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”

Words of the Year: 2023

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 06 December 2023 > In the News Shine Bright Collège Shine Bright Lycée

‘Tis the season for various dictionaries to reveal their “words of the year”. It has been the word on everyone’s lips, so it’s not surprising that the UK’s Collins Dictionary, as well as Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary people’s choice was AI. But we came across a few we were unfamiliar with, such as “rizz” and “cozzie … Continue reading “Words of the Year: 2023”

2023 Booker Prize Goes to an Irish Dystopia

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 06 December 2023 > What's On

The Booker Prize 2023 was awarded to Paul Lynch for his dystopian novel set in his native Ireland, Prophet Song.  Chosen from a longlist of 13 and a shortlist of six, Lynch’s is the fifth Irish novel to win the U.K.’s most prestigious literary prize. And it’s the former film critic’s fifth novel. Prophet Song … Continue reading “2023 Booker Prize Goes to an Irish Dystopia”

Posy Simmonds: Drawing Literature

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 01 December 2023 > What's On

Posy Simmonds is a British cartoonist and writer. She is best known for her work in the field of comics and graphic novels, particularly her contributions to The Guardian newspaper. She is currently being celebrated at the Bibliothèque Publique d’Information (BPI) at the Centre Pompidou (Paris) in a retrospective exhibition until April 1st, 2024. The … Continue reading “Posy Simmonds: Drawing Literature”

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”