English College Barnes & Mayfair

Here we are, the most intelligent class I've ever had the privilege to teach, at Annie's in Barnes in June 2017, celebrating the end of term with a well-earned glass of fizz! Hearty congratulations to all my Cambridge Proficiency entrants - they all passed! This is a truly magnificent achievement - it puts them in a select group of non-native speakers of English who speak English 'like a native'!

A course of 3 classes begins in January 2018:

Tuesdays at the University Women's Club, Mayfair, 10.30 - 12.30
30th January; 27th February; 20th March
Wednesdays at the Olympic Studios, Barnes, 10:00 - 12:00
31st January; 28th February; 21st March

The cost will be £75 for three 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.) 30th and 31st January:

2.) 27th and 28th February:

Following my theme of tracing English History by concentrating on the WOMEN whom history has neglected, I want to look at'the cleverest queen consort Britain ever had', Caroline of Ansbach, wife of George ll. "She loved the real possession of power rather than the show of it."

After the beheading of Charles l, Oliver Cromwell 'disposed of' the late King's unrivalled art collection. On the Restoration his son, Charles ll attempted to re-assemble it. Some works of art were irretrievable, but some are going to be on show. The Royal Academy and the Queen's Gallery are mounting landmark exhibitions this year on Charles l and Charles ll, respectively. Paintings have been lent by HM The Queen, the Louvre, and Prado, and by private collectors.

3.) 20th and 21st March:

There are wonderful places to go with a friend - just within a reasonable distance from London.
I want to introduce you to some wonderful houses and gardens that you can do in a day - with lunch!

Classes begin: Monday, 15th January 2018: 09.30 - 12.30 at St. Mary's, Barnes

Classes for the Spring Term 2018 will be held once a week in St Mary's Church, the oldest building in Barnes. You don't 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
Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd.