Wednesday 6 April 2011
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Jonathon Placement Report
What is your name?
My name is Jonathan .
What is the name of the company you are working at?
I’m working in a Children’s Centre in Burnley.
What is your role in the organisation?
There I’m at a placement and support the whole team.
What are your daily tasks?
I’m a very busy man ;) To my daily tasks belongs to participate in different groups:
Mondays: babymassage, Teenager Lunch Club, Dad’s club (support to cover the group),
Tuesdays: computer course (help other people), working at a college to teach German
Wednesdays: Nursery School, DJ school, Badminton (as a student)
Thursdays: Dodgeball (as a trainer), working at a college to teach German
What are your achievements so far?
I improved my English skills. During my stay here I learned a lot, especially English. It’s now easier to communicate with others. I also became more independent.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
The language. I improve my English skills everyday in the way I listen carefully, speak to others and I started reading an English book.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
Continue to improve my English skills. Learn more vocabulary, ask for words I don’t know.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
Very good. They support me, e.g. they describe words I don’t know.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
I get used to it. It’s the first time I had to speak another language without somebody standing next to me who will support me. I have to speak English and nobody can translate for me, but I get on with it.
What have you learnt so far?
I learned to work with babies, how to carry them and so on. I also learned a lot about the babymassage, it was something new for me. Furthermore it was new to work as a trainer, I really enjoyed it and I could imagine to go on with it when I’m back in Germany.
My name is Jonathan .
What is the name of the company you are working at?
I’m working in a Children’s Centre in Burnley.
What is your role in the organisation?
There I’m at a placement and support the whole team.
What are your daily tasks?
I’m a very busy man ;) To my daily tasks belongs to participate in different groups:
Mondays: babymassage, Teenager Lunch Club, Dad’s club (support to cover the group),
Tuesdays: computer course (help other people), working at a college to teach German
Wednesdays: Nursery School, DJ school, Badminton (as a student)
Thursdays: Dodgeball (as a trainer), working at a college to teach German
What are your achievements so far?
I improved my English skills. During my stay here I learned a lot, especially English. It’s now easier to communicate with others. I also became more independent.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
The language. I improve my English skills everyday in the way I listen carefully, speak to others and I started reading an English book.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
Continue to improve my English skills. Learn more vocabulary, ask for words I don’t know.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
Very good. They support me, e.g. they describe words I don’t know.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
I get used to it. It’s the first time I had to speak another language without somebody standing next to me who will support me. I have to speak English and nobody can translate for me, but I get on with it.
What have you learnt so far?
I learned to work with babies, how to carry them and so on. I also learned a lot about the babymassage, it was something new for me. Furthermore it was new to work as a trainer, I really enjoyed it and I could imagine to go on with it when I’m back in Germany.
Interview with Terri
Located:
Burnley Wood Children’s Centre
What are the aims and objectives of your organisation?
Achieve positive outcomes for families, children and young people.
What are you offering?
We work with families, children and young people who are at risk of poor outcomes and offer education and childcare, family support and outreach work as well as child and family health services.
What kind of jobs/placements can young people do at your organisation?
Young people can do admin and early years work.
What kind of experience did you make with having a foreign student in your organisation?
Cultural awareness for staff and service users like language, food, family info. It’s also an additional resource and it made other staff aware of equality and inclusion.
Burnley Wood Children’s Centre
What are the aims and objectives of your organisation?
Achieve positive outcomes for families, children and young people.
What are you offering?
We work with families, children and young people who are at risk of poor outcomes and offer education and childcare, family support and outreach work as well as child and family health services.
What kind of jobs/placements can young people do at your organisation?
Young people can do admin and early years work.
What kind of experience did you make with having a foreign student in your organisation?
Cultural awareness for staff and service users like language, food, family info. It’s also an additional resource and it made other staff aware of equality and inclusion.
Stefanie Placement Report
What is your name?
My name is Stefanie.
What is the name of the company you are working at?
I have to two placements. Two days a week I’m working for Embrace Coop. Ltd./Northern Branch. And my second placement for the other two days a week is in a Children’s Centre.
What is your role in the organisation?
I have a placement as Social Pedagogy (Social Work) there.
What are your daily tasks?
First I’ll speak about my tasks for Embrace. I support the Embrace team in different tasks. It begins with the preparation for new groups who arrive in Burnley (Welcome folders, translating CV’s), welcome new groups (introduction, translating, health and safety, show Burnley) over to support them with their placements and life here in UK (answer questions about shopping, excursions etc, visit them at their placements) and finally to say “good bye” (including to prepare and give references together with my colleagues). Furthermore I do the filing. And as well as you can see we have the blog about our experiences in the UK and this is coordinated by me.
Next I’ll explain my tasks in the Children’s Centre. There I work in two teams, Mondays for the Family Intervention Project and Thursdays with the Prevention Early Intervention team. When I work in these teams I assist on the one hand my colleagues at different activities and on the other hand I work on my own. This means I have sessions with the children which I prepare, carry out and evaluate.
What are your achievements so far?
I achieved already a lot. When I came to the UK my English was okay, but I haven’t understood everything because of the accent and it was also a barrier to speak. But this is getting really better. I can follow conversations and contribute to them. So I really improved my English skills. Furthermore I achieved a lot concerning my tasks at my placements. I’m able to prepare, practice and evaluate sessions in English. During my placement at Embrace my achievement is to organise and coordinate a lot of things (blog, documentations etc.).
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
My biggest challenge was the language. Speaking and understanding was sometimes very difficult. One problem was the accent (it’s not as easy as it is in school) and another the correct pronunciation. So I watched TV, listened to the radio and read books to improve my English skills and of course having conversations. I have the courage to speak not thinking about the correct grammar – just speak.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
My plan for the rest of my placement is to use every single day and every chance I get to take part at sessions, meetings or events. Also to inform myself about the topics which are an issue at my placements and discuss it with my colleagues.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
The cooperation with my colleagues and management is at both placements very good, we come along with each other very well and they support me during my work (show and explain things). They also ask for my opinion, so I’m involved as much as possible.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
It’s a very good feeling to speak another language, now. Honestly the first time was hard because I always thought about the correct words and grammar. But now I speak without thinking about if I say it correctly. And everybody supports me in the way they explain words I don’t know.
What have you learnt so far?
I’ve learnt a lot so far. Life skills like how to come along in another country, it means different traffic, a different language and daily life. Furthermore I learnt about the English culture (celebrations, meal and way of living). At my placement in the children’s centre I’ve learnt new techniques concerning the work with children and they also have a little bit different material they use than the once I know from Germany. Furthermore I’ve learnt about the family support system in the UK. Working for Embrace gives me the opportunities to receive more information about exchanging programs and how they work, to work with groups and get to know different facilities and organisations in the area around Burnley and to write reports about the life and work here. And of course I learnt about the organisations I work for.
My name is Stefanie.
What is the name of the company you are working at?
I have to two placements. Two days a week I’m working for Embrace Coop. Ltd./Northern Branch. And my second placement for the other two days a week is in a Children’s Centre.
What is your role in the organisation?
I have a placement as Social Pedagogy (Social Work) there.
What are your daily tasks?
First I’ll speak about my tasks for Embrace. I support the Embrace team in different tasks. It begins with the preparation for new groups who arrive in Burnley (Welcome folders, translating CV’s), welcome new groups (introduction, translating, health and safety, show Burnley) over to support them with their placements and life here in UK (answer questions about shopping, excursions etc, visit them at their placements) and finally to say “good bye” (including to prepare and give references together with my colleagues). Furthermore I do the filing. And as well as you can see we have the blog about our experiences in the UK and this is coordinated by me.
Next I’ll explain my tasks in the Children’s Centre. There I work in two teams, Mondays for the Family Intervention Project and Thursdays with the Prevention Early Intervention team. When I work in these teams I assist on the one hand my colleagues at different activities and on the other hand I work on my own. This means I have sessions with the children which I prepare, carry out and evaluate.
What are your achievements so far?
I achieved already a lot. When I came to the UK my English was okay, but I haven’t understood everything because of the accent and it was also a barrier to speak. But this is getting really better. I can follow conversations and contribute to them. So I really improved my English skills. Furthermore I achieved a lot concerning my tasks at my placements. I’m able to prepare, practice and evaluate sessions in English. During my placement at Embrace my achievement is to organise and coordinate a lot of things (blog, documentations etc.).
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
My biggest challenge was the language. Speaking and understanding was sometimes very difficult. One problem was the accent (it’s not as easy as it is in school) and another the correct pronunciation. So I watched TV, listened to the radio and read books to improve my English skills and of course having conversations. I have the courage to speak not thinking about the correct grammar – just speak.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
My plan for the rest of my placement is to use every single day and every chance I get to take part at sessions, meetings or events. Also to inform myself about the topics which are an issue at my placements and discuss it with my colleagues.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
The cooperation with my colleagues and management is at both placements very good, we come along with each other very well and they support me during my work (show and explain things). They also ask for my opinion, so I’m involved as much as possible.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
It’s a very good feeling to speak another language, now. Honestly the first time was hard because I always thought about the correct words and grammar. But now I speak without thinking about if I say it correctly. And everybody supports me in the way they explain words I don’t know.
What have you learnt so far?
I’ve learnt a lot so far. Life skills like how to come along in another country, it means different traffic, a different language and daily life. Furthermore I learnt about the English culture (celebrations, meal and way of living). At my placement in the children’s centre I’ve learnt new techniques concerning the work with children and they also have a little bit different material they use than the once I know from Germany. Furthermore I’ve learnt about the family support system in the UK. Working for Embrace gives me the opportunities to receive more information about exchanging programs and how they work, to work with groups and get to know different facilities and organisations in the area around Burnley and to write reports about the life and work here. And of course I learnt about the organisations I work for.
Frank placement report
What is your name?
Frank Wegner
What is the name of the company you are working at?
Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College
What is your role in the organisation?
I’m a member of staff. I do all sport specific things at ‘spirit of sport leisure centre’.
What are your daily tasks?
My tasks are:
Supervise groups of students
participate in lessons
support the PE teacher
Visit some sports events (like football year 9 ‘Lancashire cup’ etc.)
What are your achievements so far?
Improved my English and communication skills. Working with youngsters.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
Get involved in the lessons.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
Wanna do some more into the lessons. Give some instructions etc. And maybe become more a colleague for the members of staff.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
I got a really good relationship with my colleagues. We talk together, laugh together as well as work together as a team. I feel really comfortable there.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
The first days it was difficult but during the time we adjust ourselves with it.
What have you learnt so far?
I think my biggest improvement is my English. I also learnt a lot about the English way of living and traditions.
Frank Wegner
What is the name of the company you are working at?
Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College
What is your role in the organisation?
I’m a member of staff. I do all sport specific things at ‘spirit of sport leisure centre’.
What are your daily tasks?
My tasks are:
Supervise groups of students
participate in lessons
support the PE teacher
Visit some sports events (like football year 9 ‘Lancashire cup’ etc.)
What are your achievements so far?
Improved my English and communication skills. Working with youngsters.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
Get involved in the lessons.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
Wanna do some more into the lessons. Give some instructions etc. And maybe become more a colleague for the members of staff.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
I got a really good relationship with my colleagues. We talk together, laugh together as well as work together as a team. I feel really comfortable there.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
The first days it was difficult but during the time we adjust ourselves with it.
What have you learnt so far?
I think my biggest improvement is my English. I also learnt a lot about the English way of living and traditions.
Katja Placement Report
What is your name?
Katja Blank
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
Burnley Borough Council – Town Hall
What is your role in the organisation?
I work at the personnel department of the town hall in Burnley. I assist my colleagues concerning the redundancy preparation, litigation and administrative office work.
What are your daily tasks?
My daily tasks are:
• Pick up the post
• Filing, open new litigation files
• Invite people to meetings and advice sessions concerning the redundancy
• Get chances to attend meetings
• Room booking for meetings
• Typing and writing stuff, typical office work
What are your achievements so far?
My achievements are that I’m able to work in a foreign country, So my English knowledge is probably not as bad as i thought ;-). Here I have normal working days as in Germany. I can handle my tasks, have conversations with colleagues which I can understand and follow them. Everybody is friendly to me and accept me as I am.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
My big challenge at work was to make or pick up phone calls. At the beginning it was hard to understand all accents, but now everything is fine. I’m able to handle those situations.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I will try to start more conversations with my colleagues to improve my English skills. In addition I want to have more impressions how they work in a personnel depart in England because I need more work experience concerning my occupation.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
Everybody is very friendly. Unfortunately they don’t have so much time to support me or give me specific tasks. I hope I will got more involved in the future. But I have to say because of the redundancy problem there aren’t many tasks for placements at the moment. That’s the problem.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
My experience is very good concerning my language abilities at my placement. Everybody can understand ma and I’m able to understand my colleagues as well. If I would get the chance to work abroad again after my stay, I would take it because that’s the best way of improving my English skills.
What have you learnt so far?
I learnt that I can be more confident concerning my skills and that my English is not as bad as I thought. I can take challenges wherever I want and the best thing is I met a lot of nice people, which I like very much. Last but not least I want to say that I enjoy the stay very much and it helps me a lot. Thank you very much! ;-)
Friday 4 March 2011
Christina Placement Report
What is your name?
Christina P.
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
Holiday Inn Express Burnley
What are your daily tasks?
Clean tables, wash dishes, tidy up kitchen and breakfast area
What are your achievements so far?
Understand English better than before
Speak more English
Saw London, Manchester and York
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
To understand the Burnley dialect is really difficult, so I listen and try to communicate.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
Maybe visit Liverpool but there’s too much snow in the moment. I want to see as much as I can from England.
How is your cooperation with the colleagues and management in your placement organization?
They are all very nice people and we have a lot of fun at work.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
Most of the time I use words and phrases that I’ve known before but sometimes I learn new things and that makes me a little bit proud of myself than I can speak more and more English.
Melanie Placement Report
What is your name?
Melanie
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
Slattery – a Patissier and Chocolatier
What is your role in the organisation?
I’m got there a placement as a cake maker.
What are your daily tasks?
It’s around decorating cakes:
Spread sponge cakes with jam and butter cream,
Put Icing and marzipan on the cake,
Decorated cakes for all kind of events including inscription,
Created handmade chocolates.
I decorate the cakes how it is ordered or I get a picture of it and realise it.
What are your achievements so far?
Finding the right way to my placement because my placement is near Manchester and I have to change the busses. Another achievement is that I can conduct conversations with my colleague and that I understand the cake order.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
The language, but I speak a lot with locals to improve my English.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
To speak more to my colleagues.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
I have good conversations 8including to use body language) with my colleagues about baking cakes in the UK and in Germany.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
It’s hard to learn a new language but my colleagues support me very much, They show me all and explain a lot of things. They are very patient with me.
Nanette Placement Report
What is your name?
Nanette
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
Towneley Hall
What are your daily tasks?
Set up tables with cups and sauces
Washing up, hooving
Serve tea, coffee and mince pies to guests
Prepare events
Spend time with school classes
What are your achievements so far?
I understand the sense of sentences people tell me. I overcame my fear to speak English and to ask people if I have any questions.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
To understand elder people. I’m always niece and smile although I don’t understand and I ask them to repeat it.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
It’s great! My colleagues are very nice and friendly. They help me to understand the guests. They take care of me and bring me soup to work and tell me about their life.
How do you experience to speak another language?
It’s a strange situation because I sometimes feel like I don’t have enough vocabulary especially the right words (expressions) to say what I want to say or what I want to know.
What have you learned so far?
How beautiful it is to be at home with my friends and family. That I would never live in England.
Nanette
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
Towneley Hall
What are your daily tasks?
Set up tables with cups and sauces
Washing up, hooving
Serve tea, coffee and mince pies to guests
Prepare events
Spend time with school classes
What are your achievements so far?
I understand the sense of sentences people tell me. I overcame my fear to speak English and to ask people if I have any questions.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
To understand elder people. I’m always niece and smile although I don’t understand and I ask them to repeat it.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
It’s great! My colleagues are very nice and friendly. They help me to understand the guests. They take care of me and bring me soup to work and tell me about their life.
How do you experience to speak another language?
It’s a strange situation because I sometimes feel like I don’t have enough vocabulary especially the right words (expressions) to say what I want to say or what I want to know.
What have you learned so far?
How beautiful it is to be at home with my friends and family. That I would never live in England.
Paul Placement Report
What is your name?
Paul
What is the name of the company you are working at?
Forshaws BMW & MINI Specialist
What is your role in the organisation?
Volunteer as a Car mechanic
What are your daily Tasks?
I carry out service checks, brake- pads – and – disc – change as well as health checks.
I help my colleagues to work on the engines and sometimes I work with them on very expensive cars
What are your achievements so far?
I have improved my English language. I have learnt a lot about working in England. I have had a view in to the English culture. I have met a lot of different people.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
In the first few weeks I had a big problem with understanding and speaking the English language. I managed to understand it more by learning the body language and lots of new vocabulary.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I want to have a better understanding of the English language. I hope that I can speak better English. Better understanding of the English working way.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and the management in your placement organization?
