Hi everyone, and welcome to the second edition

LFA
|
NOVEMBER 2015
Hi everyone, and welcome to the second edition of the
Languages for all E-newsletter. This will be sent to you each
month with information about events and news which may be
useful for you to know. We will have a questions and answer
page on the E-newsletter, so if any of you have any questions
that you would like answered please send them to me on
languages_for_all@aston.ac.uk and I’ll try and get them
answered for you in the next e-newsletter. The Languages for
All team would like to wish our students celebrating Diwali a
very happy Diwali and hope you all enjoy a safe bonfire night!
Key Dates:
Term One- 27th September 2015- 19th December 2015
Term Two- 10th January 2016- 19th March 2016
Term Three- 10th April 2016- 11th June 2016
Please note you are expected to be available for all
assessments therefore please double check dates before
booking flights/holidays.
The Peer mentoring scheme provides support for students at an
important time in their university career. It is confidential,
flexible and on a one to one basis and many students’ find it
useful. First years can sign up now and benefit from the
experience of someone who was in your place last year. Second
years can sign up to be mentors or be assigned to a final year
who was on placement last year and final years can sign up to
be mentors. Further information can be found at;
www.aston.ac.uk/current-students/peermentoring/.
By Mrs Eneida Haseler –
Brazilian Portuguese Tutor
Inicialmente, o verde representava a Casa de Bragança de Pedro
I, o primeiro imperador do Brasil, enquanto o ouro representava
a Casa de Habsburgo de sua esposa, a imperatriz Maria
Leopoldina. Atualmente, dizemos que o verde representa as
nossas florestas e o amarelo representa o nosso ouro. As 27
estrelas brancas de cinco pontas representam cada estado no
Brasil, além de uma que representa o Distrito Federal (onde fica
a capital do Brasil, Brasília). O lema "Ordem e Progresso" é
inspirado pelo lema do positivismo de Auguste Comte.
Initially, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro
I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the gold represented the
House of Habsburg of his wife, Empress Maria Leopoldina. These
days we say that green represents our forests and yellow
represents our gold. The 27 white five-pointed stars represent
each state in Brazil, and there is one that represents the
Federal District (where the capital of Brazil, Brasília, is). The
motto "Ordem e Progresso" ("Order and Progress") is inspired by
Auguste Comte's motto of positivism.
BONFIRE
NIGHT
In Great Britain, Bonfire Night is associated with the tradition of celebrating the failure of Guy Fawkes' actions on 5
November. The British festival is, therefore, on 5 November, although some commercially driven events are held at
a weekend near to the correct date, to maximise attendance. Celebrations are held throughout Great Britain with
many places offering firework displays. Come and see some great firework displays around Birmingham:
• Bournville Fireworks and Street Food
Address - Rowheath Pavilion, Lake View Close, Bournville, B30 1BX
Date/time - 31st October 6PM - 11PM
Price - £3, Kids £1.
• Himley Bonfire & Fireworks
Address - Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, DY3 4DF
Date/time - Saturday 8th November 4.30 - 10.30pm
Price - £9 Adults, £4.50 5-15 yrs & senior citizens, £23 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). Car park £3 or FREE
bus service
• Fireworks Spectacular 2014
Address - Pype Hayes Park, 995 Chester Road, Erdington, Birmingham
Date/time - 5th November 5:30PM - 10:30PM
Price – Free
• Moseley Round Table Sparks In The Park Charity Firework Display
Address - West Midlands Travel Sports & Social Club Wheelers Lane Birmingham West Midlands B13 0ST
Date/time - Saturday 1st November 5pm - 10pm
Price - £5 adult £2 kids, £10 - family ticket (2 adults/2 kids)
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(Q) Can I choose to go to a different group if I think the group
allocated isn’t convenient for me?
(A) Please note we try our best to put you in a group which
doesn’t clash with your core modules however if you believe a
different group time/day would be better for you please DON’T
change your group yourself, get in touch with me on
languages_for_all@aston.ac.uk and I will change your group
depending on availability and group size.
(Q) I have missed my assessments; does this mean I will be
withdrawn from the module?
