ESL Trainers wanted: TOEIC® prep course Nordhausen, January to July 2010

[HansUlrich]

Dear Roberto, Brian, Wolfgang, Alexandra, Henry, Marco, Alfredo, Torsten, Bruce and all the other interested Ladies and Gentlemen interested in the excursion to Leipzig,
I think Tuesday or Wednesday 30/ 31st March 2010 is the best option ( during this time period also the "Zeitgeschichtliches Museum" is working with a documentation of the Liberation of Leipzig by the US Army in April 1945. ...Here we do not have to pay an entrance fee....and we will be in the very center of Leipzig. ..)
Unfortunately there is no Exhibiton or International Fair event during this foreseen week. What do you propose to visit, to discuss during your / our excursion to Leipzig. Please make your suggestoin suggestions.
Many thanks for your contributions and proposals to make this working visit a success story for all of us.
Best regards
Uli.

[Scott Graham]

Hi all,

Good luck for your field-trip to Leipzig, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun and see a lot of interesting things.

As you may or may not know, I was the guide for the last group that came to Le from Nordhausen. Due to the group having a fairly short time, the day was spent walking through the cty centre, and I gave a brief history of some sights such as:

The Wisdom-tooth building and the Augustus platz
Nikolai church and the importance of its position
The Train station
The Kaffee baum

We were lucky as it was leading up to Xmas, so we had a few mulled wines on the medieval market.

So have fun, Leipzig is a fantastic city

Best wishes

Scott Graham (an English man in Leipzig!)


_________________
Leipzig Englisch Sprachschule- a little London in Leipzig
http://www.leipzigenglisch.de

[Roberto]

Hi everybody,

I'm not quite sure yet if I can take part in this tour on Tuesday or Wednesday due to some appointments I've got in the afternoon. What time shall we start the field-trip? I'd have actually more time on Thursday, although I welcome Uli's suggestion to attend the documentation of the Liberation of Leipzig by the US Army in 1945. Here are some of my recommendations:

- Richard-Wagnerstr. : Wilhelm Richard Wagner was born at No. 3 ('The House of the Red and White Lions'), the Brühl, in Leipzig on 22 May 1813, the ninth child of Carl Friedrich Wagner, who was a clerk in the Leipzig police service.
- Ritterstr. Ritterstrasse is only a five minute-walk from the main train station. You may also take any tram heading for Augustusplatz. The university buildings in the city centre are nearby.The apartment house at Ritterstrasse 12 is close to the university and located right in the heart of the city. It was built in the 1980s on the oldest university-owned land, the site of the former "booksellers'" exchange, which had been destroyed during World War II.

- Passage "zum Strosack" shopping arcade > Nikolaistr. Leipzig's narrow streets filled with outlets, department stores, markets and stylish arcades are built on the grid of the medieval merchants yards and a pleasure to explore by foot. Hainstrasse, Peterstrasse and Nikolaistrasse are lined with impressive shops. Speck's Hof, Leipzig's oldest passage arcade, has elegant specialty shops and displays contemporary art in its courtyards.
- "Nikolaikirche - open to all" became reality in autumn 1989 and surprised us all. After all, it united people from the whole of the former GDR: those who wanted to leave the country and those who were curious, regime critics and Stasi (State Security Police) personnel, church staff and SED members, Christians and Non-Christians beneath the outspread arms of the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ. In view of the political reality between 1949 and 1989, this defies all imagination. It became reality. Exactly 450 years after the introduction of the Reformation in Leipzig, 176 years after the Battle of Nations in Leipzig. Now it was Leipzig once more.
- Augustusplatz: It is now dominated by the Opernhaus on Nordrand, the Neuen Gewandhaus (with the Mendebrunnen) on Südrand and the main buildings of the University of Leipzig, including the City-Hochhaus Leipzig in the inner-city facing west.
-Grimmaische Str. : Mädler Passage, best-known Leipzig shopping centre with Auerbach's Keller.
- Reichstr. Leipzig has been a major transport junction since time immemorial. The ancient trade routes via imperii (Imperial Road) and via regia (Kings’ Road) once crossed at what is now the city centre of Leipzig, paving the way for the city’s development.
- The Old Weighing House in the market square, built in Renaissance Style.
-Naschmarkt: In the Old Bourse (built in 1687), merchants closed their contracts in earlier trade fairs. It is situated at the side of the Naschmarkt square, which also features a statue of Johann Wolfang von Goethe that reminds of his time as a student (and his girlfriends) in Leipzig.
- Dominating the market square, the Old City Hall was built in the record time of nine months in 1556/1557. It is considered one of Germany's most beautiful Renaissance buildings. Branching off from the market is Barthel's Court, Leipzig's last originally preserved trade court. Walking through this passage, it's not far to the Coffe Baum (Coffee Tree), Europe's oldest preserved restaurant-café - continually opened since the middle of the 15th century.
-Katharinenstr. : Romanushaus, built in 1701-1704 in Baroque style, a well known meeting place for literary figures such as Goethe and Schiller.

-The New City Hall, built 1899-1905 on the foundations of the former Pleissenburg. Today seat of the city administration.
-St. Thomas' Church, built in 1212, first building in Romanesque style. Conversion to a Saxon hall church in late gothic style by 1496. Outside the church the Bach Monument.
-Bosehaus, opposite of St. Thomas' Church, residence of the Merchant Bose, a friend of the Bach family. Today Bach Museum.
-German Library and Museum of Books and Writings.
- Russian Memorial Church, rare icon wall and original Russian standards from 1813, crypta.
-Battle of Leipzig Monument, commemorating the dead and the victory at the Battle of Leipzig from 16th-19th October 1813.
-Schillerhaus, exhibition on Schiller's stay in Leipzig.
- Zoological Garden with the world-famous tradition of lion-breeding.

It all depends on how much time is available. There are more interesting places worth visiting. Let me know what you think!

Regards

Roberto
_________________
Graduate Management Admission Test
GMAT Preparation & GMAT Vocabulary
Learn more about: Roberto Enrique Steffens Villarreal

[Torsten]

Hello Brian, Scott, Roberto and Uli,

Since Roberto has agreed to do the next Leipzig English Challenge Tour on Thursday, April 1 we will use that date for the trip. Brian, please coordinate everything with Roberto and the group organizing the itinerary and communicating the details to Frau Thomas. Below you will find the materials and questions Scott and I used on the first tour:
Questions and Tasks for The Leipzig English Language Challenge Tour (LELC):

Questions:
1) What is THE origin of the word 'Leipzig'?
2) On average how many foreign tourists stay overnight in Leipzig every day? (Leipzig boasts the highest growth rate in terms of international guests in THE WHOLE of Germany: Leipzig is gaining momentum in terms of popularity among international tourists.

According to the Wiesbaden/Germany based Federal Office of Statistics, Leipzig had the highest growth rate in terms of overnight stays of foreign tourists in the first have six month 2008, an increase of thirty-six percent (36%), followed by Düsseldorf (with an increase of 32.7%) and by Hamburg (with an increase of 7.3%). These figures are for hotels or similar accommodation with more than nine beds.

In the the first half year of 2008, 171,493 foreign guests stayed overnight in Leipzig. This is equivalent to 19.3% of the overall number of overnight stays. Leipzig attracted the largest numbers of tourists from the US (37,701), from the UK (16,614), and from the Netherlands (11,219). There were also high growth rates in guests from Russia (an increase of 128.4%), from Belgium (an increase of 105.3%), and from the USA (an increase of 53.9%).

The overall number of registered overnight stays in Germany was 25.1 million. There was an overall increase of 5.6% foreign overnight stays at German hotels.)

