Purley English Language College Testimonials

A FaceBook conversation with past students

"I am a Chinese student.I came back to China today.I miss U.K.,I miss my host family Mrs. Singh.I miss my teacher Marie.I miss Jam and Nova.Purley Language College gave me a happy trip.I have learned a lot here and have known many friends from all over the world .I want to keep in touch with them. I hope our school will be better. "
Yayu Zheng

"Dear Nova, Our return journey has been lovely and on time . The resumption of work has been hard today ,but we feel happiness staying at Purley . Many thanks for your helpfulness, Jan too . A presto ,con affetto "
Maddalena

"Our coming back to Italy was quite good. We all were very tired, but very happy for the greit time we spent at your college. In particular we enjoyed your company, your kindness and hospitality. Please give our special thanks again to your staff. We look forward to seeing you soon here in Italy. Best wishes from you friend "
Bruno Semioli

"Dear Nova, Thank you for your email. I would like to thank you for your kindness, your warm welcome and for everything you did to make our stay be so comfortable and exciting. Our students and we had the opportunity to realise how efficient and lively you all are. We are looking forward to meeting you in Catania soon. Best regards to you and Jan "
Giusy

Hello everyone! Do you remember me? I attended the course from the 21st to the 28th of august ... I wanted to tell you that this was one of the best experiences of my life, and I will always remember you with love ... you gave me so much ... I miss Purley, the college, Jan, Nova, Marie, Angela, Phil and all the other people who have accompanied us ... I miss my french friends too, which unfortunately I only spoke on Friday at lunch, and we did not excange addresses for lack of time ... could you help me get back in touch with them sending me the list of names and surnames of the french boys in my classroom classroom 3 ? so maybe I can find them in some social network members ... thanks in advance! I hope to see you soon! "
Maria from Modena Italy

"I really appreciate what Jan and Nova do for this school. I like your approach to the students. I got a feeling that the people/the students at school are my family. Thank you for inviting me to your parties, I enjoyed them and a big thank for the trip to Cambridge. Mike is the best teacher ever! I think I have never had a good teacher as him. He helped me a lot with mistakes what I do in English. He is always willing to help and explain what you need. I also liked my other teachers (Mizna and Pat) so much. They all are well-prepared for every class. I had a lot of fun here. Thank you and all the best, "
Simona C.Republic

"Dear Nova, I am Gracy. We have arrived at home and my mother and I are really grateful for all you have done for us in London. We had a great time and learned a lot at your school. Jan and you are such adorable people. We miss you a lot. We will definetely come back sometime and please come to our house if you visit China oneday. Please say hello and thanks to Jan, Jonas, Robert and his parents Thanks again for everything. yours faithfully, "
Gracy - China

Dear Susan and Jan. Hoping that you are doing fine.
More than 30 years ago, I had the privilege of studying in your college. Together, with what I´ve learned, I really had a fantastic time with people from around the world (Spanish, Italians, Danish, Turkish...) a kind of "babel" college.
This was an experience I will never forget, and that was extremely reach during all my life. Still today looking at the pictures of friends and teachers (also friends) I feel that those days were very special.
Now, it is time that the youngers, have the same opportunity. So it is with great pleasure, that I´ve presented this possibility to my brother, in order to send to England my oldest nephew (and God son - Tomás Nicolau) to experience the same objectives.
Tomás is a "Jolly good fellow" that has finish the Application Form, with brilliant marks. Tomás has 14 years old.
So, basically, the reason of my mail, is to ask you to have him in your fantastic organization (witch I do believe it much bigger) and give him the "treatment" that I had.
(Tomás will be the first one of at least 6 more Nicolaus after him, when time comes...)
It was a pleasure to "talk" with you again, and do hope to do it again in a near future.
My very best regards. Be Housetrading
Paulo Nicolau

"Hello Nova,
We arrived safely back home last night and the students were so happy of their experience in Purley that...they didn't want to leave in the end. So get ready to accommodate some of them again next summer.
My idea is to organize other groups of students to send over to Purley College during the school year or the summer months. I'll try to do my best if I retire after the summer.
Anyway, let me know when you are coming to Padova. I'm afraid I left a jar of marmalade and one of mincemeat in a white paper bag under the computer on the left in the office. I had bought it at Fanny's farm. So if you find it, will you please bring it to me when you come?
I must thank you very much again for your perfect organization during our stay in Purley. Say hello to Susan, Sarah, Hugh and the other teachers please
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!"
Love Cristina

"Dearest Nova, thank you very much for your kindness and patience dealing with my group........... I know very well how difficult it has been.... I have really appreciated your flexibility and helpfulness, which has allowed to do such beautiful and interesting things and has contributed to let us spent such a wonderful holiday!
And... how could I forget our trip to Canterbury, for example????? So interesting and worth!!! Be 'hopeful', may be in a week I 'll be able to send you some interesting photos of it !
Please, thank Ian as well, and a big hug to your special son Jonas, we remember you all with particular love "
gabriella e francesca

