Tuesday 11 November 2014

History of Littlehampton

Littlehampton, which is located on the coastal plain of the South Downs, especially along the eastern bank of the River Arun, has been occupied for a long period in prehistoric and Roman times.
The surrounding countryside is quite difficult to be inhabited by people who generally live by means of fishing and farming. The fact of the discovery of many Iron Age and Roman wheat grinding wheels made at the local level, suggests that this was an important area for wheat growing in the annals of time.

The Sussex Romans settled long after the invasion in AD 43. Evidence of Roman occupation includes a Roman villa at Angmering consisting of a complex consisting of a main villa, a bath and a group of four additional buildings with an added fifth building in the 3rd century.

With the departure of the Romans, Littlehampton slipped back into the mists of time until it appears in the Domesday Book in 1086 AD as a town Hampton, and belonged to the sister of Edward the Confessor. However, it soon passed to the Lord Roger de Montgomery of Arundel Castle, held for William the Conqueror. It was later by him passed on to the abbey of St. Martin de Seez in France who went on as owner of Littlehampton until the 1400s. It was also around this time that the prefix ‘Little’ Hampton (as now) was added, to distinguish it from its much larger neighbour, Southampton.



By the 17th century, the town had grown to between 100 and 150 people, but still was mainly an agricultural settlement, with a small ferry port, Smithy and alehouse. In the years between 1801 and 1901, Littlehampton’s population increased in size from 584 to 5,954, and the number population continued to expand in 1911, passing the 8000 mark. Today the population is about 30,000.

In 1853, it officially became a city and adopted the motto Progress. In 1863 the Centre railway terminal building was converted and Littlehampton’s' tourism industry rose from being for the upper and middle classes within its social season to a mass market tourism for the working class tourists and day trippers from London and other major cities.

By the mid-1930s, more than 250,000 tourists visited each year. After 1914, the City continued to grow, but at a slower pace. The new developments came as an amusement park, built by Billy Butlin and this opened in 1933 on the site of the old fort on the east coast. It came as a revival of the city's fate as a seaside holiday destination.

Tourism remained strong all the way until 1960, but then, as foreign holidays became more affordable, the city had a decline in popularity as many other places did at this time. That said, parts of the town still attracts many tourists each day and will continue to do so for a long time.

Thursday 7 August 2014

Things To Do In Summer In Brighton

Brighton offers a young and modern society, multicultural and open. It is bursting with colour, flavours, and activities, indoors and out. There are plenty of sports to enjoy, great shopping available, parks and gardens to stroll through and classic architecture to admire. In the summer months, Brighton really comes alive, so here are just some of the very best attractions to participate in when the sun comes out.

For lovers of reading, the Jubilee library is an ideal destination, bright, fresh, modern and tucked right in the centre of town with coffee shop, outdoor chill out area and lots of reading space inside.
There is the Brighton festival that runs throughout the month of May and is packed with every kind of artist and act imaginable, from singers, to comedians, puppetry and story-tellers.

Why not nip into one of Brighton’s many parks and take a summer’s stroll – choose from Hove Park, to Stanmer Park, St Ann’s Wells Park, Preston Park just to name a few.

Go and witness the Gay Pride festival in the middle of summer, where the city unites and becomes one huge party town, full of fun and music.



The pier is the place to be in summer and from there you can walk along the beaches, which will be bustling with activity. There are parades of souvenir shops, ice cream vendors and places to hire a deck chair, so head to the sea front for a true Brighton experience.

For those balmy summer evenings, where better to go than the theatre and watch a fabulous show. You can then dine out at one of Brighton’s numerous bars or restaurants and relax the night away. There is definitely no shortage of pubs in this famous old town so the only problem you'll have is choosing which one to go to!
You simply cannot miss out on the Royal Pavilion, holiday home to three major monarchs. The stunning architecture is famed the world over and the interior is draped in oriental influences. It’s well worth the admission price.

A summer’s day wouldn’t be the same without a trip through the old Laines in Brighton. Stacked with tucked away pubs, shops and boutiques, there’s something for everyone in these fascinating parades.

For a quieter trip, pop down to one of Brighton’s museums, among them include the Toy Museum, the Brighton Natural History Museum, Hove Museum and the Art Gallery in Brighton have unmatched collection.

Lastly, there are lots of musical artists who perform during the summer months at venues like the Concorde 2 and Brighton Centre, so check out the calendar and see some amazing music as the sun sets on this fantastic city.

Brighton is perfect for our international students to experience a multicultural seafront city.

Monday 9 June 2014

History of the English Language

The English language is perhaps the most frequently used and celebrated in the world, which is no mean feat, considering the size of the country from which it derives. But what of its history? Like most languages, its history is complex; a melting pot of all sorts of different cultures and countries combining to produce the language we all love today.

