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Learn to reminisce about your childhood, talk about parenting and debate the benefits (or otherwise) of adoption.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Do you ever wish you could re-live your childhood? Or how about just take the time to reminisce about them (making sure to put on your rose-tinted spectacles, of course)? But not every childhood is golden – some children are a lot more ‘challenging’ than others. How do parents cope when their children start acting up? If you’re interested in discussing the issues related to children and parenting, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by trying to remember our fondest memories of childhood, and reminisce about the good old days. Then we’ll try and put ourselves in the position of Britain’s naughtiest child, and try to work out what makes him tick – and then decide what his parents should do to try and keep him under control. Finally, we’ll look at some non-traditional families and discuss whether we think they are a good alternative to the ‘nuclear family’. Book Now»
Learn the language you need to discuss families, parental relationships and how what we think about the responsibilities of our children.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. In English, there is a common phrase, “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.” All cultures have very different attitudes towards family, for example some cultures are matriarchal (for example the Musuo in china) and some are patriarchal, and some are a blend of the two depending on the circumstances. Approaches to parenting are also very different – for example the Asian phenomenon of Tiger Mothers and Eagle Dads, and the British experiences of ‘latchkey kids’ and American ‘helicopter parents’. If you’re interested in discussing the values of families around the world, then make sure you come to this class!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at the value of families, and how we think they differ across different cultures. Next, we’ll watch a video of an Eagle Dad and use it as a springboard for discussion on whether parents have a responsibility to toughen up their kids. Finally, we’ll look at ‘Kippers’, and our attitudes to when we think children should fly the coup and leave home. Book Now»
The Right Man for the Job
Learn about the different types of people you need to make a successful team, and what type of team-worker you are yourself.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Have you ever wondered why other people are getting promoted instead of you? Do you wonder why the people who don’t seem to do as much work as you often seem to get ahead? Why does that guy who always comes in late look like he’s most likely to be the one picked out by management for the fast-track management scheme? When you’re putting a team together it’s important not just to get talented people, but the right combination of talents. According to management theorist Meredith Belbin, there are eight different types of people you need for a successful team – which type of person are you? If you’re interested in finding out where you fit into a team, and how you can change the way your boss sees you by altering your behaviour to fit what they need, then make sure you come to this class.
What? We’ll start off by looking at the pros and cons of working in teams – why do we need to collaborate when we could work on our own initiative? Next, we’ll look at Belbins groups of team workers, and how we see ourselves in relation to these groups. After that, we’ll look at how being an effective team worker (not just in terms of how you get on with your colleagues but also where you fit into the team) can impact on your career. Finally, we’ll use a case study and try and work out what changes we need to turn an unsuccessful team into a well-knit team. Book Now»
Learn to make effective lies and spot when someone is lying in English.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. With all the talk of online rumours in the media recently, it’s becoming more and more important to try and work out for ourselves what to believe – and also what to ignore. But how do you reach your conclusions? Do you know the tricks and techniques that effective liars use when they want to persuade us something is true? How can you piece together different opinions to get to the truth of the matter at hand? If you’re interested in learning how to find the truth and read between the lines, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll look at some situations where lying might be OK, and decide for ourselves what the correct response might be when we’re faced with a choice of telling an uncomfortable truth or a helpful lie. Next, we’ll look at some of the phrases used by the news media when they report on something and want to persuade us that their opinion is the correct one – and use this to dissect some of the recent news stories. Finally, we’ll look at ways that people lie in normal conversation and use these skills to try and trick our partners – it takes a liar to spot a liar! Book Now»
Learn to talk about the different kinds of rituals and traditions associated with passing away, and learn the right way to express your condolences.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Following the recent Qing Ming Festival, here at English Collective we’ve decided to try and deal with one of the most difficult topics imaginable – passing away. While we know many people don’t like to discuss this subject, we feel that it’s important to be able to talk about all aspects of culture, not just the ones that make us happy. If you want to be able to broaden your language by looking at how we view death and also learning some idioms related to death, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class we’ll start off by looking at the best way to describe someone’s death, and how we can express our condolences appropriately. Next, we’ll look at some of the different ways of dealing with the logistics of death, and how we celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Finally, we’ll look at our own ideas about this tricky subject matter and what type of language is right when talking about it with other people. Book Now»
Hi everyone,
Just a short message to let you know that we will be closed for the upcoming Qing Ming festival so there will be no classes during the weekend of 31st March and 1st April. We will be open again from 7th April.