3) What are the top three nationalities of foreign tourists to Leipzig?
4) When was the Battle of Nations?
5) What are Leipzig's Twin towns and Sister cities?
6) Please name 5 international companies that have a subsidiary in Leipzig.
7) Which is a venue of a scene from Goethe's Faust?
8) When is the Leipzig Underground scheduled to be finished?
9) Which SUV is made in Leipzig?
10) Which was the world's first sample fair building?
11) When does the Leipzig Xmas market end?
12) The Xmas market boasts the biggest..................?
13) Leipzig is famous for its many bars and restaurants, what does the old Saxon term 'Drallewatsch' mean?
14) When was the old city hall built?
15) Which famous landmark, built in 1842, has recently been moved back to its original location?
16) What are the most common products sold on the Xmas market?
17) How much is a return rail ticket from Leipzig to Nordhausen?
18) How frequent are the trains?
19) What makes the Leipzig main station unique in Europe?
20) When was the station built?
21) What is 'Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum's claim to fame?
22) How tall is the Wisdom tooth?
23) In 1650 Leipzig was the first in the world to do what?
24) When was the original University Church which stood on the Augustusplatz demolished?
25) Which city hosts the largest authentic German Xmas market outside of Germany?
26) What events are held every year in Leipzig?



Tasks:
1) Determine the language of the following speech/presentation. (Roberto reads or presents a short text about Leipzig in several different languages.)
2) Find at least 10 different English phrases/words/key words at the Railway Station and mark and single out the Denglish expressions amongst them.
3) Get a free English level test at the Wall Street Insitute Leipzig.
4) Following directions challenge, from point A to point B.
5) Find out the location of 'Tourist information', and get some information/flyers about Leipzig in English?
6)Create a list of tourist attractions

Route/schedule:
- Arrival at Railway station
- Explaining tasks and handing out additional questions
- Giving directions to Tourist Information Leipzig
- Fetching the group from Leipzig Tourist Information
- Walking the group to the Leipzig City High-rise: http://www.panorama-leipzig.de/de/adresse http://www.cityhochhausleipzig.com/
- Riding the elevator to the platform
- Giving group overview of Leipzig from the top
- leaving the tower and showing them round Augustusplatz/Opernplatz and the new Leipzig University Campus
- walking down Grimmaische Strasse and onto to the town hall square , visit xmas market
- walking through Maedler Passage past Auerbach's Keller
- walking up to the English Shop near Karstadt Alternatively: http://www.derenglandladen.de/english/artthemen/th17_index_0.htm

Area's/buildings Scott will talk about:

St Nicholas's Church

Leipzig Central Station

The old/new city hall

Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum

Overview from top of MDR tower

My suggestion of route:
-Meet 'n' greet at station
-Walk up towards St.Nicholas church, stop for short talk.
-Proceed to Mdr tower, go to top for overview
-Walk around Augustusplatz
-Split group into smaller teams with slightly different directions to Tourist information office.
-Collect from Tourist info.
-Walk towards Bruel and up Grosse Fleischergasse towards kleine Fleischergasse and Barfussgäschen, stop to view Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum
-visit Xmas market and view the largest Advent calendar, and short talk about old town hall
- walking through Maedler Passage past Auerbach's Keller
- walking up to the English Shop near Karstadt
-Visit new town hall for small talk

Questions to answer about Scott Graham:
What do you know about Scott Graham and Leipzig?
1) When did Scott come to Leipzig and why?
2) What do Leipzig and London have in common?
3) What are the three main differences between both cities?
4) How much of Scott's daily communication is in English?
5) How often does Scott go back to London?
6) What are Scott's favourite leisure activities?
7) Why did Scott decide to buy a house in Leipzig?
8) What were the major obstacles with this purchase?
9) What kind of job does he like doing best?

Roberto and Brian, I suggest you replace the questions that refer to Scott's background with questions that answer aspects of your life, Roberto. Please let me know what you think.

Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: What will the student try to do with his next essay?

[Wolfgang]

Hi Torsten,
I think the 1st April is not a good target term because this day is the "Gründonnerstag" in Germany and many people want to start their Easter trips in the late afternoon or in the evening. In addition we will have a crowd in the trains and in the centre and in the railway station, too. Concerning my case I have to start in the late afternoon for a trip to the Baltic Sea. On Friday morning our grandson will be christened in the church of the town of Rerik, where my son-in-law is the choirmaster and the organist.
Is there a possibility to change our trip to Leipzig perhaps on the 31st March or 30th March ?
BR Wolfgang
P.S. Michael has also problems with the trip on 31st March ....

