Our Wold Cup Fejo-Group visited us from the 12th of June – 25th of June 2010.

Especially for this group we created a unique programme around the World Cup which included an unforgettable afternoon inside the Cape Town Stadium, while Portugal was playing vs. Korea DPR. 

They also experienced a unique private Music Dinner and 2 two weeks of Language Excursions. During their stay our focus was on the topics South African History and Art, Dance & Expression which had an impact on all 9 students.

We would like to say thank you for the two weeks and we wish you all the best.

Ayobaaaa Fejo IV 2010

… but I’ve spent a great time with all of you!

Thanks to Kurus for helping me to improve my English and for helping me to get to know a little bit of your culture…so complex but so beautiful!

S.A. is really the “Rainbow Nation“!!! A special thanks to my teachers, Gavin and Aalyia, who made me understand the real meaning of the word commuication.

I wish you all the best!

Elisa from Italy

On the spur of the moment I decided to go back. That man, who seemed to be about 70 years old, reminded me my sweet grandpa who had died only one year ago. I missed him so much and I couldn’t leave that man all alone, I couldn’t watch him suffering without doing anything. I went back and simply sat down on the bench just next to him, without saying anything but I was offering my silent presence. The man was still looking out to sea. He seemed desperate and after a little time began to cry very hard, I could see his shoulders jerking from the sobbing. All around everything seemed unrealistically still and I didn’t know what to do, when suddenly the old man began to talk. He told me that his wife, his partner for all his life was dying, she had a terminal condition and there weren’t any doctors or treatment which could save her. He felt very powerless and didn’t know how to relate the sad prognosis to their children; he would like to protect them even if they were already grown up. He said that, even though he was a psychologist and he had been helping people for the greater part of his life, he couldn’t now help himself. I felt very aggrieved for his sad situation, but there was something that made me feel uncomfortable: I didn’t know what it was, maybe his way of speaking…it seemed he was trying to convince me of something. I had felt this weird sensation, but I thought it was only my imagination. Then, a gust of wind snatched away the letter from his hands and I quickly ran to pick it up and gave it back to him, but he was screaming at me to let it go. I wondered why for a moment, then, when finally I picked the letter up, I understood. It was a letter from the Psychology Council witch stated that he had been struck off the roll because he had been suspected of murdering his whole family. When I finished reading I could feel him behind my back, I was terrified and there wasn’t anybody else around…

Dear Johannes and Kurus-Team,

thank you a lot for the prize “English course in Cape Town for two weeks and for the great time in Cape Town. Two weeks have passed so fast. Before I came to Cape Town I was so afraid of speaking English but now I know that my English is better than I thought. The teachers are very competent and warm. I have learned very much in the English lessons, excursions and in the town. Thanks to the teachers who gave me the self-confidence for communication for example with local people. In an English speaking country with native speakers it is easier and more effective to learn English.

It was a great time with you and thanks for everything.

I hope that I can come back soon!

Best wishes

Blanka from Goldbach, Germany

two weeks are behind us, two weeks with new experiences in language and knowledge of Cape Town and South Africa.

It was a very nice time with interesting people, with very good native speakers and with good guides.

We find the Language Excursions are very important and we know now more from Cape Town and its history than a normal tourist.

Steffi, Blanka, Johannes

it was very nice in your fantastic school.
The time in Cape Town was very nice.

We will come back next year.

Best wishes

Susanne & Günter

This Tuesday we had our last Fejo Music Dinner for this summer. Luckily, the weather was fantastic and we enjoyed a delicious African Dinner outside in the magnificent garden. Everyone was happy and laughing and chatting to each other.

“Black South East”, the live band of the evening, entertained us with lovely songs. Not only the band “rocked” the house this time, also Robert of the Fejo Group showed us his musical talent. He played several songs on the guitar. All of our students were clapping, singing and enjoying the great evening.

Anke

Johannes and Johannes, our first CAE (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) students, passed the CAE Exam with flying colours.

Congratulation to both of them!

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

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

Yes, it is true! Kurus English opened its doors one year ago on the 1st of September 2008. Time really flies…
Our baby Kurus English is crawling already, now it is time to walk! Thanks to everybody especially our students, teachers, Language Excursion hosts, accommodation hosts, guest houses and the Coffeebeans Routes team for your support and your contribution!

