It’s Christmas Jumper Day!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 12 December 2018 > Celebrate

Christmas Jumper Day has been a big charity event in the UK for several years. The U.S. is catching up with Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Either way, it’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit and make a donation to a children’s charity. Christmas Jumper Day in the UK is organised by the … Continue reading “It’s Christmas Jumper Day!”

Merry Christmas Jumper Day!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 13 November 2017 > Celebrate

Like Red Nose Day, Christmas Jumper Day is becoming a tradition for British people to do something silly – wear a kitschy Christmas jumper — to do some serious good, for the charity Save the Children. Christmas is of course a special time for children, which is why the charity wants people to donate to … Continue reading “Merry Christmas Jumper Day!”

What is the Queen’s Speech?

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 21 June 2017 > In the News

The Queen’s Speech is shorthand for the UK’s State Opening of Parliament, which takes place annually at the beginning of each parliamentary session. The monarch reads out a speech to the assembled Houses of Lords and Commons detailing the government’s programme of legislation for the upcoming year. The State Opening is one of those occasions … Continue reading “What is the Queen’s Speech?”

Prom Time

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 June 2017 > Celebrate

Prom is an end-of-year tradition in North American schools, and a rite of passage for teenagers. It has spread across the Atlantic. Most British schools now organise some kind of end-of-school, prom-style dance. Proms started out as banquets for graduating university classes in the 19th century. Prom is short for “promenade”, the formal arrival of … Continue reading “Prom Time”

Christmas Shopping

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 12 December 2016 > Ready to Use

This A1+-level interactive picture, activities and audio will introduce beginners to Christmas vocabulary and Anglophone traditions for the festive season. Vocabulary and structures Christmas vocabulary numbers /ɪ/ and /aɪ/ sounds WH-questions: How many… Don’t miss the Webpicks below for more Christmas-themed resources at different levels.

Christmas on the Web

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 09 December 2016 > Webpicks

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Before the winter holidays, why not do a little cultural comparisons, looking at how Christmas is celebrated in English speaking countries in the northern and southern hemisphere? These digital resources will help you. There is are several videos and audio recordings with interactive comprehension activities about Christmas in the … Continue reading “Christmas on the Web”

The Queen at 90

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 16 August 2016 > Celebrate

Britain broke out the bunting and the Union Jacks to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. There are not many 90-year-olds who are still doing a full-time job, even though the Queen now relies more on her children and grandchildren to represent the Royal Family abroad. After becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch on 9 September 2015, … Continue reading “The Queen at 90”