English College Barnes & Mayfair

Here we are, the most intelligent class I've ever had the privilege to teach, at Rick Stein's in June 2018, celebrating the end of term with a well-earned glass of fizz! Hearty congratulations to my Cambridge Proficiency entrant - only one this term, and he passed! This is a truly magnificent achievement - it puts him in a select group of non-native speakers of English who speak English 'like a native'!

"You have profoundly influenced all of us." - Sue, USA

A course of 4 classes begins in September2018:

"Highly entertaining and intellectually stimulating." - Caroline, Germany

Tuesdays at the University Women's Club, Mayfair, 10.30 - 12.30
18th September; 30th October; 27th November; 11th December;
Wednesdays at the Olympic Studios, Barnes, 10:00 - 12:00
19th September; 31st October; 28th November; 12th December;

The cost will be £100 for four dates.

I hope that you can fit these dates into your diaries! We usually have a lovely time; in the Tuesday class we stay for lunch in the Club dining room (under £10 + a glass of wine for £5 - no VAT, no tips, this being a club) and enjoy stimulating and convivial conversation. I hope to start this tradition of lunch together afterwards in the Wednesday class - in the Private Members' Restaurant of the Olympic Studios. We are a lovely group; we have a jolly time, and we are conveniently situated if you have to get back home quickly. The ideal course for 'trailing spouses'!

1.) 18th and 19th September:

2.) 30th and 31st October:

Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, from very humble beginnings, became the most powerful and richest woman in England, second only to Queen Elizabeth l. How did she do it? She married her way to the top of the social ladder, that's how! The House, Hardwick Hall, is well worth a visit.

Britain has often - and recently - been called insular. The sea surrounding us has inspired our art, literature, and identity. It has been seen as our protector against attack; but from our shores adventurers have been tempted to brave the excitement of the sea to explore the world beyond

3.) 27th and 28th November:

4.) 11th and 12th December:

Charles ll's Portuguese bride, Catherine of Braganza, brought as her dowry Bombay (!) and...a chest of tea (!). Smugglers were willing to kill to protect their profit from the illicit tax-dodging on tea.

Northern England has many place names with the word '-gate' as a suffix. Many suggest
this indicates an entrance through the old city wall. It is actually of Viking derivation from
the word 'gatan' meaning 'street. Anglo-Saxon place names also abound in the area.

Classes begin: Monday, 17th September 2018: 09.30 - 12.30 at St. Mary's, Barnes

Classes for the Autumn Term 2018 will be held once a week in St Mary's Church, the oldest building in Barnes. You do not have to take an exam, but you can be sure you will be well-prepared if you do need to.
We always have a book we are reading together: the choice for this term is:

Somerset Maugham - Short Stories : The Verger; The Kite;
(You can download Collected Short Stories Volume 2 onto your Kindle)