News Archive

 

May 2016 News page

Now that Spring is here, there is a lot happening around Lancaster. 

There is music, a food festival, ghost walks, bat walks, carnivals and one of my favourites, the annual Wray Scarecrow Festival and Fair 

Read more about it here: 

http://www.wrayvillage.co.uk/scarecrows/Scarecrows2016.htm

 

 

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Language Cafés more information

To help you learn or improve your language skills, why not come along to the Language Cafes?

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.
 

 

Lancaster Language Café
 

Sunday 8th May 16.00-18.00

Sunday 5th June 16.00-18.00

Sunday 10th July 16.00-18.00
 

The Gregson, 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster, LA13PY

Follow Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lancasterlanguages/

for more details!

 

 Glovers Language Café, Preston

Sunday 22nd May 16.00 - 19.00

Sunday 26th June 16.00 - 19.00

Sunday 24th July 16.00 - 19.00

 

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

 

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Learn English with Shakespeare

Have a look at some modern movie and TV adaptations of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, which are not too difficult to understand!

http://www.english.com/blog/learn-english-with-shakespeare
 

April 2016 News page

We are delighted to announce that we have three new Chinese pages on the website - please view them here:

我们很高兴地宣布，我们有兰卡斯特语言学校新的中国网页:

http://www.lancasterlanguages.com/languages/chinese/chinese.html 

http://www.lancasterlanguages.com/languages/chinese/testimonials.html

http://www.lancasterlanguages.com/languages/chinese/contact.php

To help you learn or improve your language skills, why not come along to the Language Cafes?

Language Cafés more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.
 

 

Lancaster Language Café
 

Sunday April 10th 4 - 9 pm (Special 3rd Anniversary Celebration)

The Gregson, 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster, LA13PY

Follow Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lancasterlanguages/

for more details!

 

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 Glovers Language Café, Preston

Sunday April 17th

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

 

What are oxymorons?  Find out here and learn how to understand and use them:  http://www.english.com/blog/english-oxymorons

 

March 2016

Yet more evidence of the benefits of learning languages!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/…/Students-should-learn-second-l…

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March 2016

Carlos, one of our recent clients from Spain, certainly seemed pleased with his English course. In the course evaluation he wrote:

"My recent experience at Lancaster Languages School has been extremely useful, all the lessons were suitable and very well delivered, in order to improve my pronunciation and oral skills. Hazel and Elena have made it possible for me to correct the most noticeable mistakes in my speaking, and their teaching strategies have helped me overcome difficulties that I thought unachievable. This short total immersion course has lived up to my expectations and I won't hesitate to attend lessons in Lancaster Languages Schools whenever I have the chance to."

Carlos San Juan Alonso, February 2016.

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To help you learn or improve your language skills, why not come along to the Language Cafes?

Language Cafés more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.
 

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday March 13th

Sunday April 10th (3rd Anniversary)

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA1 3PY

Glovers Language Café, Preston

Sunday March 20th

Sunday April 17th

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

  

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 February 2016

Modern English Slang

Keep up to date with some modern English slang words and phrases:

http://www.english.com/blog/10-modern-english-words-slang-terms-know

 

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February 2016

For more ideas about how to learn or improve your language skills, read '7 Secrets from TED Translators' http://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/ 

One of the tips in the above article was:   'So the next time you need a vegan carrot cake recipe, find one in the language you’re trying to learn.'

Now once you've found the recipe, if you're wondering where to find the ingredients for a vegan carrot cake in Lancaster, then you must go to the marvellous 'Single Step' - a wholefood co-operative stocking a huge range of organic, vegetarian, vegan, fair-trade, eco-friendly products, at very good prices.  Read more about it here: http://www.singlestep.org.uk/index.html

 

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January 2015

We would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year with great continued success in your language learning!

Indeed here is a recommendation for the New Year from the British Council to the British public: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35198253

To help you learn or improve your language skills, why not come along to the Language Cafes?

 

Language Café more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Café.

Lancaster Language Café New Year Celebration

Sunday January 10th

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA1 3PY

 

 Glovers Language Café, Preston

Sunday January 24th

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

 
 

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January 2015

Read more about other New Year's Resolutions here:

http://www.dailynewsservice.co.uk/ethical-new-years-resolutions/

December 2015

We would like to wish everyone a very 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'!

