2 July 2009

English Language Course - Eastbourne, East Sussex, England

From September 15th to September 22nd we are going on an intensive language course to Eastbourne. Below you can learn about this seaside resort.






Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a seaside town sitting in East Sussex with a population of around 90,000 people.
In a perfect position on the South Coast of England, Eastbourne is a place for tourists and provides excellent shopping centres and streets.
The area has been occupied since the Bronze Age. Remains of a Roman villa lie beneath one of the seafront's main hotels and you can find medieaval architecture in Eastbourne's Old Town area.
The beach and seafront is one of Eastbourne's main attrations.

Eastbourne Pier

Eastbourne pier has a variety of shops. There's The Chippy, Arcade, The Waterfront Inn, Camera Obscura, Atlantic Nightclub and.

The bandstand

Eastbourne is proud of its well preserved 1930's bandstand. There people can enjoy a variety of concerts every summer.

Beachy Head

Beachy Head is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. At 530 feet high, the majestic cliffs provide magnificent views.

Watch a short video:





The Downs
The Downs around Eastbourne are an area of outstanding natural beauty.



Getting around

You will be staying in an English family and some of you will need the buses to get to our school. So study the bus schedules carefully. The lucky ones can walk. But have your maps with you all the time. Otherwise you might get lost and have to ask the way to the school.



The English people

English meals are quite different from Austrian ones.
You might have the chance to get a typical English breakfast.
Watch this:



Etiquette

The English are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. They are famous for our politeness, self-discipline and especially for their sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank you, excuse me) is expected.

How to greet someone

English people are quite reserved when greeting one another. A greeting can be a bright 'Hello' 'Hi' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work or at school.


Formal greetings


The usual formal greeting is a 'How do you do?' and a firm handshake.

First person "How do you do?"
Second person " How do you do?"

'How are you?' is a question and the most common and polite response is "I am fine thank you and you?"

First person "How are you?"
Second person "I am fine thank you and you?"

Nice to meet you – Nice to meet you too. (Often said whilst shaking hands)

Delighted to meet you– Delighted to meet you too.

Pleased to meet you – Pleased to meet you too. .

Glad to meet you - Glad to meet you too

Good Morning / Good Afternoon / Good Evening

Hi - Hi or hello

Morning / Afternoon / Evening ( They drop the word 'Good' in informal situations).

How's you? - Fine thanks. You?

Thank you / thanks / cheers

They sometime say 'cheers' instead of thank you. You may hear 'cheers' said instead of 'good bye', what we are really saying is 'thanks and bye'.

Names they may call you

You may be called by many different 'affectionate' names, according to which part of the England you are visiting. Do not be offended, this is quite normal. For example, you may be called dear, dearie, flower, love or mate. So the bus driver is not in love with you when he calls you "love."


Hastings


The Battle of Hastings


There was a battle won by Duke William of Normandy who fought against King Harold of England.For more information. William led the Normans and Harold led the Saxons.The Normans ran up and down the hill then finally the Saxons came after them but the Normans surrounded them. The Normans ended it with shooting Harold in the eye.

Hastings for its role in the story of 1066 and the Norman Invasion.


What happened at the Battle of Hastings?

The Normans under the Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror fought against the English under King Harold of England. For six hours until late afternoon the English seemed like they were going to win. The Normans tried again and again, but they couldn't break through the Saxon shield wall and had to go back down the hill again.


The Saxon's shield wall was a tough defence

Then the Saxons made their fatal mistake. Late afternoon some of Harold's men broke their shield wall to chase the Normans, who they thought were giving up.This was to be their biggest mistake because when the Normans reached the bottom of the hill, they turned round and cut the English to bits.

Fighting

The Norman cavalry rode among the English, hacking them down.

Norman Soldiers

Finally, William brought in his archers and Harold's luck ran out. The arrows didn't break the Saxon line, it is believed that one of the arrows hit Harold in the eye.

The battle lasted for six hours.


Hastings nowadays





Hastings is a nice English town in the south of England.
Hastings pier is home to all kinds of arts and craft shops together with bars, bistros and cafes.where you can sample the diverse range of fish that are caught in local waters.

You can visit The Hastings Museum & Art Gallery or Underwater World, where sharks, starfish and 70 other marine species can be seen in action.

In the heart of Hastings West Hill lies Smugglers Adventure, caverns that tell about the history of Hasting's thrilling history of smuggling.

Click here to take a tour.


Brighton

In Brighton we will visit the Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Sea Life Centre.