Sometimes it is really hard to understand the Lancashire accent. But with time it will get better. My colleagues there are very friendly and helpful. They help me with speaking the right sentences.
How do you experience to speak another language at work ?
At the beginning it was really hard. But then you learn to understand a lot more, if you use the body language and learn a lots of vocabulary. Now I think that the work is not a problem anymore.
Tanja Placement Report
What is your name?
My name is Tanja
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
The name of the institution where I work is Towneley House (a residential home).
What is your role in this organisation?
There I’m working as a trainee for occupational therapy.
What are your daily tasks?
My daily tasks were the following:
Make tea for the residents,
Talk to the residents,
Help in the kitchen,
Doing occupations with the residents (bake, art and handicrtafts, talks).
What are your achievements so far?
I had a lot of achievements during the last 4 weeks. The language was the biggest part. I think that I improved my English skills, I understand and speak better English because of this experience here in the UK. I never worked with residents before – so I learned a lot about how to work with residents.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
The language was a big challenge for me. But it’s getting better and better when I speak with the residents or other people. The trips we made in our leisure time were a challenge too, like to drive with the correct bus or tube.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I would like to get to know the residents better and also the staff. Everyday I want to go in an good mood to work. I want to enjoy the last days with the people in the house. I would like to talk a lot in English so that I can further improve my English.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
The cooperation is very good. If anyone has got problems, they talk to each other. There is a good relationship between staff and management. Everyone is friendly and polite. I never saw a situation of argument. I really felt well in this placement.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
The first time it was a little bit unaccustomed to speak another language. But after the first two weeks it was normal to speak English. Now I don’t think a lot about the words, I just start to speak.
What have you learned so far?
I learned a lot about the northern English accent. It is really difficult to understand the people. I also learned something about the British life. For example when you cross the street, you should first look right and when left. There are a lot of differences between the UK and Germany like the English breakfast with eggs, toast, beans and sausages.
My name is Tanja
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
The name of the institution where I work is Towneley House (a residential home).
What is your role in this organisation?
There I’m working as a trainee for occupational therapy.
What are your daily tasks?
My daily tasks were the following:
Make tea for the residents,
Talk to the residents,
Help in the kitchen,
Doing occupations with the residents (bake, art and handicrtafts, talks).
What are your achievements so far?
I had a lot of achievements during the last 4 weeks. The language was the biggest part. I think that I improved my English skills, I understand and speak better English because of this experience here in the UK. I never worked with residents before – so I learned a lot about how to work with residents.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
The language was a big challenge for me. But it’s getting better and better when I speak with the residents or other people. The trips we made in our leisure time were a challenge too, like to drive with the correct bus or tube.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I would like to get to know the residents better and also the staff. Everyday I want to go in an good mood to work. I want to enjoy the last days with the people in the house. I would like to talk a lot in English so that I can further improve my English.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
The cooperation is very good. If anyone has got problems, they talk to each other. There is a good relationship between staff and management. Everyone is friendly and polite. I never saw a situation of argument. I really felt well in this placement.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
The first time it was a little bit unaccustomed to speak another language. But after the first two weeks it was normal to speak English. Now I don’t think a lot about the words, I just start to speak.
What have you learned so far?
I learned a lot about the northern English accent. It is really difficult to understand the people. I also learned something about the British life. For example when you cross the street, you should first look right and when left. There are a lot of differences between the UK and Germany like the English breakfast with eggs, toast, beans and sausages.
Thursday 3 March 2011
Thomas Placement Report
What is your name?
My name is Thomas
What is the name of the company/institution you are working at?
Towneley Park City Learning Centre
What is your role in the organisation?
I’m a stuff for media technology.
What are your daily tasks?
Every day is different. My main tasks are web design, video editing and image editing. I also do the set up for events/meetings in and outside the CLC and filming.
What are your achievements so far?
I got the northern accent a bit better. I worked at a couple of events/meetings around Lancashire. I fixed the CLC website. I did filming and video editing for a project from the “Princes trust”.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
I had to do some interviews for a DVD. So I prepared questions. I keep talking to get the northern accent and the industrial English.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I don’t have a real plan but I know there will be a lot to do. I’ll create a new design for the website. I’ll also get few more video projects.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
All my colleagues are really friendly. I learn a lot from them and learn from me as well, sometimes.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
It’s not that easy but I think I’m doing well. My English is getting better every nday.
What have you learnt so far?
I learnt about the English way of working. It’s much relaxer than in Germany. I learnt about video editing.
Anna Placement report
What is your name?
Anna
What is the name of the company you are working at?
Offshoots Permaculture Project
What is your role in the organisation?
I am a volunteer at Offshoots and work closely together with the site manager and other volunteers.
What are your daily tasks?
My tasks are very weather dependent due to the facts that Offshoots is a community garden, Horticultural work like weeding, sieving compost or watering plants are as well part of my daily tasks as helping to deliver environmental workshops to school and college groups, volunteers and community groups. I´m involved in coordinating and supervising volunteers and support the site manager with applications for fundings for new projects. So I do both brain work and practical work.
What are your achievements so far?
I realised that my language improved because I´m able to talk fluently with English people and I even understand strong Lancashire accent. I learnt really much about managing a project like Offshoots, but also small things that are important in gardens or in social behaviour. I ran my own workshop and made friends at Offshoots.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
Of course I struggled with the English language at the beginning of my adventure here in England, but I didn’t hesitate to speak and listened carefully. I think my biggest challenge was to slow down a little bit. The English way of working is less fast than in Germany and it took some time to adapt. But finally I managed to relax a little bit and I am now fully aware of my position and value in Offshoots.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I will work as good as possible and try to find something, a workshop or an improvement or something, that reminds the volunteers and staff from Offshoots that I have been there after I left. I want to get stronger involved into funding applications to learn how to write them and in the end I want to be able to write a formal text in English without problems.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
The site manager as well as the Offshoots staff and the volunteers work closely together with me. We get along really well and have fun with each other. They know that they can rely on me and I know I can rely on them. Some of them are friends now.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
Sometimes I struggle with explaining interesting facts about plants, traditions or working methods so that the English language seems to be a barrier. But in normal case the person I speak to is patient enough and helpful so that I can manage to say what I wanted to say. I really enjoy speaking English.
