“Equal Pay Day” is marked on different days in countries but the message is the same: women are paid less than men for equivalent work, and it’s time to raise awareness of this gender pay gap. In France, Equal Pay Day 2016 is being marked on 7 November. In the UK it’s the 10th. That’s … Continue reading “Equal Pay Day”
If you’re looking for a fun language activity before the holidays, how about transforming your pupils into dancing zombies? For the tenth year running, Thrill the World will try to break its own world record for the biggest simultaneous dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”: 22,596 people around the world! The song’s video with Jackson doing … Continue reading “A “Thrilling” Halloween”
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a major turning point in British history. The victory of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, changed whole course of Britain’s history and culture. Not least the language, as French became the legal language of England for the next 300 years. The 950th anniversary of the battle this … Continue reading “1066: Battle of Hastings”
In 2011, the United Nations declared 11 October the International Day of the Girl. It’s a day to celebrate girls and raise awareness of the problems they face. Girls face challenges such as violence, child marriage, early pregnancy and its health effects, and limited access to paid work. Gender equality and education for all were … Continue reading “International Day of the Girl”
Every autumn, Britain breaks out in verse for National Poetry Day, this year on 6 October. We often reach for poetry when we want to say something meaningful, whether it is in a birthday card, a graduation speech, wedding or funeral. The aim of National Poetry Day is to have people encounter poetry in unusual … Continue reading “Say it with a Poem on National Poetry Day”
They are London’s working-class royalty, and a popular part of the city’s folklore. The Pearly Kings and Queens also raise large amounts of money for charity. Their annual Harvest Festival in September is a sight to behold. The original Pearly King was an orphan, Henry Croft. He was brought up in an orphanage but at … Continue reading “Pearly Kings and Queens Festival”
William Shakespeare died 400 years ago, on 23 April 1616, at the age of 52, in his native Stratford-upon-Avon. Yet his 37 plays are still played constantly around the world, and have provided the basis for more than 1000 films. Britain had had grandiose plans for celebrating the tercentenary of Shakespeare’s death in 1916 before … Continue reading “Shakespeare 400”
Roald Dahl was such a popular children’s writer that every year, 13 September (his birthday) is World Roald Dahl Day. This year is the hundredth anniversary of his birth, and there are celebrations galore. Dahl, who died in 1990, is best remembered as the author of irreverent classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, … Continue reading “Roald Dahl Day Special”
The Battle of the Somme in 1916 was a tragic turning point in World War One for British and Empire forces. There are many on-going commemorations from 1 July to 18 November to mark the centenary of the battle. The Battle of the Somme was launched to try to provide relief for the French Army, which … Continue reading “The Battle of the Somme 1916”
21 September is Peace One Day, a U.N. day of ceasefire and non-violence around the world. A day to bring peace into your classroom! The United Nations voted unanimously in 2001 to declare 21 September a day for peace. Unfortunately, that decision was taken days before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But that didn’t deter Jeremy … Continue reading “Teach Peace on 21 September”