80th Anniversary of VE Day

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 30 April 2025 > Ready to Use

The world is about to celebrate the 80th anniversary of a cornerstone day: VE Day, on May 8th. What about celebrating this day with your students by reading letters and testimonies from the period? These B1 activities based on authentic letters and testimonies from people who experienced WWII and VE Day will help the students get … Continue reading “80th Anniversary of VE Day”

The Great Gatsby Turns 100

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 11 April 2025 > Celebrate

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is considered the quintessential depiction of the Roaring Twenties and a definite contender for the title of great American novel. On the 100th anniversary of its publication, readers return to the classic, and writers imagine new stories for its characters. Published on 10 April 1925, it was Fitzgerald’s third … Continue reading “The Great Gatsby Turns 100”

Kids Take Over Parliament

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 21 March 2025 > In the News

On 28 February, the average age in the House of Commons debating chamber was a lot younger than normal. Instead of the usual MPs, the chamber hosted the annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament: more than 300 11-18-year-olds elected by their peers.  The debaters are MYPs: Members of the U.K. Youth Parliament. Any 11-18-year-old … Continue reading “Kids Take Over Parliament”

Civil Rights Map

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 21 March 2025 > Ready to Use Shine Bright Collège Shine Bright Lycée

What about a Civil Rights Trail Map to commemorate and remember this decade-long fight to reach equality? The map and website studied here offer a geographical exploration of the period rather than a more common and historical one, a good means for your B1-B2 students to see the Civil Rights movement from a different perspective. Vocabulary … Continue reading “Civil Rights Map”

Wes Anderson Exhibition at the Cinémathèque

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 14 March 2025 > Pedagogy

Wes Anderson is one of those film directors who has such a personal style that you can instantly recognise one of his films, whether it’s live action or animation. An exhibition at the Cinémathèque recreates the singular vision of the director of Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Wes Anderson was … Continue reading “Wes Anderson Exhibition at the Cinémathèque”

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 and the inaugural balls, with some short extracts from Abraham Lincoln’s and John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speeches. Then … 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”