What have you learnt so far?
I learnt that I´m quite good in teaching children. I learnt that it seems to be difficult for teenagers from Burnley to get in contact with me. I learnt how to clean a chainsaw and build it together again afterwards. I learnt how to light a fire. I learnt that it is good to stay calm in events of fire at site, frozen pipes or simply heavy workload. And I learnt that I really love England and that I want to stay here.
Anna
What is the name of the company you are working at?
Offshoots Permaculture Project
What is your role in the organisation?
I am a volunteer at Offshoots and work closely together with the site manager and other volunteers.
What are your daily tasks?
My tasks are very weather dependent due to the facts that Offshoots is a community garden, Horticultural work like weeding, sieving compost or watering plants are as well part of my daily tasks as helping to deliver environmental workshops to school and college groups, volunteers and community groups. I´m involved in coordinating and supervising volunteers and support the site manager with applications for fundings for new projects. So I do both brain work and practical work.
What are your achievements so far?
I realised that my language improved because I´m able to talk fluently with English people and I even understand strong Lancashire accent. I learnt really much about managing a project like Offshoots, but also small things that are important in gardens or in social behaviour. I ran my own workshop and made friends at Offshoots.
What were the challenges and how did you manage them?
Of course I struggled with the English language at the beginning of my adventure here in England, but I didn’t hesitate to speak and listened carefully. I think my biggest challenge was to slow down a little bit. The English way of working is less fast than in Germany and it took some time to adapt. But finally I managed to relax a little bit and I am now fully aware of my position and value in Offshoots.
What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?
I will work as good as possible and try to find something, a workshop or an improvement or something, that reminds the volunteers and staff from Offshoots that I have been there after I left. I want to get stronger involved into funding applications to learn how to write them and in the end I want to be able to write a formal text in English without problems.
How is your cooperation with colleagues and management in your placement organisation?
The site manager as well as the Offshoots staff and the volunteers work closely together with me. We get along really well and have fun with each other. They know that they can rely on me and I know I can rely on them. Some of them are friends now.
How do you experience to speak another language at work?
Sometimes I struggle with explaining interesting facts about plants, traditions or working methods so that the English language seems to be a barrier. But in normal case the person I speak to is patient enough and helpful so that I can manage to say what I wanted to say. I really enjoy speaking English.
What have you learnt so far?
I learnt that I´m quite good in teaching children. I learnt that it seems to be difficult for teenagers from Burnley to get in contact with me. I learnt how to clean a chainsaw and build it together again afterwards. I learnt how to light a fire. I learnt that it is good to stay calm in events of fire at site, frozen pipes or simply heavy workload. And I learnt that I really love England and that I want to stay here.
Interview with Phill Dewhurst
1. Are you a commercial or charitable organisation?
Charity Organisation
2. What are the aims and objectives of your organisation?
From the Management Agreement Offshoots Permaculture Project:
The Offshoots Project shall be managed to fulfil the following objectives:
To provide a learning environment for local people, promoting sustainable practices.
To create demonstration gardens to promote sustainable land and resource management.
To encourage local action by making skills, produce and tool loan available through Burnley LET System.
To provide therapeutic gardening work for Greenspace volunteers.
To work co-operatively with other environmental projects in East Lancashire.
To create the smallest possible ecological footprint whilst achieving these aims projects.
3. What are you offering?
Opportunity to understand Permaculture Principles.
Help to deliver Permaculture Project in a Permaculture Garden Site
4. What kind of jobs/placements can young people do at your organisation?
- Horticulture
- Woodworking
- Beekeeping
→All depending upon season
5. What kind of experience did you make with having a foreign student in your organisation?
Benefited enormously
In case of good level English speaker no problem.
With low level English speaker more or less difficult, because needs more attention and help (translation) → fluency in English required.
Charity Organisation
2. What are the aims and objectives of your organisation?
From the Management Agreement Offshoots Permaculture Project:
The Offshoots Project shall be managed to fulfil the following objectives:
To provide a learning environment for local people, promoting sustainable practices.
To create demonstration gardens to promote sustainable land and resource management.
To encourage local action by making skills, produce and tool loan available through Burnley LET System.
To provide therapeutic gardening work for Greenspace volunteers.
To work co-operatively with other environmental projects in East Lancashire.
To create the smallest possible ecological footprint whilst achieving these aims projects.
3. What are you offering?
Opportunity to understand Permaculture Principles.
Help to deliver Permaculture Project in a Permaculture Garden Site
4. What kind of jobs/placements can young people do at your organisation?
- Horticulture
- Woodworking
- Beekeeping
→All depending upon season
5. What kind of experience did you make with having a foreign student in your organisation?
Benefited enormously
In case of good level English speaker no problem.
With low level English speaker more or less difficult, because needs more attention and help (translation) → fluency in English required.
Thursday 6 January 2011
Once upon a time
11 young people had the idea of spending some time working abroad. After we met on the 11th August 2010 things got more specific because we got to know each other and got some information about the project. Fortunately everybody signed the contract.
So we all looked forward to start the adventure abroad.
15.09.2010 START fly Berlin Tegel to Manchester
Arrived in Burnley with a warm welcome at Embrace House and a delicious dinner we got to know the whole Embrace stuff and volunteers.
So we all looked forward to start the adventure abroad.