See you then!
Learn how to obtain consensus and make difficult decisions by showing different degrees of agreement and disagreement.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Making decisions is easy – getting people to buy-in to them is the hard part! How many times have you had a great idea, but had a hard time convincing other people to accept them, or implement them and follow-through on their action points? In this class we’ll look at creating shared objectives, which are vital if unpopular decisions are going to be accepted. If you need help getting people to buy-in to your ideas, then make sure you come to this class!
What? In this class we’ll start off by looking at what we need to do or see to know that people have bought-in to an idea. Next, we’ll watch two videos of a chairman trying to obtain consensus on a decision which has divided the meeting – with varying degrees of success. Finally, we’ll put these ideas into practice by trying to obtain the consensus of the group on a divisive issue. Book Now»
Dial Me In to the Teleconference
- Start:
- March 18, 2012 10:00 am
- End:
- March 18, 2012 12:00 pm
Learn the essential language of teleconferencing to make sure your teleconferences run smoothly and effectively.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Teleconferencing is here to stay, and while for many modern business people teleconferencing is an essential tool to keep in touch with their colleagues and clients around the world, English Collective teachers often speak to students who absolutely dread having to dial into them. That’s why we’ve created this lesson, to help our members communicate more effectively, efficiently and make sure they get their message across. If you want to improve your teleconferencing skills, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at an emergency teleconference held by a company who have a disaster at their factory. Their CEO is woken in the early hours of the morning and has to call in to the teleconference – and we’ll be there to listen to what everyone has to say. Next, we’ll look at the language they use to deal with each other and the problem at hand, and finally we’ll hold our own teleconference to decide how to deal with an impending disaster on set of the film we’re producing. Book Now»
Learn to discuss your opinions cross-cultural issues, a must for anyone who works (or wishes to work) in a multi-national company.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Wherever you’re from, you are a product of your environment. Whether you’re an American in Paris, an Englishman in New York, or someone who works across different cultures, knowing how to deal with cultural issues is an essential skill. If you’re interested in learning about different cultures – and where some of the potential conflicts may arise between them – then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll look at our attitudes to our private and public selves – how much of yourself do you feel comfortable ‘putting out there’ and what do you keep ‘hidden away’? Next, we’ll look at the story of a ‘works do’ with 12 different nationalities, and what happens when two cultures clash. Finally, we’ll discuss our own opinions about how we should deal with culture clashes, and what – if anything – needs to happen to those who cross cultural boundaries. Book Now»
Never scared to tackle the big subjects, our guest teacher Mark Seeley presents a special lesson discussing some of the main schools of Western philosophy and how we can apply their teachings to our own lives.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Why are we here? What is my purpose? These are questions that have occupied the minds of the great and the good from all walks of life – and still there is no definitive answer. We all have questions about life and everyone has different answers that make up their own personal philosophy, and if you’re interested in explaining your deepest thoughts about the world and yourself, then this is the class for you.
