Tuesday 9th

Due to the horrible weather last Tuesday the free party bus has been rescheduled for this Tuesday the 9th of March. Please book as there is limited space on the bus! Enjoy “Cheap Tuesday” at the The Wharf Tavern (Friday’s). Bus will leave from Global Village Caloundra campus at 9.30pm. Students must find own transport home.

Wednesday 10th

International Music Party

Bring in your favourite music on a USB stick or CD from home and share it with your classmates. Each person must give a brief description of who they are playing and the style of music they have chosen.

The music starts at 2.30pm

Come along and experience some different music!

Friday 12th

Suncoast Cable Watersports

Come along and try wakeboarding, skiing or kneeboarding this Friday at the Sunshine Coast Cable Park. Special Global Village price is only $8 per hour!

All General Ski tickets include lifevest, ,helmet, kneeboard, basic wakeboard, skis and skurf boards. Public Bus transport is available.

It was wonderful to see the genuine interest students had in each other’s dishes and cooking techinques and it was especially interesting to watch the creative spirit in which every one got involved.

Andrew decided to cook a special treat for the students. So, barbecued Kangaroo was on the menu.

The Thai students cooked Pad Thai.

Raphael’s team cooked a potato, cheese and bacon fried rosti.

Bulgogi was the Korean offering.

Riccardo, with the aid of his Brazilian assistants, cooked pasta in a tomato sauce.

The German team, Thomas and Katrin cooked Chicken snitzel with blueberry jam on the side and potato salad.

The Brazilians cooked passion fruit mousse.

It was all very delicious!

Heads turned when some of the students decidedto make their owm mini ‘Power Rangers’ movie. The movie making exercise was a supplementary activity for this week’s theme. A great deal of effort went into writing the script,  directing the movie and the editting, which had its own set of problems,  but the costume choice took quite a few of the on-lookers by surprise. The most challenging part of the movie, I suspect,  must have been filmimg it without breaking out into fits of laughter. Great work guys  – you’re an inspiration to the rest of us.

Caloundra Regional Gallery

Last Friday, 26^th February, the Upper-Intermediate students went to the Caloundra Regional Gallery. Even though it was raining heavily, we had a good time looking at a lot of great art and thinking about what the artists wanted to express. My favourite work is “Study.  St Patrick’s Cathedral.” It is a pencil sketch on brown paper, which made me feel something warm. Please go and see the various works of arts!

After that, we went to a café to take a coffee-break.

This class was absolutely great and enjoyable for us.

Fumihiro Yamasaki (Upper-Intermediate)

There a list of new jobs to look at in Patty’s office:

Kitchen Hand

Barristas

Promotional Staff

Waitstaff

If you need help updating your resume see Andy on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Last Friday students headed down to Kings Beach to play a game of soccer. The boys looked so much like professionals they even attracted an audience, or maybe it was because they were having lots of fun!

Tuesday 2^nd of March

FREE PARTY BUS!!!!!

Cheap Tuesday Night!

At the Wharf Tavern Mooloolaba – Friday’s

From Global Village Caloundra

At 9.30pm

First 21 students to book with Maddy

Students are to find own transport home. Bus timetables available from Maddy to organise your transport home.

Friday 5th March

The International Food Cook Off!

Students are invited to represent their country as a master chef and have the opportunity to show their skills at The International Food Cook Off.

Time: 2.30pm

All meals will be judged and the winners will be presented on the day.

An information session will be held on Wednesday the 3^rd of March at 2.30pm where groups will be arranged and a $20 budget will be handed out. For more information please see the cook off organiser Maddy.

Saturday 6th of March

Have you been to Underwater World?

Go with fellow students on Saturday 6^th of March

Bus Route 600 – Caloundra to Maroochydore via Mooloolaba, get off the bus at The Wharf, Mooloolaba.

Meet at Underwater World at 11.45am – first show starts 12 noon.

Admission $24

Watch the seal show, see sharks, stingrays and weird and wonderful fish life, experience the touch tank and find Nemo!

