Dear Students
Thank you to all of you who contributed great articles this month. Keep them coming, and don’t forget to share your photos on Facebook too!
The Editorial Team
Forthcoming Events
Go-Karting - 4th March
Cost: £15 including travel
See poster for details
Southampton, Maritime Museum and Ferry Boat to Hythe – 19th March
Price: £12 (when travelling in groups of 4) includes museum, the ferry trip and train travel
Bowling – 24th February
Price: £3 with a student card
See our Facebook Page for more information.
Oxford Trip – 5th March
Price: Minimum of 10 students. £34 including a walking tour – more students equals a cheaper price up to 15.
Student of the Month
Congratulations to Salim from Oman. Salim works hard and is very polite in class.
Student Articles
My Day Trip to Brighton by Hassan Abdollah and Ali Beik from Iran
Last Sunday some students from the College and I went to Brighton with the teacher Mrs Corrina. When we got to Brighton we went to the museum. In the museum we saw many interesting things such as an old bicycle, statues and old pitchers etc. We took a lot of photos and then we went to the seaside. The weather was very windy and the sea was very rough but we enjoyed ourselves. We didn’t walk along the sea (on the seaside) but we had tea and coffee in a restaurant near the sea and then we went for lunch.
English breakfast and Lots of Nice Cakes! by Tabea from Germany
One place you have to visit during your residence in Portsmouth is the, “Tenth Hole”, a nice small British tearoom which is located in Southsea next to the golf course. Besides a typical English breakfast you can get lots of amazing cakes! You can choose between fruit, cream cheese, brown or white chocolate, nuts, cookies, icing or something else, they have the most diverse combinations. My favourite is the “Lumpy Chunky Cake” which is so chocolaty that you have problems to eat up this big piece of delicious cake. It must be even nicer in the summer months, when you can sit outdoors on the pretty terrace with lots of hanging baskets & climbing roses.
Difference between Present simple and Present continuous by Maria Luisa Da Costa from Angola
During the month of February our class (pre-intermediate) learned the difference between present simple and present continuous. We use the present simple for things that are generally or always true. Example: My parents usually go away at the weekend or they meet friends.
We use the present continuous for things happening at this moment or for things happening in the present period but not at this moment.
Example: At the moment I am studying English.
We also use the present continuous to talk about things we have arranged to do in the future.
Example: I’m having a party on my birthday.
Charles Dickens Birthday by Mojtaba and Tabea
On the 7th February 2011 was the 199th birthday of the famous writer Charles Dickens, who was born in Portsmouth. To honour him a reception took place at his birthplace. All classes of Spinnaker College and many other people from Portsmouth came to celebrate. A group of pupils from the near-by Charles Dickens Junior School hung a wreath on the door of the museum. Following this, members of the Portsmouth Dickens Fellowship proposed a toast to his memory. After the official part we went into the museum. All rooms are copies of the earliest dwelling house of Charles Dickens. In one of the rooms an old man was reading a part of Dickens novel “David Copperfield”. It was nice to listen, because the man was very animated and brought the characters alive.
How to Spot an English Idiom.
English idioms are often used within everyday language, sometimes without the individual even realising. So how do you spot them? Idioms are phrases that mean little if we take the correct definitions for each word. Idioms are virtually untranslatable and often hard for language students to learn and understand. For example English people often say to their friends or work colleagues ‘You’re on fire!’ This does not mean that the person is literally on fire, it simply means that they are doing really well at their job.
“Cathy’s presentation is going really well, she’s on fire!”
You can get daily idioms sent to you for free on Spinnaker College’s Twitter service
YourDailyIdiom
Joke of the month
by Mansoor from United Arab Emirates
One day, Juka was late for school and when he arrived to the school his teacher asked him “Why are you late?” he said “My Mother was hitting my little brother” and then the teacher said “Your Mother was hitting your little brother, but why are you late?!” He said “My Mum was hitting my brother with my shoes”.
‘What’s On?’ - 25th February – 25th March
Portsmouth Music Festival– 6th February – 2nd April
Lord Admiral Nelson School
With performances from over 4,000 people there will definitely be something everyone. It is Portsmouth largest annual community event – not to be missed!
For full details of this year's programme, prices and venues please visit www.portsmouthmusicfestival.co.uk
Portsmouth FC vs Sheffield United – 5th March
Fratton Park
Kick Off 3pm
Contact ticket office for availability and prices- 0844 847 1898.From £20.
Fun with Fashion Photography – 26th February
City Museum, Museum Road
Free
1-3pm
If you’re interested in photography this is a great chance to practice your skills. Whether you’re a beginner or professional they have workshops for all levels. There are a limited number of cameras and spaces so book in advance on 023 9282 7261.
Zippos Circus – 22nd-27th February
Kings Theatre
Matinee – 14.00
Evening show – 19.00
Prices start from £8.00 for an evening performance. Please contact the box office for more details on 023 9282 8282
Voted as Britain’s best circus this show will be full of comedy, drama and thrills.
80s Night at Fins – 26th February
Fins Bar, Palmerston Road
£3 in advance £5 on the door
Starts 8pm
Dance to some popular 80s tunes at Fins trendy bar and club. Sure to be a fun night out for everyone!
Ghost Hunt and Paranormal Investigation – 26th February
Priddy’s Hard and Explosion Museum
£30 per ticket
Starts 8.30pm finishes 2.00am
Do something different – go ghost hunting in Portsmouth. Join an experienced team as they conduct experiments to try and capture evidence of paranormal activity.
Circus of Horrors – 21st March
Kings Theatre
Starts 19.30pm
Price starts from £12
This show contains some of the most bizarre and dare devil circus acts on earth. It has been described as a musical masterpiece and is definitely not something for the faint hearted.
Fairtrade Curry Evening – 2nd March
The Hub, University of Portsmouth
£5 per ticket
From 7pm
Enjoy a curry with soft drink followed by a cooking competition and bunting challenge!
"I was learning English and I met a lot of people. The teacher is great. The atmosphere in this school is very friendly and nice."
