Welcome to the blog of our English Course in Maredsous

Sunday it’s the first day of our English Course in Maredsous. We’re looking forward to meeting all of our students and to spending an excellent week together! Believe us, it’ll be an incredible adventure. With one clear rule: we talk English always and everywhere!

Are you ready for the start of your week with Ruysschaert? You’ll find all the practical information about the English Course via the personal link you’ve received by email. Just to make sure:

  • We expect pupils to arrive between 10h30 and 11h30. On arrival you’ll receive the first practical information. Then you can take your luggage to your room and make yourself at home. If you still have time, feel free to get to know the other participants.
  • At noon the director warmly welcomes everybody, parents and pupils, to the opening session, explains the arrangements and calls out the pupils’ names so that they can join their class
  • Then comes the official start of the course.
  • We start with the midday meal followed by the tests and the first lesson.

See you soon!

PS: Are you curious to see how it all plans out on our language course? We post photos and videos on our Facebook & Instagrampage and our blog every day so that we can keep you up-to-date with our activities. We’ll post the first pictures from tomorrow! Follow us @ruysschaertlanguageacademy!

Day one: Sunday

The English course has officially kicked off! Forty slightly nervous students, accompanied by mums, dads and siblings, started an adventure they won’t soon forget. The sun clearly didn’t want to miss this party, so she joined us bright and early!
 
Once the first nerves had settled, the students were able to get comfortable in their rooms, explore the campus and listen to the opening speech. From then on, we meant business. Of course, we had to make sure our basic needs were met, so after a delicious lunch, the students were immediately thrown in at the deep end. Games, lessons, tests; class was officially in session! They may have been a bit quiet and shy in the beginning, but by the end of the day it was very clear: this is a chatty bunch!
 
The topic on everyone’s lips? The World Cup of course! It’s only fitting that we ended the day with ‘The World Cup Games’; every student was assigned a player from either England, Argentina, Spain or France and had to compete in various sports and games against the other teams. France emerged victorious today in Maredsous, but will they be able to repeat this victory on the other side of the world? We’ll find out soon enough!

Day two: Monday

Our first full day at the English course, and it was a packed one! Students had a lot on their plates today: after breakfast, they had to take their very first tests. For some, this was exciting; for others, slightly nerve-wracking … After surviving their first round of quizzes, the students were more than ready for a well-earned break and then, of course, more learning!

They discovered new vocabulary, revised their tenses, practised their pronunciation and wrote paragraph after paragraph, all in English! Another first today: the singing session! Singing on key and in tune might not be everyone’s strongest suit, but our students definitely make up for it with their enthusiasm. We even discovered some dance talents in the group. As the sun continues to shine on us, we enjoyed some water games (and, to be honest, water fights) in the afternoon to cool off. After supper, the students had time to study for tomorrow’s test before we ended the evening with a competition of Wonderful Word Games.

 

Day three: Tuesday

It’s our third day here in Maredsous, and you can truly sense that the routine is kicking in. Students are becoming more fluent in English by the minute, games and competitions are strengthening class bonds, and every single one of our students has already made new friends. And yet, we’re only halfway there!

What a way to mark the middle of the week, though! No time off or fireworks for Bastille Day this year, but perhaps the fries on the menu were just as good a reason to celebrate? Students also discovered that we can always stray from our routine when the opportunity for a surprise water balloon fight presents itself. Some of them couldn’t run away fast enough; others managed to get themselves completely soaking wet in less than five minutes.

And, of course, everyone looked forward to the semi-final, but before ‘Les Bleus’ broke quite a few hearts, the students enjoyed a chaotic, competitive and fast-paced game night. Students raced against each other and the clock, so by the end of the night, everyone was more than ready for bed!

Day four: Wednesday 

Our students arrived at breakfast a little sleepier than usual this morning. Some of them had clearly spent the night replaying France’s missed chances in their heads and dreams. But our busy schedule leaves no time to sulk!

Les Bleus might have lost, but our students are definitely winning. They are gaining so much confidence speaking English all day that it’s hard to believe they only arrived here three days ago. Not only are they making huge strides in the classroom, but during breaks they’re taking their conversations to a whole new level as well. It certainly helps that they spend the week without a phone in their pocket. Not only does that come in handy when they’re being chased by our assistant armed with a water hose, it also gives them the chance to truly connect, laugh and enjoy each other’s company.

Once classes and study time were over, the students finally had some well-earned free time. Some threw themselves into tennis and ping-pong tournaments, while others got creative and produced genuine works of art. Afterwards, most of them settled in for yet another nail-biting football match. Unfortunately, for the second evening in a row, their predictions didn’t quite work out, as most of our students had placed their bets on a victory for England. Thankfully, unlike last night, our students won’t be losing any sleep over this defeat!

Day five: Thursday 

Our last full day at the English course was one to remember. The grand finale? Ruysschaert’s Got Talent, of course. In the eleventh hour, some students finally found the courage to sign up, allowing us to enjoy a beautiful flute solo, an entertaining juggling act and even an impressive moonwalk routine. We also celebrated our competition winners, played games, answered questions and looked back at some of the highlights of this week.

But before all that, there was another day packed with lessons, learning and activities. Students took to the football pitch and volleyball court together for one final time. Perhaps the reigning volleyball champions will finally meet their match tomorrow when they take on the teachers.

In class, students discovered new tenses, tips and tricks for pronunciation, and a whole lot of new vocabulary. Their writing grows longer and more detailed each day, while their spoken English becomes increasingly fluent. It’s clear that our students are reaping the rewards of their efforts.

Of course, our day was not complete without water games. An enthusiastic group of players signed up for ‘Submarine’, a game that involved a lot of running, trivia questions and, most importantly, water. A lot of water!

And so, with just one morning left, we’re approaching the end of another unforgettable English course. Tomorrow we’ll hand out the final report cards, say our goodbyes and, hopefully, make sure no socks, water bottles or chargers are left behind. Our students will head home with new friendships, wonderful memories and, of course, a lot more confidence in their English. We’d say that’s a pretty good way to finish a fantastic week!