Scottish First Minister Resigns

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 15 February 2023 > In the News

On 15 February, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she was resigning after eight years in the post. Like Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’ Prime Minister, less than a month ago, Sturgeon blamed the brutality of political life for her resignation. Nicola Sturgeon has been an MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) since the first elections … Continue reading “Scottish First Minister Resigns”

Free Celtic Film Festival

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 29 March 2022 > What's On

The second edition of the Festival du film celtique will take place at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris on the evenings of 11 and 12 April.  Feature and short films from Scotland and Wales will be shown, with lots of opportunity to talk to filmmakers. There are a few invitations available. On Monday … Continue reading “Free Celtic Film Festival”

Toasting Robert Burns

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 21 January 2022 > Celebrate

Not many countries have an annual celebration of their national poet. In fact not all countries have a national poet. But Scotland does and millions of people around the world celebrate him on Burns Night every 25 January. The adoption of Robert Burns (1759-1796) as national poet was a natural, organic process born or real … Continue reading “Toasting Robert Burns”

St Andrews Day Online Resources

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 25 November 2021 > Webpicks

St Andrew’s Day, 30 November, is the Scottish national day. Here are a couple of resources to talk about the celebration with collège classes, and a suggestion to get everyone moving! This BBC Newsround article written for children has “Everything you need to know about St Andrew’s Day”. It’s usable from A2. You may want … Continue reading “St Andrews Day Online Resources”

Escape Game Pack: What’s Inside?

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 13 September 2021 > Pedagogy

So you’ve heard of our Escape Games pack, but what does it really look like? We reveal all in this short video!  

Escape Games Webinar

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 28 May 2021 > Pedagogy

Thank you for all your interest in our new Escape Games pack for collège. Now it’s time to find out more as two of its authors present the concept and answer your questions in the replay of our 2 June webinar. Emma and Patrick describe their experience testing the games in class with their pupils … Continue reading “Escape Games Webinar”

Scottish Independence Debate Videos

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 19 May 2021 > Webpicks

If you would like to explore the debate around a possible second Scottish independence referendum, IndyRef2, in class, these videos have some useful material. We already featured a Scottish National Party Party Political broadcast from before the 6 May elections in our article. This one was published after the election results. Its message is pretty … Continue reading “Scottish Independence Debate Videos”

Scottish Independence Back on the Agenda

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 12 May 2021 > In the News

After elections to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish National Party has emerged the leading party for the fourth consecutive election, achieving just one seat short of a majority in an electoral system specifically designed not to produce overall majorities. The party of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had campaigned on the promise of a new independence … Continue reading “Scottish Independence Back on the Agenda”

Time to Escape

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 26 April 2021 > Pedagogy

Immerse your students in an adventure that will get them working in teams, and in English, without even noticing! Three escape games set in a haunted Scottish castle, on the Titanic and in London during evacuation from the Blitz are easy to put in place and full of cultural content for cycle 4. The Escape … Continue reading “Time to Escape”

Scotland’s Birth Certificate

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 06 May 2020 > Celebrate

Seven hundred years ago, Scotland’s most powerful lords wrote a letter that many consider the country’s foundational document: The Declaration of Arbroath. In it, they swore they would never submit to English rule. In 1320, Scotland was in the midst of the Wars of Independence with its southern neighbour. After William Wallace’s ultimately doomed rebellion … Continue reading “Scotland’s Birth Certificate”