15.09.2010 START fly Berlin Tegel to Manchester
Arrived in Burnley with a warm welcome at Embrace House and a delicious dinner we got to know the whole Embrace stuff and volunteers.
Trip Blackpool
We plant a trip to the sparkling and flashing town – Blackpool. We took the National Express to the “Las Vegas“ of England. The trip by bus felt like 5 hours but actually it took 1,5 hour.
As far we arrived the sun was shining and we smelt the breeze of the Irish sea. For that reason we went to the beach and took a lot of pictures. We enjoyed the photo session at the beach.
We have seen a lot and get much impressions of the busy city. From this followed that we had to refresh ourselves with typical English fish and chips. The highlights apart from the beach were the Blackpool tower and the huge fairgrounds.
Busy at 1 Leven Street in Burnley
From the 11th October. to the 31.10.2010 “21” people had their accommodation at 1 Leven Street in Burnley. Additional to the 11 people who stay here since the 15 September 10 trainees from Berlin have been at placements in the area around Burnley. Maria, Katherina, Sandra, Kerstin, Monika, Marcel, Flo, Steven, Nikolaj and Sebastian arrived at Liverpool airport in the evening of the 11th October. They were welcomed with a big dinner. Their first week here in Burnley was a getting to know each other and Burnley as well as a preparation for their placement. And of course they had to go to interviews for their placements. So really a lot to do followed of 2 weeks placement. The girls worked as sale assistants, Monika, Sandra, Kerstin and Maria in the Poundland shop and Katherina worked in a charity shop of the British Red Cross. Nikolaj had had his placement as a carpenter at Offshoots.
Steven, Flo and Sebastian worked at a building site. And last but not least Marcel who is in an education as motorbike mechanic but found his passion in making jewellery. Marcel got the chance to design his own pendant and he did his job very well. Although the 10 got a lot of work were was time in between to explore the area. So we all went to Manchester visit there the museum and had a small shopping tour and the 10 made also a walk to the “singing ringing tree” in Burnley. The 3 weeks run very fast because the 31st October came and it was the first time a group left Burnley to go back to Germany. We wish all 10 the best for their future!
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Nanette
Name: Nanette
Age: 20
Qualification: Apprenticeship to become a travel agent
Hopes: I hope to improve my English skills through my placement, get to know new people and experience other ways of working.
Back home: When I’m back in Germany I will finish my apprenticeship. I go to work and visit the vocational training school. Perhaps I will start to study tourism management.
Future plans: I would like to work for some popular tour operators and create my own trips and journeys or work at the airport for an airline.
Hobbies: I enjoy to meet my friends, going to the cinema and I love sports (football + handball)
Inspiration: My family, friends and the media inspire me.
Tanja
Name: Tanja
Age 22
Qualification: At the moment I’m in the 3rd year of my education to become a
occupational therapist.
Hopes: I hope to improve my English. I also hope to learn about the differences
of occupational therapy in the UK and Germany.
Back home: When I’m back in Germany I have another placement for 2 months, a workshop for handicapped people. From june to august I have my final exams to become a occupational therapist.
Future plans: In the future I would like to work in a clinic for psychosomatic illness. I also would like to work with children and adults with ADHD. I’m really interested in both groups of patients.
Hobbies: My hobbies in the winter are: skiing, snowboarding, build snowmen, go for a walk in the winter land. In the summer my hobbies are: swimming, jogging, ride a bike. All in all I like to spend my time with my family and my friends, I like to go to the cinema or to have a ice cream.
Inspiration: I don’t know what inspires me, But I know how to get up when I’m in an bad mood. Music helps me to get a good mood. My friends and my little nephew are also so important for me. Because of this factors I’m in balance and ready to do a good work.
Philosophy: You don’t need a life philosophy. Listen to your he
Age 22
Qualification: At the moment I’m in the 3rd year of my education to become a
occupational therapist.
Hopes: I hope to improve my English. I also hope to learn about the differences
of occupational therapy in the UK and Germany.
Back home: When I’m back in Germany I have another placement for 2 months, a workshop for handicapped people. From june to august I have my final exams to become a occupational therapist.
Future plans: In the future I would like to work in a clinic for psychosomatic illness. I also would like to work with children and adults with ADHD. I’m really interested in both groups of patients.
Hobbies: My hobbies in the winter are: skiing, snowboarding, build snowmen, go for a walk in the winter land. In the summer my hobbies are: swimming, jogging, ride a bike. All in all I like to spend my time with my family and my friends, I like to go to the cinema or to have a ice cream.
Inspiration: I don’t know what inspires me, But I know how to get up when I’m in an bad mood. Music helps me to get a good mood. My friends and my little nephew are also so important for me. Because of this factors I’m in balance and ready to do a good work.
Philosophy: You don’t need a life philosophy. Listen to your he
Christina
Name: Christina
Age: 20
Qualification: Apprenticeship to become a travel agent
Hopes: I hope I can improve my English. The English I’ve learned in school isn’t enough to study “marketing” in Germany.
Back home: I want to finish my apprenticeship as travel agent and after that studying at a university “economics”
Future plans: Not anymore working at a hotel, it’s busy and hard work and they don’t get enough money. Maybe I would like to work at a travel agency or at an airport but if I pass my exams in “economics” and “marketing”, I would like to work for a TV-channel, a magazine, a company and so on (maybe as a “marketing director”).
Hobbies: I love sports: basketball and cheerleading and another hobby is to phone
Inspiration: I’m inspired by my friends: they achieved ao much in life and I would like to become like them.
Philosophy: Just do it! Do what you want and live every moment – it could open a great possibility for yoa
Stefanie
Name: Stefanie
Age: 23
Qualification:
Social Worker/Social Pedagogy
Hopes:
Working abroad means to learn new things. And that’s what I’d like to achieve during my placement in the UK. Also learning new ways of working concerning my occupation and improving my English skills. I’m interested in different cultures. To see how people in other countries live and work is very exciting.