Last night we celebrated our 1st anniversary with a delicious dinner and live music from Adamo at Alan & Jason aka Paradise Grey! Thanks to everybody for celebrating with us! Please enjoy the pictures!

Amany, Nebras, Ahmed and Rocivalda

Rocivalda & Aaliya

A poem written in a Pre-Intermediate Skills class by Amany, Rocivalda & Aaliya:

Our friendship grew slowly and carefully,
we spent our time together lovingly,
suddenly you changed quietly,
I questioned you angrily,
you broke my heart tragically,
you left urgently
and I looked on nervously…
What happened…?

Watch a short video with Denise and Judith, our sweepstake winners, talking about their experiences in Cape Town.

Here the video in English:

Additionally, we also have a German version for you to watch:

Denise and Judith

A warm welcome to Cape Town and Kurus English! Denise and Judith our sweepstake winners from the Expolingua Fair in Berlin last year in November arrived in Cape Town. Click here for more information.
Congratulations again! We hope you ladies have a great and unforgettable time in Cape Town! Enjoy!

After arriving at the Cape Town international Airport we were picked up by Jacques from Coffeebeans. He took us to our guest house in Sea Point where we met our very friendly apartment-mom, Cheryl. We felt very comfortable during the two weeks.

Our days always started with English lessons with Gavin in the advanced class. We had so much fun learning English with him. We refreshed our knowledge in gramma and skills and had interesting discussions.

Also very interesting were our Language Excursions in the afternoon. Because of our first topic “Environment” we viseted Rondevlei and met Joy. She showed us around and we got to know many different South African plants and animals. On Thursday we met Clinton, a fire fighter at the Table Mountain National Park. He showed us the equipment which they need to fight a fire. Clinton was a very nice guy who answered all the questions we were interested in.

At Saturday we started a whole day trip all along the Peninsula Route with Jacques. At first we stopped for a delicious lunch at the harbour, where we had fish and chips. Afterwards we visited the penguins and took a lot of pictures with them.
The highlight of the tour was our walk to the Cape of Good Hope. We had an amazing view over Cape Town.
Khwattu! was our second weekend tour on Sunday. We learned to read animal tracks, got to know how the bushmen lived and made ornaments and lastly we attended a very interesting click-workshop.

The theme of the second school week was “Education & Youth”! Therefore we visited two very different schools. One was the Serepta High school at Kalkfontein, where we had an interesting discussion with the pupils. The second school we visited was Rustenburg Girls’ High school in Rondebosch where we had a warm welcome by the girls and teachers. The most interesting was to see the big differences between both schools.

All in all it was a wonderful experience to be in Cape Town. On the one hand we improved our English skills and on the other hand we learned a lot about the culture, the environment and the South African people. The whole trip was very good organized and everyone was taking care of us. We all thisk this trip was worth wile and we would always come back!

Sonja, Anna-lisa, Jennifa

Advanced class: A completed story as part of an excercise.

She didn’t want to leave without Peter. The whistle sounded and suddenly Hannah felt with absolute certainty thay something was desperately wrong. At that moment she was distracted by another sound; A sinister sound. She turned and peered along the dimly-lit platform and saw at the end of the station concourse flashing blue and red lights.
She felt strangly taken in by the lights. Intuitively, she felt something had happened to Peter; something that would change her life forever.
She began to walk towards the lights and then started to run. At that same moment the sky broke apart and silent tears started to flow down her cheeks, as if in sympathy with the rain. A crowd had gathered around a unmoving body lying on the station floor. The emergency personell were trying to assist the injured man. Hannah feared the worst; the man on the ground was Peter. But for a moment she was distracted by the small red box, which he was still holding tightly in his hands. Soundlessly she kneeled down next to Peter. Her heart was beating frantically. “Darling, Peter, is this for me?” As if in reflex Peter’s hand seemed to tighten around the box. Nevertheless, Hannah carefully pulled the box from his fingers. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes and opened the box. When she opened it, she saw two things. First a magnificant diamond ring and then she read the few words she would never, ever forget. ‘With everlasting love to my darling Stephanie’. Hannah made a immediate decision; she turned on her heel and marched out into her new life, box in hand.

