandwiches as well as burgers. Be there early - it closes at 13:30! Address: Hampstead Community Market, 78 Hampstead High Street (Between the Post Office and the Community Centre) La Creperie de Hampstead - a tempting selection of delicious savoury and sweet crepes. Treat yourself at least once while you are here! Address: Corner of Perrin’s Lane and Hampstead High Street Carluccio’s - offers a fine selection of regional Italian foods including ready made dishes and fresh bread as well as fresh wild mushrooms and truffles. There is a delicatessen and food shop on the premises. Address: 34 Rosslyn Hill. The Coffee Cup is a small restaurant that is popular with a younger crowd - particularly after a night out. They serve a variety of international dishes at their restaurant as well as a variety of snacks including toasted sandwiches and home-made pasta. Address: 74 Hampstead High Street. Café Bianco has a fine range of cold and hot sandwiches and salads and features outdoor seating on a peaceful Hampstead lane. Address: 12 Perrins Court. McDonald’s - if you are in need of fast food. Address: 46 Hampstead High Street. 16 5
- 6. Travel LSI Hampstead issituated in Zone 2/3 . The closest underground station is Hampstead (Northern Line). Travelling time into Central London is approximately 20 minutes. You can find bus maps and other travel information in the Student Lounge. It is cheaper to buy a weekly or monthly travel card than to buy a ticket every day. With a daily, weekly or monthly travelcard, you can use any train or tube in the zones you have paid for and you can travel by bus all over London Zones 1-6. If you are studying for more than 14 weeks, you can receive a 30% discount on London Transport. Ask for a Student Oyster Card form. Embassies If you need to speak to a representative from your country in London, addresses and phone numbers of various Consulates are listed below. Please ask in reception if your country is not listed. Argentina 27 Three Kings Yd, W1 020 7318 1340 Brazil 32 Green Street, W1 020 7930 9055 China 28 College Crescent, NW3 020 7631 1430 France 21 Cromwell Rd, SW7 020 7838 2000 Germany 23 Belgrave Sq, SW1 020 7824 1300 Israel 2 Palace Gardens, W8 020 7957 9500 Italy 38 Eaton Place, W1 020 7235 9371 Japan 101 Piccadilly, W1 020 7465 6500 Mexico 8 Halkin St, W1 020 7235 6393 Poland 73 New Cavendish St, W1 020 7580 0476 Russia 5 Kensington Palace Gdns, W8 020 7229 8027 Spain 23 Manchester Sq, 020 7589 8989 Switzerland 16-18 Montagu Place, W1 020 7616 6000 Taiwan 50 Grosvenor Gdns, W1 020 7396 9152 Turkey Rutland Gardens, SW7 020 7589 0949 There are many sport facilities in London: some are privately run and require payment of membership, while others are run by local councils and have a "pay as you go" scheme. There are several sports centres near school, tennis courts in Golders Hill Park and open spaces to play football with friends on Hampstead Heath. Look in the Student Lounge for more information. We usually suggest the following sport centres: North London: Kentish Town Sport Centre (Prince of Wales Road, NW5) - Tel 020 7267 8341 The Armoury Hampstead (25 Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3) - Tel 020 7431 2263 Esporta Fitness Club (O2 Centre, 255 Finchley Road, NW3) - Tel 020 7644 2424 Central London: Seymour Leisure Centre (Seymour Place, London W1) - Tel 020 772 8019 Oasis Sport Centre (32 Endell Street, London WC2) - Tel 020 7831 1804 If you have a health problem and want to see a doctor, you can visit a hospital or a doctor for free if you are enrolled on a course for more than 6 months, if you are an EU national or your country has an agreement with Britain If not, you will have to pay if you are taken into hospital. If you do not have medical insurance, you can see Andras to find out about the medical insurance offered through LSI. The medical system is free of charge, but you must register to use it. Registration may take a long time, if you plan to stay in London a long time, it is recommended to register as soon as possible. You have to register at a clinic that is in your local area. Dial 192 and ask for your local council contact information. Your local council will give you a list of clinics in your location. Call the clinics beforehand to make sure they are accepting new patients. Once you are satisfied with your choice make an appointment to register with that clinic. You will need to fill out forms and make an appointment for a medical exam with the nurse or doctor. Under the NHS, you will not need to pay a consultation fee, however, you will need to pay for prescriptions if necessary. In an emergency, you will be treated at an Accident and Emergency (A&E) at a hospital free of charge. A&E’s are very busy and it is not uncommon to have to wait several hours to see a nurse or doctor. If you have any questions about doctors in your area, please see reception or ask your host family (if you are living with one). 6 15
