New Course: English + High Performance Surfing

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BBELS is proud to announce its newest English Plus program:

 English + High Performance Surfing

This course is a result of collaboration between BBELS and the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC).

The Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) is the world’s first facility dedicated to the development of all surfers.

The HPC is not just for elite surfers – it is for any surfer who would like to improve their surfing ability.

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All year round the HPC offers programmes for international surfers looking to dramatically improve and reach their full potential under the constant guidance of HPC coaches.

We offer three different programmes for BBELS students who want to learn English and maximize their surfing skills:

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English + Surf Coaching 1:

First: study English at BBELS

Then: move to the Casuarina area for surf coaching. The HPC programme would include surf coaching, accommodation (onsite or local host family) meals and transport. Duration of surf coaching programme: 2-4 weeks.

English + Surf Coaching 2:

First: study English at BBELS

Then: move to the Casuarina area for surf coaching. The HPC programme would include a surf camp, onsite accommodation, and meals. Duration of the surf camp: 1-5 days.

English + Surf Coaching 3:

English studies at BBELS from Monday to Friday, then travel to the HPC for surf coaching on the weekends.

If students decide to book this package, they’ll be living in Byron Bay during the duration of the English language course and surf coaching, and will also have to organize their own transport to Kingscliff.

This course is subject to availability at the HPC, and it is more suitable to students enrolled in English part-time courses.

All HPC surf coaching programmes include:

  • Expert coaching from experienced HPC coaches
  • Surfing sessions with video analysis
  • Streetboardz sessions to practice technique
  • Access to a test quiver of 35 DHD and Mayhem surfboards and FCS test drive centre

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HPC coaches are recognised world-wide for their programs which have been fine-tuned while working with Team Australia, WCT surfers and hundreds of high profile junior surfers.

Would you like to get more information?

Send us an e-mail to info@bbels.com.au

 

 

 

Meet the students: Mojahid from Saudi Arabia

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Continuing our series of “Meet the students” we are happy to introduce Mojahid from Saudia Arabia. Mojahid has enjoyed the beautiful natural experiences in Byron Bay, developing his surfing skills while also preparing for the IELTS exam.

Why did you decide to come to Australia?

Well, actually this is my 3rd time in Australia! The first time I was in Sydney. The second time I went to Noosa. For this third time, I was looking for a small town close to the beach. But the location wasn’t the only decisive factor. I also wanted to find a place where I could have a great time and improve my English. I was talking to some friends and they had told me there weren’t many Middle Eastern students in Byron Bay, so I decided to come over and have a look. I loved the place and the fact that there weren’t many students speaking Arabic was very positive, so I had to speak English all the time, which is great. In my opinion, Byron Bay is the perfect destination to learn English and enjoy the outdoors, especially for students from my age group.
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Mojahid enjoying a cooking lesson with his IELTS class.

Why did you choose BBELS?

This time I wanted to study hard to prepare myself for the IELTS exam. During my research for English Schools in Byron Bay, I found some students’ testimonials saying that BBELS have a very strong IELTS preparation course. I also heard from other students that at BBELS students have a very good social life. That’s very important when you are in a distant country learning a second language, because that’s the way you make new friends. BBELS have 2 dedicated people organising activities and travel exclusively for students. Oh yes, and there is the school café (Café Oska) and the school parties! Both are great to relax and catch up with people from all over the world.

Tell us your impressions about BBELS.

The nationality mix at school is very good and it allows me to interact and make friends from many different countries. I’ve been learning a few words in other languages and also interesting things from other cultures

The BBELS staff is very friendly, and my teacher is great. She is very in tune with the official IELTS exam. She knows so much about the English Language and also about the IELTS exam, that by sharing her knowledge with us, she has given me confidence and I really feell ready for the official exam.

Byron Bay is well known for its natural wonders…where is your favourite place in Byron?

