‘Real’ teachers essential in a virtual classroom

Japanese "Robo Teacher"

Chris Moore, director of In-company training at IH London, argues that there is no replacement for the ‘face-to-face’ teacher/student dynamic, whether in the classroom or via a webcam.

Digital technologies have changed how we learn and experience languages, but have they made teachers redundant? Can we now learn via online software, or is a trainer still necessary to bring language alive and give it meaning? 

In all aspects of learning and development, and very much in language learning, technology influences how people learn. The list of digital learning options is long: e-learning, m-learning, video-based learning, games-based learning, peer-to-peer exchange sites, virtual classrooms, MOOCs and the number of teaching aid Apps grows day-by-day.

 

Digital dropouts

Online learning is international, measurable, and scalable – great for learning & development teams everywhere. But do students stick at it?  This has been an issue since the very beginning of web based learning, especially with self-study options, as studies have consistently shown very high rates of disengagement and dropout.

Now, the bigger online language learning companies such as Rosetta Stone are introducing more live tuition to run alongside their software-driven language learning ‘solutions’. Virtual classrooms support self-study and allow participants to focus on specific areas of concern. Perhaps this is recognition of the fact that a good trainer is an essential part of truly effective language learning. 

 

It starts with the teacher

At International House London’s In-company training teacher-led learning is where a course starts. The syllabus is designed specifically to the needs of the individuals and companies concerned, and the core elements are taught by our expert trainers. Content can evolve as the course progresses.  The trainer can adapt materials to suit particular learning styles and specific scenarios can be introduced easily.

This is then supported by an online learning platform, where support materials and links to complementary resources are uploaded by the trainer. This ensures that the blend can be tailored to specific needs and can be intensified or reduced as required. The trainer provides regular input and feedback on what course participants are doing online.

 

The best of online and offline learning

So far, the online component has proved an excellent way to support learning and create a strong bridge between classes. However, it doesn’t alter the fact that, for us, a teacher is at the heart of the language learning process and provides indispensable direction, focus, and engagement.

 

Language and cross-cultural training

International House London provides tailor-made language and cross-cultural training for your company.

London is the top holiday destination for Britons

It’s a bank holiday weekend, on the verge of summer and rather than head off to guaranteed sunshine Brits are staying put and holidaying in the UK.

A poll commissioned by Travelodge found that 65%  of UK residents plan to take their summer holiday in the UK this year – a higher proportion than the past two years.

London has emerged as the top UK destination this year, over Cornwall in 2012, as city breaks overtake traditional seaside holidays as the favourite domestic getaway.

 ‘Staycationing’ in the capital

 

The rise of city breaks as the favourite choice for Brits holidaying in the UK may have something to do with our unpredictable weather.  

Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket, said: “British coastal resorts are great, but you’re not guaranteed Mediterranean weather. If it rains and you’re in London there are still hundreds of things to do and places to see”.

Top ten London attractions for tourists - and locals

The London Eye

Taller than Big Ben and more popular than any other paid-for London attraction, the London Eye offers the most spectacular views of the city, with visibility of up to 40km in all directions. Originally built as a temporary structure, the Eye has proved so successful that it has just celebrated its 10th birthday and looks set to remain one of the best-loved landmarks on the London skyline.

Find out more about the London Eye

The Tower of London

It is impossible not to be drawn in by the (often grisly) history of the Tower of London. See the spot where Anne Boleyn was beheaded, the infamous White Tower where Richard III imprisoned his young nephews, and, of course, the Crown Jewels, still proudly in place despite the best efforts of Colonel Blood in 1671. It’s well worth employing a Yeoman Warder as your guide – they're often as entertaining as they are informative.

Find out more about the Tower of London

Tate Modern

Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern, Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art. Its unique architecture is due to it previously being a power station. Inside you'll find temporary exhibitions by top artists from Damien Hirst to Gauguin. The gallery's restaurants offer fabulous views across the city. Entry is free to the main collection but special exhibitions require the purchase of a ticket.

Find out more about Tate Modern

St Paul’s Cathedral

Christopher Wren’s masterpiece has squatted imposingly in the City of London for the past 300 years. It withstood the bombardment of the Blitz and has become something of a monument to the determination and resilience of London and Londoners in general. Visit the cathedral to admire its architectural splendour, its crypt – including Nelson and Wellington’s tombs – and marvel at the uncanny acoustics in the famous Whispering Gallery.

Find out more about St Paul’s Cathedral

The River Thames

There’s no better way to see the sights of Britain’s capital than from the Thames. Taking a boat trip on the Thames is a must for any visitor to London. A river cruise gives you the chance to sit back and enjoy as you drift past the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and more.

