Newsletter 2002/2003

English Language Learn the Individual Way

Dear Friends

A number of changes has made 2002 as interesting as any so far for HOMESTAY HERTFORDSHIRE. Eileen retired from active work with the service, but will continue to teach occasionally. Kate has pursued her researching and writing activities, mostly in Yorkshire, writing a thesis on eighteenth century social history in East Yorkshire. For these and other reasons, HH will in future also carry the name of englishinfo.

Switzerland and Japan have been the source of the majority of visitors this year, all with the usual wide range of interests. Walter and Claire both put in huge efforts towards their First Certificate exam. We trust these bore fruit; they certainly deserved success. Jeremie was preparing for English ‘A’ level with a view to attending university in England. And it was good to see Ayaka again this Spring. As well as horse-riding, this time she took up golf! A natural, she looked forward to demonstrating this new skill at home.

We like to show our students as much as possible of St Albans and the surrounding area, as well as introducing them to local people with similar interests. Keiko had just one week, all the way from Japan, but even managed to add a day in the Cotswolds to her programme. We had many interesting conversations about cultural habits as well as the beautiful scenery she saw there.

Regina struck lucky for the timing of her stay in St Albans, coinciding with the biennial St Albans Festival. Kate was involved at that time with the visit of the ‘Leather Dancers’ from twin town Worms in Germany.

Towards the end of the year we said goodbye to two long-term visitors, Wolfgang from Germany and Tamas (Tom) from Hungary. We will miss them – Wolfgang’s trumpet voluntary made a particular impression at Kate’s birthday party! We wish them and all our old friends and new contacts a happy and prosperous 2003; we look forward to seeing them again in St Albans some day. Keep in touch - tell us if you need any information or brochures.

Kate

Highlights In The Past Year

Kate celebrated this year’s birthday in style in the Assembly Room at the Old Town Hall in St Peter’s Street. Old friends and new, as well as host and teacher colleagues joined in the dancing to a ceilidh band. They played some Manx folk music as a tribute to Kate’s origins and for those family members who had come all the way from the Isle of Man for the occasion. Wolfgang added a special celebratory touch by playing ‘Happy Birthday to You’ on his trumpet. It was all great fun!

For the first year for a long time we did not take a group to the plays at Shaw’s Corner, but Walter did read a play and attend a performance by the local Company of Ten in St Albans. Drama continues to play a big part in our programme and the studio at the Abbey Theatre is small enough for the audience to feel part of the performance. Walter also got a special view of the Verulamium Museum when he attended a fundraising quiz with us there. Our team almost won. We certainly gave the winning team a run for their money.

We loved having Claire and husband Ernst here at Easter – the weather was already good enough for several lessons to be in the garden. Ernst contributed to discussion at mealtimes, having explored a different part of the town each morning while Claire laboured over her exam preparation! Their situation was in sharp contrast to the increasing number of students fitting English development somehow into a full continuing work programme with their companies. Claudine commuted to Hemel Hempstead every day as if life were simply routine, completing her homework and learning vocabulary until late in the evening, and then was ready to start lessons again early the next morning.

Kate continues to have close contact with friends in the German twin town of Worms on the Rhine. There were a record four visits from Worms to St Albans during the year and Kate was in Worms three times. All good opportunities for the exchange of Mitbringseln (gifts) – the now very popular Dornfelder red wine on most occasions being a prominent feature.

Ceilidh is a Gaelic word used to describe party celebrations with music in Scotland and also frequently used in England. It is pronounced ‘Kaley’.

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