English
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Learn to talk about the problems caused by addiction, what causes it, and give advice on how we can overcome it.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. China has one of the highest smoking rates for males in the world. Rightly or wrongly, Scotland has been stereotyped as a nation of alcoholics. The rise of materialism and consumerism has created huge numbers of shopaholics through the developed world. But what motivates people to take things to extremes, and feel like they can’t live without their addiction? Is it physical or mental? If you’re interested in discussing the causes, problems and possible solutions around the topic of addiction, then this is the class for you.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by creating a survey to see if any of our classmates have a problem with addiction, or whether they just have a habit. Next, we’ll look at the problems caused experienced by one well known sportsperson whose addiction cost him everything, and what he tried to do to get his life back on track. Finally, discuss what we’d do in a variety of situations where our friends came to us for help and offer advice on overcoming their addictions. Book Now»
Learn to discuss issues relating to the environment, saving energy and reducing waste.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. We only have one world to live in, but at the rate we’re going we might need to find another one soon! Did you know that Shanghai produces 20,000 tonnes of waste every single day, but that we can only deal with about half of that in an environmentally friendly way? If you’re interested in talking about how we can all help to reduce waste, and what our options are for dealing with this problem, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at some companies which are ‘going green’, and how they are trying to reduce waste and increase their efficiency. Next, we’ll take a look at some guidelines we can all try to follow to reduce the amount of waste we produce every day, and how the people of Shanghai deal with this problem. Finally, we’ll try and advise a company who wants to reduce the amount of waste they produce and help them to go green. Book Now»
Learn how to describe the speed of life in the modern workplace, and give advice on how best to spend your working time.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Do you feel up against it all the time? Are you always pushed for time? Or are you so laid back you’re nearly horizontal? If you’re interested in talking about how we spend our working time, and how we could always do with squeezing a few more minutes out of the day, then this is the class for you!
What? In this class we’ll break down how you spend your normal working day, and take a look at your time management skills. After this, we’ll compare your time in work to those of the top executives in blue-chip companies. Finally we’ll discuss which are the most effective methods of becoming more productive and how we would spend our well-earned free time – if only we could earn some more of it! Book Now»
Learn to discuss what makes you happy, how you can help make other people happy, and why being a happy person can help make us a healthy person!
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Mark Twain claimed, “the best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up” – would you agree with him? Happiness has a huge influence on the way we feel, and also on our health, but what makes you happy? Do you find happiness in the company of others? Or search for it in the bottom of a beer bottle? However you make yourself happy, if you come to this class we’ll give you the language you need to be happy in English!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at what makes us happy, and what we think might be the happiest time of a person’s life. Next, we’ll evaluate two people’s working lives and try to determine if they are happy, or if they’re putting a brave face on things – and what we would do to try and cheer them up. Finally, we’ll devise a questionnaire to asses our and other people’s happiness – how do we match up, and what should we do to stay happy! Book Now»
Learn the language you need when you go for dinner with colleagues and customers – whether you’re the host or the guest.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. We all need to eat – and living in China we have access to some of the world’s tastiest and most delicious foods! But are you comfortable describing dishes to foreign customers? How about finding out about a colleague’s preferences in terms of taste and flavour? What about asking whether a client has any special dietary requirements such as allergies, religious beliefs, and other things they may want to avoid? If you love food – and know how important it is to make a good impression when entertaining colleagues and clients – then make sure you come to this class. We’ll make sure you’ll leave class ready for lunch!
What? In this class we’ll start off by looking at our own attitudes to a working lunch, and how we can recommend restaurants which might be suitable for other people. Next, we’ll learn how to describe a selection of foods, and some common things a host or guest should say during a meal. Finally, we’ll create a menu of our favourite dishes – and some things we know people would love to avoid – and practise recommending and suggesting dishes in a realistic setting. Book Now»
Learn to talk about illnesses, and prescribe advice to those in need.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Josh Billings, an American writer from the 19th Century, said, “Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.” Even though he wrote those words almost two-hundred years ago, many people would still agree with him – but if you were taken ill, would you know what to do? If you were a patient (or even a hypochondriac) how would you describe your condition to a doctor? In case of an emergency, English Collective prescribes coming to this class!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at some common illnesses, and what we would do if we suffered from them. Next, we’ll examine a dialogue between a doctor and a patient, and diagnose some conditions that other people might be suffering from. Finally, we’ll put on our doctor’s coats and strap on our stethoscope and roleplay doctors and nurses! Book Now»
Learn to discuss issues relating to the environment, saving energy and reducing waste.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. We only have one world to live in, but at the rate we’re going we might need to find another one soon! Did you know that Shanghai produces 20,000 tonnes of waste every single day, but that we can only deal with about half of that in an environmentally friendly way? If you’re interested in talking about how we can all help to reduce waste, and what our options are for dealing with this problem, then make sure you come to this class.
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at some companies which are ‘going green’, and how they are trying to reduce waste and increase their efficiency. Next, we’ll take a look at some guidelines we can all try to follow to reduce the amount of waste we produce every day, and how the people of Shanghai deal with this problem. Finally, we’ll try and advise a company who wants to reduce the amount of waste they produce and help them to go green. Book Now»
Men at Work
Learn to discuss issues related to acceptable relationships between men and women in the workplace.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Ice Cube, a famous rapper from L.A., once said, “Women, they’re good for nothing – except for one thing.” Would his attitude be acceptable in the modern Chinese workplace? Or would he find himself in hot water? In different cultures around the world, attitudes towards what are acceptable relations between men and women differ in terms of acceptable physical contact and verbal communication – where would you draw the line?
What? In this class, we’ll start off by discussing a little about our own attitudes towards what is acceptable physical contact in the workplace. Next, we’ll look at a case of flirting in the workplace and decide who is to blame for the problems, and what we could do about it. Finally, we’ll advise a company which is having problems with sexual harassment and offer advice on what they should (or shouldn’t) do to clear up any misunderstandings. Book Now»
Time Out!
Learn how to describe the speed of life in the modern workplace, and give advice on how best to spend your working time.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Do you feel up against it all the time? Are you always pushed for time? Or are you so laid back you’re nearly horizontal? If you’re interested in talking about how we spend our working time, and how we could always do with squeezing a few more minutes out of the day, then this is the class for you!
What? In this class we’ll break down how you spend your normal working day, and take a look at your time management skills. After this, we’ll compare your time in work to those of the top executives in blue-chip companies. Finally we’ll discuss which are the most effective methods of becoming more productive and how we would spend our well-earned free time – if only we could earn some more of it! Book Now»
Time Out!
Learn how to describe the speed of life in the modern workplace, and give advice on how best to spend your working time.
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Do you feel up against it all the time? Are you always pushed for time? Or are you so laid back you’re nearly horizontal? If you’re interested in talking about how we spend our working time, and how we could always do with squeezing a few more minutes out of the day, then this is the class for you!
What? In this class we’ll break down how you spend your normal working day, and take a look at your time management skills. After this, we’ll compare your time in work to those of the top executives in blue-chip companies. Finally we’ll discuss which are the most effective methods of becoming more productive and how we would spend our well-earned free time – if only we could earn some more of it! Book Now»
Around the World in Twenty Customs
Learn about cultures from all over the world!
Who? This class is for intermediate members. If you are interested in the world around you, and want to learn about cultures, traditions and customs from all over the world, you will enjoy this class.
What? Learn to describe the cultures of different people from Africa, Europe and Asia. Practice explaining the meanings of different customs and their cultural background. Learn to give people advice about being culturally sensitive and respectful when they visit a new country, and how they can avoid culture shock. Book Now»