34 years after the beginning of the saga, British author Ken Follett returns to Kingsbridge, an imaginary town in the south of England, with a fifth installment, The Armour of Light. With this book, Follett completes a period of more than 800 years, from the end of the Dark Ages to the time of the … Continue reading “The Armour of Light: Ken Follett returns to Kingsbridge”
As we swelter in unseasonable heat, what better prospect than a summer spent watching rainy British costume dramas? ARTE has a great season lined up called “English Passions” with lots of Jane Austen, Jane Eyre and the reboot of the series that inspired Downton Abbey. Settle back with a cup of tea and enjoy! You … Continue reading “A Summer of Romanticism and Costume Drama on ARTE”
This biography of King Charles III is meant for A2 students. The coronation ceremonies will take place on Saturday 6th of May 2023 and celebrations are expected all over the United Kingdom and in some Commonwealth countries. The Royal Family is a fairly common topic at the moment, so your students are likely to know … Continue reading “A Royal Celebration”
Prince Charles became King Charles III as soon as his mother Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, but he will only crowned king at his coronation ceremony on 6 May, after a period of mourning. It is an event full of pageantry, with much of the ritual going back a thousand years. The … Continue reading “Britain Celebrates: The Coronation”
The Ciné O’Clock British and Irish Film Festival in Villeurbanne will be presenting its 27th edition from 22-26 February. There are some great previews of upcoming releases. Another Oscar nominee is Colin O’Farrell, for Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin (the most nominated film this year). If you haven’t caught it yet, it’s a macabre … Continue reading “Irish and British Film Festival in Villeurbanne”
As well as lots of new and upcoming films, the Arras Film Festival (4-13 November) is organising a retrospective of films around Queen Victoria, the Victorian age and the British Empire. It includes literary classics like Oliver Twist and Sherlock Holmes, films about the Empire such as Zulu and The Man Who Would Be King, … Continue reading “Queen Victoria at the Arras Film Festival”
William Morris was born into Victorian Britain in the throes of the Industrial Revolution. But the artist, architect and Socialist championed instead beautiful handmade objects he believed should be in every home. An exhibition in Roubaix explores his vision, from Pre-Raphaelite art to wallpaper, hand-printed books and political organisations. Morris was born into a wealthy … Continue reading “William Morris Father of Arts and Crafts”
Thank you for your wonderful feedback on our first Escape Games pack. You wanted more, and it’s coming very soon. Our new pack of three games for A1, A1+ and A2 levels will be available from 4 November. Immerse your students in an adventure that will get them working in teams, and in English, without … Continue reading “New Escape Games A1 > A2”
Our bioboxes are short “Who Am I?” quizzes to help introduce pupils to famous figures in the English-speaking world. This one is about Britain’s new King Charles III. You can download the MP4 file below to use in class.
On 8 September, the British Royal Family announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. Britain’s longest reigning monarch had been on the throne for 70 years, which had been marked this summer by Platinum Jubilee celebrations. She was immediately succeeded by her son Charles, who will be known as King … Continue reading “The End of an Era”
