1418 Educators providing Courses in Kingsteignton

Star Exeter

star exeter

4.9(66)

Exeter

At STAR Exeter, teaching is based on communicative principles. Teachers take account of students’ backgrounds, needs, learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. A variety of approaches are employed, ranging from more formal structured activities to freer task-based exercises. A big proportion of class time is devoted to genuine communication. Students are valued for the knowledge and experience they bring, and are encouraged to share this with each other, supported by the teacher. We find this is the key to building students’ confidence in communicating in English. Morning classes follow a recognised course book of the appropriate level. Supplementary materials are taken from a wide variety of sources, including authentic listening texts, newspapers and videos, so that each student’s interests and needs are catered for. Skills work is also an important part of the curriculum, giving students a balance between learning grammar and vocabulary, and practising the skills of listening, speaking (including pronunciation), reading and writing. Independent learning is encouraged, and students are given advice on how to continue their learning at home, when they are out and about in Exeter, and when they return to their own country. Homework is set regularly, checked by the teacher and remedial work is given if necessary. Each student has an Individual Learning Plan. Through weekly tutorials, the student is guided in the areas he/she needs to focus on, and the teacher can adjust the syllabus according to individual interests and requirements. Afternoon Academic Skills classes The afternoon lessons complement the morning General English course by providing an opportunity for students to activate their language, with output, rather than input, being emphasized. The syllabus is therefore topic-based, focussing on real-life communication and transactional English. Students have a direct input in the choice of topics for the afternoon lessons. We have a wide variety of specialised material at all levels, which teachers use to build lessons around. Vocabulary exercises, reading texts, and listenings are used as springboards for further work. Errors are corrected as students speak, and teachers often highlight areas of difficulty, in order for more in-depth practice. Afternoon classes are also ideal for focussing on pronunciation. IELTS Exam Preparation classes Students work to gain competence in all four study skills (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing) to obtain the result/score they need. Students develop strategies to carry out IELTS tasks in class and be prepared for the exam conditions in the near future. Lessons ensure that students have the necessary language to successfully deal with the exam components, and practice strategies needed to cope with the exam questions: integrated grammar, vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. Teachers build students’ confidence in their abilities and sustain their motivation, and give students feedback on their progress by using real IELTS materials. A variety of IELTS-specific resources are used to maximise your achievement.

Exeter Self Defence Academy

exeter self defence academy

4.9(24)

Exeter

AS A CHILD I WAS A BIG FAN OF MARTIAL ARTS MOVIES, ANYTHING STARRING BRUCE LEE IN PARTICULAR. WHEN MY PARENTS FINALLY HAD ENOUGH OF MY BROTHER AND I REENACTING SCENES AROUND THE HOUSE THEY SENT US TO KARATE LESSONS. MY MOTHER WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL PRACTITIONER HERSELF. I STUDIED KARATE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS, ON AND OFF, AND FELT CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO DEFEND MYSELF, DESPITE NEVER HAVING PRESSURE- TESTED MY TRAINING IN THE REAL WORLD. I WAS BULLIED AT SCHOOL BUT TREATED IT AS A POINT OF PRIDE NOT TO RETALIATE. BESIDES, MY HANDS WERE REGISTERED AS LETHAL WEAPONS,SO IT WOULD BE UNFAIR AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO TURN THAT HUGE ADVANTAGE AGAINST AN UNWITTING ASSAILANT, RIGHT? AT 16 YEARS OLD I HAD MY RUDE AWAKENING. I WAS BADLY BEATEN UP BY THE JEALOUS, OLDER EX- BOYFRIEND OF MY THEN GIRLFRIEND. THE ONLY THING MY 10 YEARS OF TRADITIONAL TRAINING HAD ARMED ME WITH WAS THE MISGUIDED CONFIDENCE THAT SIMPLY PROLONGED THE BEATING. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE SKILLS I HAD DEVELOPED IN THE DOJO WERE NOT TRANSFERABLE TO SELF- DEFENCE. A FRIEND OF MY DAD'S WAS A HIGH- LEVEL THAI BOXER, AND AFTER TELLING HIM ABOUT MY IDENTITY CRISIS HE INVITED ME TO HIS GYM. I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. PEOPLE WERE PUNCHING AND KICKING EACH OTHER. HARD. THERE WERE NO RITUALISTIC FORMS OR 'KATAS'. YOU PRACTISED A FEW SKILLS AND THEN YOU PUT ON YOUR GLOVES, PUT IN YOUR GUM SHIELD AND TRIED TO MAKE THOSE SKILLS WORK UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE. Lewis Kemp-Sloan, Owner I WAS WAY OUT OF MY DEPTH AND I LOVED IT. I KNEW THAT I WOULD BE FAR BETTER PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED FOR CONFLICT IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE WE WERE IMMERSING OURSELVES IN IT EVERY TIME WE STEPPED INTO THE GYM. FROM THERE I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE GRAPPLING ARTS, SUCH AS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, JUDO AND WRESTLING. I LOVED THE 'HUMAN CHESS' ASPECT OF IT; THE WAY YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OPPONENT INTO A TRAP AND THEN USE TECHNIQUE AND LEVERAGE TO THROW OR SUBMIT THEM. THE NATURAL PROGRESSION FROM THERE WAS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA), IN WHICH THE STRIKING AND GRAPPLING ARTS ARE COMBINED TO GIVE THE CLOSEST THING TO NO- HOLDS- BARRED, REAL WORD HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT IN THE SPORTING WORLD. THE MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT THIS SPORT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WAS THE WAY IN WHICH PRACTITIONERS DEVELOP THEIR OWN STYLES, WHICH WAS FAR MORE PRAGMATIC THAN THE APPROACH I WAS USED TO IN TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS. DURING A SUCCESSFUL COMPETITIVE CAREER IN MMA I WAS APPROACHED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF TEACHING CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERSEAS. IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. I WAS TASKED WITH DEVELOPING A PROGRAMME THAT WAS FUNCTIONAL AND EFFECTIVE. I MANAGED THAT PROJECT FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME THE EMPHASIS ALWAYS CENTRED ON OUR CORE TENETS; PRACTICALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS.