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.
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