If you'd like to know how to say that in another language, look here:

http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/christmas.htm

Read all about Christmas Traditions in the UK and Around the World:

http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/uk.shtml

 

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December 2015

Christmas Events

There are many special Christmas events happening in the next few weeks.

You can find out about some of them here:

A Celebration of Christmas in Words and Music, at Lancaster Castle

http://www.lancastercastle.com/events_archive.asp

Carol concerts in the Ashton Memorial in Williamsons Park

http://www.shopccc.co.uk/williamson-park-events--entrance-tickets-8-c.asp

Morecambe Brass Band carols and concerts

http://www.morecambeband.co.uk/?page_id=11

Pantomimes at the Grand Theatre

http://www.lancastergrand.co.uk/shows/?Year=2015&Month=12

Children's Festive Fun and Games at Salt Ayre Sports Centre

http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/salt-ayre-sports-centre/festive-fun

http://www.lancasterbid.org/Christmas-in-the-City

 

 

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December 2015

Language Café more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Café.

Lancaster Language Café New Year Celebration

Sunday January 10th

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA1 3PY

 

 Glovers Language Café, Preston

Sunday January 24th

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

 
 

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December 2015

"Will Brits ever bother with language learning?"

Mark Herbert, head of schools programmes at the British Council, discusses the current situation and urges us all to encourage more people to learnlanguages:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/12000612/Will-Brits-ever-bother-with-language-learning.html

 

November 2015

Light Up Lancaster

On November 6th & 7th Lancaster will be transformed into a magical installation of light. This family-friendly event includes stunning light installations, free performances, music, dance, film and fireworks! Follow this link for more information: http://dukes-lancaster.org/events/event/light-up-lancaster/?event_date=2015-11-06

 

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November 2015

A Portrait of Europe - Art Exhibition in Lancaster

Fifteen British artists were despatched to the 28 different countries that make up the European Union with the brief to make friends with a European and to paint their portrait. The subjects were offered the chance to represent their country and in this way to become something of a Euro Star. This simple human to human initiative outside the political, celebrity and business circles that tend to dominate interactions has resulted in an extraordinary collection of paintings that tethers the notion of Europe to its people. The exhibition called A Portrait of Europe opens on 19th October in The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster LA1 1TH and will run until the 7th November. Alongside the exhibition the University of Lancaster will be holding seminars and discussions on various aspects of European culture. You are warmly invited to attend For further information please contact:Creative Director Briony Kapoor

enquiries@imosfoundation.org
Telephone 01797 363099

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November 2015

Language Cafés more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday November 1st 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

next meeting tba

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

Friday November 20th 2015

10.00 - 12.00 noon

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

 
 

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November 2015

Grand Theatre

If you've never visited the Grand Theatre in Lancaster, you are missing out! Look at the amazing programme of shows for November - catering for all tastes, you're sure to find something that appeals! http://www.lancastergrand.co.uk/shows/?Year=2015&Month=11

 

October 2015

NEW COURSE for Learners of English

All you need to know about Job Applications in the UK

The course comprises three sessions of 3 hours each:

a. CVs

b. Job Applications

c. Job Interviews

Dates: Sat 17th October, Sat 24th October, Sat 31st October 2015

Time: 10.00-13.00

Total cost: £150

Maximum number of 5 students per course so book early to avoid disappointment!

Deadline for bookings: Friday 9th October.

£20 ‘early bird’ discount if paid for in full by 2nd October 2015.

For further information and booking form, contact hazel@lancasterlanguages.com

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October 2015

WELCOME TO OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN LANCASTER

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all new overseas students who are arriving in Lancaster this autumn. If your family is going to visit you while you are studying here, why don't you suggest that they come and do a short course in English Language and Culture with us at Lancaster Languages, as part of their visit? See ‘Intensive English Courses’ or the foreign language pages for further details.