This month, the students in the Upper Intermediate class have had a chance to teach or present something special from their own nationality to their classmates. This week Thata taught her classmates how to dance. If you look closely you will see that Thata is teaching her teacher how to dance. Does Andy pass the test Thata?

I’ve been in Australia for four months now. Caloundra is the place where I have been living, so, since it is the first place for me I think  I’ll remember everything that I have experienced, it has been a really meaningful time for me. Honestly, I don’t have any idea about the rest of Australia, so I would like to write about me.

I remember the day when I arrived in Caloundra and went to GV for the first time. It wasn’t easy for me because I was trying to adopt to my new life here, an unfamiliar environment and my new school, it was a little confusing. I was a little afraid of speaking English, which added to my problem, but I overcame that once I started to hang out with my classmates.

My first class was the Pre-Intermediate class, which was lucky for me because there was only one other Korean student in that class, so I had the chance to practise speaking and improve my listening. What also helped was that I stayed at the Backpackers for 3 months and it was full of people of various nationalities who became friends and helped teach me English. Both places helped me improve my speaking and listening. Most Koreans want to practise speaking and improve their listening rather than studying grammar and improve their vocabulary because they study that in Korea. That’s why I like it here. Now I have a lot of friends here and most of them are foreigners. I can write and express pretty much everything I want to say and I’m no longer tone-deaf.

I’m really satisfied with my life here and I like Caloundra, GV, the teachers and all my friends but it is time to leave and go to another city. I wish I’ll have an equally good time there like I’ve had in Caloundra. I believe that once I decide to do something and try to actually do it, anything is possible. If I have a positive attitude I can make it work!

Thank you for your consideration, hospitality and everything.

Jason ( Jung Hyun Sung) Intermediate class.

The first time I thought about a language stay was last summer. I was in the army and noticed that I needed a change. At that time, I didn’t expect it to  be the best decision in my whole life! I chose Caloundra because it promised me what I was searching for: A good school with professional teachers, a beautiful landscape with amazing beaches and some night life.  What I found here, however, was more than I expected. Thanks Global Village because my English has improved a lot. Every sunny, cloudless day at the beach was a dream.   I have made a lot of new friendships from all over the world and I’ve had the best home stay imaginable. Actually, I don’t think of them as  home stay parents anymore. I call them mum and dad now. They cooked for me, cleaned my room, introduced me to friends, took  me to theme parks, helped me with my homework and watched movies with me. The deep relationship we have built,  in the last three months, has been unbelieveable…and I’m sure it will be preserved in the future. Now my time is over, so, of course I’m sad but I’ve had the time of my life! Thank you ESL, thank you Global Village, thank you Australia.

Andre Conrad – (Intermediate Class)

On the 16th of January, I went to Noosa Heads. I started my journey at 8.30am and it took about 12 hours.

It’s a long trip from Caloundra to Noosa Heads. I ate my lunch in Coolum Beach and continued my journey. There are many hills along the coast. It’s very beautiful.

I arrived in Noosa Heads at 2.30 pm. I took pictures in front of the Noosa Cinema and then I took a rest for a bit.

On the way  back to Caloundra, I went to Mooloolaba to see the beautiful beach. There were many fishing boats and people fishing at the beach.

I had a good day. I would like to go to Noosa again, but I’ll travel by bus not by bike.  It’s too tiring!

(Mike – Ke Ming LIU- Elementary Class)

Name: Stefan Gasser

School: GV Caloundra

Stefan came to GV Caloundra on the 9^th of January 2010 to escape the cold European winter. He decided to study English after a friend’s recommendation; he heard that Australia was a good place and had long summers. He chose to study at the Caloundra campus as it was central to other locations of interest to him such as Noosa and Brisbane.

Stefan’s teacher at GV Caloundra is Peter who he says is a very good teacher. He finds that he explains things very well and gives good examples, especially with grammar. Being in class with other students has allowed him to meet lots of different people from all over the world.

While studying in at GV Stefan has been staying with a host family in Little Mountain. This is a little far from the campus but he says his host family is so good to him that he doesn’t want to change. He describes his experience with them as fun as they have taken him wakeboarding and he joined them in a big birthday party for his 6-year-old host sister.

