SOL - Sharing One Language

World Oceans Day

For many of our students, the Atlantic Ocean is one of the first things they notice when they arrive in Devon.

Living and learning by the coast creates countless opportunities to explore topics such as sustainability, renewable energy, climate change and marine conservation while using English in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Did you know that the Atlantic’s Gulf Stream helps keep the UK much warmer than other places at the same latitude? It is one of the many ways the ocean shapes life, communities and the environment around us.

At SOL, language learning goes beyond the classroom. We encourage students to engage with the world around them, ask questions, discuss global challenges and develop the skills needed to become thoughtful global citizens.

This World Oceans Day, we celebrate the ocean not only for its beauty, but for the vital role it plays in all our lives.

Students arrive expecting English lessons, new vocabulary and grammar practice.

What they do not expect is how much learning happens outside the classroom.

A conversation in a café. A day trip with new friends. Asking for directions. Sharing stories with host families…

These everyday moments turn English into something real.

Because language is not only learnt in the classroom. It is learnt through experiences, connections and the confidence that comes from using it every day.

And that is often what students remember most.

Today, we had the pleasure of taking part in the KETNET KOSOVO Conference in Pristina and support our valued partners at the final conference of this school year.

SOL was represented by our coordinator, Festa Shabani Tahiri, and we were especially pleased to congratulate the winners of our conference prizes, Elza Kelmendi and Kaltrina Ramadani. Elza will be joining us for a Teacher Development Course in Devon, while Kaltrina will enjoy a Teacher Retreat in Sremski Karlovci.

Congratulations to both winners, and thank you to KETNET for another successful event. We look forward to seeing where these learning journeys lead.

Another exciting week is just around the corner at SOL! 🌍✨

This Sunday we’ll be welcoming a group of students to North Devon, 2 schools coming together as 1, from. Secondary School Liceum im. Jana III Sobieskiego w Lublinie and Szkoła Podstawowa nr 47 (primary school no 47) Kraków Poland. Accompanied by 2 wonderful lead teachers Agata Awakowicz, and Katarzyna Wróbel.

Their adventure begins even before they reach us. On their journey to Barnstaple, they’ll have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Windsor Castle, one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks.

Their week will also include a day trip to Bristol, where they’ll explore the historic SS Great Britain and discover more of Britain’s fascinating history and culture.

Alongside their lessons and excursions, students will spend time with our wonderful host families, experiencing everyday life in the UK and building confidence in their English through real conversations and shared experiences.

We’re looking forward to meeting the group and helping them create plenty of memories during their time with us. Safe travels, and we’ll see you soon! 🇬🇧💙

At the beginning of the week, many students are worried about making mistakes.

A few days later, they are chatting with new friends, asking for directions, ordering food, joining activities and speaking English without overthinking every sentence.

The biggest change is not always in their grammar.

It is in their confidence.

That moment when students stop translating in their heads and start communicating is often the most valuable thing they take home from a SOL course.

Because language learning is not about speaking perfectly.

It is about having the confidence to speak at all.

It’s another busy arrival week at SOL! 🌍✨

This evening we’ll be welcoming a new group of students to North Devon from III Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Unii Lubelskiej Poland, with lead teacher Ewa Szabłowska, we can’t wait to welcome them in as they begin their English language and cultural experience with us.

As a mid-week arrival, they’ll also have the chance to enjoy a family day on Sunday, one of the highlights of many students’ visits, giving them extra time to experience life with their host families and make the most of their time in the UK.

The weather has certainly been keeping us on our toes lately! One minute we’re enjoying a mini heatwave, the next we’re reaching for our umbrellas ☀️🌦️ ☔️ however, that’s all part of the Devon experience, and whatever the forecast, there’s always plenty to enjoy and memories to be made!

We’re looking forward to meeting the group and sharing another week of learning, friendship, and memorable experiences here in North Devon.

Today we celebrate childhood: curiosity without limits, questions without fear and the excitement of discovering something new every day.

At SOL, we have the privilege of watching young people grow through travel, language learning and new experiences. Every trip, every conversation and every challenge helps them build confidence, independence and lifelong memories.

On International Children’s Day, we celebrate their potential, their ideas and the unique perspective they bring to the world.

Happy International Children’s Day to all the young learners who inspire us every day.

A week ago, an amazing initiative by SOL - Sharing One Language brought different associations together for a webinar sharing highlights from the IATEFL 2026 Brighton Conference. 🌍✨
If you couldn’t join the live session, you can still rewatch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNNRokIbA4I
On behalf of TESOL-Hungary, Nora Tartsay Németh, one of our Supervisory Board members, shared some of her favourite conference sessions focusing on AI in ELT and the exciting possibilities these developments bring to language teaching.
Thank you, Nora, for representing our association, and thank you to the organisers for creating such a valuable opportunity for professional sharing and collaboration! 🌍✨

If you missed our IATEFL Brighton Highlights webinar, you can now watch the recording and catch up on some inspiring ideas, reflections, and practical insights shared by colleagues from SOL’s partner associations.

Thank you once again to everyone who joined us live and helped create such a positive atmosphere.

Recording link: https://youtu.be/vNNRokIbA4I?si=txwg45Ms3ZhPhbLV

IateflELTA Serbia - English Language Teachers' AssociationTESOL-UkraineAzeta AzerbaijanHUPE - Croatian Association of Teachers of EnglishELTA AlbaniaEnglish Language Teachers’ Association of Montenegro ELTAMELTAM MKУкраїнська Асоціація Викладачів Англійської Мови як ІноземноїSCELT - The Slovak Chamber of English Language TeachersTESOL-HungaryIATEFL PolandHippo Olympiad N.MacedoniaBritish Council SerbiaTESOL GreeceLAKMA - Lietuvos anglų kalbos mokytojų asociacijaBETA-IATEFL BulgariaKETNET KOSOVOKosova English Teachers' Network

Central and Eastern European Teachers Associations - IATEFL Brighton 2026 Recap Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.