- 7. As a studentof LSI, you will never be alone if you have a problem here! If you have a real emergency you can always call: Police/Fire/Ambulance: 999 LSI Emergency Mobile: 07716010670 Useful Phone Numbers: LSI London Hampstead: 020 7794 8111 Directory Enquiries: 192 (free from public phones, but charged from landlines) Operator: 100 Overseas Operator: 153 National Rail Line: 08457 48 49 50 London Transport: 020 7222 1234 Prayer & Worship The following places of worship welcome you to attend their services: Church of England Hampstead Parish Church, Church Row, 020 7794 5808 Roman Catholic St Thomas More Church, Maresfield Gdns 020 7435 1388 Jewish Hampstead Synagogue, 1Dennington Pk Rd 020 7435 1518 Muslim Regent’s Park Mosque, 146 Park Rd 020 7724 3363 Do you need to register with the police? Attention: Students with visas which require police registration. After your arrival in the U.K., you may have to register your stay with the police. If you need to register, this requirement will be stamped in your passport. You must register within seven days of arriving in the United Kingdom. To register, you will need your passport, two passport size photographs of yourself and £35. You should take these to: The Overseas Visitors Records Office Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LH Nearest underground station: Borough (Northern Line – Zone 1) The office is open between 9:00 and 4:30 Monday to Friday. You can get more information from the Overseas Visitors Records Office on 020 7230 1208. • Please take care when using your mobile phone in London. Keep it in a safe place, as there have been many incidents of mobile phone theft. • The major mobile phone networks are: T-Mobile, Orange, Vodaphone, O2, Virgin Mobile, BT, 3 • The “Pay as you go” plans allow you to top up your credit without having to get a contract. You can buy Top up Cards in any newsagent. LSI London Hampstead offers free internet access to students while they are studying here. You can always use the computer room (it’s closed though during class time and after 5:30 pm). There are many rules to follow while in the learning centre/computer room. Please read the rules before downloading anything off the internet. DO NOT use the internet to download programs, or visit sites that contain pornography, racist material or other offensive content. There is a computer in the office which monitors which sites you visit. Students who do not follow these rules will be BANNED automatically from the learning centre. Finchley Road offers many internet cafes; McDonald’s near Swiss Cottage station has an EASYNET café (one of the cheapest internet cafes in London) and AGFA near Finchley Rd. Tube station also offer several computers to rent by the hour. Remember – avoid making purchases or accessing your bank accounts online when you are using a computer in an internet café. Your personal information can be monitored and used later. If you are unhappy or just want to talk to someone, all our teachers and office staff are here to listen and offer help and advice if you want it. If you would prefer to speak to someone you don’t know, there is a service called the Samaritans which provides confidential help to anyone who wants it. Dial 07457 90 90 90 for the cost of a local call or email jo@samaritans.org 14 7
- 8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 To Hampstead Heath ToSwiss Cottage To Belsize Park Access to the School is either from Lyndhurst Terrace or Spring Path (off Fitzjohn’s Avenue) 1. Language Studies International 2. Hampstead Tube Station 3. Police Station 4. Supermarket (Tesco) 5. Post Office 6. Everyman Cinema (there is a multiplex in the O2 centre, Finchley Rd) 7. Bookshop 8. Chemist (Pharmacy) 9. Bank 10. Library Map of Hampstead and LSI Living with a Host Family Living with a different family can sometimes feel different or strange for the first few days. Here is some advice to make your stay enjoyable: Remember – it is not a hotel. The family is sharing their home with you. Respect it by keeping your room tidy and making your own bed! Communicate with your family. If you are paying for half-board