While Stefan has been doing very well academically he has also enjoyed socializing and the nightlife on the Sunshine Coast. He says maybe he goes out a little too much but only because the people in Australia are very different and much funnier. He also has had the goal to visit somewhere every weekend to discover areas around the Sunshine Coast. So far he has been to Moreton Island where he saw dolphins and has a plan to go the famous Great Barrier Reef and Sydney when he finishes his studies. Otherwise he goes to the beach nearly every day after class as he finds the beaches around Caloundra very beautiful.

When he finishes his studies and returns home he hopes to become a policeman, although he finds Australia so nice he wishes he could stay longer. He would recommend studying at Caloundra to anyone who doesn’t like big cities as it is quiet and relaxing, and that’s just the way he likes it.

Lawn Bowls Afternoon

Wednesday 24^th of February at 2.30pm

Caloundra RSL Bowls Club

Admission: $2 includes bowls hire and coaching

Teams of up to 4 people

Please book by 11am on the 24^th of February

Bar facilities will be open.

TGI Friday

Thank God it’s Friday!

Celebrate the end of a busy week by heading down to Kings Beach to play some beach games.

Games include beach cricket, soccer and bat tennis

Bring along any other sporting equipment that you wish to play.

Eumundi Market

Saturday 27^th of February

$15 return trip

To be paid to Maddy by Friday the 26th

Meet at 8.30am, bus departs at 8.45am

The Eumundi Market is a must see attraction on the coast. The market showcases local artists, crafts, traditional massage, street performers, musicians, tarot readings and a diversity of food set amongst a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere.

Friday’s Sausage Sizzle and beach volleyball game was a big hit with many students enjoying the barbecued “snags” and game on King’s Beach. The volleyball game attracted many spectators and provided plenty of entertainment with some long rallies and big dives in the sand.

Thanks to everyone who came along!

Maddy

Last Friday, on Mhooham’s last day,  he decided to prepare a Thai dish for his class as  a farewell gesture.

“On Friday, we had a presentation on how to make Thai Bean Noodle Salad in the Upper Intermediate class, by our friend Ham who has left us. But don’t be sad! He’s thinking of coming back. His presentation was really good and so was the food!”

Katrin (Upper Intermediate Class).

On Wednesday some brave students took to the waters of Golden Beach to try kayaking. The current was very strong but luckily all the students had enough muscles to make it back safely.

     

Kayaking Golden Beach

1 hour trip followed by a picnic in the park

$10 each for double kayak

$15 each for single

Wednesday 17^th of February at 2.30pm

Limited places available – Please Book with Maddy by 11am on the 17^th.

Beach Volleyball and Sausage Sizzle

2.30pm Friday 19^th at Kings Beach

Please bring swim wear or bathers and sunscreen with you.

Not you regular English Lesson but a lot of  fun.

Since it’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday we thought we’d combine speaking practice and romance.

It gave some students the opportunity to display their charms and try out their lines.

Thanks Maddy for hosting the event.

Don’t forget to join Andy  on Tuesday and Thursday at 2 pm in Room 2  for the GV Workshop.

Tuesday 16/2 – Searching for jobs.

Thursday 18/2 – Interview Skills.

JOBS

The following jobs have been recently listed:

Waitstaff – Caloundra

Kitchen Hand

Sandwich Artists – Maroochydore

Dishwasher – Caloundra

Housekeeper Supervisor – Caloundra

Housekeeper Supervisor – Mooloolaba

For more information see the notices in Patty’s office.

It’s nice to see students taking advantage of GIL classes in the afternoon.

Activity Suggestions for Global Village Caloundra Students

Have something you would like to do as an activity after class, at night or on the weekend? As the new activities officer I am currently taking suggestions for any activities you are interested in. You can put these suggestions to me on Monday, Wednesday or Friday when I’m in the office or email me anytime at mwebster@gvnoosa.com. Some options are:

-         Student night

-         Shopping trip to Direct Factory Outlets (DFO)

-         Ski and Skurf (wakeboarding)

-         Eumundi market

-         Australia Zoo

-         Barefoot bowls

Let me know if you are interested in any of these activities or have some suggestions of your own.