我们对到兰卡斯特秋季入学的外国学生们表示诚挚的欢迎。如果你们的家长同你们一 起来参观游览兰卡斯特，为什么不顺便让他们在游览的同时加入我们的初级英文和文化学习课程呢。更多详情请参见我们的中文网站：

http://www.lancasterlanguages.com/languages/chinese.html

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October 2015

CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who successfully completed the English for Academic Purposes course at Lancaster University in September. Here are some pictures of our post-graduate group collecting their certificates and celebrating the end of the course at the Penny Street Bridge Hotel in Lancaster. They were a delight to teach as they were so motivated and such good fun to work with! See more pictures on the Lancaster Languages Facebook page.

 

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October 2015

A Portrait of Europe - Art Exhibition in Lancaster

Fifteen British artists were despatched to the 28 different countries that make up the European Union with the brief to make friends with a European and to paint their portrait. The subjects were offered the chance to represent their country and in this way to become something of a Euro Star. This simple human to human initiative outside the political, celebrity and business circles that tend to dominate interactions has resulted in an extraordinary collection of paintings that tethers the notion of Europe to its people. The exhibition called A Portrait of Europe opens on 19th October in The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster LA1 1TH and will run until the 7th November. Alongside the exhibition the University of Lancaster will be holding seminars and discussions on various aspects of European culture. You are warmly invited to attend For further information please contact:Creative Director Briony Kapoor

enquiries@imosfoundation.org
Telephone 01797 363099

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August 2015

Summertime

It’s holiday time for some people, and a good chance to practise your language skills if you have the opportunity.  I always try to pick up ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ quickly when I am learning another language, but there are other important words, or non-words rather, which are not easily translatable, not found in dictionaries, but none the less vital for communication. Read more about these fascinating ‘non-words’: http://qz.com/465971/grunts-sighs-and-other-untranslatable-sounds-from-around-the-world/

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August 2015

Language Cafés more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

no cafés in August - but see you again

Sunday September 6th 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

next meeting tba

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

no cafés over the Summer - but see you again

Friday September 25th 2015

10.00 - 12.00 noon

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

 

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July 2015

This month, Helen Walker is leaving Lancaster Languages after a year with the company. Her partnership with Hazel Nowell has been fruitful and gratifying and both hope to work together in the future in a variety of linguistic ventures.

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July 2015

Language Cafés more information

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday July 19th 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

Sunday July 5th

AND

Sunday July 26th 2015

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

no cafés over the Summer - but see you again in September

12.00 noon - 2.00pm

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

 

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July 2015

Why English spelling is difficult

If gh stands for p as in hiccough
If ough stands for o as in dough
If phth stands for t as in phthisis
If eigh stands for a as in neighbour
If tte stands for t as in gazette
If eau stands for o as in plateau
Then potato should be spelt ghoughphtheightteeau

Dorren, G.(2014). Lingo: a language spotter’s guide to Europe, Profile Books, London, p. 255.

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June 2015

Lancaster Languages are very pleased to welcome the 19 Belarussian children who have come to the Lancaster area for a four week recuperative visit. 

http://www.focc.org.uk

 

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June 2015

Language Cafés

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday June 28th 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

no café this month, but look out for July's

 

Café Lingo

Friday 19th June 2015

12.00 noon - 2.00pm

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

Also, book now for Café Lingo's Tapas-Buffet evening event
at Tullie House, Carlisle
on Wednesday 8th July from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

£11.00 (not including drinks)
Tickets can be bought at Tullie House's Box Office, Carlisle or by phone:
01228 618700 from Thursday 4th June.

 

 

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June 2015

Australian Aboriginal languages Wikipedia

In the late 18th century, there were between 350 and 750 distinct Aboriginal social groupings, and a similar number of languages or dialects. At the start of the 21st century, fewer than 150 Indigenous languages remain in daily use, and all except roughly 20 are highly endangered.

 

 

May 2015

Social Media

Lancaster Languages is now on Facebook, Wechat and Weibo.

We invite you to like us and add comments.

 

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May 2015

Language Cafés

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday May 17th 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

Sunday May 31st 2015

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

Friday May 15th 2015

12.00 noon - 2.00pm

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

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May 2015

Lingo: A Language Spotter's Guide to Enurope, by Gaston Dorreen (Author), Alison Edwards (Translator)

"Lingo is that rare thing: a book about language that manages to be both genuinely interesting and enormous fun. Particularly impressive is Dorren's ability to flip with ease from jokes and surprising facts to the discussion of complex linguistic ideas ..." (John Gallagher Sunday Telegraph)

 

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April 2015

Radio Interview

Hear Radio Lancashire’s interview with Lancaster Languages Director, Hazel Nowell.

