Threats to the U.S. Department of Education

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 26 March 2025 > In the News

On March 20, headlines around the world announced that President Donald Trump had dismantled the U.S. Department of Education. What does the Department of Education do, and has it really been closed? The U.S. Department of Education is not the equivalent of the education ministries in many other countries, which usually set curricula and exams, … Continue reading “Threats to the U.S. Department of Education”

Down the Mississippi

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 26 March 2025 > What's On

The Mississippi is in the spotlight in April at the Institut Franco-Américain in Rennes. A talk and a documentary film explore the river. On 1 April, Hervé Nicolas, recently retired researcher from  l’Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, will give a talk about the effects of climate change on the fourth longest river in the world. On 3 … Continue reading “Down the Mississippi”

Kids Take Over Parliament

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 21 March 2025 > In the News

On 28 February, the average age in the House of Commons debating chamber was a lot younger than normal. Instead of the usual MPs, the chamber hosted the annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament: more than 300 11-18-year-olds elected by their peers.  The debaters are MYPs: Members of the U.K. Youth Parliament. Any 11-18-year-old … Continue reading “Kids Take Over Parliament”

Civil Rights Map

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 21 March 2025 > Ready to Use Shine Bright Collège Shine Bright Lycée

What about a Civil Rights Trail Map to commemorate and remember this decade-long fight to reach equality? The map and website studied here offer a geographical exploration of the period rather than a more common and historical one, a good means for your B1-B2 students to see the Civil Rights movement from a different perspective. Vocabulary … Continue reading “Civil Rights Map”

Red Nose Day is Celebrating a Big Birthday

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 19 March 2025 > Celebrate

Red Nose Day is back on Friday 21 March in the UK.  And this is incredibly the charity Comic Relief’s 40th birthday. They’ve been encouraging people to don a clown’s red nose and “do something funny for money” since 1985.  The charity was founded by comedian Lenny Henry and romcom scriptwriter and director Richard Curtis … Continue reading “Red Nose Day is Celebrating a Big Birthday”

Wes Anderson Exhibition at the Cinémathèque

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 14 March 2025 > Pedagogy

Wes Anderson is one of those film directors who has such a personal style that you can instantly recognise one of his films, whether it’s live action or animation. An exhibition at the Cinémathèque recreates the singular vision of the director of Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Wes Anderson was … Continue reading “Wes Anderson Exhibition at the Cinémathèque”

Your Students Have Talent! Matilda

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 13 March 2025 > Pedagogy Shine Bright Collège

In our series “Your Students Have Talent”, check out these sketchnote pages created as a cross-curricular task by pupils using our Reading Guide Matilda. The 4e students were studying Roald Dahl’s touching and humorous novel and were asked to create a sketchnote summary of the story of a highly intelligent young girl who is neglected … Continue reading “Your Students Have Talent! Matilda”