Yesterday

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 20 June 2019 > What's On

It’s always great to have an excuse to play Beatles songs in class and the latest one is this summer’s feel-good movie, Yesterday. In it a wannabe pop star from England wakes up from a bike accident caused by a global power cut to discover that he is the only person left on Earth who … Continue reading “Yesterday”

Biobox: Charles Darwin

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 Lara and Nina, from Mrs Depriester’s 4e class, Collège Jean Monnet, Aubigny-en-Artois (62) You can download the MP4 file below to … Continue reading “Biobox: Charles Darwin”

All About the Royals

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 05 February 2019 > What's On

The next “Talk in English” at the British Council in Paris will be on Thursday 21 February and will be on a popular topic: the British Royal Family. The talk will be given by one of the British Council’s teachers, Amy Brightling, and will cover the recent history of the Royal family, and their importance … Continue reading “All About the Royals”

One-Man Show

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 December 2018 > What's On

Grayson Perry is one of the best-known contemporary artists in the U.K, a documentary filmmaker and often a walking work of art. His exhibition “Vanity, Identity, Sexuality” at the Monnaie de Paris gives an overview of his art, which questions British society and politics, and male identity. As well as his original speciality,  ceramics, it … Continue reading “One-Man Show”

Go Scottish for St Andrews

Posted by Speakeasy News > Sunday 25 November 2018 > Celebrate

St Andrew’s Day, 30 November, is the Scottish national day. It’s a time to wear some tartan, listen to some bagpipes playing “Oh Flower of Scotland”, dance a Highland fling and eat some haggis and shortbread with a wee glass of malt whisky! A typical Scottish expression at this time of year is, “The nights … Continue reading “Go Scottish for St Andrews”

We Will Rock You

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 05 November 2018 > What's On

Queen is approaching its fiftieth anniversary, and has had one of the most successful careers in rock history. After a string of hits in the 70s and 80s, brought to a halt by the death of frontman Freddie Mercury, their jukebox musical We Will Rock You gave the band a second career. Now the remaining … Continue reading “We Will Rock You”

Teaching Democracy: The Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 31 October 2018 > Webpicks

The Magna Carta is the foundation of British democracy, with its limitations of the power of the monarchy and the guarantee of habeas corpus, the right not to be imprisoned without a fair trial. Some simple resources from the British Library can introduce your pupils to this important cultural concept. The British Library has provided … Continue reading “Teaching Democracy: The Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus”

Saving the Magna Carta

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 31 October 2018 > In the News

On 25 October, a man was arrested in Salisbury Cathedral in England. He was trying to steal the cathedral’s copy of the Magna Carta, a major symbol of democracy. The Magna Carta (1215) is one of the most important documents in British, not to say world history. It represents the first time a British monarch … Continue reading “Saving the Magna Carta”