In spite of being a year of global upheaval (is there any other kind these days?) 2022 was a good year for Skool, a year of growth for the business and for us too, as teachers and guides. Our students gave us a lot to think about this year. They made us think about how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world and to be able to share the unique experience of being here with them. They made us think about how it takes a special type of person to come here and commit themselves to the adventure, to want to keep learning and imbibing what life has to offer, intellectually and spiritually, come rain or blazing Cornish sunshine (global warming in the form of summer heatwaves seems to be providing us with plenty of the latter). They made us think about our dual role as both language tutors and guardians of wellbeing in this wild corner of the world. I’ll never forget the day Kirsten and I had to take shelter from the dramatic clifftop weather in the local Coastguard hut at St Agnes Head, and the unexpected and fascinating insight into the hazards of coastal life provided by the ex-sea captain who kindly let us in to wait out the storm, one of many selfless souls who occupy these lifesaving posts on a volunteer basis (a view of The Atlantic Ocean from his office was some compensation), just as I’ll never forget the expression of fear and excitement written across Susanne’s face as she waited at the local surf school for her first session on the board, giving me my first taste of a strange kind of inverted parenthood, as I waved goodbye like a surrogate father, mindful of her wellbeing, and marvelling at her spirit of adventure.
There were many precious moments this year, and many kind faces we hope to see again. Something they all had in common was the look of wellbeing acquired over the course of their time with us in St Agnes, a light in the eyes that expressed the cultivation of body and mind, the fruits of their mental (grammar is tough sometimes) and physical (cliff walks are great exercise, especially when Toby’s in charge) efforts, their engagement with language, landscape and culture. It was deeply satisfying to see the Latin phrase mens sana in corpore sano put into action and embodied in this way, and it was clear to us that this was the essence of what many seek to gain from their time at Skool. This was confirmed by the feedback we got from our students, who spoke inspiringly of their personal journeys and often described their impressions of the course in terms of wellbeing & mindfulness, contact with nature, escape & rejuvenation.
Our programs are designed for people who want more than a typical language course, something unique and alternative, a special experience in a very special place. This is what sets us apart from other language schools. The combination of morning classes devoted to communication and language analysis around areas of cultural interest, focusing on key aspects of Cornish culture as well as topics relevant to the group (everything from supernatural Cornish myths to mobile communications technology to the Mona Lisa), with afternoon activities in the form of cultural excursions, clifftop walks & water sports, is a holistic concept, one that aims to promote the development of the whole person (mens sana…), a modus vivendi as well as a program of study. It’s a formula that works (Susanna was a returning student from our first year in 2021 and is coming back next year) and it’s one we want to continue. But we also want to build on this in the coming year and expand the range of courses on offer based on the feedback mentioned above, which is why we’ll be inaugurating our English with Wellness course in 2023, a course which will include Yoga and guided meditation. We hope you will take the opportunity to take a break from your busy life and enrich yourself; culturally, linguistically, and above all mindfully.
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