Stephen Hawking at 75

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 20 January 2017 > In the News

Stephen Hawking is a phenomenal scientist and scientific phenomenon. He enjoys his unique position as a popular cultural icon as well as one of the most respected scientists of his generation. The man who doctors gave two years to live when he was 21 has just celebrated his 75th birthday. To coin a phrase from … Continue reading “Stephen Hawking at 75”

Shetland Viking Fire Festival

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 19 January 2017 > Celebrate

The Shetland Islands are the northernmost part of the U.K., and belonged to Norway until 1468. So it’s no surprise that the highpoint in the Shetland cultural calendar is a spectacular Viking fire festival in January: Up Helly Aa. On the last Tuesday of January, a thousand costumed men pull a Viking longship through Lerwick … Continue reading “Shetland Viking Fire Festival”

Learning to Learn

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 19 January 2017 > Pedagogy

What does a pupil understand when a teacher says, “Learn today’s lesson for next time”? What exactly should the pupil do? Read the work over, copy it out, memorise the new words or expressions, use them in context to produce a message…? Which tools should be used (notebook, textbook, school homework website…)? And how will … Continue reading “Learning to Learn”

Women Unite

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 16 January 2017 > In the News

There will be a big event in Washington on 21 January. No, not the Inauguration. The day after Donald Trump enters the White House, women’s organisations are calling for women to mobilise to make it clear that they will defend their rights against any threat from the new administration. Donald Trump managed to offend many … Continue reading “Women Unite”

2020: The Year of Women

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 16 January 2017 > In the News

A campaign to get a woman honoured by featuring on an American banknote had even more success than the campaigners hoped. Both women and ethnic minority figures will feature on dollar bills by 2020, the centenary of women’s suffrage in the U.S.! National symbols are a wonderful way into discussing a country’s culture – and … Continue reading “2020: The Year of Women”

Born to Sing

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 06 January 2017 > What's On

Sing is a feelgood movie about a singing competition designed to save a failing theatre in a city entirely populated by animals. From the animators who made Despicable Me, The Minions and The Secret Life of Pets, Sing is full of humour, hit songs and anthropomorphic animals. It is based on a trope we’re all … Continue reading “Born to Sing”

Apprendre à apprendre

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 20 December 2016 > Pedagogy

Que signifie pour un élève la consigne « apprendre sa leçon » ? Que faut-il faire exactement ? La lire plusieurs fois, la copier, apprendre les mots et expressions nouveaux, les utiliser en contexte pour produire un message… ? Avec quels documents, quels outils (cahier, manuel, site internet de l’établissement…) ? Et comment l’élève saura-t-il qu’il connaît sa leçon ? … Continue reading “Apprendre à apprendre”