English is a language of extraordinary linguistic wealth, which owes its origins to a vast diversity of influences. Throughout history, the English language has adopted words from other languages ​​, mainly Anglo-Saxon, but also from Latin, Old Norse and French and even other languages ​​such as Greek and Spanish.
The Romans invaded in 55 B.C. and left their mark in more ways than one. Not only in their incredible building expertise and novel ideas for a more civilised society, but also through the use of Latin as a spoken language. This made its way in to many common words of the populace of Britain.

Then, in the fifth century, Anglo Saxon invaders colonized the islands. 'Old English' is the term used to refer to the language spoken in that period, brought to Britain by Germanic tribes of Angles and Saxons. These contributed to the language massively and many variations of these words are still used, but they also adopted terms used by the Celts who lived in the islands. This created a completely new hybrid language that would go on to become English.

The monks who came to the islands from Rome in the late sixth century left their own unique mark on the language with a set of words related to education, culture and religion, such as the words ‘minister’ and ‘school’.



In 1066, the Normans led by William the Conqueror colonized the islands. French then went on to become the dominant language at the expense of other dialects. There are literally hundreds of words that we still commonly use today that derive from French origin: court, government, able, car, chair, beef, mutton, city, country, fruit, journey, juice, fairness, freedom, liberty and justice being just a few.

The consolidation of the monarchy eventually united the language and as a result of the merging of different dialects, a form of modern English was born. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the Renaissance brought a new interest in art and culture and language incorporated many words from Latin and Greek.


English is a living language and has continued to evolve to this day. Constantly new terms are incorporated into the language. The technological revolution, scientific advances and the requirement of new words make English both fresh and exciting as changes are always occurring. Migration flows and the mixture of cultures also led to the creation of new words that enrich the language even further.

We can at EFAA arrange one to one tuition in Business English or General English. Helping you learn this beautiful language..

Thursday 16 January 2014

Things to do in Worthing in the Winter

Worthing can be a wonderful place to spend time in winter. It certainly doesn't shut down when the weather turns cold. With covered shopping centres, stores galore, markets, safe streets, boutiques, arcades and fun times for all the family, Worthing has plenty to see and do.

Winter can be a quiet season for some towns, with little fun and excitement on offer. Worthing is an exception to this and there’s still lots to explore throughout winter. Take the pantomimes, for example. Whether it’s Jack and the Beanstalk or Cinderella, there’s always a strong selection to choose from for your family to visit.

You can wander Warwick street, with its pretty little shops and trendy atmosphere or if it’s larger department stores, then check out Montague street for some serious shopping.



For a true taste of Christmas for all ages, then the open air carols at Tarring Park, where mulled wine and mince pies are on offer is perfect. With a snow machine and a magical atmosphere, you won’t find it hard to get swept along with the wintry spirit of Christmas here.

For more fun and festivities, there’s the South Street Christmas Market, where gifts and craft wares are sold, along with warm food and drinks. For a larger market specialising in fantastic foods, then visit the Emporium market, where there is a wealth of local foods to choose from, be it meat, pasta, breads or fish.

Worthing also is host to many great museums and theatres (such as the Pavilion and Barn theatres) that host a huge range of shows all year round. There’s also numerous leisure centres for you to relax in or burn off those post-Christmas calories! If you’re into activities like bowling, tennis or squash, then you’re in luck because there are specific complexes for these fun pastimes.

Of course, a huge draw to Worthing is the beach, and its promenade is a beautiful spot to take a stroll, whatever the season. As long as you’re wrapped up, you can enjoy the dramatic waves and curving coastline.

There are also parks and gardens to walk through, if the weather is dry, ancient churches and historical houses. The pier is a must see attraction too, with it’s vibrant club and pretty walkway. The Worthing museum and Art gallery is a wonderful place to top up on your history, with many artefacts, costumes and toys to view.



Tuesday 24 September 2013

Things to do in Littlehampton



Located on the south coast of England, Littlehampton is a fantastic beach resort, packed with interesting sights and attractions. A traditional town, bustling with personality and colour, this is a destination perfect for families to enjoy the summer. 

There is always plenty to do in the town of Littlehampton. With some truly excellent beaches with blue flag grading, you can always relax by the sea. The beach to the east is sandy and particularly popular with children looking to make sandcastles. 

Littlehampton has a majestic promenade, including its very own train ride, perfect for a spot of sight seeing. Indulge in many ice cream parlours, vans and cafes along the coast. If you fancy a spot of golf, then you can partake in the crazy version and include all the family.

Take a seat on the ‘longest bench’ – a spectacular, recycled timber bench, full of coloured slats to take in the sea views. This renowned landmark is a must see, and lends itself well to a great deal of photo opportunities.