"Dear Nova, here we are, back to normal life after this wonderful week!We arrived safe and sound at midnight!( the first group at ten!) Thank you very much for what you did for us and for the students;you have been really kind and generous!
We have had a very busy week but really interesting and motivating; I am really sorry for some problems that occured with some students, but in such a big group it can happen!
Most host families have been really supportive and friendly! I am looking forward to meeting you and Ian in Padua next November; let me know when you will arrive!
A big hug to you , Ian , Jonas ( is the spelling correct!!?) and to all the staff at Purley college!! "
Alessandra Potenza- Natta school

"Dear Nova, Here I am! The journey back home was OK. The students were dead tired but they tried to hide it! :-) I spent all the day washing and ironing (not to mention a meeting at school!!!) . Anyway, I want to tell you how wonderful you made our stay in Purley. Honestly, your hospitality and kindness, the way you took such good care of us and got us to appreciate the beauty of London, the theatre and all the rest... all that laughing together! Thanks for everything. It is always interesting to see how similar we are in our ways of thinking and living. I think that is one of the best things such meetings can offer us. Now, I hope you have time to relax after such hard work. Once more: thanks a lot for the wonderful days we spent together and...let´s keep in touch! Looking forward to hearing from all of you Lots of love "
Lucia

"Here, in our little town, everything is alright, the students and their family have really appreciated the stay in England. I thank you again for your kindness and care.... I hope to see you soon in Italy. Kind regards "
Simonetta Sigralli-Italy

"As for myself I think I have gained a lot from the well-organised lessons, I appreciate that I can run my spoken English smoothly and very well because of my initial fondness of my English language sense. On the one hand I overcame many bad habits, which I can't ignore in my motherland. On the other hand, I have had enough communication with my foriegn friends via which the knowledge of foriegn culture and tradition has been completely supplemented. It has made me more international and broadened my horizon a lot.
With your giant shoulders, I have reached the biggest mountain. Thank you."
Andrew Lee - Chinese Group 2010

"The school is very good. I’m really happy. I think I can speak better English now than I was arriving. In this college you can find friends, you know how the other people live in their country. It was very interesting. "
Martin Geisser, Switzerland, August 2009

"I’m really happy with almost all parts of my stay. I had wonderful teachers, especially Mike. He is the best teacher I have ever met. My group is also great! All people are very friendly and easy-going so during lessons the atmosphere was really friendly. I’m pleased that I chose Purley Language College."
Ekaterina, August 2009

"I’m very happy to have chosen this school because I had a very good time to meet some new friends and to learn English. All the teachers were very kind and nice to me and they helped me every time I needed. I thank you very much for these three beautiful weeks and I hope to see you again."
Davide Doselli, July 2008

Annika "I remember the first day I came to the college. I was really excited how it will be but then when I came in Nova asked me “what’s your name?” And I said “Annika” And she suddenly replied “ah, you’re from Germany.” That was so great because I felt this familiar atmosphere from the first moment on. All the trips were really great and the teachers were really nice as well. I would really like to come back next time and meet all the people again! Thanks a lot for everything."
Annika, July 2008, Germany

"I am really glad that I came to Purley Language College in May 2008. I felt welcome from the beginning and had a great time for a year, which unfortunately ends now.
I made many friends and had a very good relationship with the teachers and the office. The classes which I attended made me feel confident enough to pass the exam, which I did in the end!
I would always recommend the school to people and say that there is a perfect level between studying and having fun. Well done to Purley Language College!!!"
Marion Tauschek May 2009

"Very good school.We can meet a lot of people of different countries. It is a very good way to practice English. This school and people are very helpful and welcoming. You propose a lot of interesting activities. Teachers help me when I was in difficulty and learn me a lot of vocabulary. Now I improved my English and it is a thing for my further studies and for my work later. So, thank you very much!"
Armelle, August 2009

"I am so glad for this course. On my first day I was terrified, but now I am sad because today is my last day and I’m going to miss the college. I made some new friends, all of them are from other countries. The family was great with me. I practised a lot of English and I think I have more confidence in myself because of this course. I’m so greateful. Please, continue like that."
Laura, July 2009

"Thank you for all knowledge I received from your school. I hope I improved my English. Best Wishes!"
Alexsandra Perisic, June 2009

"It was good that the class size have 10 people sometimes 4. They give you enough attention and very kind. Sometimes it was busy in the school but I’m pleased with my stay.
Thank you for everything."
Juliet Smit, June 2009

"I enjoyed very much the afternoon classes and I appreciated Mike’s teaching method. I would like to suggest you something about your website, some websites are more friendly, they have online tests and the students can make an idea about their English level. Put more information about the school, about the classes and atmosphere from here. The website gives the impression that is not very well organised. Thank You"
Alina Iohescu, May 2009

"I enjoyed this school life. Teachers were very kind to me. To study English became happy for me.
I want to study English at this college again.
Thank you very much."
Moeko, July 2009

"What struck me about this school was the internet presentation you made “the best kept secret” was a good way to introduce this school because it is a very good school indeed. The school is small and therefore familiar and very friendly. This is what I was looking for.
Thank you for everything."
Michela Moser, July 2009

"I am Mito's father. Mito has returned home safely with happy memories of the British stay. Thank you for your kindness and a lot of presents. Please send my best regards to Ms. Setsuko too. I think Mito will send you letter to you later."