Back home:
Back in Germany I want to work in my occupation. Furthermore I’d like to qualify myself in fact that I enhance my skills focused on working with parents and their children.
Future plans:
The field of work for this occupation is wide and it’s hard to decide for one field. But if I have to, it would be to work with families and young persons in difficult situations because I already had placements in this field in the past and it was a really interesting and varied work.
Hobbies:
I like to spend my leisure time with my family and friends, going out, laugh and listen to music.
Inspiration:
The daily life is my inspiration. Every day I meet people, including my family and friends, who handle different situations in different ways. I meet them everywhere, at work, on the street and in my leisure time.
Philosophy:
Trust in yourself and don’t worry what other people think about you. If they say you can’t achieve something when just do it and convince them.
Age: 23
Qualification:
Social Worker/Social Pedagogy
Hopes:
Working abroad means to learn new things. And that’s what I’d like to achieve during my placement in the UK. Also learning new ways of working concerning my occupation and improving my English skills. I’m interested in different cultures. To see how people in other countries live and work is very exciting.
Back home:
Back in Germany I want to work in my occupation. Furthermore I’d like to qualify myself in fact that I enhance my skills focused on working with parents and their children.
Future plans:
The field of work for this occupation is wide and it’s hard to decide for one field. But if I have to, it would be to work with families and young persons in difficult situations because I already had placements in this field in the past and it was a really interesting and varied work.
Hobbies:
I like to spend my leisure time with my family and friends, going out, laugh and listen to music.
Inspiration:
The daily life is my inspiration. Every day I meet people, including my family and friends, who handle different situations in different ways. I meet them everywhere, at work, on the street and in my leisure time.
Philosophy:
Trust in yourself and don’t worry what other people think about you. If they say you can’t achieve something when just do it and convince them.
Katja
Name: Katja
Age: 26
Qualification:
Commercial Assistant, Studies in Business Administration
Hopes:
The placement gives me the opportunity to find out more about England and to visit other parts of the country. It is a good challenge to improve my English and make new experience with my working experiences abroad. It is an impressive stay. I got the chance to scout Burnley and surroundings, get to know knew cultures and meet a lot of new people.
Back home:
I would like to work in a successful company at a Human Resource Department, so working in my occupation. But perhaps I'm going to work abroad in a foreign country or stay in England.
Future plans:
I would like to work in a Human Resource Department, because that’s my occupation.
Hobbies:
Travel around the world, meet new people, listen to music and go to concerts.
Philosophy:
Carpe Diem and be brave.
Frank
Name: Frank
Age: 20 years young
Qualifications:
State proved Media assistant state proved Sport assistant
Hopes:
During this 6 month here in the UK i hope to improve my english, so that I can speak realy well. Furthermore I will learn many about this country, their standard of living, their culture and about their working skills/to get working experience
Back home:
Maybe I don’t wont to go back to Germany, if i’ve get the chance to work here I would stay here.
But if I go back to Germany I would like became a Manager (any sportsteam , I prefere football)
Future plans: I would like to do any kind of jobs wich is in contact with sport(football). Maybe an physical therapist, personal trainer or anything like that.
Hobbies:
Play football all the time, do any sport(i love it) , meet friends, read a book.
Inspiration:
My Passion is football, so each football player how follow his target und reach it, inspries me, particular Fernando Torres(the hole Liverpool FC.) and Sepp Herberger. And persons like the caracter of “Forest Gump”
Philosophy:
I would say young people or old people, what ever, that they never lost their targets in live, that they should always look forward (in the future) and that every person have an regulation. !
“NEVER GIVE UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR AIMS”
Thomas
Name: Thomas
Age: 23
Qualification:
Assistant for media technology
Hopes:
I will get a job in an other country (England, Canada, Australia...). That's why I am here to develop my industrial English.
Back home:
I really don't want to go back...not yet
Future plans:
I want to be an audio engineer.
Hobbies:
Playing music, football, travelling
Inspiration:
I don't have heros. “all heros are fashion pigs!”
Philosophy:
“Life is a game” so do what you want and enjoy it
Paul
Name: Paul
Age: 21 years old
Qualification:
Car assistant
Hopes:
I hope, I can improve my English and learn the differences between the work attitude in both countries
Back home:
To get a job
Future plans:
To get a education as a aircraft mechanician
Hobbies:
Listing to music, meet friends
Inspiration:
The people they're able to speak many different languages
Philosophy:
Whether you choose the correct way, you will only recognize, if you decide to start
Jennifer
Name: Jennifer
Age: 28
Qualification:
In March of 2010 I finished my studies of Geography – minor subjects Sociology and Psychology – at Humboldt University of Berlin with an MA degree (Dipl.-Geogr.). My major fields of study have been Urban and Economic Geography. During my studies I gained work experience in different organisations and companies, e.g. in Bournemouth/England.
Hopes:
For me, there are several reasons for doing this work placement in Burnley/England. First of all I would like to gain some more international work experience in order to become more competitive and to increase my labour market opportunities. Secondly I intend to improve and refresh my English language skills. Thirdly I want to experience what it means to work in an English company and to live in the country itself. Last but not least I see the work placement as an opportunity to achieve personal growth, that is to improve my abilities and to discover new talents.
Back home:
To be honest, I would like to extend my stay in Burnley/England because I’ve enjoyed it very much. When I’m back in Berlin/Germany I want to find the “perfect” job, that is a job which I like and which gives me enough money to fulfill my dreams.
Future plans:
In the future I would like to work in tourism and/or urban development.
Hobbies:
I enjoy travelling, music (gigs, clubs), cinema and simply meeting my friends.
Inspiration:
Music inspires me.