Jennifa, Anna-Lisa, Sonja and Gavin

I was thinking of how to start this note about my Cape Town experience, but it is a little bit hard, because I was deep inside this city and culture. I just opened my mind and soul to this “new” world.

Other than learning English I am so glad to have had the opportunity to discover this new place. This country and the people who I have met here, from South Africa and from all over the world. All the experiences and adventures that I have had here, have changed my vision of the world (or of my own world).

I would like to say thanks to the Kurus team, to my teachers who taught me English, of course! But also taught me about the history and the culture of this country. It is hard to describe my time here because I have a lot of nice feelings…

Cape Town will always be my psychedelic city!

Thanks! Love, love,

Camila Paz

I have to say thank you.

Thanks to the whole Kurus and Coffeebeans Routes team, for this great time. Especially to my teachers Gavin and Aaliya for their patience and kindness all the time. I will never forget you all. You have enriched my life!

In these three weeks I have learned so much. Not only have I improved my English, but in the course of time, I have made new friends and collected a lot of new experiences and impressions for my life. The Kurus team made it possible to show that a language is more than grammar and that the language lives in all parts of our lives and connects people, regardless of your culture, the color of your skin or your nationality. I have also learned to understand the meaning of the word diversity, to show people your acceptance and respect and you will get it back the same way!

The other part of my trip was to discover Cape Town. This city is a melting pot of different cultures, religions and different faces. You can feel and absorb the different vibrations, smells and noises in the streets, all the time. This has showed me also the different parts of shadow and light in this country and city. As soon as you accept this, you will find the right way for new understanding how to become more tolerant and open for a new sight in you life. You can be part of it, open your mind and you will discover a new world!

Thank you!

Stefan.

Kind
United
Reliable
Understanding
Sociable

Express yourself
Networking
Great
Learning
Important
Self-esteem
Helpful

Culturally Crazy
Adventurous
Progressive & Psychedelic
Exciting Experiences
Touristic
Original
Welcoming
Naturally Beautiful

Written by Camila, Stefan and Aaliya during a skills class!

Please, click the links for the definition of the words!

Vanessa after her Bungy Jump!

Travelling the world in your 20s

Currently, many young people in their 20`s leave home to travel around the world; this appears to be a growing tendency.

Even if one of the most important objectives of the youth is gaining independence, this can`t be achieved completely. Parents who support and pay for their children`s world trips, may make it impossible for them to achieve financial independence. In the same line of reasoning, the young people who travel in their 20s, in fact stop studying and working, which could be detrimental to their professional life and student carreers

Despite the two points mentioned above, it is undeniable that it is possible to find more positive opinions and ideas. Firstly, the young travelers do not actually stop studying: in fact they get to know new cultures, places and languages. Secondly, the lucky young travelers in their 20s get to know people from all nationalities and all walks of life. This, in itself, is a vitally important global education. Last, but not the least, a fascinating trip around the world encourages the young people to gain priceless experiences and responsibilities, which is very important for their professional future.

In conclusion, it is necessary to remember that one`s 20s is the ideal age to travel around the world. After this time, the person would be locked into their other responsibilities, such as their job and their family.

Vanessa Garcia Dinis, Cape Town, 13.02.2009

He looked at me angrily.
I whispered nervously.
“Tom, I don’t love you any more”.
He turned tragically and
Quietly, he walked away…

Ellen and Gavin
(Practising adverbs!)

Cape Town – South Africa
Cape Town is a beautiful and developing city where you can see the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other side. It’s amazing to be surrounded by two different sceneries.
South Africa has a rich history that intriques me.
After I arrived in Cape Town, I was homesick for two weeks and I wanted to go back home but in my third week I discovered how wonderful this city really is.

Kurus English
Kurus English is a small and cozy school with friendly people and good teachers. I felt welcomed since my first day here. For me, just one month to learn English was too short: I would like to have more time.
The general English course is great because the contents are clear and effective.

Language Excursions
I had good times with the Language Excursions. This programme provides opportunities to practice the language, listening and speaking with different people and hearing different accents, improving our skills more and more.

I enjoyed this unforgettable experience!
DANIELA