Along the coast, you’ll discover lots of activities and water sports to join in with. From jet skiing, to kite surfing, speed boating, canoeing, fishing trips and much more, Littlehampton is a place worthy of visiting for its beach alone.

With its very own harbour, Littlehampton offers some outstanding walks along the promenade, riversides, old streets and national park. With a the famous Look and Sea Centre Tower, you will get to see some memorable sights from one of the best vantage points on the south coast. 

If you like shopping, then Littlehampton has an attractive centre with a range of high street stores. It isn’t a large town, so you will find it relatively easy to navigate and enjoy the local bars and cafes. There is also a museum, free of charge, where you can explore the many interesting artefacts within.

With ferry tours, speed boat rides, soaring observation towers, rolling hills in national parkland, a welcoming town centre and a beautiful beach, Littlehampton has it all to offer any visitor. A classic south coast town, Littlehampton has no end of things to do and places to go for singles, couples or families. There is plenty of affordable accommodation available and many are within minutes of the seafront. With a fascinating history, Littlehampton is one of England’s most iconic south coast resorts and remains incredibly popular still today. 

Many students enjoy visiting the Littlehampton area to learn more about English seaside towns, and we are always on the look out for host families in Littlehampton.

Thursday 19 September 2013

Hosting Students - The Pros And Cons



Hosting foreign students, who come to stay in the UK as a base for learning English or other studies is growing in popularity. As the owner of the home, it is down to you to provide adequate space and hospitality for the student to experience, in exchange for money. The duration of the stays can vary, but they are usually no longer than two school terms and most often occur in the summer months.
Hosting students for the first time can be an exciting, yet daunting prospect for many. It is very much advised to research the area thoroughly before hosting and to familiarise yourself with what to expect. It is often a rewarding and memorable experience for both the host and student and long-lasting friendships can be formed as a result of the stay. However, there can be potential drawbacks to be aware of and so it is wise to weigh up the pros and cons, before you decide to host.
The pros for you and your partner or family are, most notably, the financial reward. The extra income can be extremely beneficial to many and is sometimes the foremost incentive for hosting.
Furthermore, if you have children, then they will learn a lot from the experience. To interact with a foreign student can be extremely enlightening and teach them all sorts of invaluable things about different languages and cultures. So too will you. You may find yourself learning the student's language and becoming familiar with parts of their culture. It might even encourage you to travel more and become more adventurous as a result. Hosting really can change your life in many ways.
The cons mostly come down to practical issues and difficulties in understanding between the two parties. You may also be unlucky and host a student who doesn't abide by your rules and take advantage of your hospitality, although this is rare. The best way to avoid this from happening is to make them feel comfortable and o keep communication open at all times, without becoming interrogatory.
Research reputable exchange companies as well to avoid bringing in students who may cause you trouble. You can get plenty of helpful information from these organisations and they are happy to answer any queries you may have.
The best advice is to have fun and try to share happy times with the student. Lastly, give them space too. It is tempting to be over bearing with the student, but keep in mind that they may wish for their own space for study time and socialising too. Hosting students can provide you with memories of a lifetime and most report only positive feedback, so contact your local exchange provider and find out more.

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Worthing's Tourist Attractions

Worthing is somewhat overshadowed in the tourist department by the buzzing cosmopolitan city of Brighton just along the coast. However Worthing does have much to offer, especially to international students and visitors here from overseas, so we decided to write this blog to show you why you shouldn't overlook this wonderful seaside town when planning your visit to the south coast.

Worthing

Worthing is a seaside town with a reputation for holding the largest population of elderly people within the UK, however that is changing and more and more young people are now moving to Worthing as they realise the amount it has to offer.

The main shopping area in Worthing is completely pedestrianised and within a stones throw of the beach, meaning you can combine a morning strolling around the shops with an afternoon relaxing on the beach.

Worthing seafront has a pier which holds a theatre at the front along with the Denton Lounge restaurant, the perfect place to sit and enjoy a coffee whilst looking out to sea. There is also an amusement arcade on the pier housing a range of popular machines. the pier is lined with benches and deckchairs meaning you can sit watching the world go by whilst enjoying refreshments bought from the piers kiosks.

The seafront in Worthing is lined with bars and restaurants which prove very popular in the summer months, and are tghe perfect place to enjoy a meal or an evening drink.

Worthing also has 2 cinemas which show the newest releases, as well as a large children's indoor soft play centre, which is particularly good for rainy days.

The newly built Splash Point houses a swimming complex with pools, diving boards, and a gym, perfect for those wanting to exercise whilst on holiday.

Further along the coast there is the popular Brooklands Pleasure Park which boasts a large boating lake, children's play area, outdoor paddling pool, cafe, pitch and putt golf course, 9 hole golf course and outdoor go karting track.

So as you can see this seaside town has much to offer the visiting tourist and is well worth a look if you are in the area.