Page 23 - ELG2503 March Issue 493

FEATURE

ELEA junior summer programme resulting Fast forward a few years and the Peartree stops, stop. Even if you’ve only managed
in EL Gazette Centre of Excellence status ELEA junior summer programme we to articulate one, that’s progress. The
and a top 8% UK ranking, we’re currently run with Atlantic Experience is going time you’ve spent reflecting on what you
riding high. from strength to strength and giving the really believe has already been well spent.
The secret? Skills, experience and plain students and staff who join it an exciting, Go back to your list for 10 minutes every
hard work are factors, but we’ve had no creative and satisfying journey into summer day until you get your five.
shortage of those throughout Peartree’s residential learning, as recognised in our 2. Once you have your ‘My Five Values’ list,
time in the industry. What’s changed is British Council inspection report. research potential employers. Check out
that we invested time and energy into their mission statements, social media, and
asking ourselves what we really believe in, The takeaway reviews from past staff. What’s their vibe?
what we want to teach, and how we want Complete the expression: ‘Square peg...’— What do they stand for?
to teach it. round hole, right? 3. Compare their values with yours. Do they
It took a while, but we came out armed But what if there was a better ending? align? If yes, dive deeper. If not, maybe it’s
with a set of Peartree Values to guide our ‘Square peg... square peg!’ worth moving on to another option.
search for the right organisation to partner Forcing mismatched partnerships—
with to realise our junior summer school interpersonally or organisationally—is When you find that alignment, you’re
vision: one focused on building English expedient, but it’s a losing game. If your values setting yourself up for a summer that’s
language confidence, communication skills don’t align with the people or institutions not just a job but a genuinely rewarding
and critical thinking by looking at the real you’re working with, everything is just a experience. You’ve just greatly increased
world through the lens of the UN Sustainable bit of a struggle. Constant compromise takes your chances of coming out the other side
Development Goals. energy, so it can leave you feeling permanently more confident, more inspired, and more
We finally found our value-aligned drained. excited about what you do, and with the
collaboration in Atlantic Experience, the Even if it’s not the easiest in the short term, bonus of having met like-minded people
home of events at UWC Atlantic College, in the long run finding your matching peg who could be friends for life.
an independent international school with a can mean things click, opportunities open up, And who doesn’t want that?
progressive, globally focused outlook arising and you don’t have to live with the collateral If our values sound like a piece of you and
from their founding membership of the damage of a mismatched marriage of values. you’d like to work with us in summer 2025,
UWC movement. Onto the practical. If you’re gearing up to send us an email saying ‘hello’ to
The clearly articulated UWC Mission and apply for summer school jobs, here’s a simple elea@peartreelanguages.com.
Values struck a chord, and we knew we’d but powerful exercise:
found potential for a collaboration that could Jon Letson, has Jon Letson, Academic
be innovative, successful and wouldn’t cost 1. Set 10 minutes and see if you can write Manager, Peartree Languages.
either of us our souls! down your five key values. Once the clock

Contact us
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Academic

Excellence

by the Sea

Now in its fourth year, our very popular international junior residential experience Why LSI / IH EL Gazette’s
combines communicative, real-world English language skills with lessons themed
around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and an action-packed social Portsmouth? joint No. 1
programme, located at the iconic UWC Atlantic College campus at St Donat’s Castle,
near Cardiff, Wales.
Seaside and University Area English Language
JOIN TeamELEA 90 minutes from London Centre in the UK
#
Learn and work with us! Executive and 30+ Courses
Top Quality Homestays
Excellent Facilities: Student To know more visit:
CARDIFF
Lounges, Study Centre, lsi-portsmouth.co.uk
+44 (0) 7378 354654 LONDON
elea@peartreelanguages.com Ground floor Cafe
www.uwcatlanticexperience.com/elea
editorial@elgazette.com 23