Blend me a course in English/language Please.

Recent studies show that a blended approach to education in K-12 has been highly successful.  Michael Golden gave four developments to use in class:

·      “Blended project-based learning,

·      Technology,

·      Professional development, and

·      Connections with real-world experts”.

I received my MBA in December of 2006, I was exposed to blended courses and I loved them.  The more methods you use to solidify the students retention of knowledge, the better.  I am a firm believer that people have different learning styles, so keeping the lessons alive and fresh with a variety of learning methods is a fantastic idea.

Elizabeth Koukladas

Bearla International Studies.

Act of Congress in 1879 Decides It’s Time To Party With Washington’s Birthday

This Monday is a day that most students will have off! And who do we have to thank for that? President Washington The Father of our Nation!!  

In 1879 Congress passed a national holiday that would honour our first president of the USA.  A few things have changed throughout time for the holiday. It used to be on the actual day of Presidents Washington's birthday (Feb 22nd) however congress changed it to the third Monday in February.  The second change was in the 1970 with congress deciding it should be a national holiday to celebrate all presidents. Often people think it’s a birthday celebration for two of our greatest presidents as Washington and Lincoln who’s birthday is February 12^th, but truth is it’s a national holiday for all of our presidents.  

Regardless of why you are off of school enjoy the day off and remember to be mindful of our nation's greatest presidents Washington and Lincoln, we are wishing a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  

Elizabeth Koukladas
Bearla International Studies

Deeper Literacy: New Insights and Strategies for Teachers

Three-Part Series: 

Deeper Literacy: New Insights and Strategies for Teachers

With schools facing new standards in language arts and with complex literacy skills becoming a national education priority, many teachers and school leaders are looking for ways to deepen students' reading and writing capabilities. In this special PD webinar series, three master educators—Mike Schmoker, Jim Burke, and Donalyn Miller—will offer insights into how teachers can deepen literacy instruction and give students the tools and opportunities they need to build close-reading and analytical-writing skills. The presentations will look at how teachers can support in-depth literacy instruction through the Common Core State Standards and how students' engagement in reading and writing activities can boost self-efficacy and achievement. 

Choose one of these vital webinars for just $49, or select all three and pay only $129. You will also get a certificate of completion and 3 months of on-demand access!

Elizabeth Koukladas

Bearla International Studies. 

BIG BUSINESS PLANS For Bearla International Studies 2014:

Its officially my last day in Los Angeles. Elizabeth is taking me back to Santa Monica, its a beautiful day, so hopefully I will be able to catch a few rays and go home with a golden tan! You would think that after 6 months in California I would already have a tan, but no!

We met with the lovely Kari yesterday from our website company, had coffee and took a look at the updated version of our new site. It's looking excellent. I'm going to miss Kari back in the UK. Kari has been a great benefit to our business and has been has been fantastic to work with. Kari's attention to detail is amazing, she is a perfectionist, Thank God we found her!

Elizabeth is working on contracts with other schools and universities to expand our repertoire of programs and locations-to make your dream a real and to give you the experience you deserve. 

We will be advancing our Corporate Tours to give employees that enriching experience they need to give your company their absolute best, as a team and individually. 

Elizabeth and I are also planning a trip later in the year. We will be visiting China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and a few other places to advance Bearla International Studies. 2014 is a huge year for us, we are extremely excited about the year to come. I hope you all have a fantastic year too, and if you are at a loss of what to do-contact us and we will send you on a mind blowing journey to enhance you and your education. 

Amber Williams-Co-Owner

Bearla International Studies

Get A Place At A Top UK University At The International Student University Fair London 2014

As we are all aware preparing to study at a university abroad is a daunting prospect. Of course who ever you are and whereever you want to go-Bearla International Studies are always on hand to give you expert advice and support, however it can also be beneficial to attend university fares if you are able to. 

The Uk University Fair 2014 will be held at the Lancaster London Hotel on the 1st March. The event will take place from 12-5pm.

