This week we discovered the environment of Cape Town.

At Rondevlei Nature Reserve we spotted birds, fish and tracked the footprints of hippos. We all kept our eyes open, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find any. We were told more about the area and the animals that live there. Finally, the brave students could even touch or carry a snake!

The next day we experienced more about the local environment through African penguins and seabirds at SANCCOB, an institute which advocates saving seabirds. We were educated about their work and the rehabilitation process. We watched the volunteers by feeding and caring for the penguins.

On the last Language Excursion this week we visited the Lynedoch EcoVillage close to Stellenbosch. It’s an institute, which focuses on learning for sustainable living and further facilitates the equity in South Africa. We were shown ecological infrastructure that has been implemented to reduce water consumption, electricity use and how to live a more ecology friendly existence as well as their way of reducing and eradicating poverty.

Anke

Last week we concentrated on Youth & Education. We visited the Sarepta High School in Kuils River, where we had some interesting conversations with the students there. They told us about their lives, their local area and about the challenges they have to cope with in school as well as in their lives in general.

The other school we visited this week was the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA) in Pinelands. The TSiBA students welcomed us warmly and after an indroduction our task was to solve several problems together. It was very interesting to see how different the approaches we used were.

Finally we went to Velokhaya, a non-profit organisation focused on introducing the sport of cycling to previously disadvantaged communities. It was the highlight for most of our students. Everybody put on a helmet, got on a bike and then we were ready to cycle a few rounds of the race track. It was great fun and before we returned the kids showed us how to ride the track professionally and impressed us with their jumps.

Anke

Last week a new Fejo Group arrived at our language school and we had our second Music Dinner this year in the wonderful backyard of Alan’s home.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner and chatted about various things. After dinner a great local Cape Town band was playing, which is always my favorite part of the evening.

Everyone was enjoying themselves and it was a fantastic evening once again!

Anke

You can download our Kurus English brochure here:

Kurus English Brochure (English)

Kurus English Brochure (German)

Kurus English Brochure (Portuguese)

Back office: very nice people
Excursion: interesting & emotional experiences
School: great atmosphere
Teacher: friendly, approachable & well-prepared

FRIEND

You fulfilled all our dreams & wishes we would asked you for.

Thank you for the great time in Cape Town

Claudia, Micha, Melissa, Carolin, Karin, Jan, Tanja, Kira, Lisa, Corinna, Marion, Mirja

The first stop on our journey through South Africa’s past this week was the Slave Lodge. Lucy informed us about Slavery in Cape Town and afterwards we had the chance to see a special Nelson Mandela exhibition.

The next day we learned more about the time when South Africa was ruled under an Apartheid government. We visited the District Six Museum and Noor told us about his personal experiences during this difficult time.

On the last Language Excursion we celebrated the Freedom of Movement by taking a train to Langa, the oldest Township of South Africa. Zozo, who used to live there, guided us through his hometown, showing us around. Before we returned to the city we ate Vetkoek.

The week was very interesting and everybody gained some insight into what happened in the past.

Anke

This week the Language Excursions were all about Art, Dance & Expression.

We hit the road for the Castle of Good Hope, where we met artist John Bauer. John Bauer told us about his art and showed us some of his handcrafted artwork. Thereafter our creativity was on the spot!He set up a few tables, gave everyone a big piece of plain white paper, a knitted teddy and oil colour and we all printed our own artwork in his unique style.

Dancing was the theme of the following day. We went to the iKapa Dance Theatre where Theo and his team taught us some traditional African moves, the “Gumboot Dance” and the “Pantsula Dance“. My favorite one was the “Gumboote Dance”, which reminded me a little bit of the German dance “Schuhplattler”. Performing the moves wasn’t easy, but I’d say we did pretty well!

For the last Language Excursion this week we drove for a drum workshop to Gugulethu. Lucky and his guys from Ilangale- Afrika played great beats for us and we were all smitten by their rhythm. Afterwards they showed us how to play the Djembes and the Marimbas and we tried to make our own beat!