Philosophy:
Life is short. So find your passions, kill all your worries and live it!! No matter what other people think about you!!
Anna
Name: Anna
Age: 26
Qualifications: university degree biology
Hopes:
First of all, I hope to increase my language skills to be able to understand and talk to everybody and to write formal letters as well as reports or scientific papers. Secondly, of course I want to get to know new people and a new culture and want to be part of it. This includes both, private and working life. I´m interested in the way of solving problems in England in the job and want to get to know the way of thinking and working. In addition, I hope that I get more practical skills that could be important for my future career, because my education was more or less theoretical.
Back home:
I am not sure about what I want to do back home. Of course I would love to work, but in case I don´t get a job I think about starting a master study or do another placement. I know that I definitely don´t want to stay unemployed and do nothing but existing.
Future plans:
I am a practical worker. I don´t mind getting dirty or working outside or being completely exhausted after work. I don´t like too much paper work either. So I think the most suitable job for me would be a research assistant job somewhere in the field, in Germany as well as in other countries. There I could use my knowledge, get to know new exciting, maybe important things and people and enjoy working in a practical way.
Hobbies:
Singing in choires, music in general, cooking and baking, reading, theatre and literature
Inspiration:
My parents and my grandparents have a great influence on my way of thinking and living. Due to them I got a very good education and due to them I am who I am. My younger brother is a great inspiration source, too. Because of our not really serious competition who is ”better” I want to reach higher goals and even can imagine to do research and not only get a job anywhere just to have a job. Due to that every researcher is an inspiration for me. To find something special that is of interest for people I don´t even know must be an exciting and somehow magical moment. I want to feel that!
Philosophy:
If I have a philosophy for my life it would be positive thinking. Sometimes things work only because they have to work. Everybody can reach his or her goals, although sometimes it´s very hard. But who cares? After difficult periods there always will be easy ones. The sun never stops shining, but sometimes there are some clouds one has to overcome.
Jonathan
Name: Jonathan
Age: 18
Qualification:
Social assistant
Hopes:
I came to the UK to improve my English skills. I also wanted to meet new friends and to built new friendships.
Back home:
I want to see my whole family and friends again. If I don’t get the chance to start my life in the UK, yet, I’ll start a 2nd vocational training in event engineering in cologne.
Future plans:
I’m really interested in music that’s why I want to do a further education in record engineering. I hope to get a job here in the UK. To settle down and having my own family.
Hobbies:
playing volleyball, ride a bike, to take and adapt pictures, mixing music, meet friends, swimming and other sport activities.
Inspiration:
My inspiration is the music and the smile of the children when I start my working day in the children’s centre.
Annekatrin
Name: Annekatrin
Age: 22
Qualification:
I’m in the 3rd year of education for occupational therapy.
Hopes:
I hope I will learn a lot about the English traditions, culture and the work in a residential home. I also hope to learn the language.
Back home:
When I’m back in Germany I will have a practical time in a occupational therapy praxis. In June 2011 I will my final exams to become a qualified occupational therapist.
Future plans:
I hope to get a good job in an residential home in Germany in the near of my home town.
Hobbies:
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going out for dancing, shopping or having a drink in a café. In the summer I like to go to the beach, inline skating or riding a bike. In winter I love to go on Christmas markets, ice skating or driving with the sledge.
Inspiration:
I’m inspired by people who help other people without thinking about their selves. Make good things in their life’s to give others a joy. People often do something for their own advantage. It is a pity. We should think about it and change something.
Philosophy:
Go your own way. Be sure what you want to do and who you want to be. Sometimes family or friends wont understand it, but it is your life and you should be happy. You can’t be who others want you to have.
Agnes
Name: Agnes
Age: 25 years old.
Qualification:
Bachelor Psychology and I also work as a sale assistant in a clothing shop to finance my study. For getting more practical experience during my study, I worked as a student trainee in a psychiatric ward to adults diagnosed with depression, eating disorder, anxiety attack and other affective disorders. Furthermore I was started volunteering in the county jail of Chemnitz conducting conversations with female inmates. My great interest in other people as well helps me to be open and friendly to other people.
Hopes:
During holidays abroad or while having conversations with foreign friends I could already get an impression of making experience abroad. Now I wanted to use the opportunity in spending time for a placement in England. Thinking of a placement in the UK many positive things come up into my mind, so to experience a different culture, get to know new people and improving my language skills. I also believe that this experience would give me an understanding of the English lifestyle, the English way of life. Last year I spend some days in London and I was impressed by the city of course, but also of the open-minded and helpful people I met there.
Future plans:
After my time here, when I will be back in my country, I want to improve my knowledge in psychology in getting more practical experience and therapeutic skills to help other people. If I will get the opportunity, I want to go on study for getting a Master in Psychology or social work, otherwise I will searching for a fitting social work for example in an advice centre or giving therapeutic help.
Hobbies:
In my free time I enjoy to meet up with friends and having nice conversations. I also enjoy art in visiting galleries, becoming creative in sawing something, doing some handcrafts or painting. I am always interesting in new countries and cultures, so I like to travel. Furthermore I love listening to music, to visit live music gigs.
Inspiration:
I have a big family. I am the fifth of twelve children and enjoy every time to have people around me. So my wish to do something social for being in contact with other people grows up more and more. Music helps me to become creative, when I do some handcrafts or thinking about something.
Philosophy:
If I would share my life philosophy with other young people, I would tell them, if you want to do something or achieve your aim, it is important to do it with passion, to enjoy what you do. It is an attitude inside you, how you started your day and you can never know, what will happen next. So it doesn’t take all matters what you do, but maybe how you meet the people around you and in which way you do something. Because when you are open for new, also a monotone work could become interesting.
So live your life in thinking positive about you, the world and the people around you and let surprise yourself by every new day.
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