'The representatives of 90 UK universities will be at the fair looking to meet and recruit international students. You can talk to them about their university, find everything you need to know about their courses and find your ideal course at your ideal university.

There will be seminars and presentations at the fair on a wide variety of issues including advice on applying as an international student and insight into specific courses at high-ranking UK universities.'

Organised by the UK Education Council, this fair has 90 universities attending. Some of the best universities in the United Kingdom will be attending and have said that 'These 90 universities have come to the fair for one main purpose: to meet you. On-the-spot offers are available for students who impress.' Whether you are already studying the English language, a pathway program, just visiting or simply pondering the idea of studying in the UK, The Uk university fair 2014 will be an eye opener and perhaps even a fantastic opportunity for your future. 

Amber Williams-Director

Bearla International Studies

A Fond Farewell To Los Angeles.

There two days to go before I leave the beautiful state of California and go home to England-just in time for
winter! 

Visiting Elizabeth in California has been an amazing experience, even better than I could have imagined. 

Meeting with some of our international students studying in Los Angeles was definitely a highlight. One of my favourite aspect to Co-owning Bearla International Studies is the people I meet and the stories they tell me about the adventures they have had, how the things they have seen and experienced has helped to shape them as a person. There is nothing more rewarding than a student so excited about telling you their stories that they cannot get their words out quickly enough and end up stumbling over their own tongues! 

Elizabeth and I have a very exciting year ahead, with big plans for our international students and expansion within our locations portfolio to name just a few.

So back to Brighton it is. I will miss Elizabeth very much, and would like to say a great big 'Thank You' to Elizabeth for making my visit such a memorable one. 

I will be coming back to Los Angeles later in the year but for now it is farewell to the Hollywood sign, the smog and the frighteningly dangerous crazy freeway drivers. And hello Mandarin lessons, family, friends and a brand new team of English language students who are coming to London to live their dreams. 

Amber Williams-Director
Bearla International Studies. 

Top Two Language Apps Of The Week Are...

I have started to scratch the surface on my mission to learn Mandarin. It's day five and already I have found my first two favourite apps for language learning. 

I based my decision on: 

-How user friendly the app is.
-The price of the app
-How much I learnt from using the app and most importantly...
-How much fun I had whilst learning!

Learn Chinese: Available in many languages. This app has all the basics for free including but not limited to: Greetings, numbers, directions, places, eating and emergencies. Upgrades are available for small fee and a variety of languages are offered.   

The app shows you the word in English and Chinese (others do not). There is audio so you are able to hear the proper pronunciation, there is also an option for the word being read superslow so dabble with perfection. 

Each word is spelt out phonetically in English. You can even place a red heart next to your favourite words or phrases so you can access them easily. Awesome. http://ow.ly/twsmQ

Mandarin Flashcards: My favourite aspects of this app would have to be the pictures-some were beautiful photographs, and of course the sound effects-I especially enjoyed the Cow and the Elephant. Just an example of how they have made learning a bit more fun!

As for educational value: There are a variety of categories to choose from including colours, transport, food and numbers. The app shows one flashcard at a time with a pronunciation, which you are able to repeat as many times as you wish. Elizabeth has been caught chasing me around the house threatening to throw my phone out of the window-I suggest using headphones unless you are home alone. All the basics are free, upgrades are available. http://ow.ly/twppL 

Some language apps are fun games but by the time I have completed a few levels, I have not learnt a word of Mandarin (but I have beaten my top score!). I realise that I do need to take into account the fact that people to learn in different ways, so I forced six my friends to download these apps and give them a try. I was delighted to find that each of them came back with positive things to say about the apps. Some even greeted me in Mandarin upon my return, and only one of them had lost a phone due to their spouse's overexposure shall we say to the experiment.  

Overall, I have learnt plenty through the world of language apps. The only real downside is the horrific music played throughout!

Enjoy learning my friends and, as always if you have any feedback or favourites of your own then please do share them here.

Amber Williams-Director
Bearla International Studies