The second full-time day in Canterbury.

What I like about English breakfasts is that they give a good kick to the day. This morning mine contained: potato mash shaped to an undernourished dumpling and pan-fried on either side, fried tomato, poached eggs (there was one so plural is over-optimistic), a sausage, roast bacon, beans, a neat pile of mushrooms on the outside. Coffee is offered as you are being seated, apparently to comfortably pass those 15 minutes of waiting that you cross out of your life, but who's counting. The attending lady was very helpful. Her English was so immaculately crisp and articulated to the last comma that I had a feeling of being served by no less than an Oxford graduate if not next to Henry Higgins's kin.

The Miller's Arms Hotel

Things seem to be getting into the groove. I have finally learned the way to the College and never went astray this morning. 

At nine Brian introduced me to the teachers whose classes I was to attend. Both classes were dedicated to preparing students for the GCSE English examination. GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, GCSE exams are taken between Year 9 and 11.  The first class represented itself the reading part of the mock examination in English with questions to be answered against time. The second class was focused on descriptive narratives (writing own piece of text according to the composed plan). 

A few kind words about the English classroom. It feels comfy inside ! Students are encouraged to work for result rather than for speed. Teachers are supportive and keep good timing. Students who are at a loss for ideas are suggested prompts to start from.

The classrooms themselves I have so far been to can seat around 15 students. Lessons start at 9 o'clock and last until 5 p.m. 

Today our students are out on vocational placement in the English-speaking environment for the first time. The welding guys are fine, the rest I haven't contacted yet. It is against the rules to pick up the phone during the shift so I chose not to stand them up. They will surely want to share their experience on the blog.

To make it a day, I sought Brian's counsel as to which local chocolate brand he would consider buying as a gift as much authentic as admirable. Having dived into one of local choco outlets, I will part with you at this sweet point.