Barack Obama Register to Vote Video

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 06 September 2016 > Webpicks

In the U.S. presidential elections,  all the candidates are chasing the youth vote. So Barack Obama  has made a short video to encourage young people to sign up to vote. It would make a great classroom activity. The video shows the President doing “Five things that are harder than registering to vote.” Barack Obama is … Continue reading “Barack Obama Register to Vote Video”

Oscar Wilde

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 05 September 2016 > Ready to Use

Irish poet, playwright, novelist, editor, dandy and wit Oscar Wilde was a major figure of the nineteenth century literary scene, and his work is still widely read and performed today. A major exhibition at the Petit Palais presents his life and work – both as an immensely popular writer and as an object of scandal … Continue reading “Oscar Wilde”

The Beat Generation on the Web

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 September 2016 > Webpicks

The Beat Generation exhibition at the Paris Pompidou Centre looks at the legacy of these anti-conformist writers from the 1940s-1960s. It fits well into a lycée theme on Mythes et héros or L’idée de progrès. Or in LELE, the themes Voyage, parcours initiatique, exil or L’écrivain dans son siècle. See our article about the exhibition. … Continue reading “The Beat Generation on the Web”

Women on Banknotes Webpicks

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 September 2016 > Webpicks

National symbols are a wonderful way into discussing a country’s culture — and encouraging pupils to think about their own country’s symbols, which we all tend to take for granted. The current debate in the U.S.A. about honouring a woman on a banknote is and excellent and realistic example. This topic is great for classwork … Continue reading “Women on Banknotes Webpicks”

The BFG Webpicks

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 23 August 2016 > Webpicks

As part of the celebrations of the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth, Steven Spielberg has helmed an adaptation of his book The BFG. Pupils generally recognise Dahl’s work from books or films, so it is a rich subject for class work. Don’t miss our articles on the The BFG film and Dream Jar Trail (see … Continue reading “The BFG Webpicks”

Celebrating Shakespeare

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 19 August 2016 > Ready to Use

You hardly need an excuse to familiarise your pupils with one of the most important figures in English-speaking culture: William Shakespeare. However, 2016 is the 400th anniversary of his death and there are events and celebrations all over the world. The Bard is everywhere, including classrooms! You will find below two articles, the first, A2 … Continue reading “Celebrating Shakespeare”

Jesse Owens Webpicks

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 18 August 2016 > Webpicks

The film Race tells the story of Jesse Owens’ victories at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Read more about the film in our article. Jesse Owens’ extraordinary achievements are a great topic both in collège and lycée, where it fits well into a Mythes et héros theme. Biographies This video from the film’s website mixes real … Continue reading “Jesse Owens Webpicks”

Australia

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 17 August 2016 > Ready to Use

This easy A1+ article will introduce your pupils to one of the largest, but most sparsely populated, English-speaking countries: Australia. It includes geographical details and a map, and elements about symbols, institutions, landmarks and population. It is accompanied by teaching activities and an audio quiz.   Vocabulary and structures be there is/are locating compass points … Continue reading “Australia”