Find out more about river cruises

The Royal Observatory

Part of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, the Royal Observatory is home to the National Meridian Line. This line officially separates East from West at Longitude 0º and is known as the ‘Prime Meridian’. It also represents the official centre of world time – Greenwich Mean Time. By placing your feet on either side of the line, you can stand in both the eastern and western hemispheres simultaneously. The Observatory also has a cutting-edge planetarium, some of the oldest timekeepers in the world, and the UK’s largest refracting telescope.

Find out more about The Royal Observatory and the National Meridian Line

The Houses of Parliament

Once a royal residence, the Palace of Westminster – more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament – has been the seat of the British Government since the 16th Century. Visitors from all over the world can visit Parliament to attend debates, watch committees and tour its labyrinth of ancient, Gothic and modern buildings, including the Clock Tower affectionately known as Big Ben.

Find out more about the Houses of Parliament

The British Museum

The world famous British Museum  exhibits artifacts from all over the world from prehistoric to modern times. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.

Find out more about the British Museum

Buckingham Palace

A visit to Her Majesty’s place of residence is a must. Of the Palace’s 775 rooms, only the 19 State Rooms – used by the Queen and her guests for official and state entertaining – are open the public, between August and September each year. These are well worth seeing as they contain some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova and priceless pieces of porcelain and furniture. Visitors can also take a stroll around part of the Palace gardens during the Summer Opening weeks.

Find out more about Buckingham Palace

And that’s only a small sample of what London has to offer, with its famous street markets, theaters, restaurants and nightlife.

No wonder so many people from the UK and all over the world choose to holiday in London.

Discover London

Take a look at our own guides to London life for more information about the city’s varied neighbourhoods, history and attractions.

IH London rated top language school in central London

International House London is best value English language school in central London according to a poll conducted by El Gazette. 

Table courtesy of El Gazette

Hot on the tail of our recent award for best customer service for Cambridge English courses, we've been put top of a table measuring the quality and value offered by language schools in central London by the team at El Gazette.

British Council and ISI reports used to judge language schools

 

International House London was found to offer the best quality and best value English Language courses in central London by the global English language journal of TEFL. We were judged against all language schools in the central London area that have been inspected by the British Council and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

El Gazette’s quality rankings are based on ISI and British Council inspection reports, integrating three different inspection marking systems: the ISI's marking system, and both the British Council’s old system of awarding points of excellence and its new
system of awarding points of strength. 

As the ISI and British Council use different rating systems (one point for each star awarded by the ISI with a maximum of three points available and fifteen points available from the British Councils new system) El Gazette's panel gave one point for each ISI point and 0.75 for each of the British Council's points of excellence.

Calculating the cost of language learning

 

To measure value for money El Gazette looked at the cost of the most popular, and often most costly, language course across all schools: General English morning classes.

Taking in to account contact time with teaching staff, but factoring out additional costs such as registration fees where possible, El Gazette's panel were able to establish a system for judging value for money.

Unsurprisingly, they found that schools outside central London and the West End were able to offer more competitive prices than those in the heart of the city. So, they split the results of their findings between central London and the rest of London. 

Smaller classes equal better learning 

 

Across the board, El Gazette found that smaller class sizes led to better outcomes, with class sizes of 8 - 18 proving to be the optimum size for a better learning experience. Smaller classes of 8 or less were found to inhibit many students causing an increasing in foreign language anxiety.


However, El Gazette also found that large class sizes could achieve results "by using highly trained teachers with a diploma, masters or state school qualification and three years’ experience".

60 years of expertise in language teaching and teacher training 

 

Image courtesy of El Gazette

El Gazette found when quality of teaching, course cost, class size and location were taken in to account, IH London stood out as the best English language school in central London against some pretty stiff competition. 

In our 60th year, receiving this ranking from a highly respected industry journal, so soon after having our Cambridge English programme endorsed by the governing body of Cambridge English (due to the feedback given by our students), is not only a great honour, it also affirms the approach and the principles of International House London.



We’ve long believed that small class sizes (no more than 14 students per class) equal better learning outcomes; a rigorous approach to teacher training is the only way to ensure high standards of teaching in the school; it is important not to stand still but to embrace new technologies and teaching methods.



That’s not to say we intend to rest on our laurels. Our plans are to keep upgrading the school to further improve the experience of our students and to expand our use of technology in education for the benefit of students, teachers and clients. We hope this progressive approach will mean we’ll be receiving similar awards in 60 years’ time.

Study English in central London

El Gazette's ranking is based on the value and excellence of our English language courses.


We offer a wide range of English courses to help you gain the best language learning experience possible.

