Once every four years, a U.S. President is inaugurated. This video gives a succinct summary of the significance of this ritualised event. The first 1m30 gives an overview of the day from the oath to the speech and the inaugural balls, with some short extracts from Abraham Lincoln’s and John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speeches. Then … Continue reading “Presidential Inaugurations: A Video”
The 119th U.S. Congress convened for the first time on 3 January. Although the Republican Party achieved the “trifecta” of the Presidency and majorities in both houses of Congress in the November elections, divisions within the party mean it won’t be simple to pass legislation. The Republicans have a five seat majority in the Senate … Continue reading “New Congress, New Challenges”
On Monday, 20 January, Donald Trump will become the 47th President of the United States at his second Inauguration in Washington D.C. What does the Inauguration involve, who participates, and what does it cost? The first Inauguration was George Washington’s in New York in 1789. The newly independent United States hadn’t built its new federal … Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know About: U.S. Presidential Inaugurations”
Jimmy Carter served just one term as the 39th President of the U.S.A., but his public service started long before his White House stay and continued to the end of his long life. He has died aged 100. Jimmy Carter often described himself as a Georgia peanut farmer. He was born in 1924 on the … Continue reading “A President Passes”
Wallace and Gromit are unlikely heroes: a not-very-good amateur inventor from the north of England and his long-suffering dog. But they have won hearts and minds all over the world since their first appearance in 1989 and now they are back in their second feature film: Vengeance Most Fowl. They have to face an old … Continue reading “Wallace and Gromit Are Back”
After nine years at the head of the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down as leader of the Canadian Liberal Party on Monday, following months of internal struggles in the party. His resignation may have come too late to allow his successor to successfully lead a campaign for re-election, which must be held by … Continue reading “Justin Trudeau Resigns as Canadian PM”
Ernest Cole spent the early part of his life photographing his life in South Africa as a black man under apartheid in the 1950s and 60s. He was able to publish some at the time but many waited until he felt forced into exile in the U.S.A. His book of his photos House of Bondage … Continue reading “Ernest Cole Photographing Apartheid”
Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju just made history by becoming the youngest ever World Chess Champion at the age of just 18. Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren, a grandmaster and the defending champion, at the World Championship in Singapore on 12 December. Previously the youngest champion was Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won. Gukesh … Continue reading “Youngest Chess Champ”
The famous Wicked musical is now a film. How about embarking your 6e students on a trip to Oz and the Emerald City in order to make them discover the world of Wicked while revising the present simple and learning words about school and wizardry? The trailer focuses mainly on the Shiz University section and … Continue reading “Wicked”
Watch the trailer and fill in your worksheet.