“Wheel to Wheel” Short Story

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 12 December 2023 > Ready to Use

This B1-level short story was written by an American teenager. It would fit in well with a theme on the Paralympics. Activities include comprehension, written expression and practise of “used to” and comparatives and superlatives. Vocabulary and structures preterite would (past habit and conditional) past perfect used to comparatives and superlatives sports (athletics) This would … Continue reading ““Wheel to Wheel” Short Story”

250 Years of U.S. Democracy: The Boston Tea Party

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 07 December 2023 > Ready to Use Shine Bright Collège Shine Bright Lycée

On 16 December 1773, an event took place that went on to spark the American Revolution: citizens of Boston, Massachusetts, dumped hundreds of crates of tea into the sea to protest against British “taxation without representation”. This December, the city is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This article paired with two … Continue reading “250 Years of U.S. Democracy: The Boston Tea Party”

Analysing Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Parts 6-8

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 07 December 2023 > Ready to Use

We are gradually publishing an 8-part analysis of the 1993 animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas so you can study the film with A2-level pupils in class. Here are are the three final parts, 6-8, in time for Christmas  The film, directed by Henry Selick and written by Tim Burton, focuses on the King of … Continue reading “Analysing Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Parts 6-8”

Wonka

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 06 December 2023 > Ready to Use

Most pupils will be familiar with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its main character: Willy Wonka. Yet, how much do we know about him? This new film by Paddington director Paul King– starring Timothée Chalamet as Wonka – explores Willy Wonka’s young adult life, his wishes and how he started his chocolate empire with … Continue reading “Wonka”

Short Christmas Film

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 01 December 2023 > Webpicks

This three-minute film with no dialogue is a great basis of a discussion about Christmas with your classes. It also fits with the theme of being different, and starts in a boarding school. The premise is that Santa Claus started out at a school for extraordinary children, where as a child he slowly grew his … Continue reading “Short Christmas Film”

Simple Thanksgiving Video

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 21 November 2023 > Webpicks

This 4-minute video is a simple explanation of Thanksgiving, designed for young learners in the U.S.A. It would work well in an ESL classroom. We’ve indicated the content of the sections if you don’t want to use the whole thing. The voiceover is slow and understanding is helped by the images. You could use sections … Continue reading “Simple Thanksgiving Video”

Bullying Is Never OK

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 09 November 2023 > Ready to Use Shine Bright Collège

Anti-bullying actions are taking place in November in the United Kingdom, in Australia, and in France too. Anti-Bullying Week 2023 is coordinated in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. This year it has the theme “Make A Noise About Bullying” and will take place from Monday 13 to Friday 17 November. The … Continue reading “Bullying Is Never OK”

This is England 2023 films for Lycée Classes

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 06 November 2023 > Webpicks

The This is England short-film festival in Rouen has a specific programme of short films for lycée classes. The varied selection this year includes odes to two very different British landscapes, family relations, mindfulness, racism, a music video based on an historic Scottish figure and a documentary about a prosthetic leg. If you sign up … Continue reading “This is England 2023 films for Lycée Classes”