Register by January 31, 2012, to qualify for a 5% Early Registration discount off the package price for all 2012 English immersion courses at Acadia Center in Camden, Maine, USA.

New English immersion courses begin every Monday from May through October in 2012.

Writing about your experiences in a full immersion English course is a great way to help yourself remember the vocabulary you’ve learned. It also encourages you to start thinking in English, rather than translating words that are new for you into your native language.

Last week, Daniela, human resources director for a software company in Bonn, Germany, and English immersion course student at Acadia Center for the second time, wrote an essay about her hike up Ragged Mountain, a favorite spot for local hikers here in Maine. Her guide was renowned artist and illustrator Anthony (Chip) Bacon Venti. After going over the essay carefully with her teacher, Daniela revised it and now you can read the result:

An Easter Sunday Hike

On Easter Sunday I went on a hike with Tomm’s friend Chip whom I have met before. He knew that I had the day off from classes and offered to show me parts of his home state. I really appreciated his offer and he picked me up on Easter Sunday at 11 am. First we drove to Lincolnville and he showed me the beautiful view from Point Lookout which was formerly  a private property. Now there is a kind of upscale restaurant inside. You can even sit on the deck if the weather is warm and sunny enough and enjoy the scenery.

Chip told me the name of some islands and mountains we could see and pointed to an island where celebrities like Kirstie Alley and John Travolta own a vacation home. Further away we could identify some offshore wind turbines which must be huge if they can be seen from that distance.

We took some pictures and than we drove to a parking lot at Route 17 which is at the beginning of the Georges Highland Path. We took our knapsacks from the backseat of his car and started the hike.

The trail was marked by blue markers on trees and rocks and sometimes it was difficult to identify exactly where the path might be. But Chip always found another marker and then we went on. The first part of the trail was not very steep but after about one hour it became a steep climb. Surprisingly we were overtaken by a couple who were running up the hill! We  kept up our pace and the last 20 minutes the path led over rocks until we reached the summit. On the top of the mountain stands a huge tower which apparently receives or sends data. We rested at the foot of the tower for a while and enjoyed our picnic. Chip did some sketches of the panorama and explained the landmarks to me. Then we went back downhill the same way we had gone up.

The whole hike took about 4 hours and was a really unique experience. Later he gave me a ride home to Acadia Center. I have to admit that I was really tired after that but I am glad I had the opportunity to see what I have seen.

Do you have only two or three weeks to spare for an English immersion course in the USA? No problem – come to Maine and study at Acadia Center for the time you have available, even if it’s only two or three weeks. Then do what many of our students have done: book another course six months or a year later – take advantage of the 5% alumni discount - and save!

In the early part of 2011 several alumni have already booked second – and in some cases third – courses at Acadia Center, including a professor of ethics and theology from Brazil, an international trade agent from France, and a human resources executive from Germany.

The beauty and peacefulness of our small New England town make it an ideal place in any season for you to take time off from your busy worklife and focus on improving your English quickly, efficiently, and very enjoyably!

Whether you want to try skiing, snowhoeing, or just drinking hot chocolate in a cozy cafe, Maine is a great place to experience an old-fashioned New England winter.

Winter is also a great time of year to immerse yourself in English while improving your English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

Register now for an English immersion course at Acadia Center and discover winter in Maine.

It’s officially springtime in Camden, and during Acadia Center excursions students have been enjoying flower sightings all over town.

Fresh local seafood, fruit, and vegetables, delicious meat and pasta dishes, healthy salads and freshly baked whole grain breads, luxurious desserts — it’s all on the menu at Acadia Center.

Sample lunch & dinner menu:

Monday
lunch: spinach and ricotta manicotta with garden salad
dinner: steak with sauteed greens & rolls

Tuesday
lunch: chicken pot pies with garden salad
dinner: fresh scallops with steamed rice and sauteed green beans

Wednesday
lunch: quiche with garden salad
dinner: pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes

Thursday
lunch: tarragon chicken salad
dinner: fresh salmon served with roasted vegetables

Friday
lunch: rustic Italian pasta salad
dinner: beef kabobs served with rice pilaf

Lunches and dinners Monday through Friday are included in the immersion course package. The family-style meals give students the chance to practice their English with teachers and other native-English-speaking guests in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Comments from recent students on meals at Acadia Center:
Excellent: I ate a lot but I didn’t gain weight. Every meal was delicious and nutritious. – Gerard, IT professional, Venezuela
Well-balanced and diverse. – Jean-Marc, international trade agent, France
Delicious and fun - I had the opportunity to speak about many topics and in this way I was able to improve my speaking ability. – Maria, IT executive, Venezuela
I ate very well every day. The meals were all delicious! – Diane, retired nurse, Quebec
The food was very good: fresh and full of variety. – Rodolfo, sales executive, Italy

Farm photo by Marti Stone.