Please bear in mind that it is very important for the students to remember to bring their lunch every day. They all have rather long school days, and we see a clear difference in their concentration before and after they have eaten.
They are sometimes able to borrow money from a teacher, if they forget their lunch, but of course they like their own lunches better, which are healthier and more nutrient than the food which they are able to buy at the school.
As we spoke about at the parents-teachers’ meeting we would like to make an automatic link to your mail addresses, when we post news on the blog. This way you will always be updated on news written on the blog.
In order to be able to do so, we need your mail addresses. Please send a note from home or mail it to the headmaster info@thecosmo.dk Simon Mosekjaer or class room teacher Synne Lindum Haagensen synne.lindum@kolding-real.dk with mail addresses on every parent in the family, who would like the automatic link.
Moreover you also have the possibility to subscribe to new posts published on the blog. This subscription is called RSS feeds. Read more about RSS feeds at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS.
After each post on the blog you will find the following text: “You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.” If you press RSS 2.0, a new page will appear, and on this page you need to click on “Abonner på dette feed”; “subscribe to this feed”, in English. Thereafter you will receive all updates from the blog.
Creating Global Understanding through English
In this month’s newsletter from English Speaking Union of Denmark (ESU) there are two reports from the two young winners of the Danish Public Speaking Competition, Philip Chartell and Sofie Strunch, on their exciting week in London where they competed in the ESU international competition.
The main objectives of the English Speaking Union are to:
Provide a forum for international friendship and understanding through our support of the worldwide network of ESUs and the provision of secretariat facilities for the International Council at our headquarters at Dartmouth House, London
Facilitate and assist the establishment and recognition of ESUs worldwide
Focus on key current affairs issues through regular international conferences, seminars and meetings
Promote English in international public speaking and debate for the support of worldwide communication and dialogue
Encourage the enjoyment and constructive use of English through educational programmes
Initiate and administer international youth exchange and work experience schemes
Provide and create cultural activities
Ensure the coordination and coherence of our activities through the skill and dedication of our staff and voluntary helpers
Work in close and innovative partnership with our corporate members and sponsors
Read more about the English Speaking Union at http://www.esu.org/branches/international/branch.asp?b=471 and http://www.esu.org/branches/international/branch.asp?b=471
Report from Philip Chartell-Høyer
In May of 2009 I had the honor of representing Denmark at the ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London after advancing from the national finals in Copenhagen. I did not imagine when writing my first speech about hate speech that I would have the opportunity to speak in front an acclaimed audience at the ESU’s international headquarters.
The first day we had an informal gathering during which the basics of the program were explained to us. We were given name tags and programs which we eagerly looked through to see what we lay in store. At this event I was struck by the fact that the organizer, Annette Fisher, was a young woman just out of university. Everyone seemed very friendly, including the organizers, and we were all pleased that the atmosphere was relaxed and hospitable. Naturally all the participants were a little uptight and nervous among so many unfamiliar people, so many decided to go out that evening to get to know each other a little better and see a bit of London.
On the Tuesday we were introduced to the debate we would have the following day. We were put into groups who had to lobby for or against the construction of a second airport on a make believe island. During this process we had to form alliances with other groups and lobbies in order to stand stronger as a united front for or against the construction. The actual debate was performed in old-fashioned House of Commons style which involves putting one’s left hand on one’s head and extending one’s right arm to present a point of information. Everyone got very into the debate and despite some attacks from both sides the tone remained friendly – everyone from the Penguin Protection Agency to the Local Business Organization had a good laugh. In the end my side, the opposition, won the debate.
Tuesday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit the House of Commons to watch a live debate. The debate was quite heated because of discussions at the time of the extreme expenditure of certain ministers in England. It was interesting to see how they have maintained certain old customs of debating and traditions such as the use of wigs still persists to some extent for their nostalgic value. In the evening we went to watch the play Woman in Black. Before the play we had a talk with the director who explained the approach he had to the play and what he tried to achieve. I was amazed by how scared we were during the play – many of the scenes made me shriek. I think it was the simplicity of the plot and set, furthered by the fact that there are only 3 character, one of whom you aren’t certain whether is really there, was what made the play so effective. The play definitely made me look at plays differently, making me realize that plays don’t need to be pompous presentations of 300 year old plays.
Everything, however, came down to the Thursday when we presented our speeches. Both the other Danish competitor Sofie and I were assigned to the native English speaker heat because of our high level of English. This obviously posed more of a challenge but I felt that the level in our heat was one of the highest which meant that all the speakers held extremely interesting speeches. I spoke about how the English language is asserting its dominance as a world language which some are afraid will cause other languages to become obsolete. Unfortunately I did not make it to the finals but I received compliments from many of the ESU patrons including a Social Anthropologist which I am considering as a career path.
Overall I had an amazing trip and I would like to express my greatest gratitude to HE Alexandra Christina personally and the Joachim and Alexandra Fund for their sponsorship.
Report from Sofie Strunch
After having won the English Speaking Union’s Public speaking competition with my speech entitled “The facebook generation”, I went on to represent Denmark with the other winner Phillip, at the ESU public speaking world finals in London, where I changed my title to “let’s get physical, as well as some of the focus points of my speech.
Before going to London, I was honestly a bit nervous about meeting so many people from all over the world who shared the same goal as me: Winning the ESU finals. Luckily, everyone shared my nervousness and excitement, and this experience fully lived up to my expectations, and was by far, one of the most thrilling experiences that I have ever had.
The trip was not centred around the actual speaking competition alone, but on encouraging us to forge international relationships, and over the next days we had a very busy schedule in front of us.
Monday: All of the competitors were lodged at the President Hotel in central London. Due to an exam, I arrived too late to make it to the introductory meeting, but thanks to Phillip, I got all of the information I needed. We had to share a room with one or two of the other competitors, and as I got my room key, and headed for my floor, I had no idea what to expect. I quickly found out that I only had one roommate, and she was Hungarian. Luckily she and I really bonded and had a great time together.
Tuesday: We had introductory meeting, workshops, and lunch at Dartmouth House (ESU world headquarters), which was situated only a few stops from our hotel, by the London underground.
The following afternoon we had a tour of the House of Commons, where we were lucky enough to witness a debate. The evening concluded with a visit to the Fortune Theatre to meet with the director of the play “The Woman in Black”, and later on we got to see the actual play. This was like nothing I had ever seen, a play consisting of only two actors. Even though I had my doubts at first, it turned out to be one of the best plays I have ever seen – and a very frightening one indeed.
Wednesday, we had a very cultural day as well. All of the participants met in Trafalgar Square, where we were divided into three large groups. In these groups we had to see the National Gallery, and do a quiz. The following afternoon, we went to the Dartmouth House, to prepare for our public speaking workshop, based on the preparation from the day before. In this workshop we were all divided into political parties and had to put together a political program and afterwards discuss it. Even though there was lack of structure in the debate, this was a very fun event, because everyone really opened up, and was really into it.
Thursday: The days quickly flew by and the day we had all been waiting for had finally arrived: The Semi-final. At first when I arrived in London, I thought of nothing else but winning, but after the last couple of days, I considered a lot of the other participants, my friends, and was therefore just as exited for their performance, as well as for my own.
All of the participants were dressed in their best suits and dresses, and all ready for battle. The heats were held at the Dartmouth House, and only two from each heat was selected to go to the finals.
Sadly, neither Phillip ore I were placed in the top two of our heat. However, I know I did my best, and was not that disappointed, because for one, I was very impressed by the other speakers, and second, I never expected that I would ever get this far and therefore remembered, that we were all winners of our own country.
After the 8 finalists were selected, we were escorted by bus, to the grand final, which was held at the HSBC (the official sponsor of the ESU competition). This was an amazing building, and could not be more suitable for this event.
Over all, this experience has really given me something I can use not only now, but also later on in life. It has given me confidence and self-esteem, and most importantly friends from all over the world. Even though none of the Danes won, I am so glad I made the choice to attend this competition, and it is something that I will never forget.
The photos used are borrowed from the ESU website.
The oldest students in Primary class will start swimming lessons next week.
Please note that Wednesday the 16th, which is the first time, they will meet at the school at 7.50 am and the teacher will escort them.
From then on they will meet at Slotssøbadet every Wednesday at 8.00 am.
They also have PE lessons at the school on Wednesdays so please remember to bring clothes and a towel for this as well.
Please remember and bear in mind that the students in Lower Secondary will have English dictation in 5th lesson every Friday beginning next week.
They will also have oral presentations in Danish every Thursday. We already started this week.
Have a look here and see a short summary in English on a review of a novel originally worked with during Danish lessons. Among other things the students were to analyze the novel they had read, and practise their skills in group work. The most important challenge for them was to find out whether the main character actually had developed personally or just gone as they put it – “from realiable to unrealiable?”
Dear parents,
We would like to invite you to a parents–teachers meeting at 19.00 in class room 26 September 8 2009 at the school.
