Introduction

Nine of our students and their teacher Mr Fausto Hernandez are currently studying at Netherhall House, London.

So far they have been studying in the mornings, and visiting sites in London during the afternoon – including the British Museum, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. They have also been out of London, visiting the University of Cambridge. During their time at Cambridge they went punting on the river.

The director of Netherhall, Mr Peter Brown, commented on their high level of English. Mr Fausto Hernandez mentioned that the students are making good friends with international students who are staying at the residence, where English is the only the form of communication.

This weblog will be updated with pictures from the students during their time in the UK. To enlarge the pictures displayed, click on them.

Sean Redmond
Course organiser
sredmond@intisana.com

Netherhall Classes

The students are spending mornings in Netherhall House, being given English classes by their teacher, Mr Michael Burbeck. Netherhall was founded in 1952, and the first purpose-built accommodation was opened in 1966 by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Living in London is giving the students the opportunity to practise the English they are learning in the mornings in an English-speaking environment.

The Houses of Parliament

The group in front of the Houses of Parliament, with the clock tower commonly known as "Big Ben" - after the Great Bell it contains - in view. The oldest part of Parliament dates back to 1097 (the reign of King William II) although most of the buildings were redesigned in the 19th century following a major fire.

The British Parliament is known as the "Mother of all Parliaments", because it was one of the first and has inspired parliamentary systems around the world.

Punting in Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world, having been founded in 1209 - during the reign of King John - by a group of scholars leaving Oxford.

While visiting the University, Intisana students were able to go punting - a traditional pastime for students at Oxford and Cambridge.

National Maritime Museum

The students in front of the National Maritime Museum, which was opened to the public by King George VI in 1937. It has collections containing over 2 million items pertaining to Great Britain's naval history.

Exhibits include ship models and designs, historical maps, important manuscripts and a variety of naval instruments.

Albert Memorial

The group in Kensington Gardens, in front of the Albert Memorial, which was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband Albert.

The memorial was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and is a notable example of the nineteenth century Gothic Revival.

Trafalgar Square

Standing in the doorway of the National Gallery, with Trafalgar Square visible in the background. The National Gallery was founded during the reign of King William IV, and houses over 2,300 paintings, with some dating from the mid-1200s.

The central column visible behind the group is Nelson's Column. The column was erected to to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Ritz

The Ritz is one of London's most famous hotels, located next to Green Park in Piccadilly. It first opened in 1906, and has since become a popular place to have tea in the afternoon.

Famous people to have frequented "Tea at the Ritz" include King Edward VII, Charlie Chaplin, Sir Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Noel Coward, Judy Garland, Evelyn Waugh and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Piccadilly Circus

The group at Piccadilly Circus, the famous junction connecting Regent Street with the Piccadilly shopping zone. The neon signs - visible above - have become a popular tourist attraction, and the junction also features a famous statue of Eros.

The thoroughfare now known as Piccadilly was originally named Portugal Street in honour of King Charles II's queen consort, but by 1743 the present name was being used.

Assorted