Frankenstein at 200

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 17 May 2018 > Celebrate

Frankenstein was published in 1818, written by a very unconventional young woman. Its genesis is as intriguing as its lasting influence. Without a volcanic eruption, Frankenstein and the vampire fiction genre may never have seen the day. In 1815 Mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted violently, in the largest and most deadly eruption recorded anywhere in … Continue reading “Frankenstein at 200”

May the Fourth Be With You

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 03 May 2018 > Celebrate

May 4 is international “Star Wars” Day in honour of the pun on this date: “May the fourth be with you.” In the movies the phrase “May the Force be with you” is used to wish an individual good luck and good favour with The Force. Since it began in 1977, Star Wars, an epic … Continue reading “May the Fourth Be With You”

Free Ecology Poster

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 20 April 2018 > Celebrate

The theme for this year’s Earth Day, 22 April, is “End Plastic Pollution”. This poster from the U.S. Department of State puts the focus on ecological problems caused by plastic waste in our oceans, and the dangers it presents for marine creatures. The poster is a great starting point for a class on plastic in … Continue reading “Free Ecology Poster”

Media Literacy Week

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 16 March 2018 > Celebrate

Every year the Semaine de la presse à l’école encourages teachers to work on media literacy with their pupils, by examining the press and having pupils turn their hands to reporting themselves. It’s a wonderfully realistic activity for language learners. There is a really excellent teaching pack with so many ideas in that you can … Continue reading “Media Literacy Week”

Stepping Up

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 16 March 2018 > Celebrate

From 17 to 23 March, Britain is breaking out the running shoes and swimming costumes for Sport Relief, Red Nose Day’s sporting cousin. A whole lot of comics, celebrities, schools and the great British public will take on sporting challenges to raise money for those in need in Britain and some of the poorest communities … Continue reading “Stepping Up”

The Great Christmas Pudding Race

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 30 November 2017 > Celebrate

It has all the ingredients of a great British event: tradition, wearing costumes, doing silly things and collecting money for charity! Every year at Covent Garden Market in London, teams of people participate in The Great Christmas Pudding race. They make their way through a series of obstacles while carrying a Christmas pudding on a … Continue reading “The Great Christmas Pudding Race”

Merry Christmas Jumper Day!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 13 November 2017 > Celebrate

Like Red Nose Day, Christmas Jumper Day is becoming a tradition for British people to do something silly – wear a kitschy Christmas jumper — to do some serious good, for the charity Save the Children. Christmas is of course a special time for children, which is why the charity wants people to donate to … Continue reading “Merry Christmas Jumper Day!”

Thanksgiving

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 14 October 2017 > Celebrate

Many in the U.S. consider Thanksgiving the most American of holidays. The feast appeals to every religious and ethnic group, honours a turning point in American history, and encourages a spirit of good will. Plus, Thanksgiving offers one of the best meals of the year! In 1620, a group of 102 British people men, women … Continue reading “Thanksgiving”