(A) No you will not be withdrawn as assessments aren’t
compulsory for Languages for All students. If you have missed
your assessment/exam you will receive an automated email
notifying you that you did not attend the exam or failed to submit
the assessment. Please ignore this email it will not affect your
academic average in any way. If you choose to only attend classes
and not take the assessments you will not be awarded a certificate
at the end of the year.
(Q) I will be missing a few classes due to other unavoidable
commitments, will I be withdrawn?
(A) Please note if you fail to sign the register for three consecutive
weeks we will email you; if you don’t get in touch with a valid
reason for non-attendance you will be withdrawn. However if you
miss classes due to health issues or other valid reasons you need to
let me know at languages_for_all@aston.ac.uk or get in touch
with your tutors who will make a note of this on the class list. If
we know why you haven’t attended we will not withdraw you.
2015
Just Ask
Languages for All
Frankfurt Christmas Market and
Craft Market 2015
At Aston expectations regarding your ability to understand and follow
lectures, participate actively in seminars, deliver effective presentations
and submit appropriate written assignments are high. All international
undergraduate, postgraduate and research students are entitled to free
English language support tutorials which will help to meet these
expectations. Our team of friendly and supportive staff can help you
with:
• Improving your accuracy and fluency when using spoken and written
English.
• Pronunciation.
• Specialised vocabulary used within your field of academic study.
• Giving presentations
• Using academic style appropriately.
• Written assignments, including dissertations/project reports
• Other academic skills such as listening to lectures or taking part in
seminars
• laces are offered on a first come first served basis and are subject to
availability.
• For further details on these individual or small group tutorials, please
contact the tutorial administrator Jennie Barker on
j.e.barker1@aston.ac.uk
Bonfire night- 5th November 2015!
Frankfurt Christmas
Market and Craft Market
2015
12 November to 22 December,
10:00am - 9:00pm
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas
Market and Craft Market, now having
run for over a decade, has become a
massive favourite with both residents
and visitors to the city from all over the
UK and Europe. With over 180 stalls,
we claim it as the largest outdoor
Christmas Market in the Britain, and is
the centrepiece of the city’s annual
Christmas events calendar.
Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and
knoblauchbrot will tempt your tastebuds, all
of which can be washed down with gluhwein,
weissbeer, mulled cider, or tasty hot
chocolate. and whilst you're here why not pick
up some presents for your family or indeed
yourself in the form of the ever-favourite
crystal lamps, Sounds of Nature,
hand-crafted leatherwork, rugs, and much
more besides!
Again this year the marzipan in the
stollen is the return of the outdoor ice
skating rink in front of the Birmingham
Repertory Theatre on Broad Street
until 4 January.
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk
/frankfurtmarket
DIWALI
Diwali the "festival of lights" is an ancient Hindu festival
celebrated in autumn every year. Diwali is the biggest and
the brightest festival in India. The festival spiritually
signifies the victory of light over darkness. The festival
preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day
period. Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate and
decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, Hindus
dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas
(lamps and candles) inside and outside their home,
participate in family prayers, have a family feast andf
fireworks follo.w
Diwali 2015 @ the New Bingley Hall
1 Hockley Circus, Birmingham, West Midlands B18 5PP
Sunday 8th November 2015, 12:00pm -6:45pm
Diwali in Birmingham this year promises to be one of the
best and largest celebrations in Birmingham from previous
years and the city's Hindu community will be showcasing
the welcoming diversity of the city with exhibitions, stalls
and entertainment displaying a wide range of local talent.
Organised by the Hindu Council of Birmingham (HCB),
with the support of the wider Hindu Communities and
sponsors, more than 8,000 people are expected to attend
this vibrant and colourful event celebrating the most
important festival in the Hindu calendar. Stage
performances, exhibitions, art and workshops will be
accompanied by captivating dancing, music, colours and
lights, demonstrating the true spirit of Diwali, bringing
communities together.
Local community and amateur performers will perform
dances from well-known Bollywood films as well as
traditional performances, with appearances from nationally
and internationally renowned Asian artists headlined by Dr
Zeus!
With stalls offering, festive gifts, information and advice, a
dedicated Kids Zone and mouth-watering vegetarian dishes
on offer there really is something for everyone. The event
culminates in a fireworks finale at 6:30pm.
Voucher Codes for you!!
Contact your
Tutors
Languages for All