News and Events

Exploring England with the International Social Programme

18th April 2013

International Foundation and English Language students in Manchester

International Foundation and English Language students at Central College Nottingham explored some of England* over the Easter holidays, visiting the historic city of York and also Manchester, which is one of the UK’s biggest cities.

A group of students visited one of our university partners, The University of York, which is among the top universities in the UK and part of the prestigious Russell Group.

During the visit the students learnt about life at the university and accommodation. They then took a campus tour and saw beautiful old buildings alongside modern lecture theatres. The university lake and its wildlife were especially popular!

Students then went into the city of York and had time for some sightseeing, before returning to Nottingham at the end of the day.

The college also organised a day trip to Manchester, giving students a day to explore the city. Some visited the museums and art galleries in the city centre, and some went to ‘Old Trafford’, the home of the world-famous Manchester United Football Club.

*The International Office at Central organises a varied social programme for students, including: day trips, awards ceremonies, cultural celebrations and joint activities with local students.

Central extends ‘mobile’ English project

27th March 2013

Business English students working on their interactive posters.

The English as a Foreign Language (EFL) department at Central have secured funding from Sharp Labs Europe to extend a mobile learning project, designed to help English Language students, until May 2013.

The team have developed a variety of learning activities for international students, using ‘Toponimo’ software with NFC-enabled mobile devices (which can read special microchips embedded into ‘smart’ posters).

For example, General English students have taken part in ‘scavenger hunts’ using interactive posters, and Business English students have presented their own interactive marketing posters to other EFL learners.

Simon Wardman, EFL teacher and project leader (Central) said:

“We have had great feedback so far: the project has really involved the students in the learning process.

He added:

“I am looking forward to sharing the mobile learning activities with other teachers through staff development workshops and webinars.”

The project is part of a collaboration to pilot the ‘Toponimo’ mobile app with The University of Nottingham’s Learning Sciences Research Institute (LSRI).

Find out more about flexible English courses at Central

Meet us in Vietnam with The University of Nottingham

20th March 2013

Viet Hang Le, one of our Vietnamese International Foundation Science students with the medal she won recently in the annual UK National Senior Maths Challenge competition

The College is visiting Vietnam 29th-31st March for a joint education event with The University of Nottingham! We will be in Ho Chi Minh City on 29th and in Hanoi on 31st.

Why not come along and meet Central College Nottingham staff? They can give you information about International Foundation Programmes and scholarships available to Vietnamese students. You can also meet with staff from our university partner, The University of Nottingham.

See below for our schedule and how to book a free place at the events:

Central College Nottingham currently offers International Foundation courses in the following subjects:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Science
• Accounting
• Business
• Management & Economics

Many of our students go on to study Bachelor’s Degree courses at the University of Nottingham.

We hope to see you at one of our events! For more information about International Foundation Programmes at Central College Nottingham, click here

International students from China joined forces with home students to celebrate Lunar (Chinese) New Year at the College.

Tuesday 12 February 2013

At Beeston campus, Foundation Learning students and International Foundation (IF) learners worked together to make traditional New Year dumplings, which were tasted by staff and other students at lunchtime.

The home students learnt new skills and both sets of learners learnt a little about each other during the morning, giving the Chinese students valuable speaking practice.

The International Foundation students also took turns writing Chinese names for students and staff on New Year bookmarks provided by the International Office. The office itself got a special makeover with lanterns and other decorations, and visitors received Vietnamese ‘fortune’ readings.

At Maid Marian Way, staff and students were intrigued to learn what their Chinese horoscope said about their personality and friendships. Cakes featuring the Chinese Snake, and fortune cookies were sold to raise nearly £50 for the Red Cross.

Huge thanks go to Wai Lon Ip, an ESOL student who wrote Chinese names on staff and students’ horoscopes and to Edmund Burke, student EDI Rep (L3 Applied Science), for engaging everyone with stories and information about the meanings and traditions of the Chinese horoscopes.

Fan Zhou, an IF Management & Economics student at Beeston, said: “I was very happy to meet home students and show them how to make Chinese dumplings. It was a good opportunity to chat to them and build on the relationship between international and home students.”

Eva Chappell, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager added: “This has been such a wonderful example of what real inclusion looks like, and a reflection of the diversity of opportunities on offer and the enriching potential of the learning journey. Thank you and congratulations on such a positive celebration!”

2013 is the Year of the Snake in Lunar New Year, which is one of the biggest annual cultural events in China, but is also celebrated across other Asian countries such as Vietnam.

International students add up to success!

Friday 11 January 2013

The college’s international Maths students have once again excelled in the annual UK National Senior Maths Challenge competition. Between them they won six gold medals, four silver, and three bronze. Two home students also achieved bronze medals.

Viet Hang Le, an IF Science student from Vietnam, gained a huge score of 103 (out of a possible 125), winning her the ‘Best in School’ award.

Two international students then progressed to the ‘Olympic Challenge’ and four took part in a further ‘Kangaroo’ challenge. In the Olympic Challenge, which only the top mathematicians in the country are invited to try, Viet Hang Le achieved a silver medal. In the Kangaroo Zipeng Wang was awarded a merit.

Viet Hang Le (pictured right) explained: “Although I have competed in Maths before, this was my first competition in another language so it was a bit confusing working out all of the questions. I didn’t expect such an achievement so was quite surprised to find out my results!”

Damian Brownbill, Maths lecturer, said “This is the first year the International Foundation students got to sit the Senior Maths Challenge.

“It was pleasing to see over 80% of students awarded a medal and to have six students qualify for the even more difficult papers. Roll on next year, when we should see an increase in entries and maybe a gold in the Olympics!”

Well done to everyone who took part!