but you are going out for dinner, let your family know. Also, tell them if you think you will be home late, so that they don’t worry…and if you arrive home late, try to be quiet! Ask your family: when it is convenient to use the bathroom if you can take food from the kitchen what time they have their meals when and if you can use the phone / internet if friends can visit about keys and locking the house when you can do your laundry Frequently Asked Questions Can I stay longer with my host family? Yes, but you must give 2 weeks notice to Andras and pay in advance. Can I leave my host family? Yes, but again you must give Andras 2 weeks notice. No refund is given if you do not give this notice. Can I change my host family? Yes, but we will first ask you about the problem and we will try to solve it. Some students say that their house it too far away from the school. Remember that London is a very big city and the average travelling time is about 40 minutes. If you still want to change host families you must give 2 weeks notice and if you want to live closer to the school you can pay an extra £20 per week to be guaranteed a family in Zone 1 or 2. However, if you have a legitimate and serious problem with your host family, then you must tell Andras immediately and he will move you as soon as possible. If you have any other questions or concerns, please see Andras in Reception. He will be happy to help or advise you. 8 13
- 9. Map of HampsteadHeath What do I do if I want to change level? Remember that your teacher talks to Greg or Sally every week about your progress. They ask them if they think the class is too easy or difficult for you. If you want to change your level, talk to your teacher and then to Greg or Sally. Every 2-4 weeks you will have a Level Test that will help you to see your progress . After the level test you will have a tutorial with your teacher to discuss your classes and your current level. Why do we repeat work? We feel that it is essential for you to repeat grammar and vocabulary because this is the best way to remember things and use them well. This is why we like to change your teachers, so that they can teach a similar topic but in a different way. What do I do if I want to complain about something? If you have a problem with your class, first speak to your teacher. If you are still not happy or you don’t feel comfortable talking to your teacher, come and see Greg or Sally. If the problem is still not solved, talk to Greg or Sally again. If you are still unhappy you can eventually write a letter to the managing director, David Immanuel at LSI Hampstead or contact your agent. If you think the complaint is very serious you can contact English UK or The British Council. 12 9
- 10. Students areexpected to speak English at all times while at LSI London Hampstead. Smoking is not permitted in the school building. Students with any questions or problems should discuss them with Sally or Greg as soon as possible. You are expected to attend school regularly. If you cannot come to school because you are ill or for another reason, please contact us to tell us. If you do not, you will be subject to the School Discipline Policy. If you have less than 80% attendance, you will not receive a Certificate from LSI and any student discount cards will be cancelled. If you are in the U.K. with a visa, you will ultimately be reported to the home office and your visa will be revoked. If you are late to class 3 times, this will be counted as 1 day’s absence. Students are expected to be on time for the lessons. If students arrive more than 10 minutes after the start of the lesson, the teacher reserves the right to ask the student to wait until the start of the next lesson. LSI will not exchange the value of a General English course for 1-to-1 lessons and we do not generally refund course fees. LSI encourages students to ‘be green’. Remember to re-use your plastic cups as much as possible and then recycle them in the special bin by the back door. LSI will work to ensure that all students receive good quality courses which are specifically designed to the individual needs of all its students. LSI will provide academic counselling for students and extra academic help whenever requested. Long-term students should attend regular meetings with Greg or Sally to discuss academic progress and concerns. LSI will give you the opportunity during and at the end of your course to comment on the school and its services and we will use the feedback you give us to improve our service to you. 10 11