Another UK Electoral Surprise

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 10 June 2017 > In the News

The UK General Election that was supposed to consolidate the Conservative majority has a resulted in a hung parliament: no one party has reached the 326 seats needed for an absolute majority. The sitting Conservative government has asked the Queen to form a government with the backing of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party. The … Continue reading “Another UK Electoral Surprise”

Britain Goes to the Polls

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 08 June 2017 > In the News

The exception seems to be becoming the rule in Britain, where the latest election campaign, just like the last general election and the EU referendum, has not gone the way anyone expected. Britons go to the polls today for the election Theresa May announced on 18 April, and which the Conservatives were expected to win … Continue reading “Britain Goes to the Polls”

Celebrating Canada

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 03 June 2017 > Celebrate

Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2017. July 1 marks the 150 years since Confederation, when the British colonies in modern day Canada joined to form the self-governing British Dominion of Canada. June and July are already months when Canadians take time to appreciate their country. This year, they will push the appreciation to another level. Canada … Continue reading “Celebrating Canada”

All Around Canada to Celebrate 150 Years

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 03 June 2017 > In the News

Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2017. One of the highlights is a 150-day expedition following Canada’s three coasts from East to West. More than 300 Canadians have been selected to participate in the different legs of the maritime expedition, including 33 Youth Ambassadors representing Canada’s young people. July 1 2017 marks the 150th anniversary … Continue reading “All Around Canada to Celebrate 150 Years”

Inventing a Machine in Language Class

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 03 June 2017 > Pedagogy

Let’s imagine a crazy machine! We look at a fun and active project that gets pupils moving and talking in English about a culturally specific phenomenon: a Rube Goldberg machine. Cartoonist Rube Goldberg was famous for drawing comically complex machines to complete everyday task. His drawings are so well known in the U.S.A. that there … Continue reading “Inventing a Machine in Language Class”

Prom Time

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 June 2017 > Celebrate

Prom is an end-of-year tradition in North American schools, and a rite of passage for teenagers. It has spread across the Atlantic. Most British schools now organise some kind of end-of-school, prom-style dance. Proms started out as banquets for graduating university classes in the 19th century. Prom is short for “promenade”, the formal arrival of … Continue reading “Prom Time”

Yes he can!: why President Macron made his speech in English

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 June 2017 > In the News

On Thursday 1 June, from The White House Rose Garden, President Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change. He described the move as a reassertion of American sovereignty and said: “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris”. Mr Trump criticized the climate accord as … Continue reading “Yes he can!: why President Macron made his speech in English”

The Art of Rube Goldberg: Why do simple when it can be complicated?

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 June 2017 > What's On

You may have heard about a complex concept described as a “Rube Goldberg”… then wondered what that meant. The Rube Goldberg machine is a complicated machine that does simple tasks. Rube Goldberg was an American inventor, sculptor, author, engineer, cartoonist and he is very famous for his zany inventions cartoons. Before he was known as … Continue reading “The Art of Rube Goldberg: Why do simple when it can be complicated?”