Refugee Speech

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 20 September 2016 > Ready to Use

This speech by UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie on World Refugee Day in June 2016 is a good introduction to the unprecedentedly large numbers of refugees in the world today, and the international summits and actions trying to come up with solutions. At 1’19, it works for practising listening comprehension for the Bac exam, on … Continue reading “Refugee Speech”

Election Time

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 15 September 2016 > Ready to Use

These A2+ and B1-level articles and boxes will enable your pupils to have an overview of the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. It can be an opportunity to compare with elections in other countries (their own country as well as how it is organised in the United Kingdom for example). There are worksheets for A2+ and … Continue reading “Election Time”

“Wheel to Wheel” Short Story

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 12 September 2016 > Ready to Use

This B1-level short story was written by an American teenager. It would fit in well with a theme on the Paralympics. Activities include comprehension, written expression and practise of “used to” and comparatives and superlatives. Vocabulary and structures preterite would (past habit and conditional) past perfect used to comparatives and superlatives sports (athletics)

In the Trenches

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 06 September 2016 > Ready to Use

This B1-level article will enable your pupils to get a better picture of a specific and horrific aspect of World War I: the trenches. It puts particular emphasis on the Battle of the Somme, June-November 1916. Vocabulary and structures war, weapons past tenses: simple past (with irregular verbs), past perfect, past continuous the passive If … Continue reading “In the Trenches”

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”

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”

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”

Visiting Buckingham Palace

Posted by Speakeasy News > Sunday 14 August 2016 > Ready to Use

This A1-level article and comprehension activities will introduce your pupils to one of London’s most popular monuments, Buckingham Palace, and its occupants, the Royal Family. Vocabulary and structures present simple numbers (simple and complex) the names of different rooms describing a home the Royal Family    

Roald Dahl Centenary

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 27 July 2016 > Ready to Use

This A1+-level article will introduce your pupils to one of the most famous children’s storytellers. Some of them may already be familiar with his stories, and the recent release of Spielberg’s BFG will have drawn attention to one of his most endearing characters. Vocabulary and structures: Dates Simple present and simple past Building words Going … Continue reading “Roald Dahl Centenary”

Labor Day

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 22 July 2016 > Ready to Use

This easy A1+ article and audio will introduce your pupils to a holiday which is one of the most celebrated in the U.S.A., but not well-known outside the country: Labor Day, which falls on the first Monday in September and marks the beginning of the school year. Vocabulary and Structures celebrations food dates present simple … Continue reading “Labor Day”