We have enclosed an agenda with some issues that we think we need to talk about:
· Presentation of the teachers
o Subjects
o Curricula
o Benchmark tests and exams
· The blog
o Info for parents
o Photos
· Homework
· School parties
· Trainee services
· Cosmo net
o Social network, where the parents can meet other foreigners with children at the same school or other schools.
o Head speaker at the opening is going to be the newly appointed Ame
rican ambassador, Laurie Fulton.
Best regards,
Simon Mosekjær
If you have children attending classes at Kolding Realskole and you would like them to improve or maintain their English standards, we are able to offer them lessons every afternoon at The Cosmo.
We already have students that join our lessons every day – mostly from 13 pm until 13.45 pm. Here they speak English and are taught in English. The students will be provided with extra teaching material other than what they use at Kolding Realskole, and they might have homework.
Please contact The Head of Department Simon Mosekjaer at 20 52 05 49 for additional information and prices.
A Good Offer
NB. This article is a direct translation from a Danish article and it is by no means an expression of the school’s or the school board’s position
In the corridor, where the international Primary and Lower Secondary of The Cosmo are situated and occupy two classrooms at Kolding Realskole the air is thick with such stories in both English and Danish.
The corridors on Kolding Realskole hum with voices of students who are eager to talk about the events of the summer holiday with their friends, before the teachers arrive.
This school year the school starts with 16 students aged 5-16. Souaad Rochdi is one of the parents, who has chosen to place her children at the international school.
Souaad Rochdi has two children in the age of 12 and 14 years at The Cosmo. It is the fifth school that they attend, as Souaad’s German husband travels a lot in his job. And there is no doubt in their minds that the children should attend an international school in Denmark. Yesterday they started at their second year at The Cosmo.
The children have mostly gone to a German school the places, where we have lived. But we have heard from friends in Denmark that the German schools here in the country have too low academic standards, so that the students almost never have any homework for example. Therefore we chose the international school.
Souaad is happy for the fact that the Cosmo is so small, because it means more focus on each individual student.
As a parent I am happy that the teachers are more in touch with the students’ academic skills. And I am also very satisfied with the level of the teaching, she adds.
The small number of students, makes she worry whether the school will exist long enough for her children to graduate and finished their Lower Secondary education.
Just the other day I spoke to my husband about what we would do it the school has to close. He said that we would find a solution. But if it really closes, we would listen to the children’s wishes. If their wish is to go to an international school, we would move to make that wish come through, she says.
16 students started last Monday at The Cosmo – the International School of Southern Denmark, which is a department of Kolding Realskole.
The school has only managed to get a few students more than last year, which was the first year the school existed.
And the school is far from the targets, which its management announced at the beginning of last school year. Back then the headmaster of Kolding Realskole talked about 40 students the first year.
During the first school year the school has already used about 400,000 Danish crowns of the three yearly deficit guarantees, which two local companies have given The Cosmo.
But the head of department at The Cosmo, Simon Mosekjær, acknowledges that the school’s management was, perhaps, a bit too optimistic when the school opened.
A bit too optimisticThe school needs time to grow, and we were perhaps a bit too optimistic. It requires more work than we thought to get students to the school, and our wish is that we get 30-35 students next year. But before the next school year the school board will probably begin to estimate if it is realistic that The Cosmo can continue without deficits after the first three years, where we have deficit guarantees says Simon Mosekjær.
He thinks that the financial crisis has a large part of the blame for the fact that it is more difficult than expected to get students for The Cosmo.
We have to face the fact that a part of the companies which said that they would support the school do not have the financial means to do so.
Some of the larger companies have phoned and asked what a student costs on a yearly basis at the school, but even so they have not been willing to use money for it. But we continue, because we have deficit guarantees for at least the first three years, says Simon Mosekjær.
It is AH industries and Bjarne Nielsen, who owns Galerie Nielsen and the shipping agency H. Daugaard A/S who each of them supports The Cosmo with a deficit guarantee of one million Danish crowns.
It has not been possible to get a comment from the chairman of the school board of Kolding Realskole, Henning Larsen.
Facts
The Cosmo – International School of Southern Denmark – is a department of Kolding Realskole. The school collaborates with Business Kolding.
All lessons are taught in English, and German and French are taught at all levels.
There are students from Germany, Vietnam, Spain, Iraq, Greece, England and Morocco at the school. The school has 16 students in the age from 5 to 16, who are divided in two classes – Primary and Lower Secondary. Due to the small number of students and the large spread in ages the school works with individual students’ plans, which are adapted to the age of every single student.
The price is between 2,000 and 2,600 Danish crows a month to have a student at The Cosmo.
This feature is a direct translation of a newspaper arctile from Jydske Vestkysten, Wednesday the 19th of August.
NB. This article is a direct translation from a Danish article and it is by no means an expression of the school’s or the school board’s position