It was a fantastic week!

Anke

This Tuesday was once again time for our FEJO Music Dinner at Alan’s amazing Garden.
The evening started with a steep climb to the top of the Garden where everybody enjoyed an awesome view of Devil’s Peak and Table Mountain. It was a good work out and all of us were hungry, so Cinthia & Alan served us one of their lovely dinners.
After everybody was full the music started to play. The African beat “rocked” and it didn’t take long until the FEJO Group opened the dance floor. There was dancing, chatting and laughing the whole evening and one of the Highlights later on was the small “concert” of our FEJO Group. They sung a couple of German songs and kept the party going on.

CHATTING, LAUGHING and DANCING were the themes of the evening.

It was my first Music Dinner and I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Anke

it has been a great experience and challenge for me to go all the way from the Netherland to lovely Cape Town. I am so glad that I did it and that you gave me the opportunity to develop myself, my working skills and the English language.
You made me more confident, more talkative and a more developed person. I hope that they still know who I am, once back in the Netherlands!
The memories I have are uncountable, the ton (or burning) irresistable!
Keep on growing! I believe in your unique concept, get it on the market!
I will miss you and the African feeling but we will stay in contact and Africa can’t get out of me anymore.

Besides, I promise you that I will come back so I am not afraid to say for the last time see you!

Good luck with everything – all the best!

~ Jessica

this is me, Anke, and I will be the new intern of Kurus English for the next few months.
I’m from Germany where I study Business Administration.
I have been in South Africa for five month already. The reason why I came to South Africa was my decision to study a semester abroad at Stellenbosch University. Stellenbosch is a small student town not far from Cape Town and very famous for its wine-growing.
The time I have had so far was wonderful and in the meantime I can’t get enough of Cape Town, the people, the landscape, the sun and the good vibe. So I used the chance to extend my stay in South Africa by doing an internship at Kurus English.
I am very glad that I can support Kurus English for the next five month. I will do my best and I am sure that I cannot only improve my business and marketing skills but also my English skills. But of course I’m also looking forward to getting to know South Africa and its locals better.

Last but not least I would like to use this opportunity to thank Kurus and all involved for the great welcome dinner. It was delicious

If you want to find out more about me or Kurus English don’t hesitate to contact me.

Looking forward to meeting many new Kurus students and friends.

Yours Anke

Today is my last day at the school. The unique place to be that I considered like it was my second home here in Cape Town. Time really flew during the 5 months of internship at the most fabulous place I have ever been in my life. A real experience, challenge and a once in a lifetime opportunity! I met so many people, developed my personal and working skills, my English language and just enjoyed the wonderful weather!

I will miss it. I will miss the Mother City and her easy going lifestyle, Table Mountain where I am still suprised at, every day again! I am going to miss the open-minded locals, always with a smile. I had the time of my life with friends & colleagues. I will remember the bright light, the Rands, the minibuses and drivers, the beaches & sundowners, the braais and the party’s, the icecold ocean, the nature, landscapes and palmtrees. I will never let this African feeling go, it will travel with me to The cold Netherlands and everywhere I am going!

Thank you Kurus English, Africa and people for having the time of my life!

Jessica

This week we introduced the students to the different belief systems in South Africa.

On Tuesday, we went to Hildergarde, a traditional healer. For me, it was a very impressive experience. It’s a pity, in one month I have to leave Cape Town and especially for the last period I’m really going to feel the African feeling!!

Yesterday, it was all about the Islam. The students visited Dawood, an imam in Cape Town. They were able to ask all the questions they wanted to know and learned so much more about Muslims, the belief and everything what is related to it!!

Today, is already their last day. The school is quite buzzy because it is also the last day for the Kurus Team of 2009! Let’s get the holiday started and enjoy it to the max!!

~ Jessica

Thank you very much for the fantastic time in Cape Town.

