Presidential Inaugurations: A Video

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 14 January 2025 > Webpicks

Once every four years, a U.S. President is inaugurated. This video gives a succinct summary of the significance of this ritualised event. The first 1m30 gives an overview of the day from the oath to the speech, with some short extracts from Abraham Lincoln’s and John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speeches, to the balls. Then there … Continue reading “Presidential Inaugurations: A Video”

Save the Date: British Short Films Festival in Normandy

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 22 October 2024 > Pedagogy

The “This is England” festival of British short films based in Rouen and the surrounding region is back. he 2024 edition  will take place from  16 to 24 November. A team of teachers has put together a special programme of screenings and teaching materials for primary, collège and lycée classes.  The festival has created a … Continue reading “Save the Date: British Short Films Festival in Normandy”

Put Some Meaning in Your Halloweening

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 22 October 2024 > Webpicks

It’s one of the best known charity fundraisers in the U.S.A. Since 1948, kids have been adding a civic element to their Halloween trick or treating by collecting donations for UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s fund. Trick-or-treaters used to carry a little cardboard collecting box. The iconic box disappeared during COVID in favour of online … Continue reading “Put Some Meaning in Your Halloweening”

1500 Euro Prize for a Class Project About Australia

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 09 October 2024 > Pedagogy

Primary, collège and lycée classes can participate in the Sadlier Stokes Prize to create projects about Australia’s participation in World War I. Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier and Sergeant Charlie Stokes of the 5th Australia Division, were decorated for their bravery in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, on 24 April, 1918. The town was strategic in the … Continue reading “1500 Euro Prize for a Class Project About Australia”

Becoming American on the Fourth of July

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 01 July 2024 > Celebrate

Independence Day is a celebration for all Americans, but for some it has special significance. It’s a traditional day for holding naturalisation ceremonies, welcoming new citizens to the U.S.A. A total of 878,500 people obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalisation in 2023. Ceremonies take place all year round, but a lot take place in honour of … Continue reading “Becoming American on the Fourth of July”

Teaching About the UK Electoral System

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 25 June 2024 > Webpicks

General elections in the U.K. have a lot in common with French legislative elections. Here are some resources on the British system that can help pupils think about democracy and compare and contrast the British and French systems. The video on this page has a 1-minute explanation of how a general election works, written for … Continue reading “Teaching About the UK Electoral System”

Olympic Spirit

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 27 May 2024 > Ready to Use

We felt this video showed a great example of resilience and Olympic spirit.  It shows Sifan Hassan, a Dutch athlete who came to the Netherlands as a refugee from Ethiopia when she was fifteen and here we see the final lap of the 1,500m qualifying heat, in which she fell over, stood up and finally … Continue reading “Olympic Spirit”

Matilda Reading Guide

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 03 May 2024 > Pedagogy Shine Bright Collège Shine Bright Lycée

Last year, we started a new collection of Reading Guides to help you introduce your pupils to reading fiction in English in collège and seconde. Our latest title is about to arrive in bookshops: Matilda by Roald Dahl! Matilda was born from the vivid imagination of one of the world’s best-loved and most-read children’s authors: … Continue reading “Matilda Reading Guide”

Monkey Man: Indian Mythology Meets Action Movie

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 17 April 2024 > What's On

Monkey Man is a new departure for Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel: he co-wrote, directed and stars in the film inspired by Indian mythology and reality, which plays homage to the action movies he adores. The title and the film are inspired by the Hindu monkey-faced demigod Hanuman. The film does share themes with both … Continue reading “Monkey Man: Indian Mythology Meets Action Movie”