[Roberto]

Hi all,

I have postponed my afternoon appointment on Wednesday so that it is possible for me too to take part in the trip on Wednesday 31.

Regards,

Roberto
_________________
Graduate Management Admission Test
GMAT Preparation & GMAT Vocabulary
Learn more about: Roberto Enrique Steffens Villarreal

[Torsten]

Hi Wolfgang, thanks a lot for pointing out the situation regarding April 1 (April Fool's Day) and thank you, Roberto for adjusting your schedule so you can do the trip on Wednesday 31.

Brian and Wolfgang, please inform the group that on April 6, we'll do the TOEIC test from 8 am to 10:30 and afterwards Frau Thomas will be handing out the course certificates. Please use the following links for our 5 full length TOEIC tests get prepared even better:
http://www.english-test.net/toeic/simulator1/
http://www.english-test.net/toeic/simulator2/
http://www.english-test.net/toeic/simulator3/
http://www.english-test.net/toeic/simulator5/

Test number 4 will be added soon.
Have a great Friday!
Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: Why has the student been taking statistics?

[HansUlrich]

Dear Brian, Scott, Roberto, Wolfgang and Torsten,
I appreciate very much your target oriented proposals for the field trip to Leipzig.
This is an excellent opportunity for our Nordhausen students to get a good understanding of the importance of Leipzig in the German as well as in the global context .
Just for the case if it could rain during the excursion I propose to visit the ”Zeitgeschichtliches Museum & Grimmaische Strasse and may be to have Lunch in an Indian restaurant in Nikoleistrasse.
Have a successful working stay and fun in Leipzig – the City of the successful revolution .
Best wishes
Uli. 25.03.2010

[Btreston]

Hi Torsten, Roberto and Uli,

Thanks for the time and effort put into making this trip possible.
We're all very excited about the trip. We are waiting for confirmation from Frau Thomas (supervisor) about travel information etc.
I think they are expecting a phone call from you Torsten today about the trip.

Roberto what time would you recommend we start the tour?

Best Regards
Brian Treston

[Roberto]

Hi Brian,

we thank you for your commitment too. What time can the English class arrive in Leipzig (on Wednesday)? I suppose the group is coming on Wednesday and not before. I'd suggest we start midway through the morning, but not too late. It actually depends on the group's arrival time.

Regards

Roberto
_________________
Graduate Management Admission Test
GMAT Preparation & GMAT Vocabulary
Learn more about: Roberto Enrique Steffens Villarreal

[Btreston]

Hi Roberto,

The Nordhausen group and I will arrive in Leipzig tomorrow (March 31st) at 9:38am at Hauptbahnhof.
Would it be possible to meet you at Hauptbahnhof at this time?

Kind Regards

Brian

[Torsten]

Hi Brian, I called Mrs Kallweit and she asked you to keep the train tickets you are going to buy tomorrow so she can reimburse you for the travel expenses. Yes, I think 9:38 is a good time to arrive and I'm sure Roberto can meet you at the railway station and take you on a tour. I wish you a great trip. On Thursday please use the TOEIC Simulator to do another mock test so the group is prepared for the real test next Tuesday. Many thanks, Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: A conversation in a professor's office between a professor and a student

[Roberto]

Hi Brian,

no problem at all! I can meet you at the Leipzig railway station at 9:38 and we can start the tour then!

Regards

Roberto
_________________
Graduate Management Admission Test
GMAT Preparation & GMAT Vocabulary
Learn more about: Roberto Enrique Steffens Villarreal

[HansUlrich]

Hi Brian and Roberto,
I wish you a great day in Leipzig.
Best regards to all Nordhausen team members.
Uli.

[Torsten]

Hi Roberto, Brian and Uli,

Is anyone of you interested in the following job? Wanted: English trainer in Neubrandenburg

TOEFL listening discussions: A conversation between a student and a registration clerk during registration week