Page 26 - link magazine

Swindon Wide
26

Swindon school for life and language
Lower Shaw Farm in West Swindon has extended its year-round pro-
gramme of events for all ages by including a two week English Language
Summer School during July and August.

The fi rst ever summer school at-
tracted students who fl ew in from
Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain,
and also a pupil who originates
from Brazil.
Farm coordinator Matt Holland
said “our LSF slogan is life is for
learning, bringing people together
to create a local, national and now
international community.
“During their stay students helped
with key jobs round the farm and
took time out to get to know Swindon
and the surrounding area.”
Marisol Asenjo Fenoy from
Granada in Spain said, “it was a
strange surprise to fi nd a real farm
inside the town. My English is get-
ting better because we are using
the language in different places,
in class, in the garden and looking
after the animals, and working in the
kitchen and eating together.”
Maria Sierra, also from Granada
who met Marisol for the fi rst time in
Swindon, said, “I’m a town person
and do not like the country very
much. I was a little shocked when I
saw the small rooms and bunk beds
at the farm, but everybody is very
friendly and I liked being at Lower
Shaw Farm very quickly.”
Eliz Souza from Brazil has lived
in London for two years but wanted
to practice her language skills.
“London is too busy; I wanted to
come somewhere with more nature.
Working around the farm collecting
vegetables and fl owers, and feeding
the animals is very relaxing. It’s a
good way to learn everyday English.”
Alberton Bruzzone from northern
Italy said, “I like it in Swindon; it
makes a nice change from living in
a fl at in a big town. The idea of living
on a farm and doing farm work and
learning English at the same time
appealed to me.”
Qualifi ed English as a Foreign
Language tutor Vicky Edwards
said, “the group was very moti-
vated to learn. It’s to do with the
relaxed atmosphere where students
were having to use English as the
common language and carry out
everyday tasks.”

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