Christmas in London

Volunteer at a

We all know that London is a great city, whether you live here, are a visitor or student. What a lot of people don’t know is how great it is to spend Christmas here in London.

One of the many wonderful things about London is that you can become a Londoner wherever you’re from originally. You could be from another part of the UK or the other side of the world, but once you’ve decided to make London your home that’s it – you are officially a Londoner.

And it’s at this time of year that you start to get an idea of how many people aren’t actually born and bred Londoners – because so many people leave at this time.

London is all yours for Christmas

For one week only, somewhere between 22 December and 30 December, London practically empties. Tens of thousands of Londoners head back to where they originally came from to be with family and friends for the festive season.

This is a great time for those with family in London, or those with commitments that keep in London for the last week of December. And increasingly, there are those that have just decided to stay in the city and enjoy this time with their friends.

If you travel on the tube you’re guaranteed a seat, if you go to your local pub you’ll be welcomed like a real local and you may even get a nod of acknowledgement from other Londoners as you walk around town.

The downside may be that many places shut for this period too. A lot of bars and restaurants are closed in the week between Christmas Day and New Years Eve as most of their customers have left, but those that do stay open tend to be very welcoming – and have tables available without booking in advance.

Help out at a London charity at Christmas

But then, Christmas in London isn’t all about restaurants, bars  shopping and eating . It’s also provides an opportunity to give something back and volunteering at a homeless shelter is one of the best and most popular activities for those that stay in London.

The housing and homelessness charity Crisis opens Christmas centres across London from 22-30 December that offer vital companionship, hot meals and warmth, and a wide range of essential services that homeless people often miss out on.

What volunteers can do

There are lots of options for  charity volunteers :

• General volunteers welcome guests, serve food, sort bedding or just make sure things go to plan
• Logistics volunteers co-ordinate food deliveries, volunteer as drivers or navigators and input data
• Service volunteers give guests access to services they usually miss out on. Crisis are looking for medical professionals, advice practitioners, hairdressers, alternative therapists, caterers, dog handlers and many more
• Activities and entertainment volunteers such as performers, musicians, magicians and sports trainers to help to inspire and entertain guests at the centres

The centres are open from  22-30 December. Volunteers are asked to sign up to a minimum of two shifts on two separate days and are welcome to apply for more should they wish.

How to volunteer at Crisis

You can  find out more about what Crisis do at Christmas on their website and to apply online at the Crisis website or telephone 0300 636 1000. 

International House Trust and Crisis 

Crisis have education, training and employment centres, called Skylight centres, across the UK. International House Trust have partnered with Crisis Skylight in London by offering intensive International English Language Testing System (IELTS) programmes to Skylight members.

Improve your CV with a second language

Evening and weekend language classes

Learning a second language and adding it to your CV could help you stand out in a crowded job market.

Recent university graduates don't need to be told about how tough finding a job is right now. According to figures released by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) there are 83 applications for every graduate role advertised.

With this kind of competition, more and more graduate job hunters are looking for ways to stand out from other job applicants.

Graduate courses to side step the recession

A popular route graduating students are taking is via postgraduate courses. A growing number of students finishing undergraduate courses are moving directly on to Masters and Doctorate degrees. 

This may seem surprising when the economy and jobs market are depressed, but many students continue to study to improve their employment prospects by adding further academic qualifications to their resumes. And increasingly, students are choosing to sit out the worst of the recession by staying on at university.

Learn a language to increase job prospects

As attractive as studying for post graduate qualifications may be it is not necessarily the right option for everyone. Post graduate courses can be expensive for those who don’t qualify for bursaries or funding, and not all graduates want to continue with academic study after 3 or 4 years of undergraduate study.

Learning a second language can be an affordable and manageable way to improve your CV and impress prospective employers.  

Even if a company or organisation has no apparent need for speakers of a language other than English, adding a language to your CV can really add value.

 Learning a new language shows prospective employers that you have the ability, determination and dedication to acquire new skills.

Learning a second language improves your first language

Along with the ability to speak and understand a new language, learning a language can also help you develop communication skills in your native language.

Language learning gives you a better understanding of language structure, the rules of grammar and can improve the clarity of your communications.

A good recruiter will understand the advantages a candidate with a second language can bring to a role, but don’t be shy about telling them this on your CV and in interviews.

Once you’ve decided that learning a second language is the way to go for you, all that’s left to do is to decide which language you should learn…

Study Modern Languages at International House London

Learn a language at International House London. We are the largest and most established language school in London with over 50 years experience.

At our central London location you can choose  which language you'd like to study from French , Spanish , German , Japanese , Italian or Arabic