Cheers,

Maddy

Hi I’m Maddy the new activities officer at Caloundra. I will be available Monday, Wednesday and Friday sharing an office with Patty. Please come in and introduce yourself and feel free to ask any questions! I’ll be organising trips away, special weekend acitivites and some fun things to do after class. Look forward to meeting you all soon!



When I was asked to write a short reflection on the CAE course I am taking,  I was quite pleased because this course is actually a pleasure to attend.

Although the first four weeks were quite demanding, mostly due to the lack of my previous experience with the complexity of taking exams, I have made remarkable progress. I have learned useful strategies for reading and listening, enriched by vocabulary in many areas and have notably improved my grammar as well as writing skills. However dull acquiring these may seem, our enormously resourceful teacher Adi makes it incredibly entertaining.  She supplies us with interesting articles, engaging games, quizes and numerous other activities so we can practise out English to perfection. On the top of that, the atmosphere on the campus is motivating thanks to the friendly and devoted teachers.

All in all, this course has not only fulfilled my expectations but has exceeded them, big time!

Eva Majercikova (Certificate of Advanced English)

Unfortunately, we have to say good bye to our Swiss friend, Myriam, who is going to take a trip aound Australia.

The Upper Intermediate class says thank you to this girl for all her help, friendship and the good moments we all shared together.

We already miss her!

We send our best wishes to Myriam and we hope to see her again one day.

Thata (Upper Intermediate)

Studying in the FCE class can be really hard work sometimes but students generally do it with  smiles on their faces.

Nathalie took some photos while her students were busy  reviewing relative clauses as well as comparing and contrasting photos.

Come along to our Tuesday and Thursday GV Work Shop classes if you need help with finding work, writing resumes, attending interviews or simply for the fun of it.

Andy will taking the classes in Room 2 at 2pm.

Each lesson will focus on a different aspect of finding ajob. For example on Tuesday students wrote a resume.

In case you’re wondering who the new teacher is taking the Upper Intermediate class it’s Andy, except, he isn’t new. Andy left GV roughly this time last year to travel around the world with his wife and two children, Erin and Sean. If you get a chance you should have a chat with him, who knows, he may have visited your home town.

The Gatorade Triathlon Series is Queensland’s most popular triathlon series – so go along to the Caloundra Triathlon this Sunday.

There will be close to 1,200 competitors ranging in age from seven to 70 who will compete in the Triathlon in a range of categories, not to mention our very own Camilo.

Race 5 – 7th February 2010

Caloundra Triathlon
Woorim Park, Golden Beach

Why would you come from one of the biggest cities in the world, London to Calounda? Well the answer was remarkably simple, at least for me.

I lived in London for five years. Most of the time I worked 6 days a week and 12 hours a day, spent hours travelling to and from work and what was even worse I didn’t have a proper holiday during all that time. So, one day I said to myself, “You’ve had enough…it’s time to enjoy yourself,” and that was it!

The money I had saved allowed me to go anywhere for a year and do nothing and because I always wanted to learn how to surf the only logical choice was Australia.

All of my Aussie friends kept telling me, “Just don’t go to Sydney, it’s too expensive,” “Go to Brisbane instead,” and so I did.

When I arrived in Brisbane I bought a car and started to travel. Every day I spent a few hours lying on the beach or swimming and I just loved it. At the same time I knew my time in Australia would come to an end and that I would eventually have to start the English course I was planning to do in Brisbane. The problem there was that there wouldn’t be any swimming or lying on the beach. So I started to dig around for another place to study and a few days later I came up with a town called Caloundra.

It’s rather a small town but that’s exactly what makes the town so special. What I appreciate the most is that you don’t feel stressed or the tension you do in a large city, the lack of noise, traffic jams and thousands of commuters.

I study 4 hours a day at the language school, the teachers are wonderful and everybody is so friendly. I’ve got lots of free time and the closest beach is just five minutes away from where I live which means that I can go to the beach every day.

In my opinion, I couldn’t have chosen better!

Jiri Jiritse (FCE)