What? In this Upper-Intermediate level class, we will learn about the ideas behind the most important philosophers in the Western world from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Friedrich Nietzsche, so that we can learn how to best express our own personal philosophies. Book Now»
Learn to discuss news content, factual reporting and sensationalist journalism.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Every day around the world news crews and journalists are always on the lookout for the next big story, some breaking news that they feel is important to report. But are there some aspects of the news which should be played down? Or is all news useful important, no matter how morbid? Where is the line between reporting the facts and sensationalism? In many countries, some media are accused of rubbernecking and making stories more gruesome than they have to be to make sure that their viewers, listeners and readers are entertained as well as informed – is this acceptable? If you want to be able to discuss this difficult topic, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at some different perspectives about the news and whether people have a right to know all the details of a story or if the media has a duty to downplay certain aspects of the news. Next, we’ll role play a news room discussion and look at some potential news stories, debating which should be allowed into our news bulletins, and how we should put the information across. Finally, we’ll use the news to discuss whether censorship can actually be a useful thing, or if people have the right to know all of the details of every news story. Book Now»
Pre-Intermediate Course 中级初班
- Start:
- February 11, 2012 1:00 pm
- End:
- April 28, 2012 1:00 pm
Need to improve your English in the Year of the Dragon? English Collective has a new Pre-Intermediate course starting 11th February, and there are a couple of spaces left on this course if you want to join us. English Collective – your goals, your choices, your Collective.
想在这个新的一年提高你的英语水平吗？English Collective有一个新的中级初课程马上就要在2月11日开始了！现在只剩下几个位子，如果你想加入情联系我们。English Collective – 你的目标，您的选择，你的Collective。
The course starts on Saturday 11th February 2012 at 1pm.
开课日是在星期六2012年 2月11日下午一点。
Each class is 2 hours.
每一级课是两个小时
Classes will take place weekly.
每周一次
The course lasts for 3 months (24 hours total).
上课期间为三个月
Book Now»
Learn to discuss and evaluate your decision-making processes, and how you make the right (or wrong) decision.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. We all face decisions everyday of our lives, but the repercussions and consequences of our decisions can have far-reaching impacts on us, our families and our peers. But how do we decide what decision to take? If you’re interested in fighting through the waffle, and becoming a clear-headed decision maker, then this is the class for you!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at a variety of difficult decisions that we’ve made in our lives, how we took the decisions, and what the consequences of our decisions were. Next, we’ll look at a variety of decision-making techniques, and work out which is the most effective for ourselves by putting them to the test and using them to help us make several decisions. Finally, we’ll look at the case of a person who takes someone else’s commission in work, and use our decision-making techniques to help us reach the right decision! Book Now»
Learn to discuss the issues facing internet users and businesses around the world in the light of America’s push to combat internet piracy.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. File sharing has become part of the modern-day world. Countless numbers of people use bittorrents, online lockers and cloud storage to upload and download their own files – and often those of others. But in this hyper-connected world, who is able to police the internet and make sure that intellectual property theft is dealt with appropriately? Well, with America recently trying to introduce SOPA and PIPA it looks like the US is trying to reprise its role as world police in the offline world into the digital domain. If you’re interested in being able to discuss the implications of combating internet piracy and how it might start to impinge on our online freedoms, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start by discussing our own attitudes to internet piracy and file sharing sites. Next, we’ll look at the case of German Megaupload (an online file storage site) owner Kim Dotcom and his recent arrest in New Zealand, instigated by the US authorities. Finally, we’ll take a quick look at the main points of the SOPA and PIPA legislation which America tried to introduce recently and hold a debate to discuss their relative merits. Book Now»
Happy New Year everyone!
We hope everyone has had a successful Year of the Rabbit and is looking forward to the Year of the Dragon – we know we are!
Because of the Spring Festival holiday, English Collective will be closed until 11th February. We hope to see you then, when we will introduce some improvements to our course offerings to help usher in the new year.
So don your red underwear, put on your new clothes, make sure you don’t eat all your fish without saving some leftovers and we’ll see you soon!
Learn to discuss Spring Festival and the issues surrounding it including traditions, transport and tips on how to get through it in one piece!
