U.S. Election: Kamala Harris

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 24 July 2024 > In the News

Kamala Harris has transformed rapidly from Vice-President to presidential candidate since Joe Biden withdrew from the race to the White House on 28 July. Harris, 59, was born in California in 1964. Her parents both came to the U.S.A. to continue their studies. (Her father is from Jamaica and her mother from India.) They divorced … Continue reading “U.S. Election: Kamala Harris”

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”

Ireland: 100 years of the Olympics

Posted by Speakeasy News > Sunday 26 May 2024 > Ready to Use Shine Bright Lycée

It’s the final countdown! The Olympics in Paris are about to start and to gather the whole world – and Ireland! –  for a few weeks. For this occasion, the Centre culturel irlandais in Paris has prepared an online exhibition reflecting how the Games mirror societal issues and the history of Ireland. The exhibition is … Continue reading “Ireland: 100 years of the Olympics”

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”

New Names for London Train Lines

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 19 February 2024 > In the News

You’re no doubt familiar with London’s iconic Underground map, and the names for Underground lines like Victoria, Circle, Bakerloo and Jubilee. But now the Overground trains in the network are being given new  names reflecting the history and culture of the city. In fact, they’re being given names for the first time — up until … Continue reading “New Names for London Train Lines”

“Triathlon Time” Short Story

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 01 February 2024 > Ready to Use

This A2-level short story will allow you to introduce or revise sports vocabulary and have pupils think about the meaning of sport and fair play. Sisters Eden and Stella are competing in a triathlon and Eden really wants to win. But then Stella has a bike accident… Vocabulary and structures sports simple present gerunds This … Continue reading ““Triathlon Time” Short Story”

Spooky Britain

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 26 January 2024 >

Our resource for Shine Bright 2de accompanies File 4: “Mysteries in the Countryside”. You can find the illustrated map “Spooky Britain” in the textbook. This A2+-B1-level resource will guide your pupils to find out more about the locations on the map from a promotional text. A group activity aimed at enriching pupils’ vocabulary to help … Continue reading “Spooky Britain”