Wategos beach! Wategos is my favourite place because I started surfing there. The waves there are perfect for beginners and it never gets too crowded. The beach is stunning and very well preserved. Surfing at Wategos is a beautiful experience. I love the afternoons at Wategos, because dolphins always come very close to the beach, and watching the sunset there, with the lighthouse blinking just before dusk, its magical.
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Saudi Arabian culture is different to Australian culture in many ways…is there any Australian habit that you think is very different from your culture?

Yes! In Australian they eat kangaroo meat. At the beginning it sounds very weird to me, but I tried kangaroo meat, and I love it!

How do you expect the English you have been learning in Australia to help you when you get back to your country?

I am not going back to my country for long. I’m going to Shanghai next year, because I will start a Master in Business. That’s the main goal and the reason why I’m studying English. I need a good score in the IETLS test and also all my classes will be administrated in English.

At BBELS, everyone should….?

Use your English skill that you learn at school to engage yourself into the local community. That’s a great way to improve your vocabulary and also help others.

Meet the Teachers: Katherina, Cambridge exam co-ordinator.

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In today’s post we have the pleasure of introducing you to Katherina. Katherina is the Cambridge Exam Co-ordinator at BBELS.  Specialising in teaching the Advanced Cambridge Exam classes Katherina also enjoys teaching the General English courses.

What do you especially enjoy about teaching the students at BBELS?

Of course the diversity of cultural backgrounds and ages makes every day an interesting experience. But what I most enjoy is getting to know my students in the classroom through the interaction that unfolds as the course progresses. In any group situation each individual contributes something important to the whole and I appreciate the opportunity of seeing how individual students develop not only academically but also as an important part of the class. The teaching is always mutual; I learn lots from students too!

What other fields did you work in before you started teaching English at BBELS? Has it helped you as a teacher?

I’ve worked in adult education now for about 15 years; 7 at BBELS, 5 in schools overseas (ESL teaching) and a couple of years in evening colleges in Sydney (mostly as a guest lecturer in herbal medicine).

As well as my ESL teaching qualifications,  I completed a 4 year Diploma in Naturopathy and then worked for several years in clinics in Sydney and Byron Bay helping patients with diet, lifestyle and counselling. Although I opted for teaching in the end, this experience has taught me a lot about how to live a healthy life and how to encourage others to move forward in a positive way. The skills I learnt as a practitioner have been very useful as a teacher.

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As the Cambridge coordinator what advice would you give a student who wants to enter the Cambridge courses at BBELS?

The exam preparation courses are intensive courses run over a 10-12 week period and you need an overall grade of 60% to pass. So these courses require a high level of dedication (yes homework!) and commitment both in terms of class attendance (minimum 90%) and classroom participation. But if you think it’s for you, it’s well worth the effort.

When you arrive, you’ll do a placement test to determine which level exam course (FCE, CAE or CPE) is a realistic choice for you.

Ideally if you choose an exam course, you have a clear goal and are prepared to work towards it. Your Cambridge teacher is here to help you prepare for the exam to the best of your ability.

Be prepared for homework assignments, weekly tests and class presentations. You should plan on putting aside several  hours of home study a week outside class time. Your progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis and your teacher will work with you to maximise your strengths and improve any weaknesses.

But you can also be prepared for a bit of fun too. That’s one of the benefits of studying within the the relaxed and friendly environment of BBELS!

What are some things you’d recommend students do while they are here in the Byron Bay Region?

There are so many things to try and the school activities programme will certainly give you loads of great ideas. We fill the school day with lots of productive work but there’s still plenty of time to enjoy what this region offers. My personal favourite is sunrise at any of Byron’s beaches or the Lighthouse if you can make it up there in time, followed by a morning swim (you might see dolphins!) and a breakfast barbecue with friends. Or go to the Byron Farmers’ Market to meet some of the locals and enjoy the beautiful fresh food grown in and around Byron. Take the opportunity to experience and enjoy the stunning natural environment we are blessed with here.