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Spring Festival is celebrated around the world by the Chinese Diasporas and in many different Asian cultures, but how does it compare to other festivals around the world? What are your plans for the week? Will you be part of the world’s largest annual movement of people? Or will you try and avoid the crush on the public transport system and stay at home? How will you cope with the stresses and strains of the festival itself? If you’re interested in discussing this most joyous of occasions, then make sure you come to this class!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at some other annual festivals from around the world, and how we can learn from these to describe what happens during Spring Festival in China. Next, we’ll examine the issues related to the world’s greatest human migration as people from all around China try to get home in time to spend Chinese New Year with their nearest and dearest. Finally, we’ll draw up some tips to help each other get through what can be a stressful time and give some coping strategies for dealing with friends, family and relatives. Book Now»
Turning Over a New Leaf
- Start:
- January 8, 2012 10:00 am
- End:
- January 8, 2012 12:00 pm
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. A new year at English Collective begins with a lesson on new beginnings. In China it’s common to start the new year by buying new clothes and making sure you’re ready for what’s coming. In Western cultures, we tend to make new year’s resolutions – promises to ourselves about how we plan to improve our lives, challenge ourselves or kick our bad habits. So what’s your new year’s resolution? If it’s to learn more about English and improve your prospects, then this is the class for you!
What? We’ll start off by taking a look at the past year and what we might have regretted, and our wishes for the new year. Next, we’ll think about first experiences and what new things we could look forward to in the new year, including a look at the famous British TV and radio show I’ve Never Seen Star Wars, where celebrities try new things and talk about them afterwards. Finally, we’ll discuss how we feel in new situations, and how we approach new environments – perhaps even finding time to try some new experiences ourselves! Book Now»
As most of you know, we’ll be closed for the Christmas and New Year holiday, and the next class will be on 8th January at 10am.
From everyone at English Collective, we wish you and your nearest and dearest a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
See you in 2012!
Rules Are Made To Be Broken?
- Start:
- December 18, 2011 10:00 am
- End:
- December 18, 2011 12:00 pm
Rules. Why do some people seem to think rules are irrelevant, and others just talk about how important they are? When are rules good? When are they bad? And what’s more important – the following of a rule, or understanding the uniqueness of the situation?
Who? This class is for Intermediate learners. Have you ever wanted to talk about why it is, or maybe isn’t important to worry about rules. Do you want to know how to sound informed and intelligent on this issue? Perhaps you should take this class.
What? We will look at the role rules can play in our lives, and how to describe them. We will look at some high-profile of controversial rules, and even some comedic examples from the past. Finally we will explore our own ideas of which rules should and shouldn’t exist. Book Now»
Art Appreciation with guest teacher Mark Seeley
- Start:
- December 11, 2011 10:00 am
- End:
- December 11, 2011 12:00 pm
Learn how to discuss art and appreciate culture with our guest teacher Mark Seeley.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. What is art? Most of us aren’t too sure. We either love it or we hate it, but we probably don’t understand it. Modern art, especially. Paint randomly splattered on a canvas, a porcelain toilet in the middle of a museum. Whether we understand it or not, art has the power of creating emotions and thoughts inside of us that are unexpected and new. The feelings that art inspires are a gift that we need to be able to share with others. If we understand art, then we can communicate our thoughts and feelings to others so that others can share in the experience.
What? In this class we’ll discuss our opinions about art in general, its purpose in society and for the individual. Next, we’ll look at several paintings and learn some useful vocabulary for describing a picture. From these paintings, we will see the particular time periods and philosophies each represents. Finally, we’ll practice what we’ve learned by selling a painting to an art dealer.
In Sickness and In Health
- Start:
- December 4, 2011 10:00 am
- End:
- December 4, 2011 12:00 pm
Learn to talk about different attitudes to marriage, in good times and in bad.
What? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Marriage is one of the major milestones in many people’s lives. In China, children are under enormous pressure to get married as soon as they have finished their studies, with many parents resorting to matchmaking in a bid to set up their offspring with someone suitable – not always for love, but with their own ulterior motives. But what happens when a marriage is on the verge of breakdown? What are our options? If you’re interested in being able to discuss this emotional topic and offer advice to those who need it then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class we’ll start off by looking at what you would (and wouldn’t) do in the name of love. Then we’ll look at some different attitudes towards love and marriage, and which group we fall in – hopeless romantic, pragmatic lover, or outright cynic. Finally, we’ll look into what happens after a relationship has broken down, and what the effect is on the couples involved and the people around them. Book Now»
Learn to discuss the human body in terms of our sense of self, and what would happen if we wanted to change it (whether for cosmetic or health reasons).
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Buddha claimed, “to keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” But what happens when our bodies let us down, and we’re unhappy with the way we look – can changing our appearance also have a beneficial effect on our spiritual health? It’s fairly well known that South Korea has the highest rate of cosmetic surgery, but did you know that China isn’t far off, with the 7th highest rate in the world. If you’re interested at looking at how our bodies influence the way we feel about ourselves, then make sure you come to this class.
What? First, we’ll start off by looking at some different gestures from around the world and what they mean. Next, we’ll move on to looking at our bodies and deciding what exactly is essential to our sense of self, and what improvements we could make to what we were born with that would make our lives easier. Finally, we’ll discuss our attitudes to cosmetic surgery and look at the case of a young girl who feels so unhappy with her body she’s willing to go under the knife to change things. Book Now»
Learn how to discuss one of the hot topics of recent times – the property bubble, and what the consequences of a collapse in house prices could be.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. House sales in Shanghai have recently started to fall – at least in the luxury-end of the market. Public disorder and near-rioting occurred when some property developers slashed prices of new homes by 20-30% at the end of last month. The Chinese government has tried to put the brakes on the runaway prices which until recently had been rising way beyond the earning potential of most workers. Does this mean we’re nearing the bursting of the property bubble in Shanghai? If you’re interested in discussing this hot topic, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by discussing what would be suitable properties to buy for different groups of people – from first-time buyers, to buy-to-let landlords and even those who just want to sit on a property for a tidy profit. Next, we’ll look at how property bubbles of the past have taken hold and indications we can find that it might be close to bursting. Finally, we’ll look at how a property tycoon can solve the problems he’s having when liquidity starts to dry up in the credit market. Book Now»
Learn to discuss the language of cyber-crime, computer viruses and how businesses can be affected by their dependence on electronic data and cloud computing.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Trojan horses, worms and computer viruses – as if we didn’t have enough to worry about when we try and make our computers do what we want them to! However, in this day and age many unscrupulous individuals and organisations are looking to exploit security weaknesses in various organisations’ electronic data. Whether we think of Anonymous hacking government and businesses, botnets available for hire to initiate DDOS attacks and shut down websites, or simply a teenage hacker at home releasing worms for fun, we’re all at risk. Would you know what to do if your company was targeted?
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at the various kinds of ways our computing systems are vulnerable to attack, and what kinds of people are looking to exploit their weaknesses. Next, we’ll look at a case study of one company who was targeted by cyber-criminals who held their electronic data to ransom. Finally, we’ll hold a crisis meeting to decide what we would do if a situation like this occurred in our own working lives. Book Now»
Learn the language of the courts, identify guilty parties in a conflict and become judge, jury and…executioner?
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, claimed “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.” This idea has stayed with humanity throughout modern history, helping to guide and control populations around the world – but is justice the only thing that separates us from our basest instincts? If you’re interested in learning the language of the justice, then make sure you come to this class!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by discussing the history of how juries were created in British courts, and the role they have to play in deciding the fate of their peers. Next, we’ll take the role of members of the jury to determine guilt and responsibility in a variety of cases. Finally, we’ll look at the ultimate form of justice – the death penalty – and debate whether or not it can play a part in delivering justice to the injured parties. Book Now»