 

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April 2015

Language Cafés

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday April 12th 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

Sunday April 26th 2015

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

Friday April 24th 2015

12.00 noon - 2.00pm

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

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April 2015

Book Recommendation

Next time you’re at the library or a charity bookshop, look out for this this informative and entertaining book: Mother Tongue: The Story of the English Language, in which Bill Bryson compiles the history and origins of the English and the language's various quirks.

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March 2015

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March 2015

Chiang Yee: A Chinese artist in the English Lake District

Lancaster Languages was invited to the opening of an exhibition of illustrations and poems by Chinese artist Chiang Yee and to celebrate Chinese New Year with a special Low Wood Bay Afternoon Tea. The exhibition helps tell a great story of one Chinese man’s visit to Lakeland almost 80 years ago and how and why it left a very lasting impression: http://englishlakes.co.uk/chinese/chiang-yee/

Try to get to see these beautiful illustrations and treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea: http://englishlakes.co.uk/restaurants/restaurants-in-windermere/low-wood-bay/afternoon-tea/

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March 2015

Language Cafés

There is now a Welsh table in Preston and with Lancaster's Café being on St. David's Day, hopefully there’ll be one there too.

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday March 1st 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

Sunday March 29th 2015

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

Friday 20th March 2015

12.00 noon - 2.00pm

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

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March 2015

The word-hoard: Robert Macfarlane on rewilding our language of landscape

For decades Robert Macfarlane has been collecting unusual words for landscapes and natural phenomena – from aquabob to zawn. It’s a lexicon we need to cherish in an age when a junior dictionary finds room for ‘broadband’ but has no place for ‘bluebell’

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/27/robert-macfarlane-word-hoard-rewilding-landscape

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February 2015

Big Breakfast

Lancaster Languages will be attending the Big Breakfast event on Wednesday, 4th February between 8.30am and 10.30am at the Lancaster House Hotel, LA1 4GJ.

The Big Breakfast is a collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce, and the Ethical Small Traders Association (ESTA).

 

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February 2015

Language Cafés

The first Language Café in Preston was a great success on Sunday 25th January, with almost 30 people communicating happily in French, German, Spanish and British Sign Language in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Glovers bar.

Please note the dates of forthcoming Language Cafés.

Lancaster Language Café

Sunday February 1st 2015

4.00 - 6.00 pm

The Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA13PY

Glovers Language Café

Sunday February 22nd 2015

4.00 - 7.00 pm

43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS

 

Café Lingo

Friday 20th March 2015

10am - 12noon

Tullie House Café, Carlisle, CA3 8TP

 

 

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February 2015

8 pronunciation errors that made the English language what it is today

Think hyperbole rhymes with Super Bowl? Don't worry; it could be the start of something beautiful. Read more...

 

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January 2015

Happy New Year!

Lancaster Languages wish our friends, clients and colleagues a successful and exciting 2015. January always brings a sense of anticipation and resolution and this one is no different;

with our new website in full swing, and a commitment to increase our international network, we are looking forward to a year full of language exchange and language learning.

Check out our LinkedIn page for regular updates: www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-languages

 

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 January 2015

Language Cafés

The first Lancaster Language Café of 2015 was held at the Gregson Community Centre on Sunday January 4th with festive food and drink to celebrate Dreikönigsfest, Epiphanie, or the Twelve Days of Christmas, depending on your language.

 

The next Language Café will be held on:

Sunday February 1^st 2015,  4.00 - 6.00 pm at the Gregson 33 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA1 3PY.

The first ever Preston Language Café will be held on Sunday January 25^th, 4.00 - 7.00 pm at Glovers, 43 Glovers Court, Preston, PR1 3LS.

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 January 2015

What happens in the brain when you learn a language?

Reading this article will show you why Lancaster Languages offers intensive, total immersion language courses:

“…. In their experiment, one group of volunteers learned through explanations of the rules of the language, while a second group learned by being immersed in the language, similar to how we all learn our native languages. While all of their participants learned, it was the immersed learners whose brain processes were most like those of native speakers.”