Biobox: Queen Elizabeth II

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 26 April 2019 > Ready to Use

Our bioboxes are short “Who Am I?” quizzes to help introduce pupils to famous figures in the English-speaking world. This one was written by pupils for our “Who Am I?” contest. Thank you to Valerian, Dounia and Seham from Mme Boussaguet’s 2nde pro class, Lycée Dhuoda, Nîmes (30). You can download the MP4 file below … Continue reading “Biobox: Queen Elizabeth II”

Biobox: Sherlock Holmes

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 26 April 2019 > Ready to Use

Our bioboxes are short “Who Am I?” quizzes to help introduce pupils to famous figures in the English-speaking world. This one was written by pupils for our “Who Am I?” contest. Thank you to Miss Mazuet’s 4e Euro class, Collège Clément Marot, Douvres la Délivrande (14). You can download the MP4 file below to use … Continue reading “Biobox: Sherlock Holmes”

Becoming Michelle Obama

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 26 April 2019 > Ready to Use

The release of the former First Lady’s memoir and her accompanying conference tour is a great occasion for pupils to learn more about her biography, and about the role of the First Lady, which  Patricia Nixon (First Lady from 1969 to 1974) described it as “the hardest unpaid job in the world”. This article gives … Continue reading “Becoming Michelle Obama”

Who Am I? Competition Winners

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 26 April 2019 > Pedagogy

Back at the beginning of the school year, we launched three pupil competitions. The A2-level competition was to write a 10-question “Who Am I?” quiz about a famous English-speaker. We were absolutely inundated with replies for the three competitions. Please apologise to your pupils for the delay but we finally have the winners of the … Continue reading “Who Am I? Competition Winners”

Two Queens

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 27 February 2019 > Ready to Use

This article explores the fates of two queens who reigned in neighbouring kingdoms in the 16th century. Both linked and opposed, they had to rule in a man’s world, in a conflict-ridden society, where religious and political unrest were rife and conspiracy and treason were the norm. Through the new biopic, Mary Queen of Scots, … Continue reading “Two Queens”

Queens on Screen

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 21 February 2019 > What's On

Films about Stuart queens are like buses — there are none for ages, then two together, just in time for the Oscars. Mary Queen of Scots and her descendant Queen Anne are both gracing our screens in radically different biopics, both diverging from history as it has traditionally been portrayed. The Favourite portrays the reign … Continue reading “Queens on Screen”

Myth and Hero

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 29 January 2019 > What's On

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has had quite a year. The Supreme Court Justice has been the focus of a biopic and a documentary, which has been nominated for an Oscar. At 85, and despite frail health, Bader Ginsburg seems to have reached greater influence than she ever imagined. The 85-year-old is the doyenne of the Supreme … Continue reading “Myth and Hero”

Teaching with Film: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 29 January 2019 > Shine Bright Lycée Webpicks

The biopic about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is excellent for discussing gender issues in this class. This short clip should really get students talking. It’s suitable from B1+, as there is a lot of implicit content. It’s a scene from early in the film, On the Basis of Sex. It’s 1956, and Ruth … Continue reading “Teaching with Film: Ruth Bader Ginsburg”