"To Nova and the teachers and everybody in Purley college. Thank you so much for having been so kind and helpful with Felix Nicoulaud my son, during these last two weeks. And may I ask you to give my best regards to Paula Philpott and her family ? Felix came back with very good memories of his stay in England."
Isabelle de Botton

"As we are now back in Warsaw with access to Internet I would like to thank you and your son for a care and friendship received by Gerard during his stay in London. He was very happy with his stay and regards it as a very enriching expereince, not only for his linguistic skills.
Gerard would like also to send a dvd for Jonas with a very good Polish film for youngsters (with English subtitles) - shall he send it to college address? whose name should be added to the address? Thank you in advance"
L.Konopielko - Gerald's Father Poland

"This school is very comfortable, interesting and the teachers and staff are very nice and kind. Thanks!"
Chiara Ingannamorte - September 2009 - Italian

"I am one of your students from 1986, and 1989. now I would like to send my sons 14 and 15 for two weeks to your college. since 4 years I am working in Ukraine, and we have unexpected holydays. would it be possible for them to come in the end of this week? thank you very much, best greetings"
Maggie

"This school is very comfortable, interesting and the teachers and staff are very nice."
Eleonora Toti - September 2009 - Italian

"I like the school its funny and I learn new words, is beautiful and clean, the teachers are nice. I like it!"
Valentina De Marinis - September 2009 - Italian

"The school is very interesting, beautiful and funny. I like It!"
Giorgia Tombolini - September 2009 - Italian

"Everyone here keeps talking about his/her faboulous time at Purley college and London.' We miss you all too."
Mimma - Leader

"I really enjoyed the lessons and improved my English. On the other hand, I was a bit dis-appointed at the end because levels were all mixed! Anyway, I had a great experience and I've reach the level I wanted. "
Agathe Pirotte - Belguim Sept 09 to Jan 10

Hi! I'm Francesco, an Italian student of the touristic Institute of Rome "Marco Polo".

I came in London with my school in Sept 2009 and we frequented also Purley Language College.

We were hosted by host families in Purley. In a first time, until we left Rome, I was a bit scared by host families because I didn't know hoe they were, but now I want do it again; I want come back in Purley.

My host family was very, very, very nice, polite and friendly. The name of the women that hosted me is Wendy Carver. She's a beautiful person, she have never scolded us (my room-mate and me), for anything. Sometimes we came home a bit more late for dinner, but Wendy said simply "don't worry, the dinner is on the table".

When was my bday, on the 24th of September, Wendy gave me a birthday card for wish me a lovely day, and she also bought a delicious chocolate cake. I CAN'T FORGET IT. I am very grateful to her because for me it was the first tima far from my family and, thank to her, i felt like at home. The same day the College had organized a night at the disco and we enjoyed it a lot! IT WAS FANTASTIC!

I spent a lovely time also at the College. Lessons weren't boring and teachers were very nice and polite; they taught us a lot of things and I think the lessons helped me to improve my english.

With all this I just wanna Say that i spent two special weeks and for this I must thank Wendy Carver; Nova, the principal of the College; Linda, Liz and Susan that were the teachers of our course; and also our Italian teachers that took us in London.

With love and the wish to see you again, Francesco Salciccia

"Thank you for everything you did for my student and for me too. I have just met Concetta this afternoon and I told her how great was the time we spent together. You were fantastic with us all. Daniela is ok now and her mother was calm when I called her. So, all went well and ends well!!!! Concetta was realy happy about the successful result of our stay in the college, and I noticed some progress in my students' fluency in English."
Caterina - Sicily April 2010

"I will always be enormously grateful to you and Jan for the great efforts you have put in anything you've done for all of us and for the happy time my students have experienced at the college and in London- - - they're still talking about it with such an enthusiasm! Furthermore, I am looking forward to seeing you as soon as possible here in Catania and have great time again. Meanwhile have my love and sincere gratitude."
Diane

"I hope everything is going well with the college . I miss everyone there hope you all having a great time . Best regards from Saudi Arabia "
Haya Almugrin

Hi Nova and Jan, How are you? This is Judy writing from Shanghai, I was reviewing our pictures in UK this afternoon, and I came to realize that I've been back in China now, but the memories are still so vivid when I saw your face on the pictures.

Nova, thank you very much for taking so good care of us during our stay in UK. I can still remember the first BBQ at Evelyn's house, I can remember you drove us all the way long to Croydon to buy the Lebara sim cards and met your former student there, remember your delicious BBQ for our students, remember your sadness when Gavin complained about her homestay life, remember your big smile, remember the English tea in Fanny's yard, remember Jonas directed us to the BBQ and disco, and he performed as a real young man. Also remember the nice weather when we were in London, remember everything...

Jan, thank you for your detailed illustration and explanation about British culture, and the students are very impressed by your personality. Because of Nova and you, we had a very pleasant trip in UK. Thank you.

Hope there will be a chance for us to meet in Shanghai soon. Take care and keep in touch

Please bring me to Susan, Sarah, and everybody in the college!

Second page of testimonials