We enjoyed this trip so much, we learned a lot of the culture and have a lot of fun with all of you.

We hope we will see you again!!

Best wishes,

Daniel, David, Julia Gu., Julia, Bennie, Rio, Carolin, Jana and Martin

Last evening we went on a boat trip with the Kurus English and Coffeebeans Routes teams!! What was supposed to be a sunset cruise was in reality a cruise with high level clouds and rain! Nevertheless, we had great fun together. A fantastic getaway to do before the holiday starts.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEWYEAR to everybody!!

~ Jessica

Last week was a diverse week in which the students got the chance to learn more about the African culture when it comes to entertaining and leisure.

The kick-off was a drive to Signal Hill to see the Cape Town Stadium. The view is amazing from that place! Afterwards, they went to the Fields of Play exhibition which explores the dynamic intersection of memory, football and forced removals in the history of Cape Town.

On Wednesday the students became artists at the Castle of Good Hope. They had a workshop there with John Bauer about the printing techniques. It seems like this is one of the more popular excursions last time.

The next day, on Thursday, it was all about Township Leisure at Langa. We literally took the bulls by the horns and tasted some sheep head and chicken liver. The township excursions are always impressive! Our singer from the Music Dinner before took us on a tour through Langa and we ended up in her yard to taste the food.

All together, a week with a lot of variation, fun and impressing experiences!!

~ Jessica

Last Tuesday was the second music dinner in 3 weeks with the FEFO V Group. This evening is becoming one of my favourite evenings how to spend my time. Unfortunately, it was my last but nevertheless I enjoyed it to the max!

I missed the dinner but lucky me! There was a bit left what I snacked in the kitchen. Then, it was time for the music because that’s the special element what makes the dinner so special and full of African atmosphere.
Finally, everybody stood up and joined on the dance floor in the backyard. Interesting conversations and meetings were going on and it was, again, a great evening!!

~ Jessica

Last week was the second and last week for the FEJO IV Group from Germany. Time flies when you’re in Cape Town! After a very active week with dancing and making art en music, it was time to refresh their history knowledge.

On Tuesday they visited the Slave Lodge where they got an impression about Africa during the time of the slaves. Where they came from and what kind of life they lived.

District 6 Museum and the Holocaust museum were on the list for Wednesday. Some heavy stuff but really good to experience and to see what Africa was like years ago.

Thursday was the day to celebrate that we are now free and can live our lives how we want to live them. The students went on a train ride to Langa!

This week was a good one to go back to Germany with a fresh start. The group learned so many new things and were also remembered about the history. And with the freedom in their minds they went back to their home country!!

~ Jessica

November 2009

‘Johannes Bruns, 18 years old, has just finished school and wants to pass the CAE exam at Kurus in Cape Town!’
‘Wildly ambitious, that young guy!’ Gavin must have thought when reading my application.
Indeed, it was a tall order but not a lost cause!

My sincere gratitude goes to:
- The remarkable nick names J was given (little Johannes, Prince…)
- Linguistic drill master Gavin Cuttler who turned my English into an almost immaculate diamond
- Aaliya’s natural tenderness and senses (or scents)
- Big Johannes German aura that never made me feel homesick
- Diana who is the quintessence of hospitality and altruism and truly the back love of Kurus English
- Jessica the fairest Dutch lady with an unbeatable, gorgeous island sun-teint whose enchantment lies in her modest personality tinged with intelligent sensibility
- Jacques the most admirable tour guide, the epitome of elegance and a true library of knowledge

November 2009,
FEJO Cape Town…

Celebrating together
Adventures under the sun
People with friendly faces
English communication

Townships
Opportunities meeting new places
Waves & white sandy fun
National nation making conversation

We will never forget & remember forever!

Kind teachers
Useful information
Really amazing
Unforgettable experience
Super organized

- ENGLISH

Christopher
Natascha
Sylvana
Martina
Kai
Flo
Heike
Katharina
Anna
Pascal
Thanks for all! Kathi & Sebastian

Paint some art, make a move and feel the beat. As you can imagine, last week was a very creative one.

The start off took place in the Castle of Good Hope. At this place, John Bauer presented the printing technique with knitted teddy bears. The artist knows different unique art techniques by experimenting time and time again. The students were busy with painting the teddy bears and printing them on a paper sheet to make their own art.

The next day, on Wednesday, it was time to develop the dancing skills on an African way. The students, teachers and private guide Jacques drove to the iKapa Dance Theatre to learn the gumboot dance. It was an unexpected experience but great to see and practise a real African dance at close quarters.

The first week went fast by and the students were already on the third day of excursions. This day, it was all happening in Gugulethu where the Djembe and Marimba again were discovered! Lucky learned them all about the instruments and the ilanga le Africa project.

Thanks everybody for taking creative part in this creative week!

~ Jessica

Last week Tuesday the new arrived Fejo Group and the Kurus Team were invited at Paradise Grey for a great music dinner. During the whole evening new people popped in at the very cosmopolitan place. A place to see and to be seen!

Different tables were placed in the backyard for a culinary dinner. We tried the delicious chicken with rice, thai curry sauce and pumpkins.
After chatting, eating and drinking the necessary drinks it was party time! Tables were taken inside and everybody was ready for the band and the amazing sound of their singer.

Finally, Michael showed up with a fresh melon dessert so the whole evening was made complete!!

~ Jessica

Are you looking for an internship in Cape Town – South Africa?

Then you should definitely check out Cape Intern. They provide foreign students with direct and free opportunities and information. From guidelines in organizing to a database of companies, accommodation, advice on travel information and so on. Check out www.capeintern.com where you can find out everything!

Last Friday language travel agents and journalists from Italy visited our school. It was great having the opportunity to show our guests our unique language-culture-discovery concept. The Kurus English team took the visitors on a short Language Excursion to the Slave Lodge where we met Lucy our interesting and pationate host.

Besides Kurus English the Italians visited eight other language schools in Cape Town and they also did several trips in and around Cape Town to discover the mother city!

The Kurus English team is looking forward to welcoming Italian students to Cape Town and to Kurus English!

Special thanks to Patrizia Musolino for providing the pictures.

~ Jessica

In November 2009, member schools of Education South Africa (EduSA) collaborated in hosting an Italian Agent FAM Trip.
These schools were EC, Eurocentres, Good Hope Studies, Inlingua, Interlink, IH, Kurus English, LAL and Shane Global.
Six agents and three journalists from Italy visited Cape Town, South Africa, for one week and were taken to the centres in order to visit their premises and meet with the staff there.
There was also time to visit and explore some of the sights in Cape Town, such as taking a guided walking tour around the city, going up the world-famous Table mountain, going on a Safari, enjoying a sunset boat cruise and visiting the Cape of Good Hope. Most days were rounded off by a visit to one of Cape Town’s many world-class restaurants.
It was a fantastic opportunity for EduSA to showcase the City of Cape Town and for the schools to present themselves to the agents who were visiting.
The most common comment from the agents was that they had fallen in love with Cape Town and that the city went way beyond their expectations.
Agents
1.ILS STUDY ABROAD – MS PINA FOTI
2.COMING – MS DANIELLA MACCOLINI
3.I CENTRI – MR PAOLO BARILARI
4.LORD BYRON – MR GIAMPAOLO BENELLI
5.MB SCAMBI CULTURALI – MS STEFANIA BRESQUAR
6.LIBERO CORSO AGENCY – MS LAURA SIMEONI
Journalists
1.MS ALESSIA TRIPODI – IL SOLE 24 ORE
2.MS PATRIZIA MUSOLINO – REPUBLICA
3.MS JUNKO TERAO – LETTERA22

Reference: http://www.quality-english.com/whyqe/Quality-English-News.asp