I love my country, I really do. We have lots of beautiful places to visit, the sun is always shinning, and people are always smiling. We always have a reason for partying, and taking holydays. We have everything: good water, soil, big cities, technology. Every time I say I’m from Brazil, people ask me what I am doing in London.

It’s really easy to answer that question: this is not Brazil. And it’s not just because Brazil is my home country, but because of the culture, the way English people see life, they care about different things, see the world in a different way. And to be honest, I like their way better.

So when people ask me when I’m going back to Brazil I have no good answer, because I’ve grown this enormous love for this city, and I’m going to live it on the best way I can. I’m living today not thinking about tomorrow.

No, I don’t miss Brazil. I don’t miss the food, I don’t miss the good weather and I don’t miss people there. I learned to love food with no salt, it’s good for your blood pressure and you can really appreciate the taste of the food itself instead of the salt. And I don’t think Brazil has a good weather, it’s steaming hot there, you can never wear nice clothes because you’ll be sweating by the time you put your foot out the door. And people there are concerned about the wrong things in life, only when I started sharing time with an English family did I realize that.

I’m not saying that I’ll never go back, some day eventually, I will. But now, this is the moment of my life that I call: living it up in London baby!

Mariana Shayeb, Black, Uxbridge

Hi there

My name is Branca and as I have told you before I am a student from THE ENGLISH STUDIO, and I also work as  a receptionist at school - and I have had a good time there , I get on well with the students and with my colleagues as well -The English Studio has prepared nice things for you in April, check with us at reception and be part of it – come and enjoy our school social programme, walks, shows and UK trips, this is a nice way to learn English and learn more about London and its culture , and also making new friends. And as for the Easter  holidays ? Have  you planned something special for the holiday ? Just pop in to reception  and find out what suits you, and have fun – we also have news for you about the new home office regulations from 1st of April, come and find out . Have a nice week.

Branca

I think we could include this in our level test!!!

What do you think Rob?

“fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a

rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr

the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and

lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you

can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid

deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!”

David Vieira/ Brazil

We have been very busy at Reception in Shepherd’s Bush.Now the weekend is here and finally we can party! Tonight, we are going to Mike’s singalong in the cafe in Goldhawk Road. I went a few times before and it is fun because some of the students who are musicians come too. Maybe we’ll see you there!

Ana Maria

Well, well well. It’s been quite a busy week for me as I settle into my new role as Director of Studies for Shepherd’s Bush as I now have to concentrate  on things other than my classes. This week we have been doing Trojan work trying to organise the classes for next week; an important one because it sees the beginning of a new term and we want it to run as smoothly as possible for you. I’ll be back soon with more pointless musings on Life, the Universe and Everything..

By the way, just a quick but huge thankyou to Rob, who is being as patient as Job with me in sharing what he has learned as  DOS  over the last few years and is helping me enormously.

Mike

Hi There 

My name is Branca and I’m working at reception in Shepherd’s Bush- and from the reception window I can see people walking  on their way to  Westfield Shopping center,to enjoy their shopping and have a drink out side in the sunshine. The weather is lovely, it is the beginning of Spring – it isalso the beginning of a new term at the English Studio from Monday.Good luck and see you there. 

Branca Dias

This Saturday, to celebrate the end of the level, some of my students have organized a little outing in Camden. I think it would be great if we can get as many people as possible to enjoy one of the trendiest areas in London.

If the weather is nice, we will go to Primrose Hill near Camden, where you can see some great views of London. If it’s a wet Saturday, we’ll probably stuff our faces whatever we fancy on the day, and may even go to LONDON ZOO!!!

Also, don’t forget that Sunday is the photography walk along the Thames. Come and find me in Shepherd’s Bush for more information.

Stuart

I’m working at Uxbridge Road in the reception at the moment. It’s a new challenge and I am enjoying it, but sometimes it can be hectic! However, I don’t mind because I am meeting people from all over the world and writing to them too. I hope that  I get the chance to help you too!

Evaldo

We’re opening a bookshop! In it’s glorified position next to room c2a in Catton Street, Holborn branch, you’ll be able to

1. buy your coursebook

2. buy a home study book

3. lend a home study book

4. fax, copy or scan documents

5 anything else you tell us you want to do

so let us know what you want from a library and a bookshop- and we’ll try and put it there!

The deadline to enrol for any of them is 1^st April 2009

Remember you will have to pay the following amounts:

FCE: £95

CAE £100

CPE £105

You can come to reception to enrol but you need to bring a permission slip from you teacher, Please do not forget this!

The scheduled dates are:

For papers 1, 2, 3 and 4

FCE – Tuesday 16th June 2009

CAE – Wednesday 17th June 2009

CPE – Thursday 18th June 2009

And for Paper 5

From 25th May to 28th June 2009

If you decide to, good luck!

Anamaria